June 23, 2001  -  The Caribou People  - 
Kongakut River, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

I heard from a bush pilot that Gail Norton, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, visited Arctic Village a few days ago. Arctic Village lies just over the southern border of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and is one of 15 Gwich'in Indian villages in northeast Alaska and northwest Canada. Gwich'in means "the caribou people." Their creation story tells of the time when there were only animals, and then animals became people. The Gwich'in came from the caribou and an agreement was made between the two that still stands today. The Gwich'in retain a piece of the caribou heart and the caribou retain a piece of the Gwich'in heart for all time. They are like one. Whatever befalls the caribou will befall the Gwich'in. For thousands of years, the Gwich'in have relied on the Porcupine caribou herd for subsistence and culture, and continue to do so today.

So in walks Gail Norton. She thinks she's addressing a group of people. Little does she know that she's talking to caribou. She tells the caribou that their calving grounds will be destroyed. She explains this is necessary so the United States can belch along for another six months on the oil beneath the coastal plain -- the caribou birthing grounds the Gwich'in call "the sacred place where life begins." Norton tries to convince the Gwich'in that oil development will benefit them. If she knew she was telling caribou to give up their existence, then maybe she'd realize how ridiculous she sounds.

Gwich'in Nation fights for caribou in Alaska

(Ed note.. photo of Young Gwich'in woman couretesy of Gwich'in Steering Committee. The satellite connection is hampered by the mountains where Amy is today; large photo files are difficult to transmit.)


            Return to Reports Index Page