Oct 06, 2016 Downwinders of Utah Archive Brings Community Together

October 3^rd marked the official launch of the Downwinders of Utah Archive, created by the library’s GIS Specialist, Justin Sorensen. We celebrated with two events, which attracted a number of people including students, individuals as well as members of the media.

In the morning, KUED’s Mary Dickson, playwright and Downwinders Advocate, hosted a program from 10:00 AM to Noon. This program included a presentation from former U.S. Congressman Jim Matheson, who spoke about his legislative efforts to expand compensation for victims of nuclear testing and the need for vigilance in ensuring that nuclear testing never occurs again in our nation. Mary Dickson spoke about her experience as a Downwinder herself and the cost of losing so many neighbors and loved ones to cancer and other illnesses related to the radioactive fallout. Justin Sorensen unveiled the archive with an overview presentation that highlighted the contents of the archive. The event wrapped-up with a panel discussion which also included community activist J. Preston Truman, who has advocated passionately for those whose lives have been affected by the testing that occurred at the Nevada Test Site.

That evening the documentary “Downwinders,” directed by Tim Skousen and co-directed by Tyler Bastian, was shown free-of-charge. A panel discussion, moderated by Fred Esplin, the U’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement, followed the film. Those who would like to see the film can access it through this website.

The Downwinders of Utah Archive will continue to expand in breadth and depth over time. If you have been affected in some way by nuclear testing and you’d like to share your story, visit the Oral History Interviews page to schedule either an audio or video interview. If you have materials that could be added to the archive, please contact Justin Sorensen at Justin.sorensen@utah.edu or 801- 585-7349.