|
Group condemns Alaska drilling
By Diana Matusewic
Ever since Columbus landed on American soil, American Indians continually had their land invaded. Today, there are still issues of government interventions.
Monday night at 7 p.m. there was a presentation on the proposed oil drilling in the Alaska wilderness at the Atwood Little Theater, presented by the Caribou Commons.
The issue of Arctic drilling is more than an environmental one - it's also a human issue. The Gwich'in tribe, one of the most indigenous Indian tribes in America, depends on the land.
"Seventy-five to 80 percent of their food comes from the land," said Peter Mather, a photographer and coordinator for the Caribou Commons. "The media presents it (the issue) as best as they can, but they don't do enough research so their facts are slightly off. (And) Alaska has a pro-drilling slant."
During the presentation, photographs of the Arctic wildlife were shown on PowerPoint while music inspired by the Arctic played in the background.
The animal that is of most concern is the porcupine caribou.
According to Mather, the caribou migrate to the costal plain each year where the Gwich'in people live. They travel up to one thousand miles without food. Once they reach their destination, they have their calves within two to four days of their arrival. The grass they eat on this plain is not found elsewhere. This is the only grass they can eat to produce milk and regain energy. They're also safe from predators here.
Besides the porcupine caribou, various other species depend on this land as well.
"This area is a wildlife refuge," he said. "It has millions of wildlife visited each year. That wildlife depend on the refuge and we would like to see it preserved."
Depending on oil in America would be unrealistic. According to Mather, America holds four percent of the world's oil, but consumes 26 percent.
"This is a sacred place, it's a birthplace for the porcupine caribou and all birthplaces should be protected," said Sarah James, spokesperson for the Gwich'in tribe. "Caribou is everything to us. Women can relate to birthplace; they give life. We really need their support in this time and era."
James described how the Gwich'in people depend on caribou for clothes, food and tools.
"It's been a long battle," she said. "In order to protect the land we need a permanent protection. The best protection is wilderness protection. We don't receive federal or state money. We have multimillion dollar corporations versus us so we're really operating on people versus power."
The Caribou Commons started in 1998. They travel throughout the U.S. to educate people on the issue and inspire them to become active in the cause.
They have their own CD by the Caribou Commons band and a book, "Under the Arctic Sun," by Ken Madsen. The group's Web site, www.cariboucommons.com, contains more information with links. Also, the Gwich'in Steering Committee has a Web site: www.alaska.net/~gwichin/.
This presentation was sponsored by the Wildlife Society, Campus Greens, Vegan/Vegetarian Club and the Social Responsibility graduate program.
|
|
|
|
Privacy Policy Network Advertising Article Syndication
|
|
