The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is shared land between the Iñupiaq and Gwich’in under federal management. This land is 19.6 million acres and home to 250 animals that rely on the diverse habitat the Refuge provides. In the 1002 area of the refuge approximately 40,000 Porcupine Caribou give birth. Thought to hold some of the largest oil reserves the refuge has been a political battle since the 1970’s. Although much of this history has been publicly shown as environmentalist and oil companies while Indigenous communities were being divided and pinned against each other.

During land trading in the 1980s, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) was able to secure land within the proposed drilling area. This made ASRC except from paying 70% resource development profits to the 11 other Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), normally required by law. This was a big motivation for ASRC to lobby millions over the next 20 years and advocate to open the 1002 area of the refuge for oil and gas extraction.

The Gwich’in span from Alaska into Canada, each village along the migratory route of the Porcupine Caribou Herd. They heavily rely on the Caribou herd today for traditional food and practices and viable way to afford healthy food in these small communities. The Gwich’in Steering Committee was created for the sole purpose of protecting the birthing grounds of the Porcupine Caribou Herd. Since this time the Iñupiaq and Gwich’in have had growing tension and mistrust for one another.

What has changed simnifically since the beginning of this divide is the climate crisis we are facing. As the world transitions into renewable energy in efforts to reduce greenhouse admissions and harm to communities directly effected by climate change. Creating entire new infrastructure, for oil and gas extraction, on untouched land, in critical habitat, areas for endangers animals does not coincide with current science.

Gwich’in have their identity and food security at stake. SILA supports fighting to recognize their position in this situation and their right at the decision making table. We recognize the Iñupiat People of Kaktovik are the caretakers of this land and should have been a writer in the Wilderness Bill and understand this is not just wilderness, but an entire communities home. Our ability to access essential services like affordable heat and running water should not have to come at the sacrifice of our ways of life and climate. We demand a just transition into the future of Indigenous land management.