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Compiled by Staff Writers
U.S. approves drilling
in Artic refuge
Ignoring opposition from Ottawa, northern aboriginal groups and environmentalists
on both sides of the border, the U.S. Senate has voted to open up the
pristine Artic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.
The move overrides an 18 year-old pledge by Canada and the U.S. to protect
migrating Porcupine caribou herds from the northern Yukon.
Prime Minister Paul Martin has expressed Canadian opposition to drilling
in the Artic refuge personally and by phone to U.S. president George W.
Bush and Environment Minister Stephan Dion has had at least two meetings
with White House environment officials on the issue.
Some hope remains for opponents though because the House of Representatives
still must pass a similar measure in its upcoming budget bill.
Members there have been more adamant than senators in support of drilling.
Drilling supporters say the stores of crude oil would raise 42.4 billion
US in government leasing fees, reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil imports
and create thousands of American jobs.
"We're obviously disappointed," said Jasmine Ponthky, a spokesperson
for the Canadian Embassy in Washington. "We will continue to see
what we can do to ensure the refuge remains pristine and an area where
the Gwitchin people and the caribou herd can continue their way of life."
The symbiotic relationship between the Gwitchin and the Porcupine caribou
is believed to be at least 12,000 years old.
Chief Joe Linkletter of the Gwitchin First Nation in Old Crow, said the
loss of the caribou herd would be akin to the loss of the buffalo from
the Great plains in the U.S.
"When the caribou herd is threatened, our culture is threatened,"
he said. "It's the only culture we know.