Why do the Gwich'in people oppose Arctic Refuge drilling?

Question

Accepted Answer

The Gwich'in Athabascan people oppose Arctic Refuge drilling because they depend on the Porcupine Caribou herd for subsistence and consider the coastal plain calving grounds sacred. The Gwich'in have lived in northeastern Alaska and neighboring Canada for thousands of years, with their culture and survival deeply tied to caribou. Drilling would disrupt calving grounds, threatening the herd and the Gwich'in way of life. The Gwich'in Steering Committee has been a high-profile opponent of drilling for decades, arguing development would occur on sacred lands without Indigenous consent. After the zero-bid Jan. 2025 lease sale, Gwich'in leaders said even oil companies recognize drilling isn't worth the economic and liability risks. The debate divides Alaska Natives—some North Slope Iñupiat groups support drilling for economic opportunities, while the Gwich'in strongly oppose it for cultural and subsistence reasons.

Why do the Gwich'in people oppose Arctic Refuge drilling?

Explanation

Sources

Related Questions

PRINCIPLE

EXPLORE

RESOURCES