Vuntut Gwitchin delegates rally for legislative protection of Iizhik Gwats’an Gwandaii Goodlit under Biden
Gwich’in leaders were in Washington D.C. last month advocating for the protection of Iizhik Gwats’an Gwandaii Goodlit (the Sacred Place Where Life Begins) – the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the critical calving grounds of the Porcupine Caribou Herd.
Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation representatives included Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm, Elder Lorraine Netro, and Caribou Coordinator Liz Staples. The Gwich’in delegation also included leaders from Alaska and Northwest Territories, including Gwich’in Tribal Council’s Bobbie Jo Greenland-Morgan, designee for Grand Chief Ken Kyikavichik, as well as Teetl’it Band Council Chief Wanda Pascal and youth representative Shenise Vittrekwa.
They met with the offices of key members of Congress, who will need to restore protections to the Refuge legislatively, and key advisors to the White House, including the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the Secretary of the Department of Interior, the White House National Climate Advisor, and officials within the U.S. Department of State, whose support is critical to ensuring protections are restored.
The delegation delivered the unified message that Congress must restore protections to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge this year, urging the use of ‘budget reconciliation’ to repeal Trump’s Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Program which enables oil exploration in the Refuge.
Following the 2020 election of President Joe Biden, a budget reconciliation bill was identified as the best opportunity to restore protections to the Refuge. However, Democratic Senator Joe Manchin refused to support Biden’s bill, known then as the Build Back Better Act, over concerns about costs.
Passing a budget reconciliation bill that restores protections to the Refuge may be possible before November’s midterm elections, which could change the balance of power between Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate.
Quotes:
As I travel back to our community of Old Crow, I acknowledge all the work of those who came before us; our ancestors, our partners, and all those who have never given up. To those I travelled alongside with, I say Haii’. Your support and ongoing commitment to the work of protecting the ancient Porcupine caribou is so very important at this critical time. Now it is up to Congress to do the right thing so that the caribou will be protected for future generations of our Gwich’in Nation.
— Elder Lorraine Netro
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is the beating heart of an ancient ecosystem that supports one of the last great land mammal migrations on earth. We, Gwich’in, call it Iizhik Gwats’an Gwandaii Goodlit – the Sacred Place Where Life Begins. This powerful and beautiful name is a reminder to us that we must always work to protect this sacred, life-giving place.
— Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm, Vuntut Gwitchin Government
Gyde Shepherd (he/him)
Communications Manager
Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
gyde.shepherd@vgfn.ca
(613) 804-4273
Background:
Other News Releases and Statements
Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation condemns Trump Administration’s continued push for drilling in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation (VGFN) strongly condemns the Trump Administration’s continued effort to bring oil and gas development to the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the heart of the nursery grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd known to the Gwich’in as Iizhik Gwats’an Gwandaii Goodlit—The Sacred Place Where Life Begins.
Our Work is Not Done - Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation responds to reckless actions by President Trump
On his first day of his new term, President Trump issued “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resources Potential”. This far-reaching Executive Order aims to industrialize Alaska through development of energy, mining, and other natural resources to the fullest extent possible. It includes a systematic plan to reverse the Biden Administration’s actions taken to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil and gas exploitation.
Failure of second Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lease sale confirms oil and gas industry knows that threatening the Refuge is bad for business
This week the U.S. Department of Interior announced that no bids were received during the second oil and gas lease sale in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
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