A talk by William Mitchell titled "Portland: A Black Perspective" hosted by the Pearl District Neighborhood Association, Portland, Oregon on July 1, 2020.  

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

An interview with the founders of Black Lives Matter | Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, Opal Tometi

October 2016 TED

Born out of a social media post, the Black Lives Matter movement has sparked discussion about race and inequality across the world. In this spirited conversation with Mia Birdsong, the movement's three founders share what they've learned about leadership and what provides them with hope and inspiration in the face of painful realities. Their advice on how to participate in ensuring freedom for everybody: join something, start something and "sharpen each other, so that we all can rise."

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.

Forum for the Future

Using the systems thinking 'iceberg model' to explore the civil rights movement shows us how different parts of a system interact and influence one another. It becomes clear that no single event started the movement, but rather it evolved through collaboration and decades of perseverance. By working together, we can change how power and privilege it is allocated, we can design societies that are free, democratic and support everybody on the planet to flourish.

The Black Lives Matter group has been fighting to be heard since 2013 - and the phrase itself is now being seen on streets and screens all around the world after the killing of George Floyd. (News report, June 2020, Channel 4, United Kingdom)

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.

Portland Interfaith Clergy Resistance sponsored a prayer vigil at Terry Schrunk Plaza, across from City Hall, on Juneteenth, a day to commemorate emancipation from slavery in Texas on that day, June 19th in 1865. This film observes the 8 minutes, 46 seconds of silence and we suggest our viewers take the opportunity to reflect on the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, when Minneapolis police officers took a series of actions that violated the policies of the Department.  The situation turned fatal, leaving Mr. Floyd unable to breathe, even as he and onlookers called out for help. Participating clergy included: Rabbi Ariel Stone, Shir Tikvah and PDX Interfaith Clergy Resistance; Rev. Jon Aney, United Church of Christ; Rabbi Debra Kolodny, Portland United Against Hate; Rev. Aric Clark (he/his); and Davina Bookbinder, Rabbinical Student