The Trump administration has advanced the process of opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to lease sales. The Department of Interior released its "Record of Decision" on August 17, 2020 taking the most aggressive and destructive drilling alternative possible. It paves the way for lease sales as early as December. During an oil glut, increasing threats from climate change, and a world-wide pandemic, the administration will attempt to lease the entire Coastal Plain of the Arctic Refuge-- more than 1.5 million acres-- to the oil industry. Representing the last 5% of America’s Arctic Coastal Plain where the law has barred oil and gas activity, this would forever transform these wild lands into a toxic industrial drilling complex. The Gwich’in people who depend on these lands call it “the sacred place where life begins.”

This move threatens the food security, and spiritual and cultural foundation of the Indiginous Gwich'in Nation, in addition to threats to endangered polar bears, the Porcupine Caribou herd, and birds that migrate to these lands from six continents and all 50 states. This is one of the most high-profile battles in America today at the intersection of the environment and social justice. 

This video includes five members of the Gwich’in community-- raising their voices at the 2016 Gwich’in Gathering in Arctic Village, Alaska-- Neets’aii Gwich’in Tribal Land. Thanks to Arctic Village Council, Venetie Tribal Council and Native Village of Venetie Tribal Government for permission for National Geographic photographer Florian Schulz to record these testimonies.

#ProtectTheArctic #StandwiththeGwichin

Voices include:

Dr. Rev. Trimble Gilbert
Sarah James
Nani’eeth Peter
Gideon James
Anthony Garnett
Narrator: Princess Daazhraii Johnson

September 2016

Importance of sacred lands and the importance of Standing Rock to climate change and taking care of our lands.

The Kashia’s success might be the first time that a tribe in the U.S. has held a private deed—as well as management rights—to their ancestral lands.

The Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria is a federally recognized tribe of Pomo people in Sonoma County, California. They are also known as the Kashaya Pomo. The reservation, Stewarts Point Rancheria, is located in Stewarts Point in northwest Sonoma County, south of Point Arena.

Trust for Public Lands.

Prominent scientist, Sir David King – former chief scientific adviser to the UK government from 2013-2017 – talks to the Carnegie Climate Governance Initiative (C2G) about how research on climate-altering technologies in the Arctic might be governed. Sir David King joined two sessions hosted by C2G on October 10th at the 2019 Arctic Circle Assembly, where scientists, policy experts, indigenous activists, youth representatives, and other civil society representatives explored some of the toughest questions facing decision-makers today as they contemplate the future of the Arctic. 

Learn more here.

Prominent scientist, Sir David King – former chief scientific adviser to the UK government from 2013-2017 – talks to the Carnegie Climate Governance Initiative (C2G) about how research on climate-altering technologies in the Arctic might be governed. Sir David King joined two sessions hosted by C2G on October 10th at the 2019 Arctic Circle Assembly, where scientists, policy experts, indigenous activists, youth representatives, and other civil society representatives explored some of the toughest questions facing decision-makers today as they contemplate the future of the Arctic. Learn more here.

Trudell is a 2005 documentary film about American Indian activist and poet John Trudell. The film traces Trudell's life from his childhood in Omaha, Nebraska, through his role as a leader of the American Indian Movement. It also covers his rebirth as a musician and spoken word poet after his wife died in a house fire suspected as arson. Heather Rae produced and directed the film, which took her more than a decade to complete. Trudell aired nationally in the U.S. on April 11, 2006 as part of the Independent Lens series on PBS. Actor: Robert Redford, Kris Kristofferson, Sam Shepard Director: Heather Rae

Visit John Trudell's first CD, HeartTaker, Owl Dance Song, on YouTube here.

19 Apr 2018 - UNPFII17 Press Conference on " Indigenous women defending human rights". Speakers: Ms. Anne Nuorgam, Expert Member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; Rani Yan Yan, Advisor to the Chakma Circle, Bangladesh; and Ms. Milka Chepkorir Kuto, Human rights activist, Sengwer, Kenya.

Water Protectors Vow Continued Resistance to DAPL as Main Camp Is Evicted

Reported on by Amy Goodman of Democracy Now.

Published on Feb 23, 2017