Gwich’in opponents of oil and gas developing on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge say they are awarding gold medals to six international insurance companies who have decided not to insure development projects in that area.
Their announcement was the latest step taken by the Gwich’in Steering Committee in Fairbanks
in their years-long effort to protect the calving ground of the Porcupine Caribou herd, on which the Gwich’in and other indigenous communities depend for subsistence and culture.
“We have a duty to our grandchildren and indigenous people around the world to stand up for our sacred sites,” said Bernadette Demientieff, executive director of the Gwich’in Steering Committee. “Our lives and our sovereignty are not negotiable. We will not allow the oil industry to destroy lizhik Gwats’an Gwandaii Goodlit, the Sacred Place Where Life Begins. Caribou are the foundation of our songs, stories and dances, and the basis of our identity and spirituality, culture and way of life. Our identity is non-negotiable and our culture is not for sale.”
The scorecard issued by the Gwich’in Steering Committee named as gold medal winners Axa XO of France; Swiss Re, Switzerland; Axis Bermuda; Generali, Italy; and Munich Re and Hannover Re, both of Germany. All six have issued public statements that they will not insure oil and gas projects in ANWR.
