BERING STRAIT VOICES:
VISION FOR ACTION SUMMIT REPORT
NOME, ALASKA
October 12-14, 2016
Marine Program
Kawerak, Inc., P.O. Box 948, Nome, AK 99762
© 2017, Kawerak, Incorporated, P.O. Box 948, Nome, AK 99762. All rights reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, displayed, modified or distributed without the
express prior written permission of the copyright holder. For permission, contact
Kawerak, Incorporated, P.O. Box 948, Nome, AK 99762
Table of Contents
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
History of Kawerak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Kawerak’s Vision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Kawerak’s Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Kawerak’s Core Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Kawerak’s Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Kawerak Marine Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Why the Bering Strait Voices: Vision for Action Summit was Held . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Goals of the Summit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Methodology of Summit Participation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Cohort Visioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Shipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Economic Development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Climate Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Subsistence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
National Policy Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Oil Policy Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Summit 2016 Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Summit 2016 Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
2016 Concerns in Communities that Need Attention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
2017 Summit Participants
—2—
January, 2017
Dear Reader,
Kawerak is pleased to present the Bering Strait Voices Vision for
Action Summit report for your information and consideration. The
enclosed report gives insight into the thoughts from representatives
of our region’s tribes, offers a vision statement for their futures, and
suggests proactive ways that we can move forward to safeguard
our way of life and the natural resources that we rely on to sustain us
physically, culturally, and spiritually.
Kawerak’s Core Purpose is: “To work together to achieve the highest
quality of life in partnership with our tribal members and communities
while living and celebrating our Native cultures.” In February 2017,
Kawerak celebrated 44 years of service to the Bering Strait region.
Our region is changing dramatically and we must never forget that the
knowledge of our people has been the vital link to our survival and can
guide our paths forward.
I wish you the very best in the coming year, Quyaana for your time and
consideration.
Sincerely,
Melanie Bahnke, President
Kawerak, Incorporated
—3—
Preface
This report documents the proceedings of the third regional gathering
of Bering Strait residents and shipping policy experts invited to
participate in the “Bering Strait Voices: Vision for Action Summit”
(BSVVAS) hosted by Kawerak on October 12-14, 2016 in Nome,
Alaska. This regional gathering of Bering Strait residents was held to
convene as many Bering Strait leaders and ocean policy professionals
in one place to discuss the potential impacts from increased shipping
and climate change and to look at ways to move forward guided
by a vision developed by consensus. This report is written largely
in participants’ own words expressing local issues and concerns.
Kawerak hopes you will conclude that the Bering Sea, Bering Strait,
and Chukchi Sea are tremendously important to its first inhabitants,
and that the future of its residents are tied directly to decisions that
are made to address an increasingly ice free Bering Sea, Chukchi
Sea, and Arctic Ocean. Kawerak hopes decision-makers, researchers,
agencies, and tribes will read this report and better understand how
they can advance the vision and concerns expressed by the region’s
tribal communities and first peoples. Kawerak will utilize this report
in future advocacy efforts to express local opinions to state, federal,
and international agencies and organizations interested in the Arctic.
The regional gathering, this report and Kawerak’s advocacy efforts
have been made possible with funding from Oak Foundation, The
Pew Charitable Trust’s U.S. Arctic Program, and the Gordon and Betty
Moore Foundation.
—4—
Acknowledgements
We would like to especially acknowledge the Foraker Group for
helping plan the gathering and for their facilitation in small group
cohort discussions. Kawerak also thanks Rose Atuk-Fosdick for
participating in planning sessions, Brenna Ahmasuk, Natural Resource
Administrative Assistant and Lucinda Wieler, Social Science Program
Research Specialist for help with set up and logistics and. Many thanks
to the Nome Covenant Church for providing the meeting space.
This workshop would not have been possible without the successful
participation of the tribal representatives who participated in the three
days of the workshop, made possible by close collaboration with the
Tribal Coordinators and their respective Tribal Councils.
This project would not have been possible without the support and
participation of the local experts in each community. We thank each of
the following individuals, who were involved as local experts for this
summit, and who generously contributed their knowledge, experience
and time: Ahna Ozenna, Diomede; Albert Oquilluk, Jr., Mary’s Igloo;
Axel Jackson, Shaktoolik; Cameron Okbaok, Teller; Cecelia Tingook;
Wales; Charlie Fitka, Saint Michael; Clyde Oxerok, Wales; Eddie
Ungott, Gambell; Ernest Iyapana, Jr., Diomede; Frank Oxerok, Jr., Wales;
Frederick Pete, Sr., Stebbins; Jordan Tungiyan, Gambell; Joshua Dewey,
Koyuk; Lincoln M. Simon, Sr., White Mountain; Lucy Oquilluk, Mary’s
Igloo; Mary Freytag, Unalakleet; Michael James, Gambell; Michael
Kiyuklook, Savoonga; Morris Kiyutelluk, Shishmaref; Paul Nagaruk,
Elim; Paul Rookok, Sr., Savoonga; Phillip T. Brown, White Mountain;
Pius Washington, Saint Michael; Reuben Mixsooke, Unalakleet; Tommy
Obruk, Shishmaref and Zachary David, Elim.
The following people reviewed all or portions of this final report and
are thanked for their comments and feedback on earlier versions:
Austin Ahmasuk, Julie Raymond-Yakoubian, Rose Fosdick and Ellie
Humphries. The contents are solely the responsibility of Kawerak,
Incorporated.
—5—
Executive Summary
The Bering Strait region is experiencing a dramatic shift in climate.
Evidence suggests that a majority of the Being Sea is shifting from
an ice-benthic system to a maritime pelagic system, which correlates
with local observations that oceans are warmer, with marine species
moving north. Each year new climatic shifts make themselves apparent
with stark contrast to our history. The change is impacting community
infrastructure decisions and has opened the northern seas to increased
shipping. Rural Alaskan communities are considering whether existing
infrastructure can mitigate the potential impacts from increased
shipping.
