Jennifer Olaranna Viereck, Tecopa, CA: an interview by Danielle Endres, 12 November 2009

Transcript (38 pages) of an interview by Danielle Endres with Jennifer Olaranna Viereck of Tecopa, California on 12 November 2009. Part of the Nuclear Technology Oral History Project, Everett Cooley Collection tape no. U-3031

Jennifer Viereck was born in Plymouth, New Hampshire in 1952. Shortly after her birth she moved with her parents to southern Alaska where she spent her early years. Viereck discusses the ethical, moral and cultural impacts that correspondence with her "name father" John Olaranna (same as her middle name) had on her as he taught her to be a "good Inupiat" in his letters. Based on that background she describes her history and general relationship to nuclear issues. Labeling herself as a jack-of-all-trades, specifically an administrative consultant for non-profits and small businesses, Viereck tells how her early work on native sovereignty issues evolved into a position wherein she helped organizations illuminate and overcome cultural barriers between native and non-native communities. Working closely with Shoshone leader and nuclear activist Corbin Harney her focus gravitated to nuclear issues surrounding Yucca Mountain. True to her early Inupiat ties as well as Shoshone spiritual practices, Viereck describes a vision for nuclear waste siting that considers life forms other than humans and focuses on changing people first to eventually change the world (specifically in her work with HOME). She also discusses her focus on scientific data, including water testing near Yucca Mountain. Included are some tips for encouraging young people to become involved in anti-nuclear activism. The interview concludes as Viereck describes how her work is largely turning toward educating people about the potential harm of exposure to radiation in medical tests. Project: Nuclear Technology. Interviewer: Danielle Endres