Navajo Nation Protests Sending Human Remains to the Moon
The Navajo Nation is speaking out against the planned placement of human remains on the moon by private companies.
Navajo Nation's Opposition to Lunar Burials
The Navajo Nation, one of the largest Indigenous tribes in the United States, is expressing its objection to the upcoming placement of human remains on the moon by two private companies.
The moon holds significant cultural and spiritual importance for the Navajo people and other Indigenous tribes, and they believe that placing cremated human remains on its surface violates their religious and traditional beliefs.
Navajo Nation president Buu Nygren has filed a complaint with NASA and the U.S. Department of Transportation, arguing that this act is a form of desecration.
The Planned Lunar Mission
United Launch Alliance and Astrobotic are scheduled to launch the Peregrine lander towards the moon next week, which would be the first private lander to reach the lunar surface.
As part of the mission, sets of human DNA and remains collected by private companies Celestis and Elysium Space will be placed on the lunar surface.
These companies have obtained the necessary approvals for their payloads, as NASA does not have oversight over the payloads included in commercial flights through its Commercial Lunar Payload Services program.
Federal Government Consultation with Indigenous Tribes
After learning about the mission, Navajo Nation president Buu Nygren called for the federal government to consult with Indigenous tribes on missions involving human remains.
Nygren believes that the federal government has an obligation to respect and consider the cultural and religious beliefs of Indigenous tribes when making such decisions.
White House officials have already met with Navajo Nation officials to discuss their concerns.