According to reliable estimates1 shipping has increased nearly two
fold since 2007. Although the actual shipping numbers are still low
compared to such places as the Aleutians Islands, the change is
dramatic and needs forethought and input from communities.
To gauge the needs of local communities the Kawerak Marine Program
hosted three workshops in two years on the issue of shipping and with
this summit and report the Marine Program concludes three years of
effort to assess the needs of local communities. Through these efforts,
the 20 tribes in this region developed a vision to guide policy and
community action going forward.
The vision statement developed by Summit participants is:
“Guided by Yupik and Inupiaq values and traditions, we will
continue to build sustainable capacity to uphold our spiritual and
cultural traditions and relationships, by inspiring healthy choices,
and protecting our natural resources to ensure food security for
our future generations. We proactively adapt to climate and other
changes experienced by our people.”
Kawerak will use the vision statement and the contents of this report
and others to help inform and direct the management of the northern
Bering Sea.
1
The U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System, Arctic Marine Transportation
Integrated Action Team, January 2017, Recommendations and Criteria for Using Federal
Public-Private Partnerships to Support Critical U.S. Arctic Maritime Infrastructure National
Strategy for the Arctic Region Implementation Plan Task 1.1.3
—6—
Kawerak will engage with the U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska Congressional
Delegation, tribes of the region, and state and federal agencies to
direct and enhance decision- and policy-making that affects our people.
In order to advocate for our tribes Kawerak must seek funds to carry
out this vision and to address the concerns raised during this summit
and our past workshops. Currently, funds for the Kawerak Marine
Program come from private sources and allow for one full-time staff
person to serve the region.
The global shipping fleet is expected to turn its eyes north in order to
utilize a shorter trans-ocean route and save on shipping costs because
the Northern Sea Route has become increasingly ice free. The presence
of pleasure craft and cruise ships is also on the rise bringing unique
challenges. In August 2016 the tourist cruise vessel Crystal Serenity
made a historic transit of the Northwest Passage and encountered
very little ice. Historically, ice has prohibited such transits except by
icebreakers.
The Bering Strait region has already felt the impact of more
commercial vessel traffic and fear the potential for catastrophe,
such as oiled wildlife,2 and foreign debris washing ashore. There is
a growing concern that increased vessel traffic in the region could
potentially cause social disruption to small rural communities.
To address the potential impacts, this summit and past workshop
discussed three primary ways to advocate for communities:
1. Ensure local waterways are protected from harm while ensuring
local business and commerce is not impacted. Oil spill response
planning will be critical to that advocacy. The risk of an oil spill has
been reiterated throughout all of our workshops and our advocacy
efforts.
2. Maintain and strengthen our relationship and collaboration with
the U.S. Coast Guard.
3. Investigate ways to involve communities through future funding
opportunities so their voices and expertise are brought to bear in
decisions at the outset rather than as afterthoughts.
2
dec.alaska.gov/spar/PPR/response/sum_fy13/121107301/121107301_sr_01.pdf
—7—
Background
Clyde Oxerok speaking at the 2016 Summit as Michael Kiyuklook and
Cameron Okbaok listen.
The northern Bering Sea, Bering Strait, and Chukchi Sea are vitally
important to its first inhabitants; the future of its residents is tied directly
to decisions about managing a changing environment. Ice-dependent
marine species have sustained an ancient culture. Healthy marine
areas are vital to survival and to ensure the perpetuation of our culture,
traditions and way of life.
Impacts by vessel traffic to marine mammals have been of critical
concern to people living along the coast of the northern Bering and
southern Chukchi Sea. Marine mammals can be easily overtaken by
large ships and ship strikes are considered a major mortality factor for
the North Atlantic Right Whale.3 Bowhead whales are vital species for
Bering Strait region residents and may also be susceptible to
ship strikes.4
3
Amy R. Knowlton and Scott D. Kraus, Mortality and serious injury of northern right whales
(Eubalaena glacialis) in the western North Atlantic Ocean, J. CETACEAN RES. MANAGE.
(SPECIAL ISSUE) 2, 193–208, 2001
4
John Craighead George, L. Michael Philo, Katherine Hazard, David Withrow, Geoffrey M.
Carroll, and Robert Suydam, Frequency of Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) Attacks and Ship
Collisions Based on Scarring on Bowhead Whales (Balaena mysticetus) of the BeringChukchi-Beaufort Seas Stock, (Received 11 October 1991; accepted in revised form 27
January 1994), ARCTIC VOL. 47, NO. 3 (SEPTEMBER 1994) P. 247–255
—8—
History of Kawerak
The Bering Straits Native Association
(BSNA) was formed in 1967 as an
association of the Native villages in the
Bering Strait region. The Association was
created to advocate for the passage of
a Native Land Claims bill. During this
time, BSNA received their first grant
from the Office of Economic Opportunity
within the Johnson Administration.
After the passage of the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act in 1971, BSNA
organized Kawerak as the regional nonprofit corporation (incorporated under
State Law in 1973) to provide services
throughout the Bering Strait region.
Today, Kawerak compacts with the
state and federal government to provide
Josiah Ozenna dancing during a break in Summit 2016
services to residents of the Bering Strait
activities. The importance of the younger generation to our
Region, 75% of whom are of Alaska
future is vital.
Native descent, based on census records.
Kawerak assists Alaska Native people and their governing bodies to
take control of their future. With programs ranging from education
to transportation, and natural resources to economic development,
Kawerak seeks to improve the region’s social, economic, educational,
cultural and political conditions. Kawerak is governed by a Board
of Directors comprised of the president (or designee) of the IRA or
traditional councils, two elder representatives and a representative
from the regional health corporation.5
5
www.kawerak.org
—9—
Kawerak’s Vision
Our people and tribes are thriving.
Kawerak’s Mission
To advance the capacity of our people
and tribes for the benefit of the region.
Kawerak’s Core Purpose
To work together to achieve the highest
quality of life in partnership with our tribal
members and communities while living and
celebrating our Native cultures.
