Washington, DC -- Sept. 22, 1995 Oil development on the coastal
plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska would violate
the human rights of the Gwich'in Indian people, says Sarah James,
spokesperson for the 15 Gwich'in villages of northeast Alaska and
northwest Canada. "We are caribou people," said James. "Oil
development in the birthplace of the Porcupine River Caribou Herd
would hurt the caribou and threaten the future of my people."
The Gwich'in are the northernmost Indian tribe in North America, and
still rely heavily on caribou for food, tools, winter boots, and other
items. Caribou are also the central focus of their northern culture.
"We still sing the songs, tell the story and do the dances," said
Some in the US Congress hope to balance the budget on the backs of
the Gwich'in, by including revenues from oil development in next year's
budget. "The area they want to develop is exactly the same place
the caribou birth and nurse their young every year," James said.
"This is not the right way to balance the budget. This is cultural
genocide for my people."
The Gwich'in urgently ask you to contact your US Senators and tell
them that you OPPOSE oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge. Also, contact President Clinton and tell him that you
SUPPORT his threat to veto any legislation that allows for drilling
in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Mahsi choo.