{{Infobox settlement |official_name = Church Rock, New Mexico |settlement_type = [[Census-designated place|CDP]] |nickname = Churchrock Chapter |motto = |image_skyline = |imagesize = |image_caption = |image_flag = |image_seal = |image_map = McKinley_County_New_Mexico_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Church_Rock_Highlighted.svg |mapsize = 250px |map_caption = Location of Church Rock, New Mexico |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |pushpin_map = USA |pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States |subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]] |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] |subdivision_name1 = [[New Mexico]] |subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in New Mexico|County]] |subdivision_name2 = [[McKinley County, New Mexico|McKinley]] |government_footnotes = |government_type = [[Chapter Government]] |leader_title = [[President (government title)#Sub-national|President]] |leader_name = Johnnie Henry Jr. |leader_title1 = [[Vice-President]] |leader_name1 = Sherman Woody |leader_title2 = [[Secretary-Treasurer]] |leader_name2 = Louise Jim |leader_title3 = [[Tribal Council Member]] |leader_name3 = Edmund Yazzie |established_title = |established_date = December 5, 1955 |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = {{cite web | title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files - Places: New Mexico | url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2010_place_list_35.txt | publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]] | access-date=October 20, 2017}} |area_magnitude = |area_total_km2 = |area_land_km2 = |area_water_km2 = |area_total_sq_mi = 2.3 |area_land_sq_mi = 2.3 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.0 |population_as_of = [[2010 United States Census|2010]] |population_footnotes = |population_total = 1128 |population_density_km2 = |population_density_sq_mi = auto |timezone = [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain (MST)]] |utc_offset = -7 |timezone_DST = MDT |utc_offset_DST = -6 |elevation_footnotes = |elevation_m = 2038 |elevation_ft = 6686 |coordinates = {{coord|35|32|6|N|108|36|42|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}} |postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]] |postal_code = 87311 |area_code = [[Area code 505|505]] |blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |blank_info = 35-15370 |blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |blank1_info = 0902212 |website = http://churchrock.navajochapters.org |footnotes = }} [[File:(Old No. 122) Navajo Church near Fort Wingate, McKinley County, New Mexico., 1871 - 1878 - NARA - 517770.jpg|thumb|'''Church Rock''', a famous landmark. Photo circa 1875.]] '''Church Rock''' ({{lang-nv|'''{{spell-nv|Kinłitsosinil}}'''}}) is a [[census-designated place]] (CDP) in [[McKinley County, New Mexico|McKinley County]], [[New Mexico]], United States. The population was 1,128 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]]. Church Rock is named for Church Rock, a prominent natural landmark with the same name. ==Navajo Nation government== {| class="wikitable" |- ! 2004-2008 Chapter Official ! 2004-2008 Council Delegate ! 2004-2008 Administration |- | Johnny Livingston, President | Charles S. Damon II | Alice Largo, Coordinator |- | Robinson Kelly, Vice-President | Ernest D. Yazzie Jr. | Deeanna Washee, |- | Sherman Woody, Secretary/Treasurer | | |- | Vanessa Begay-Lee, Grazing Official | | |} {| class="wikitable" |- ! 2008-2012 Chapter Official ! 2008-2012 Council Delegate ! 2008-2011 Administration ! 2011-2012 Administration |- | Johnnie Henry Jr., President | Charles S. Damon II | Brian H. Chee, Coordinator | Alvin Billie, Coordinator |- | Robinson Kelly, Vice-President | Ernest D. Yazzie Jr. | Deeanna Washee, Office Specialist | Deeanna Washee, AMS |- | Louise Jim, Secretary/Treasurer | ** Edmund Yazzie | Michelle Johns, Office Assistant | Michelle Johns, Office Assistant |- | Emery Chee, Grazing Official | ** Member of 22nd NN Council | | |} ==Geography== Church Rock is located at {{coord|35|32|6|N|108|36|42|W|type:city}} (35.534961, -108.611593).{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}} According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of {{convert|2.3|mi2|km2}}, of which {{convert|2.3|mi2|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.03|mi2|km2}} (1.2%) is water. ==Demographics== {| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;" |- ! Languages (2000) {{cite web |url=https://apps.mla.org/cgi-shl/docstudio/docs.pl?map_data_results |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-03-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525123705/https://apps.mla.org/cgi-shl/docstudio/docs.pl?map_data_results |archive-date=2017-05-25 }} !! Percent |- | Spoke [[Navajo language|Navajo]] at home || 63.31% |- | Spoke [[English language|English]] at home || 36.69% |} As of the [[census]]{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }} of 2000, there were 1,077 people, 258 households, and 214 families residing in the CDP. The [[population density]] was 450.7 people per square mile (174.0/km2). There were 299 housing units at an average density of 125.1 per square mile (48.3/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.14% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.65% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.09% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.28% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.84% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.39% of the population. There were 258 households, out of which 56.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 31.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.7% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.17 and the average family size was 4.65. In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 42.2% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 15.6% from 45 to 64, and 4.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males. The median income for a household in the CDP was $27,917, and the median income for a family was $28,958. Males had a median income of $23,529 versus $21,016 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the CDP was $6,780. About 34.3% of families and 36.