And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
X-Originating-IP: [156.106.192.32]
From: "gazer elk" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Please disseminate. This is sent out by Tom Goldtooth, Indigenous Environmental
Network. IEN is in Geneva. The following oral and written intervention was submitted
by Faith Gemmill, Arctic Village, Alaska and on behalf of the Gwichin.
3rd Session of the United Nations Environmental Program Intergovernmental Negotiating
Committee for an International Legally Binding Instrument for Implementing
International Action on Certain Persistent Organic Pollutants POPs, 6 11 September
1999, Geneva, Switzerland.
'
September 8, 1999
Thank you Mr. Chairman. I wish to respectfully offer a statement on behalf of the
Gwich´in Nations and the Indigenous Environmental Network a participating member of
IPEN, the International POPs Elimination Network.
I speak before you today as a young Gwichín woman with an infant daughter and with a
deep commitment to ensuring her future and the continuation of the Indigenous way of
life. Lessons are passed from one generation to the next of our deep reverence and
respect for the Earth and all life forms that she supports. I am here to respectfully
request the drafting of a treaty that helps to ensure the protection of the
environment that is essential to the cultural, physical and spiritual survival of all
Indigenous peoples.
One cannot separate the health of the environment from the health of our peoples.
In my community which is 110 miles above the Arctic Circle in Northeastern Alaska,
USA, we have noticed alarming changes and disturbing impacts which may be attributed
to POPs. I would like to cite a few examples.
· Hunters have noticed lesions and spots on the internal organs of the Caribou, as
well as deformation in the antlers and a decrease in size of the male caribou and
calves.
· Lesions found on the inner flesh of the ground squirrels.
· The bears which eat the ground squirrels behave strangely as if in a state of
starvation in the Fall when they should be retaining fat reserves for hibernation.
· All of the fish in one of our lakes died with no indication of sickness or ill
health.
· The most notable health effect of our people is the increased rate of cancer.
Every other death in our communities is caused by cancer and younger people are
becoming more susceptible.
As Indigenous peoples we are greatly concerned when we realize evidence which suggests
that women, infants and children are very vulnerable to POPs. This threatens the very
existence of our peoples and cultures. The multigenerational impacts threaten our hope
of healthy, thriving and productive future generations.
In conclusion, on behalf of my people in northern Alaska, I implore world leaders and
governments to develop language that will ultimately achieve the elimination of POPs
to restore health to our environment that it may continue to sustain all life.
Sent by:
Indigenous Environmental Network
PO Box 485
Bemidji, Minnesota 56619 USA
Tel: 218.751.4967
Fax: 218.751.0561
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.alphacdc.com/ien
Reprinted under the Fair Use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine
of international copyright law.
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Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit)
Unenh onhwa' Awayaton
http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/
UPDATES: CAMP JUSTICE
http://shell.webbernet.net/~ishgooda/oglala/
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