— 10 —
Kawerak’s Values
•
Teamwork, unity, and achieving positive results
in all our work.
•
Perseverance, integrity and working hard to
overcome challenges to create a better future.
•
Upholding our Tribes along with their cultures,
language, heritage, and traditional ways of life.
•
Engaging with, respecting and supporting
each other.
•
Fair healthy relationships based on respect, trust,
honesty, persevering together, openness, giving
everyone a voice, and agreeing to disagree.
•
Spirituality, community, generosity and each
individual’s purpose and voice.
•
Keeping a positive attitude and outlook in all
situations and never losing our sense of humor.
•
Leadership that listens, is responsible, experienced,
capable and supportive of self-governance. These
leaders are role models and give positive advice.
•
Education, learning, knowledge and the use of
wisdom in building our people up to serve their
communities and villages.
— 11 —
Kawerak Marine Program
With the goals of Kawerak and the potential threats from increased
shipping in mind, the Kawerak Marine Program was formed and in
2014 became fully staffed. The Kawerak Marine Program is one of
several programs in the Natural Resources Division. The Program
focuses on potential impacts of increased marine shipping on
individuals, subsistence resources and the environment within our
region. Kawerak’s Marine Program advocates for local priorities
and will propose actions to minimize negative impacts of increased
shipping in the Bering and Chukchi Seas.
Arctic marine transits to transport resources and people from all parts of
the globe have increased in the last decade through ice free Arctic waters.
National and international governments, agencies, organizations,
industries and bodies are developing strategies to take advantage of
the polar marine routes to decrease shipping costs, develop tourism
and other economic opportunities.
Kawerak must engage in these important discussions because of the
great potential impacts to our way of life. Subsistence resources, the
environment, and culture are vital aspects of Alaska’s first people and
the public at large.
— 12 —
In September 2014 the Kawerak Marine Program hosted the first of
three workshops to address the issue of increased vessel traffic. Below
are some of the questions asked and critical points participants voiced
from the first workshop:
• Obtain knowledge and take action on Arctic shipping in our region.
• Produce our own plan to ensure protection of our environment.
• Regionally developed policies and procedures for/by people
are needed.
• Impacts in the ocean can be limited by our people managing
resources and monitoring activity.
• Will we be able to continue practicing our subsistence way of life?
• Create shipping regulations in the Bering Strait for migratory routes
of marine mammals during spring and fall.
• Fear of (small subsistence boats) becoming too regulated while
regulations for big boats are lax.
• Develop Bering Strait region Arctic shipping strategy document with
priorities about shipping.
• How does Arctic shipping affect our subsistence way of life?
• Depletion of resources is a concern.
• How much pollution will there be?
• Effect of vessel traffic on wildlife is a concern.
• Demands on, and competition for resources is a concern.
• To protect our way of life.
• How will all the ships affect our hunting season?
• Hunting and hunting areas, especially for the bowhead whale.
• Oiled animals, especially beluga and seals
— 13 —
In January 2016 the Kawerak Marine Program hosted a second
workshop on the issue of increased shipping to similarly understand
the concerns of residents of the region as they relate to shipping.
Highlights of comments from the January 25-26, 2016 Workshop are
as follows:
• Gambell: “elders talk about spills along shipping routes and are
concerned”
• Golovin: “local expertise is important to understand and implement
in response”
• Saint Michael: “concern for Unalakleet tug at Rocky Point”
• Brevig Mission: “concern for tankers washing the deck and causing
a sheen of oil in the water”
• Shishmaref: “sea ice takes off so fast”
• Shaktoolik: “no longer crabbing at Cape Denbigh because of loss of ice”
• Koyuk: “the potential impacts to the delicate cycle of life and
opening of Northwest Passage in our lifetime”
• Teller: “ lot more green water and late freeze ups”
• Unalakleet: “no ice what so ever and diseased ugruk”
• Elim: “concern that ships will dump waste regardless”
• Diomede: “training for local responders is imperative”
— 14 —
Why the Bering Strait Voices:
Vision for Action Summit was Held
Federally recognized Tribes have a special government-to-government
relationship that should provide them a unique opportunity to give
input to federal decision-makers early in policy and rule-making
processes However, federal agencies are not consistent in their
consultation practices and sometimes fail to integrate Tribal input into
these processes. Indeed, President Barack Obama announced the need
for consultation with communities in the northern Bering Sea due to
increased shipping in his recent Alaska 2015 trip. Furthermore, federal
decision makers frequently fail to recognize traditional knowledge as
a valid knowledge source that is equal to but different from western
science. As a result, many indigenous people are cautious about
sharing spatial information and want to have a voice in processes
that determine how that information is used. Information and views
from the holders of traditional knowledge and members of federallyrecognized Tribes are needed to inform effective Arctic policy in the
region and beyond.
There is a strong precedent for community and tribal leaders in the
northern Bering Sea and Strait region convening to discuss values
and decision-making priorities with regard to the marine ecosystems
adjacent and important to their communities.
In 2014, Kawerak hosted and facilitated a regional gathering that
generated a report on key concerns and knowledge. That workshop
included representatives from 15 communities in the Bering Strait
region to discuss and plan strategies to address changes and impacts
arising from increased shipping and vessel traffic in general in the
Bering Strait. The 2014 gathering generated momentum among
community leaders wishing to engage further, but until now they have
not yet had the opportunity to reconvene to jumpstart this process.
Additionally, in order to address the impacts of climate change and
increased marine shipping taking place in the Arctic, in 2014, Kawerak
developed a new Marine Program and hired an experienced marine
advocate to lead the program, which has significantly increased their
capacity to engage on shipping issues. In 2015, Kawerak informed and
coordinated a regional approach to advocacy in the U.S. Bering Strait
and Chukchi Sea regions focused on increased impacts and potential
risks of Arctic shipping. In January 2016, Kawerak convened the
region’s key stakeholders, to discuss common priorities, advocate for
— 15 —
local priorities with decision makers and proposed actions to minimize
negative impacts of increased shipping and marine traffic. All of this
work has laid the groundwork for a successful summit. In 2016 local
Tribes, indigenous organizations, and community leaders leveraged
past workshops and existing knowledge and seized an opportunity
to reconvene and generate a common vision for the northern Bering
Sea and Strait region based on shared cultural values. In October,
leaders assembled in a summit setting in Nome, Alaska to determine
what values are most important to their tribes while also identifying
opportunities to establish policies that will lead to sustainability and
protect subsistence resources and the marine ecosystem. This report
details the conversations and discussions and the profound visioning
that came from the summit in Nome from October 12-14, 2016.
