WHEREAS:
For thousands of years our ancestors, the Gritch'in Athabascan Indians of northeast Alaska and northwest Canada, have relied on caribou for subsistence, and continue today to subsist on the Porcupine Caribou Herd which is essential to meet the nutritional, cultural and spiritual needs of our people; and
WHEREAS:
The Gritch'in have the inherent right to continue our own way of life; and that this right is recognized and affirmed by civilized nations in the international covenants on human rights. Article I of both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights read in part:
"...In no case may a people be deprived of its own means of subsistence."; and
WHEREAS
The health and productivity of the Porcupine Caribou Herd, and their availability to Gwitch'in communities, and the very future of our people are endangered by proposed oil and gas exploration and development in the calving and post-calving grounds in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - Coastal Plain; and
WHEREAS:
The entire Gwitch'in Nation was called together by our chiefs in Arctic Village June 15-10 to carefully address this issue and to seek the advice of their elders; and
WHEREAS:
The Gwitch'in people of every community from Arctic Village, Venetie, Fort Yukon, Beaver, Chalkyitsik, Birch Creek, Stevens Village, Circle, and Eagle Village in Alaska; from Old Crow, Fort McPherson, Arctic Red River, Aklavik and Inuvik in Cvanada have reached concensus in our traditional way, and now speak with a single voice.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the United States Congress and President recognize the rights of our Gwitch'in people to continue to live our way of life by prohibiting development in the calving and post-calving grounds of the Porcupine Caribou Herd; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That to 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by made Wilderness to achieve this end.