Inupiat Views Ignored in ANWR Debate

By TARA MacLEAN SWEENEY
Anchorage Times Op-Ed

Now that the ANWR debate rises to the national forefront again, I say, "Just drill it." As an Inupiat from the Arctic Slope I think it's time people understand there is another side to the sensationalized story told by the Gwich'in Steering Committee and ADN reporter David Whitney.

Mr. Whitney fails miserably to report all the facts when he covers the ANWR issue, especially in his May 24 article titled, "Gwich'in: Shield Plain for Good."

First, he carefully eludes the fact that the Inupiat also rely on the Porcupine caribou for sustenance. Inupiat people are wise in nature and are the best of environmentalists.

Through the local government, the North Slope Borough, Inupiat people have taken a stand against the oil industry to enforce environmental regulations stricter than the EPA. Therefore, it is ludicrous to suggest that the Inupiat people would purposely and willfully harm the food supply that has deep roots in our culture and tradition.

History has shown that industry and wildlife can co-exist. The Central Arctic Caribou Herd in the Prudhoe Bay region has flourished since the pipeline days.

Second, Mr. Whitney asserts that the Inupiat are allied with the oil industry, but fails to point out that the Gwich'in Steering Committee is heavily funded by the environmental community. Unfortunately, the Gwich'in Steering Committee is being used to further the agenda of the environmental community which places less value on basic human rights. After this issue is over, will the environmental community support the lifestyle of the Gwich'in? Possibly not, but the money derived from ANWR will benefit many government programs as well as create over 750,000 jobs.

Third, when did the Gwich'in take such a vested interest in the caribou? I say this because the Gwich'in leased out their lands in the 1980's for oil and gas exploration. To their dismay this exploration was unsuccessful.

However, their lease agreements contained no provisions to protect the now "sacred" Porcupine caribou herd. At least the Inupiat included measures to safeguard the caribou population affected by the development of Prudhoe Bay.

To the Inupiat, the revenue derived from ANWR will enable the Arctic Slope communities to continue living outside of Third World conditions. The revenue will support essential services like local health care and police and fire protection that many people in urban Alaska and the Lower 48 take for granted.

The Inupiat are not alone in their quest to open ANWR. Doyon Ltd., a Native regional corporation with Gwich'in shareholders, supports ANWR development. Further, the Alaska Federation of Natives with a membership of 90,000 Alaska Natives is also in support of this issue.

Finally, I appeal to Mr. Whitney and the ADN to stop sensationalizing and start reporting all the facts. Highlight the views of the Inupiat of Kaktovik and those of the Arctic Slope region. After all, ANWR does sit in Kaktovik's back yard. Tara MacLean Sweeney is a resident of Girdwood.