Last spring, history major David Watkeys was selected at the department’s annual Spring Tea event as the recipient of the Environmental History Scholarship for his paper “Cold War Collateral Damage: The Navajo Nation and Ecocide of the 20th Century.” The scholarship selection committee was impressed with Watkey’s depth of knowledge, his clear and compassionate explanation of both the project and its significance, and his commitment to exploring the integrated history of nuclear activity and its long effects on humans and the environment.

Watkeys plans to build on a digital capstone he completed last semester by examining the concept of ecocide in relation to the Navajo Nation. He explains that carving up water rights and the consequences of nuclear activity have led to irradiated aquifers and a proliferation of cancers among the Navajo Nation making them, among others, unacknowledged victims of the Cold War. As The Hague takes up the question of whether or not ecocide — the irreparable destruction of natural habitats — should be a crime in the international court, Watkeys seeks to investigate not only how this may apply to the Navajo, but also what sorts of efforts have been made to mitigate those effects.

David is now a senior who will be graduating this semester, so we talked with him to learn more about his research and what’s next – read on for the full Q&A!

Tell me what it was like to win the Environmental History Scholarship – what did it mean to you to be selected for this prize?  

It was really exciting! I had just gotten home from school when I got the email and waited until I got inside to read it with my wife. I read it out loud and we jumped around in the living room like fools. It was elating to be selected like that. I put my whole heart and soul into my research and writing –- being recognized so much that someone would give me money to continue my research is indescribably validating. That elation made me feel like I was in the right field, doing work that has value.

What led you to select your research topic, and what plans do you have for this project?  

The research topic I selected was a continuation and expansion on previous research I had conducted in the history capstone course. We were tasked with researching how warfare affects people; I chose to focus on the Cold War and the Navajo people. The Navajo or Dené people, who are renowned for their legendary code which helped win World War 2, were also major participants in the Cold War.

They mined a significant amount of uranium that was used in the nuclear arsenal of the United States. During their work, they had extreme exposure to radioactive material, resulting in cancers and environmental degradation. My capstone focused on the human impact, and the scholarship was a great motivation to continue that research, intertwining the history of the Navajo with the history of the devastation of their environment. 

I am still developing a research plan. As such, I am not sure how the finances will be leveraged yet, but they will be used to benefit the Navajo people.

You're a senior – tell me about your plans post-graduation. 

I recently submitted my application for the master’s program in history here at Virginia Tech. I plan to continue my education, sharpen my writing and research skills, and produce content that helps Indigenous peoples and the environment. I have a lot of interest in restorative justice and environmentalism. There is an important intersection between both of those interests, and I intend to become the kind of historian who is equipped to grow understanding of that history. If that takes the form of teaching, writing a book, or something else, I am not sure. I welcome the winds of fate to carry me where I can serve best. 

Is there a particular history professor who has impacted your time here the most? 

I have so many professors that have been profoundly influential in my education. If forced to choose the one person who has made me grow the most, it was Dr. Eddie Polanco. His historical methods class challenged students to write about the history of Indigenous peoples in Virginia. This was my first foray into working with Indigenous history and I was initially uncomfortable with that. 

I am not from Virginia –- I grew up in Ohio -– and knew nothing about the history of Indigenous peoples; I felt majorly out of place. He encouraged me to participate in and invest into the history of Indigenous peoples, emphasized how important it was, and presented me with the resources to really make a difference. With his guidance, I was able to grow out of my discomfort and that changed how I have approached all the other challenges and research I have done since. However, Drs. Ed Gitre and Monique Dufour have both pushed my writing to a whole new level and I am indescribably grateful to all three of them. 

What is one of your favorite memories as a Hokie so far?  

I can’t select a single memory; I am a man who lives on vibes. The vibe of the history department and the university in general is excellent. There are so many instances of faculty giving me their full attention and helping me, which is incredibly empowering. Likewise, there are innumerable times where I have had a conversation with a random student on campus and it has been growthful. I have more friends and mentors here than I have ever had in my 34 years of life, and it is impossible to describe how good it feels to be in this flock of Hokies. 

What is something you wish you could tell every incoming student majoring in history? 

Be incredibly careful with the words you use. Language is unwieldy sometimes and can easily accidentally hurt the cause you are trying to help. Be patient, slow down, and find friends and colleagues that will help you carefully craft your argument and challenge your weaknesses. A good paper is like making a good sword: you need good material, a lot of hammering, trial by fire, and methodical intentional refinement.

If you could go back to the start of your first semester, what advice would you give yourself? 

Don’t network – forge real relationships with people. We live in a social context that is often overly transactional, especially after the isolation from COVID-19. People are not a means to an end; the heartfelt connections that we can make are impossibly powerful and transformative. Talk to strangers and classmates – it may be difficult, but I promise the space where you are uncomfortable is where you grow most.