August 17th, 2020 (Washington, D.C.) – Today, the Department of the Interior is expected to release a “record of decision” approving drilling in the entire coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Gwich’in people refer to the coastal plain as “The Sacred Place Where Life Begins” because it is critical to their food security and way of life.

In response, Gwich’in Steering Committee Executive Director Bernadette Demientieff released the following statement:

“We are not giving up. This administration has done nothing but disrespect the Indigenous peoples that have occupied these lands. Our ways of life, our food security, and our identity is not up for negotiation. The fight is not over. We have attorneys on this case and the courts will get to hear about the corrupt and illegal ways the Trump administration has used to open the Sacred Place Where Life Begins for drilling.”

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:
Jennifer K. Falcon, jennifer@ienearth.org , 218-760-9958
Bernadette Demientieff, bernadette@gwichinsteering.com