Visitors from the Native Village of Shishmaref, Alaska Come to Congress

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I recently had two very special visitors come to my office from the Native Village of Shishmaref, Alaska. Mr. Johnson Eningowk and Richard Kuzuguk made the long journey from Alaska to Washington, DC to educate and inform Members of Congress about the real life challenges to their families and community from climate change, as well as the endless pressure of oil companies seeking offshore oil production.

Living on an island in the Chukchi Sea that is three miles long and one-half mile wide, Mr. Eningowk and Mr. Kuzuguk want to continue to practice their traditional way of life--fishing, hunting, gathering and sustaining a healthy relationship with the natural resources they have traditionally depended upon for generations. They want to share this way of life with their community's children and future generations.

Unfortunately, the effects of climate change are changing their traditional way of life, including raising real concerns about whether their home will survive erosion and a rising sea. Oil companies are pressuring for more leasing opportunities and a greater presence both on land and in the coastal waters of Alaska. Both climate change and oil exploration have the potential to devastate Native Alaskan fishing and hunting grounds.

It takes courage for two men to travel far from home to tell their story and ask for help. I want to thank Mr. Eningowk and Mr. Kuzuguk for coming to Washington and telling Congress their story. Native Alaskans have a voice that must be heard as Congress debates issues that will directly affect their lives, livelihoods, and future generations.

The members of the Native Village of Shishmaref Council passed a resolution last year that I would like to submit. Their call for a moratorium on new oil and gas leases in the Arctic Ocean should be heeded. Congress and the Executive Branch need to consult and dialogue directly with Native Alaskans as these policies are being discussed and decided. The future of their way of life is at stake.

A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT OF THE ARCTIC OCEAN TO MAINTAIN ITS BIODIVERSITY FOR THE FOOD SECURITY, TRIBAL HEALTH, AND CULTURAL IDENTITY OF THE PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS, RESOLUTION NO. 13-05

Whereas, Alaska's indigenous people are inextricably linked to the land and sea, depending on the natural world for our food security, community well-being, and cultural identity;

Whereas, the Arctic Ocean and surrounding ecosystem have sustained Arctic indigenous peoples for thousands of years;

Whereas, The Arctic Ocean has been recognized through science and traditional knowledge as one of the most biologically important places on Earth;

Whereas, the Arctic Ocean is home to whales, seals, walrus, and other migratory animals that many Alaskan Tribes depend on for their food security;

Whereas, many animals and fish that Tribes across Alaska depend on for their food security migrate to and from the Arctic each year;

Whereas, many Tribes along the Arctic coast continue to share and trade traditional foods from the Arctic Ocean with other indigenous communities;

Whereas, food security is a basic human right recognized by the United Nations and affirmed by the United States in the International Covenant of Civil and Political rights;

Whereas, climate change is causing severe coastal erosion, loss of sea ice, ocean acidification, and changes to the migratory animals we depend on for our food security;

Whereas, the loss of sea ice and other impacts from climate change are having an impact on our ability to hunt and provide for our families;

Whereas, increased shipping and vessel traffic through Arctic waterways, and the threat of offshore drilling and exploration, puts additional impacts on the ocean and coastal communities;

Whereas, the United States government and other Arctic Nations are moving forward with plans to make further develop the Arctic Ocean;

Whereas, Alaska's indigenous Tribes must stand together to support a vision for the Arctic that protects our way of life and puts our people first;

Whereas, Tribes must be at the forefront of planning for the future of the Arctic ecosystem;

Whereas, the traditional knowledge and wisdom of the elders, passed down through generations, is invaluable for understanding the Arctic ecosystem and best management practices; now therefore be it

Resolved, That a comprehensive and scientifically proven mitigation and monitoring plan must be developed to provide oversight to Arctic industrial activities that could impact our food security, way of life, and the health of our peoples, and be it further

Resolved, That the United States should not issue any new oil and gas leases in the Arctic Ocean until comprehensive and scientifically proven plan is in place to determine the impacts, and whether development can be done without jeopardizing the safety of nearby villages, food security, and the migratory animals that Tribes depend on, and be it

Resolved, That the United States must consult with and engage in a process with Tribes to determine appropriate deferral areas and other protective measures for the important cultural, biological, and subsistence use areas of the Arctic Ocean ecosystem to ensure our food security, cultural identity, and protect our way of life.

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