Subsistence News-10/27/95

To   Subsistence 2

From:      Larry Roberts

Postmark:  Oct 27,95  8:33 AM          Delivered: Oct 27,95  8:33 AM

Subject: Subsistence News-10/27/95

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Message:

*The Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN), a state-wide organization, recently voted to support oil development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The call for development prevailed over subsistence concerns.

*Some delegates to AFN debated for neutrality, but were out voted in a resolution endorsing development. Trade offs include a call for strong Native hiring and contracting if development takes place.

*The debate between the Gwich’in (Athabaskan) and Inupiaq (Eskimo) over the importance of the refuge’s coastal plain, and caribou calving areas, is critical to two cultures. The Gwich’in are dependent on the arctic ungulates, while the Inupiaq are more closely tied to marine mammals. Should proposed development be recommended off shore AFN may have endorsed the neutrality resolution.

*In another AFN resolution, they urged Congress to repeal provisions of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (1971), which did away with Native hunting and fishing rights across Alaska. Natives feel that they gave up significant rights with the Act, and it allowed the state and federal governments to assert much more control over subsistence activities.