Tracking Bear — Aimee Thurlo; David Thurlo

Is nuclear power the future for the Navajo?

NEED, a consortium of businessmen, plans to open uranium mine and nuclear power plant on the Navaj Reservation, providing cheap power and jobs. For many Dineh, the NEED project looks like a wonderful opportunity. But many others remember all too clearly the perils of uranium mining and the destructive potential of nuclear power.

Councilmember Kevin Tolino hires a bodyguard after receiving threats because of his public support of NEED. A community college teacher is assaulted and his office and home are ransacked--apparently by the same person who recently murdered a Navajo cop. When a tribal official who opposes NEED is murdered, clues seem lead to a major supporter of the nuclear project.

Investigating the murders and the assault, Navajo Police Special Investigator Ella Clah is perplexed. Why would the wealthy businessmen behind NEED kill their political opponents instead of simply outspending them?