During these developments, it became evident that regional entities
needed to focus on building consensus on how the region can advance
while protecting a subsistence way of life. A subsistence way of life
and food security are inextricably linked to a healthy environment,
which the people of this region recognize as a priority. The question
became how to plan for the future while maintaining these benefits
that are derived from the marine waters. In light of all these efforts, the
goal of this summit and this report was identified:
Knowledge sharing and collaboration with people from the Bering
Strait region via workshops has been an important tool for local
communities. Kawerak uses external collaboration, like workshops
and social science research, as fully as possible to inform tribes so
specialists in Kawerak can best advocate. Workshops such as this
provide for interaction and understanding of local concerns and have
been successful thus far, and are likely to be used in the future.
— 16 —
Goals of the Summit
In planning this summit it was important to educate tribal members
on ways to be proactive in protecting our marine resources and in
developing tools (policy, regulations, etc.) to effectively participate in
decision-making about our region.
Summit organizers utilized three goal statements to reach that
understanding and level of discussion:
START FROM A COMMON UNDERSTANDING. This includes both
values and knowledge. Participants share and identify their values as
a group.
FORMULATE A VISION. Help build a shared understanding of the
values, system, environment, problems and, through transparent group
processes, develop consensus to create a common vision for what this
region wants its future to look like. Explore how to apply the identified
values to shipping, economic development and other issues.
OPERATIONALIZE THE VISION: Ask participants what needs to
happen in order to realize their vision. Enable creative solutions
and strategies by reframing, reimagining, and recombining unique
perspectives. Use these inputs to develop and discuss ideas for
solutions, policies, processes for adoption and scale them across
the region.
— 17 —
Methodology of Summit Participation
This workshop was a collaboration
between Kawerak, Inc. and Pew
Charitable Trusts. The workshop
was designed and structured
to follow from the outcomes of
two previous workshops held in
September 2014 and January 2016.
As discussed previously the goal/
purpose of the workshop was to
develop a vision. Kawerak invited
each of the 20 Bering Strait
tribes to select a representative
to participate in the summit.
The criteria for selection was for
Small Group Cohorts, Summit 2016
the representative be a tribal
member, someone that was interested in marine and vessel traffic
issues, someone that would fully participate in and contribute to the
proceedings, and would also share what they learned at the workshop
with other members of their community. 15 of the 20 tribes selected
representatives and 15 tribes sent multiple representatives. During the
summit there were a total of 26 tribal representatives that participated,
which also included youth.
— 18 —
Kawerak invited guest speakers to present at the workshop on specific
topics. These presentations were intended to provide background
information for participants to help ensure everyone had a similar
knowledge base in order to facilitate the small group discussions that
followed each presentation. Presenters were chosen based on their
expertise regarding particular topics.
The workshop format was a combination of presentations, small group
discussions, and plenary discussions. For example, the workshop
participants first heard a presentation about climate change, then
participants had small group discussions about the topic using guided
questions developed in advance by the workshop organizers. That was
followed by a plenary discussion, whereby groups reported back to the
larger group about their conversations and all participants had a group
discussion.
This method of presentation, small group discussion, large group
discussion was used to ensure that all participants had opportunities
to share their perspectives and ask questions, and the larger group
could benefit from hearing about the multiple discussions that took
place on any one topic.
The small group discussions and plenary discussions were facilitated
by the workshop organizers as needed, and formally in certain sections
of the agenda by Jonella White, Lead Capacity Builder (Foraker
Group). Extensive notes were captured by the small groups in the
form of sticky-notes and bullet points, and in the large group plenary
discussions by the facilitators. This report is based in large part on
those notes and subsequent reflections on the proceedings.
— 19 —
Cohort Visioning
Visioning discussions were held on the first day of the summit to
introduce participants to the methodology that would be used
throughout the summit. A question was asked of the participants i.e.
What do they want their community to look like 25 years from now?
The summit explored more complex discussions later on but this initial
exercise was meant to merely initiate discussions in the small cohort
groups. What follows are participants key verbatim responses to the
visioning question individual names are withheld:
• St. Michael needs a small boat harbor.
• Elim rock quarry should be developed.
• Alternative energy is desired (hydro-power and other types as well).
• Roads are needed in White Mountain, Elim, and Koyuk.
• We must keep high quality water.
• Elders “went out” and were able to do a lot with very little to survive.
We would like to see communities embrace those abilities and bring
those ideas back.
• In Imuruk Basin the graphite mine has caused concern and we hope
to have our subsistence lifestyle if the mine is developed.
• In 25 years our children will have more control over our land and
what happens on our land. Foods we buy aren’t always safe, move
back towards subsistence.
• Shishmaref will adapt to changes even if that means being
relocated to mainland.
• Our Alaska Native languages are important and must be protected.
• Hopefully will be able to stay in our villages for the next 25 years
and still have the subsistence way of life.
• We don’t know if we will have a commercial fishery, or how shipping
routes will affect migration of salmon. We want to see that our
tradition and subsistence activities are still strong.
— 20 —
Shipping
Shipping is a vital link for many rural Alaskan communities to receive
large goods. With the advent of routine air transport most store bought
goods come from afar to rural villages on a regular basis and airplanes
have replaced shipping for many commodities. But historically and
in the present large goods such as building materials, boats, motors,
vehicles, and to a lesser extent large dry goods are brought to rural
communities by ship when the ocean is ice free. Energy in the form of
fossil fuels are transported by ships on fuel barges and is the primary
way that rural communities in the Bering Strait region obtain energy to
power communities.
