Stop Cultural Genocide.

In this time of introspection, we search for answers to the question: What could we moral and well meaning Americans possibly be doing that would engender alienation or even hatred? As our president, you certainly appear clueless. Could it be that our national image abroad sometimes suffers because in many parts of the world our “ambassadors” by whom peoples lives are severely impacted are big oil corporations? During your administration, the line between big oil interests and government policy is especially blurred. From Indonesia with Exonmobil, to Myanmar’s (Burma) Yanada gas pipeline with Ultramar Diamond Shamrock, to the Equadorian Amazon with Taxaco, to Nigeria’s Niger Delta with Chevron and Royal Dutch Shell, big oil’s legacy of involvement in human rights violations and environmental crimes is appalling. Right within our own borders, a group of our native Americans are in a desperate struggle for their basic human rights. The Gwich’in people of northeastern Alaska and northwestern Canada simply want to maintain a way of life that has sustained their culture for hundreds of generations.

These northernmost members of the Athabascan Indian Nation proudly call themselves the caribou people. According to Sarah James, their eloquent spokesperson: “Caribou are not just what we eat; they are who we are. They are in our stories and songs and the whole way we see the world. Caribou are our life. Without caribou we wouldn’t exist”.

When most Alaskan native people, opted for cash settlements as a result of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, the Gwich’in people chose instead to retain their land with the caribou that support their traditional life style. Providing sustenance by hunting the migratory caribou sustains their nutrition and their dignity. The assumption was that the 130,000 member herd’s critical birthing place on the arctic coast within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would always be protected. Guess where your administration wants to give big oil its way?

Is it any wonder that the industry’s promises that all the roads, pipelines, and industrial complex won’t disturb the caribou while giving birth ring a bit hollow with people who know the caribou better than the industry PR people. Shame on us if we treat these people like they don’t really matter!!! Sadly many Alaskans are willing to sell off OUR national treasures for a form of permanent welfare based on oil revenues.

The ray of hope is that the Arctic Refuge is still protected. Even though the house of Representatives succumbed to pressure from big oil, by passing this corporate welfare - drill, burn, and waste energy bill, the Senate has a chance to reject this mistake and replace it with a less destructive alternative plan (just moderate improvement in auto fuel efficiency can save much more oil than the Arctic Refuge could ever deliver).

We mostly are a caring people. We just need representatives and a president who reflect this caring and this travesty need not happen.

Sign Now and encourage Bush to save people, and their environment. Aren't saved lives protected culture more important than money in Big Oil's pockets????