by Emily Murray

 

            The indigenous people live in a delicate balance.  We have lived in two worlds since the Western world came and settled on our lands. Throughout the many years we have assimilated and adopted the Western lifestyle. We have become educated in the Western schools to learn their ways while still attaining close ties to and acquiring the skills and knowledge from our subsistence lifestyle. We strive now to both make a living in the monetary system and gather food from the land and ocean we love. Overall, we still live in our rural hometowns because it is home.

            Often our lands and oceans are being sought for their minerals and oil. We have had both foreign and domestic companies exploring on or near our lands. Some came without us recognizing their intentions and some have posted ads wanting to consult with the tribes about their future activities. What questions can we ask them? What do they ask us?

            Will they ask us what time of the year we catch beluga, seals, and fresh crab? Will they ask us what fish we cut and dry? And how important it is for us to put wild greens and berries away for the winter months?  Will they ask us why we continue to live here? Will they ask us how important is it for us to have clean water? What can we ask them?

            I personally would like to ask them in what condition they have left prior lands they have previously mined or drilled. For example, how are the health and well-being of the indigenous people after they have mined uranium or drilled? Are we still able to drink the water and eat the wild greens?  Have the indigenous people profited from the mining?  Can our children and their children’s children up to seven generations still live in a healthy environment if they pursue the mining or drilling?

            When they look at us what do they see? Do they know that even without a college education we have elders, hunters, and gatherers who know the country and ocean because they observe and study the natural world around them when they hunt, fish and gather edible greens and berries? The indigenous people hold unwritten PhDs on land management, marine mammals, birds, caribou and fish migration simply because they have lived on their community lands some all their of lives. They observe and notice changes in weather and ice patterns. They have  the wisdom and knowledge (first-hand accounts) that have been passed down to them.

            To conclude, we live in a delicate balance. I would like for the staff of these oil and mining companies to see a people who will live in their communities for many, many more generations to come. Respect us, regard our land and livelihood, talk to us about OUR future, listen to us, look at our children like they are yours and consider how future planning will impact them.

            Thank you.

Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.

Yes, Delete This Article

Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.

Yes, Remove This Article

 

by Emily Murray

 

            The indigenous people live in a delicate balance.  We have lived in two worlds since the Western world came and settled on our lands. Throughout the many years we have assimilated and adopted the Western lifestyle. We have become educated in the Western schools to learn their ways while still attaining close ties to and acquiring the skills and knowledge from our subsistence lifestyle. We strive now to both make a living in the monetary system and gather food from the land and ocean we love. Overall, we still live in our rural hometowns because it is home.

            Often our lands and oceans are being sought for their minerals and oil. We have had both foreign and domestic companies exploring on or near our lands. Some came without us recognizing their intentions and some have posted ads wanting to consult with the tribes about their future activities. What questions can we ask them? What do they ask us?

            Will they ask us what time of the year we catch beluga, seals, and fresh crab? Will they ask us what fish we cut and dry? And how important it is for us to put wild greens and berries away for the winter months?  Will they ask us why we continue to live here? Will they ask us how important is it for us to have clean water? What can we ask them?

            I personally would like to ask them in what condition they have left prior lands they have previously mined or drilled. For example, how are the health and well-being of the indigenous people after they have mined uranium or drilled? Are we still able to drink the water and eat the wild greens?  Have the indigenous people profited from the mining?  Can our children and their children’s children up to seven generations still live in a healthy environment if they pursue the mining or drilling?

            When they look at us what do they see? Do they know that even without a college education we have elders, hunters, and gatherers who know the country and ocean because they observe and study the natural world around them when they hunt, fish and gather edible greens and berries? The indigenous people hold unwritten PhDs on land management, marine mammals, birds, caribou and fish migration simply because they have lived on their community lands some all their of lives. They observe and notice changes in weather and ice patterns. They have  the wisdom and knowledge (first-hand accounts) that have been passed down to them.

            To conclude, we live in a delicate balance. I would like for the staff of these oil and mining companies to see a people who will live in their communities for many, many more generations to come. Respect us, regard our land and livelihood, talk to us about OUR future, listen to us, look at our children like they are yours and consider how future planning will impact them.

            Thank you.

Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.

Yes, Delete This Article

Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.

Yes, Remove This Article