Global shipping interests have been extensively using the Northern
Sea Route.6 How residents of the Bering Strait region prepare and
respond to potential threats will be critical moving forward.
In its 2016 public comment draft the U.S. Committee on the Marine
Transportation System, Arctic Marine Transportation Integrated Action
Team noted the following:
“Recommendations for a project meeting the above criteria should
also consider the public health benefits, access to resources for
subsistence purposes, local and regional economic opportunities,
welfare of the local population and social and cultural value to the
community.”7
In a 2016 report titled “A Ten-Year Prioritization of Infrastructure
Needs in the U.S. Arctic, National Strategy for the Arctic Region
Implementation Plan Task 1, also prepared by The U.S. Committee
on the Marine Transportation System, Arctic Marine Transportation
Integrated Action Team, the team noted the following in its near term
recommendation matrix:
“Work with stakeholders to coordinate research efforts to deconflict research with commercial and subsistence use areas.”8
6
www.cnn.com/2016/12/22/opinions/make-arctic-great-again-berbrick/index.html
7
www.cmts.gov/downloads/CMTS_Recommendations_and_Criteria_for_Using_Federal_P3_
Public_Comment_Draft_October_21_2016_v2.pdf
8
www.cmts.gov/downloads/NSAR_1.1.2_10-Year_MTS_Investment_Framework_Final_5_4_16.pdf
— 21 —
Arctic waterways are vital links to our survival and it is pleasing to
note there are mechanisms and ways local communities can depend
on state and federal systems to ensure those linkages are maintained
even during this era of dramatic climate change. There continue to be
frustrations with the existing state and federal systems but at least the
importance of our subsistence lifestyle is acknowledged within critical
national strategy documents.
Aaron Poe, Coordinator, Aleutian and Bering Sea Islands LCC,
provided the first of four presentations to develop the foundation for
this summit. Mr. Poe gave a presentation titled “Evaluating Risks from
Vessel Traffic in the Aleutians and Bering Sea”.
As a result of the Shipping presentation what follows are participants’
feedback and concerns:
• Concern about vessel traffic around islands.
• What are ships carrying in different vessels? We don’t know what is
going back and forth.
• Who will regulate vessel dumping, gray water, waste oil, etc: The
U.S. Coast Guard says rules are well-followed, but that is debatable.
• How far away are disaster response teams?
• How many Automated Identification System receivers are there
in Alaska?
• In the regulation making process, how are coastal communities
involved?
• Are there tribes in other parts of the state that are exercising
their government-to-government rights by forming their own
response teams?
• What other Arctic countries are doing similar things?
— 22 —
When participants were asked what type of tribal policies will support
our efforts, the following themes emerged from the cohort discussion
• Decreasing the speed of vessels during hunting times. Conflict
avoidance agreements that exist for whaling communities could be
used as models for tribal policies.
• We will not tolerate contamination by oil spills or other pollution.
• We must engage with the International Maritime Organization.
• Tribes can determine which areas are important and must be
avoided.
Participants were then asked what capacity, partnerships, or
communication needs there were?
• There is strength in a tribal consortium like Kawerak, tribes all
together.
• More HAZWOPER training and spill response equipment.
• Work with cities and tribes to establish partnerships for shared
response.
• Better communication with the U.S. Coast Guard, so we know what
is coming beforehand.
• Work with Bering Sea Alliance to figure out what policies they have
done, what they are working on and how to build capacity.
• Protect areas that are vital for beluga breeding areas, walrus
haul-outs.
— 23 —
Economic Development
How village economies operate and succeed will depend upon local
consumer services, local professionals, community planning, state and
federal laws, and the overall economic development climate. In rural
Alaska public / private partnerships are vital to that success.
Alice Bioff, Business Planning Specialist, and Brian James, Business
Development Specialist, both from Kawerak, provided the second of
four presentations to advise participants as they think about success
and vision for the region. The economic development presentation was
titled: “Economic Development Opportunities and Challenges”.
What follows are comments and feedback following the Economic
Development presentation:
• How does Kawerak help people get permits for business such
as mining?
• Elim has a resolution in support of addressing the ivory ban on
walrus and mastodon.
• Tourism to village lands, is an option to show the world our cultures.
• Need economic development for students so they have options.
• Sport hunting for reindeer - highly regulated by tribes, but may
brings in funds.
• Tribes need to support people who are seeking business licenses.
• Partner with Kawerak for a co-op - a building for arts and crafts so
tourists can go to one spot. Sewers, carvers, others could sell their
goods there.
• Creating employment will be a frustration however tourism and
subsistence hunting - could be business avenues.
• Economic development should not impact traditional practices.
— 24 —
Climate Change
On December 22, 2016 a temperature probe near the North Pole
registered a temperature of 32 degrees.9 This shocking data point,
among others, signals a new Arctic reality and is symptomatic of a
dramatic regime shift occurring further south in the northern Bering
Sea. Many portions of the Bering Sea are transitioning from a benthic
system to a pelagic system.10 The Bering Strait region has been
warming. Numerous Kawerak social science studies going back to the
mid 1980’s have portrayed climate and societal changes which have
impacted rural communities. On December 5, 2016 President Obama
issued an executive order titled: “Safeguarding the Nation from the
Impacts of Invasive Species”. In that order the White House clearly
indicated the nexus of invasive species and climate change as follows:
“The introduction, establishment, and spread of invasive species
create the potential for serious public health impacts, especially
when considered in the context of changing climate conditions.
Climate change influences the establishment, spread, and impacts
of invasive species.”11
Nathan Kettle, Research Associate, Alaska Center for Climate
Assessment and Policy presented his work with Nome Eskimo
Community and informed participants of the impacts of climate
change in the Bering Strait region. His presentation titled: “Climate
Change in the Bering Strait Region” portrayed his and other’s work
related to Nome Eskimo Communities Climate Adaptation Planning
and results of investigations of regional climate forces. Mr. Kettle’s
presentation discussed four main themes: 1. Sea ice is thinner; 2.
