[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6078]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




VISITORS FROM THE NATIVE VILLAGE OF SHISHMAREF, ALASKA COME TO CONGRESS

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 9, 2014

  Ms. McCOLLUM. 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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