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 47.5% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over. ==History== On July 15, 2019, a body was found in the trunk of a burning automobile near Church Rock. The FBI published a media alert. ==Uranium mining== {{See also|Church Rock uranium mill spill}} On July 16, 1979, the dam at a United Nuclear Corporation (based in Virginia) Church Rock uranium mill was breached and spilled 1,100 tons of milled [[uranium]] ore and {{convert|94|e6USgal|m3}} of heavy metal effluent into the [[Puerco River]]. This was the largest release of radioactive waste in U.S. history, but until recently, no epidemiological studies were undertaken of the effects on the population.{{cite journal| pmc=1963288 | pmid=17666688 | doi=10.2105/AJPH.2006.103044 | volume=97 | title=The Sequoyah corporation fuels release and the Church Rock spill: unpublicized nuclear releases in American Indian communities | date=September 2007 | journal=Am J Public Health | pages=1595–600 | last1 = Brugge | first1 = D | last2 = Bui | first2 = C}} With the declining uranium market, two of the mines closed in 1983 and the third closed in February 1986.Shuey, Chris (1992). "Contaminant Loading on the Puerco River: A Historical Overview", Southwest Research and Information Center Albuquerque, New Mexico, 14 October 1992. {{cite web |url=http://www.sric.org/uranium/PUERCO92.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2008-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014224806/http://www.sric.org/uranium/PUERCO92.html |archive-date=2008-10-14 }} In 2003 the Church Rock Uranium Monitoring Project was initiated by the Churchrock Chapter of the [[Navajo Nation]] to assess environmental impacts of abandoned uranium mines and build capacity to conduct community-based research with policy implications.{{cite web|author=Shuey, Chris|display-authors=et al|date=2007|title=REPORT OF THE CHURCH ROCK URANIUM MONITORING PROJECT 2003-2007, CHURCHROCK CHAPTER, NAVAJO NATION, SOUTHWEST RESEARCH AND INFORMATION CENTER and NAVAJO EDUCATION AND SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION|location=Window Rock, Navajo Nation (Arizona), USA|url=http://www.sric.org/uranium/CRUMPReportSummary.pdf|format=PDF|access-date=13 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010095916/http://www.sric.org/uranium/CRUMPReportSummary.pdf|archive-date=10 October 2012|url-status=dead}} Its May 2007 report found that significant radiation from both natural and mining sources remains in the area; the community is dedicated to remedy the problem as much as possible. In 2005 the Navajo Nation prohibited any further uranium mining in the nation. In 2008 the US EPA and the Navajo EPA began a five-year plan to identify and ameliorate areas contaminated by uranium mining; their priority has been water sources and structures.[http://www.chron.com/news/article/Navajo-woman-helps-prompt-uranium-mine-cleanup-2155858.php Felicia Fonseca, "Navajo woman helps prompt uranium mine cleanup"], Associated Press, carried in ''Houston Chronicle'', 5 September 2011, accessed 5 October 2011 In 2013 the Churchrock Chapter passed a resolution supporting a demonstration [[in-situ mining]] at Section 8 and 17. The resolution passed with 68 in support 26 opposed and 16 abstained. Minority of community members continue to oppose mining operations as well as outside residents who reside in other chapters and non-Navajos.[http://www.daily-times.com/four_corners-news/ci_24790246/uranium-project-given-green-light-navajo-nation "Uranium project given green light on Navajo Nation"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726024547/http://www.daily-times.com/four_corners-news/ci_24790246/uranium-project-given-green-light-navajo-nation |date=2014-07-26 }}, Farmington Daily Times, carried in "Farmington Daily Times", 24 December 2013, accessed 16 July 2014[https://www.facebook.com/carefordine/posts/263927690407255 "Churchrock supports uranium mining"], Gallup Independent, carried in "Gallup Independent", 9 February 2013, accessed 16 July 2014 ==Culture== Inter Tribal Ceremonial (August) brings thousands of visitors and members of almost all Indian tribes to Red Rock State Park.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} Churchrock Chapter celebrates the annual, Treaty Day Festival on June 1. The first event took place on June 1, 2010. The event is to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of 1868 between the Navajo Tribe and United States Government to emancipate the Navajo people from Fort Sumner, New Mexico (Bosque Redondo). ==Economy== Church Rock is the location of [[Fire Rock Casino]], which opened on November 19, 2008. ==References== {{Reflist|refs= {{cite web | author = | title = FBI Media Alert: Body Found in Trunk of Burning Car Near Church Rock, New Mexico | website = FBI.com | url = https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/albuquerque/news/press-releases/fbi-media-alert-body-found-in-trunk-of-burning-car-near-church-rock-new-mexico | access-date = 2019-07-18 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190718061040/https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/albuquerque/news/press-releases/fbi-media-alert-body-found-in-trunk-of-burning-car-near-church-rock-new-mexico | archive-date =2019-07-18 | url-status = live }} }} ==External links== *{{cite web|url=http://churchrock.navajochapters.org|title=Home Page|website=Churchrock.navajochapters.org|access-date=13 October 2017}} *{{cite web|url=http://www.sric.org/uranium/PUERCO92.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014224806/http://www.sric.org/uranium/PUERCO92.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 October 2008|title=Puerco River Spill, Historical Overview|date=14 October 2008|access-date=13 October 2017}} {{McKinley County, New Mexico}} {{Communities of the Navajo Nation}} {{authority control}} [[Category:Census-designated places in McKinley County, New Mexico]] [[Category:Census-designated places in New Mexico]] [[Category:Populated places on the Navajo Nation]]