Winters have changed; 3. Lakes are drying up; and 4. Permafrost is
thawing.
What follows are comments and feedback from participants following
his presentation:
• Are patterns at Shishmaref are the same as what is being seen
around the region?
9
www.adn.com/arctic/2016/12/22/weather-buoy-near-north-pole-hits-32-degrees-as-polarice-melts/
10 www.int-res.com/articles/meps/48/m048p057.pdf
11 www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/12/05/executive-order-safeguarding-nationimpacts-invasive-species
— 25 —
• Thinner ice, not forming the way it used to and no more large ice bergs.
• At White Mountain at this time of year, in the past, people would be
ice fishing. It’s been about 5 years since we have been able to do that.
• There is more open water between Wales and Diomede in
December.
• Unalakleet usually has ice in the slough this time of year, but last
few years the ice hasn’t formed until later. So when tomcods arrive
we have to fish from shore to get some.
• Crab are very sensitive to salinity, which is related to ice cover, and
our ability to get them through the ice. Hope that there has been/will
be studies on salinity, including how quickly it may be changing and
what that might mean for changes in ecosystem composition.
• Fall storms are getting stronger, very high winds. Wales has lost
80% of our beach, probably. Now at high water you can barely fit
two four-wheelers next to each other on the beach.
• In Diomede blue king crab move between near and off shore, and
from January to May the water temp is warmer than what it used to
be. 5 years ago I could put my hand in water and my hands would
freeze, but more recently, not as cold. That is why our ice conditions
at the island are so much different - warmer water.
• Climate change is changing our lives; ice is moving out faster.
• In Wales people are having to travel further to hunt.
• Indian General Assistance Programs are important in cleaning up
our waste and disposing of our trash.
• Senator Donald Olson and Representative Neal Foster need to sit
with us at these meetings to listen to us, instead of just talking to us.
• We need to communicate amongst each other, we have a great deal
of knowledge in the region and in this room.
— 26 —
Subsistence
Subsistence is a complicated topic
in Alaska that involves various
state and federal agencies,
complex regulations, and debates
between and about rural and urban
subsistence uses. Subsistence
represents and means many
different things to different groups.
In this report we use the term
subsistence to mean hunting
and gathering, and associated
activities (such as processing
and preserving), carried out by
Spring walrus hunt. (Courtesy A. Ahmasuk)
indigenous residents of the Bering
Strait region, which have “a deep connection to history, culture, and
tradition, and which are primarily understood to be separate from
commercial activities.”12 Subsistence is intimately connected to our
language, family relationships, spiritual and religious traditions, and
is connected to our well-being and ability to thrive as individuals and
communities.
As in other parts of the State, the indigenous people of the Bering
Strait have been practicing subsistence by observing and interacting
with the environment and harvesting plants and animals in the region
for millennia. Our knowledge about the ecosystem is vast and valuable,
yet too often we are not consulted about how to best care for and
manage subsistence resources. In recent years the role and power of
Alaska Native people as resource users and managers (in the eyes
of the state and federal government) has grown (e.g. Department of
the Interior Secretarial Order,13 the Ahtna Cooperative Management
agreement,14 establishment of the Bering Sea Climate Resilience
Area,15 etc.). Subsistence resources such as marine mammals,
migratory birds, fish and shellfish, land mammals, berries and greens,
12 J. Raymond-Yakoubian, B. Raymond-Yakoubian and C. Moncrieff. 2017. The incorporation of
traditional knowledge into Alaska federal fisheries management. Marine Policy 78: 132-142.
13 www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/so3342_partnerships.pdf
14 ahtna-inc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AITRC_PR_2016_DOI_CooperativeManagement-Agreement-FINAL-1.pdf
15 www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/12/09/executive-order-northern-bering-seaclimate-resilience
— 27 —
and water are vital parts of the nutritional, cultural, and spiritual life
of Alaska Native people. As such, work related to subsistence issues
has comprised the majority of advocacy done by Kawerak with great
advocates such as the late Mathew Iya and the late Caleb Pungowiyi
leading the way.
Julie Raymond-Yakoubian, Kawerak’s Social Science Program
Director, gave the fourth and final presentation to the summit titled:
“Subsistence in the Bering Strait Region”. The PowerPoint from this
presentation is available on the Marine Program website. Julie provided
an overview of the state of documented knowledge about Bering
Strait subsistence; outlined the formal resources available to Kawerak
and tribes that can be used to address subsistence-related policy,
advocacy and education work; and talked about government-togovernment consultation and its relationship to subsistence practices
and subsistence laws and regulations. Following Julie’s presentation,
the group discussed these questions:
• What types of policies will support our efforts?
• What capacity building, partnerships, and communication
strategies do we need to develop?
Below is a summary of the conversations that the discussion groups
had and reported back on to the plenary.
The need to protect our lands and waters, our rights to practice
subsistence hunting and gathering, and our ability and right to selfmanagement was emphasized. It was also emphasized by participants
that we need to understand our boundaries and our history in order to
be effective and to make informed decisions.
We are, and have been, care takers of our environment. Unalakleet
provided an example of this: they had a self-imposed moratorium
on moose harvests to help their population increase. Workshop
participants want to be involved in bodies that manage and regulate
subsistence and subsistence resources. We want to have an equal
voice and equal say in the development, monitoring and enforcement
of regulations, and also want our youth to have a role in this (e.g.
through a youth seat on the Federal Subsistence Board, or other means).
— 28 —
Traditional knowledge16 is a crucial to our capacity to carry out and
pass on subsistence practices, but it is constantly attacked. We are
forced to justify our knowledge and how we live because others do
not understand it. We are being pressured to change from all sides. It
is important to recognize this so that we can work together to teach
our values and knowledge to youth. This includes elder knowledge and
stories. It is important to document this wisdom via storytelling.
