STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE GWICH'IN PEOPLE NO OIL DRILLING IN THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE GWICH'IN PEOPLE NO OIL DRILLING IN THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

We the undersigned declare our support for the Gwich'in People in opposition to the proposal to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. We pledge to help stop the proposed oil drilling which would pollute the Arctic Refuge, desecrate sacred land, and threaten the survival of the porcupine caribou herd and the Gwich'in People.

For tens of thousands of years the Gwich'in - the Caribou People - have lived in harmony with the caribou. The plan to drill for oil in the Arctic Refuge is an unacceptable violation of the human rights of the Gwich'in.

The oil companies and the Bush Administration have no right to destroy the way of life, culture, environment and economic subsistence of the Gwich'in People.

We raise our voices in protest as President Bush, Vice-President Cheney and their oil company friends attempt to promote this oil drilling plan.

We stand united with the Gwich'in in defense of human rights, wildlife, and the beautiful wilderness in the Arctic Refuge.