CARIBOU COORDINATION Page 5 Who proposes permanent protection of the coastal plain? In a recent US poll, 70% of Americans called for permanent protection of the Arctic Refuge’s coastal plain. The coastal plain makes up 5% of Alaska’s coast not slated for oil development; the remaining 95% is slated for development. Oil development would be severely devastating to the land and the animals that live there, for with an oil field comes an airstrip, roads, pipelines, drill pads, refineries, worker’s residences, sewage facilities, garbage dumps, etc. Development of this scale in a 1.5 million - acre area teeming with wildlife is unthinkable! Imagine Imagine a land Of powder blue sky Where caribou roam  And many birds fly Imagine a river So wide and so clean Imagine a people So strong and so lean The Vuntut Gwitchin A proud ancient band  Live off the earth And love this land See now the sky Turn ashy and black Watch animals flee And never turn back A fragile ecosystem Destroyed and gone While loud oil rigs Drill on and on... Now imagine the power You hold in your hand To stop oil development And save this great land. Poem by Monique Musick Uninjaathut Nunh rsi dhuui  Uninjaathut Zze zit kkho kwa Ezik vutzui nuhao Tzi kei nuhuntutul Hun gwinchya ultsya Uninjaathut Tinji ninttui govursijoui Uninjaathut Vuntut Gwitchin Yeeno gwatsut tinji Ji nunh kug googwindui Tzut kuttijinidhun Choog zze zit Ttoh negwatchit lhidtsi gwili Chutthui lhuhao kkinjik nuhao kwa Nunh kug ttrigwandui Tchihdugwididhut Tthui gwizik khthui jokka Kkuttruntyi Ttui dahtchi nyunli zit choi Keninjaathut Ji nunh khthui jokka kkuttruntyi Kwitshi kwikettrahunatia Kenjit. Translated by Roy Moses of Old Crow What can you do to help: Ever since this area became truly threatened back in 1987, the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation has been on the front lines, battling for permanent protection of this area. For the Porcupine Caribou Herd is the centre of the Vuntut Gwitchin culture and life; we still live in the traditional way, hunting the caribou for food and traditional clothing. Nothing is wasted. For the Vuntut Gwitchin, the caribou are our life. In a Vuntut Gwitchin General Assembly Resolution back in August of 1995, we created the Caribou Coordination Department - a Vuntut Gwitchin Government Department that deals exclusively with the ‘1002 issue’ as well as any threat to the entire range of the Porcupine Caribou Herd’s range, including its wintering grounds. Among its numerous functions and duties, this department coordinates Gwitchin public education tours in the US and creates educational materials on this issue. To help the Vuntut Gwitchin in its efforts to protect its way of life and the range and survival of the Porcupine caribou herd, or for more information, Please contact us at: Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Caribou Coordination Department P.O. Box 94, Old Crow, Yukon Canada, YOB 1NO Tel: (867) 966 - 3261 Fax: (867) 966 - 3800 Page