We need to do our own research. This includes taking a scientific
approach in combination with traditional knowledge. In order to
protect our knowledge, practices and values we must document them.
Without our elder voices there are many things we wouldn’t know;
like the proper way to hunt, for example. In the past, our communities
and elders were very strict and had a lot of rules, but they kept our
communities together. There were many unwritten rules and we need
to remember them and document them and pass them on. One elder
participant gave an example of these rules by sharing this story:
Kids were taught from when they were small not to bother the
young animals. In the last generation [before his] one boy didn’t
listen. The boy caught an owl that was almost ready to fly. He
plucked it alive except for the wings. That same season the
young man was out with his kayak, but he never returned. The
community found him in the water with owl marks on his throat.
Our grandparents, people gone, like to reincarnate into particular
animals, and some had shamanistic powers. Maybe one of them did
that and got the young man.
Similarly, other participants expressed that one of the best tools we
have for protecting our subsistence is to document it; document our
subsistence practices, animal behavior, migrations, health and habitat.
Workshop participants also discussed concerns about development
activities – from road building, to mining, to increased vessel traffic.
Development can bring in more people to our region to compete for
resources which can make subsistence more difficult. Participants
expressed that people coming to the region from outside has led to
the overharvesting of some species (historically, as well as currently),
and that such overharvesting leads to more stringent regulations that
16 J. Raymond-Yakoubian, B. Raymond-Yakoubian and C. Moncrieff. 2017. The incorporation of
traditional knowledge into Alaska federal fisheries management. Marine Policy 78: 132-142.
— 29 —
negatively impact our indigenous people. Noise from shipping, and
impacts of that noise on marine mammals in particular, was raised as
a concern (as it has been at previous gatherings, also).
‘Non-traditional’ ways of harvesting and storing traditional foods were
also discussed. For example, one male participant explained that today
he does many types of subsistence-related work that women used to
do. This wasn’t traditionally done by men, but it is still important work,
and needs to be done for him and his family to have traditional foods.
This is one example of adapting our traditional knowledge and skills
to contemporary circumstances, and one way that we can ensure our
knowledge is preserved. We are having to adapt in other ways, too.
For example, the harvest timing has changed for some species due
to climate change. Harvest periods may come earlier or later, or be
shorter than in the past. Our people have adapted to those changes
in many different ways. For example, some foods must now be
frozen, rather than dried because of weather conditions; some people
bring fish inside their homes to dry so it doesn’t spoil, etc. We must
continue to be adaptable and flexible in the face of the changes we
are experiencing. We all have different bodies of knowledge, abilities
and interests; we must encourage and support each other to put those
skills to use and to share them with our youth to ensure that our people
have a future.
Finally, the group discussed what kind of capacity building and
partnerships are needed to meet our goals regarding subsistence and
the protection of subsistence resources. Participants reiterated many
of the issues from earlier in their discussion (above) such as:
• The importance of passing on traditional ways of hunting and
harvesting to young people, including correcting them when they
are doing something wrong.
• A desire for families and communities to be more active in doing
subsistence activities together, like in the past.
• The need to be proactive about our future, which necessarily means
involving youth in all that we do.
• The need to continue our tradition of combining traditional knowledge
and practices with contemporary knowledge and practices.
— 30 —
• Keeping ourselves educated about the issues that affect us and the
mechanisms that can be used to our benefit (like tribal consultation).
• Take advantage of the resources and staff that Kawerak has.
• Bringing our tribes together to support each other, collaborate
on issues, and use our collective expertise to address issues; also
working with tribes from other regions.
• Working with agencies to strengthen our subsistence way
of life though equality in management (e.g. co-management,
tribal management, or other mechanisms). Our experts need to
participate in entities like the Migratory Bird Co-Management Group,
for example.
• Bring back the kashgi (“men’s house”, known by various names in
Inupiaq, Yup’ik, St. Lawrence Island Yup’ik and English throughout
our region) as a place for community gatherings and a venue where
people can teach, learn, communicate and share information, skills,
stories, Native foods.
— 31 —
National Policy Overview
National policies and regulations can have far reaching impacts on
the way of life of Alaskans, some positive and some negative. A brief
snapshot of top level national policies are listed below from most
recent to older:
December 21, 2016
Executive Action to close a majority of the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas
to new oil and gas leases.
December 9, 2016
Obama Issues Executive Order17 to establish the Northern Bering Sea
Climate Resilience Area which provides for the following.
1. Withdrawal of oil and gas leases from the northern Bering Sea and
Norton Sound.
2. Establishes the Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area
task force
3. Establishes the Bering Intergovernmental Tribal Advisory Council
4. Recognizes Traditional Knowledge in decision making
5. Within nine months the Bering Task Force shall coordinate with
the Arctic Executive Steering Committee to ensure pollutions from
vessels is mitigated
6. Directs the U.S. Coast Guard to conclude the Port Access Route Study
7. Directs the U.S. Coast Guard to strengthen oil spill preparedness
with the area
8. Maintains and re-affirms the prohibition on high seas fishing
established from the Fishery Management Plan for the Bering
Sea and Aleutians Islands with the Northern Bering Sea Climate
Resilience Area
January 21, 2015
President Obama issues Executive Order Enhancing Coordination of
National Efforts in the Arctic, which establishes the Arctic Executive
Steering Committee.
17 www.kawerak.org/index/Executive%20Order.pdf
— 32 —
Oil Policy Discussion
Austin Ahmasuk, Kawerak; Rhonda Sparks, Defenders of Wildlife,
and Ellie Humphries, Pew Charitable Trusts gave some national policy
perspectives as well as updates to activities within their organizations.
In response to those presentations the following comments and
feedback was provided:
• If there is a spill, tribes need to know who to contact.
• In 1994 there was a gas spill in Elim HAZMAT trained workers
responded, but some non-trained HAZMAT persons also responded.
• A recent small oil spill at the Wales clinic, took days to respond,
leaked on to tundra in an area where birds nest.
