[S-C] Action alert for Gwich'in: Save Arctic Refuge - and attend Greenaction's 8th Year

[Bradley Angel]

Please join us to celebrate Greenaction's 8th Year of fighting for healthy
communities and environmental justice:

Saturday, June 4, 2005 at 7 p.m. 

 

"Bayview Hunters Point and Beyond"

Night of Culture and Celebration of Struggles and Victories for
Environmental Justice

St. Boniface Church, 133 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco  (near Civic
Center BART/Muni)

 

Featuring:

*       Traditional Mojave Bird Singers from the Colorado River Indian
Tribes

*       Malcom X Polynesian Dancers and Aztec Dancers

*       Hunters View Childrens Choir

*       Leaders of the Environmental Justice Movement

*       Raffle, food, beverage, action video clips!

 

And our special guest. Sarah James, representative of the Gwich'in Nation
and Gwich'in Steering Committee who are leading the fight to stop Bush's
plan to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  Sarah was
also a Goldman Environmental Prize winner, and we are honored to have her
join us for our celebration.

 

Donation $5 - 100 or more to benefit Greenaction campaigns for healthy
communities and environmental justice.

For more information, updates and action alerts, and to donate to
Greenaction online, visit http://www.greenaction.org
<http://www.greenaction.org/> 

 

TAKE ACTION TODAY TO SUPPORT THE GWICH'IN AND SAVE THE ARCTIC REFUGE FROM
GEORGE W. BUSH AND THE OIL INDUSTRY: Call your U.S. Senator and
Congresspersons and urge them to vote against Bush's plan to drill for oil
in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  Call the Capitol Switchboard and
ask for your representative 202-224-3121

 

Read the press release from the Gwich'in Steering Committee:

 

April 13, 2005 

For immediate release: Contact Luci Beach (907) 458-8264

Gwich'in Steering Committee

122 First Ave. Box 2 . Fairbanks, Alaska . (907) 458-8264 . Fax (907)
457-8265

 

Human Rights of Gwich'in primary in Arctic Refuge debate

 

Sacred Place Where Life Begins must be considered

Sarah James, states, "It is the Gwich'in that are threatened by the proposed
development in the calving and nursery grounds. We are the ones that have
everything to lose." She lives in Arctic Village, Alaska and is a
spokesperson for the Gwich'in Steering Committee.

 

The symbiotic relationship that has existed between the Gwich'in Nation and
the Porcupine Caribou Herd since time immemorial is still a reality. The
Gwich'in diet is 60-70 percent derived from subsistence. Yet, caribou is not
only a food source the caribou is what the culture of the Gwich'in is based
upon. Remember the Plains tribes and the buffalo? 

 

The birthplace of 40-50,000 caribou calves has been always been considered
sacred to Gwich'in. The sacredness of birthplaces is long established among
tribes.  The decision makers of the United States must consider the human
rights of the Gwich'in and not to wantonly disregard those basic human
rights. The arguments put forth by proponents of drilling do not hold up,
yet they would develop regardless of the costs to the land, the animals, or
the people. In a report released in March 2004, the Bush Administration's
own Energy Information Administration found that oil from the Arctic Refuge
would have a negligible effect on world oil production and prices. It is
imperative to give conservation, alternative energy, improved fuel
efficiency and renewables a chance, and thereby protect the human rights of
the Gwich'in and the future generations.

 

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