• At an old military site on Savoonga there is still a large amount of
fuel stored. That area used to have fast ice where seal pups were
born and they have been affected by what went on at that place.
— 33 —
Summit 2016 Values
The group listed values that will help us enact the vision. Those values
are listed below to reflect upon the vision and concerns.
• Unity
• Food Security
• Respect
• Healthy Youth
• Sharing
On the final day of the summit, the group reviewed a draft vision based
upon the previous two days discussion and developed the following
vision as follows:
Summit 2016 Vision
“Guided by Yupik and Inupiaq values and traditions, we will
continue to build sustainable capacity to uphold our spiritual and
cultural traditions and relationships, by inspiring healthy choices,
and protecting our natural resources to ensure food security for
our future generations. We proactively adapt to climate and other
changes experienced by our people.”
— 34 —
2016 Concerns in Communities
that Need Attention
Kawerak and the Marine Program must know what concerns
communities have that need to be addressed. In order to understand
those concerns participants were asked compile a list so that Kawerak
staff could plan tasks or advocacy efforts beyond this summit. Below is
a list of those concerns expressed:
• In regard to infected or diseased animals. How do we keep those
animals out of our ecosystem?
• It is expensive to go hunting, some people have to choose between
paid jobs and doing subsistence.
• Walrus ivory isn’t moving through the economy as fast anymore.
• Youth and children need a gathering place.
• There is a need for more law enforcement.
• New reindeer corral and slaughter facility.
• Port at Unalakleet.
• Planes over hunting areas.
• Ships must respect coastal areas during hunting seasons.
• Sea ice disappearing or becoming much thinner.
• Educating youth on food gathering and preservation.
• Recycling and backhaul to ensure environment is healthy.
• Ensuring protection of healthy drinking water.
• Gather valuable information from our elders.
• Concern regarding drug and alcohol abuse that leads to other
problems.
• Younger generations not knowing how to preserve food.
• Burning trash in the landfills can be toxic.
• Clean up the beaches, includingall the Styrofoam; some animals will
eat it, which is poisonous to them.
• Increased traffic—how do we take advantage of it?
— 35 —
Conclusion
The potential impacts from increased shipping and climate change
are significant potential threats to Bering Strait region communities
and local residents are not underestimating any of the potential risks
to subsistence resources. The Marine Program now has a clear way to
move forward guided by the summit vision developed by consensus
to address those risks. When the Drill Barge Kulluk grounded off the
coast of Alaska in December 2012 the National Geographic reported
the following:
“the Coast Guard concluded that Shell made an ill-advised decision
to tow its drill rig away from the state, a 1,700-nautical-mile journey
across the northern Gulf of Alaska in the final days of December
2012, in part to avoid millions of dollars in tax liability.”18
Tribal residents of this region have pleaded for more resources to
address the deficiencies in oil spill response in rural Alaska. We are
ever vigilant that planning to address a major maritime emergency
must not be underestimated because much is at stake for our
communities. This report is valuable to a large audience because it
provides a clear understanding of what this region envisions for its
own future and where it places value day to day.
The topics addressed during this summit: 1. community visioning;
2. shipping; 3. economic development; 4. climate change and 5.
subsistence were discussed together with community leaders in
order to develop a vision that would focus on the threats of shipping
and climate change. The planning team recognized the topics of
subsistence and economic development are crucial to any visioning
and in this summit’s case a vision developed that sprung from all four
18 news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2014/04/140404-coast-guard-blames-shell-inkulluk-rig-accident/
— 36 —
topic areas which did not leave out the critical aspects of everyday life
in rural villages. Communities in the Bering Strait region must balance
political, economic, and social dynamics. In the face of potential
increases in shipping communities will continue to struggle with how
those various forces are balanced. The authors of this report challenge
you, the reader, to also think about how solutions to community issues
are developed so that a balanced approach to future decision making
takes place.
Bering Strait region residents face a future in which the climate is likely
to become dramatically warmer, ocean levels may rise and inundate
camps or towns, and profound shifts in the environment may bring
southern species north. Shipping has increased but numbers are still
relatively low. Will State, Federal and international agencies properly
assess and mitigate the risks of increased shipping in the Arctic? When
the Transocean Deepwater Horizon blow out and sinking occurred
on April 20, 2010 the National Academy of Engineering and National
Research Council made one profound finding as follows:
“The impact of the decision to proceed to temporary abandonment
was compounded by delays in recognizing that hydrocarbons
were flowing into the well and riser and by a failure to take timely
and aggressive well-control actions. Furthermore, failures and/
or limitations of the BOP, when it was actuated, inhibited its
effectiveness in controlling the well.”19
19 Donald C. Winter, Chair, Committee for the Analysis of the Causes of the Deepwater Horizon
Explosion, Fire, and Oil Spill to Identify Measures to Prevent Similar Accidents in the Future.
Letter to U.S. Secretary Salazar. November 16, 2010. Page 3
— 37 —
Tribal residents of this region will continue to be the first responders
to major accidents. Our ancestral connection to land and sea demand
that we adequately recognize the risks of our harsh environment.
Bering Strait region residents rely upon a vast array of wild resources
and are not willing to downplay any of the potential risk factors to
communities.
Throughout two workshops and this summit recurring themes have
emerged that pose questions for the future of Bering Strait region
communities. 1. Will our values and beliefs be properly incorporated
in waterways planning and management? 2. Will the valuable
information from our elders be preserved for future generations? 3. Will
the health of our environment be maintained even though shipping
routes along the Northwest Passage and Northern Sea Route are
opening up to more traffic? 4. Will our communities be prepared for a
large ship or oil spill disaster?
Our youth and younger generations must be honored with actions that
we make today. During this time of tremendous climate change we
must consider actions that will favorably impact the future hundreds
of years of to come. Marine mammal species such as ice seals, walrus,
polar bear and perhaps even the bowhead whale could be impacted
by the decisions of global leaders. When those resources are impacted
our people will also feel an impact, an impact to our youth and our future.
— 38 —
— 39 —
— 40 —