An Alaska Native speaks out on Palin, Oil, and Alaska

[Joanne98]

...I am writing this letter to raise awareness about the ongoing colonization and violation of human rights being carried out against Alaska Native peoples in the name of unsustainable progress, with a particular emphasis on the role of Sarah Palin and the Republican leadership. My hope is that it helps to elevate truth about the nature of Alaskan politics in relation to Alaska Native peoples and that it lays a framework for our path to justice.

LINK TO ORIGINAL

http://www.americanbuddhist.net/alaska-native-speaks-out-palin-oil-and-alaska

[Happyhippychick]

1. K&R this important issue.

[TexasProgresive]

2. That link didn't go to the whole piece try this one

http://www.opednews.com/articles/An-Alaska-Native-speaks-ou-by-Evon-Peter-080910-216.html

[a la izquierda]

3. K & R Her stance on natives is not good N/T

[MagickMuffin]

4. K & R

It's time to learn the truth and heal the injustices caused by ignorance and greed.

[President Decider]

5. K&R

[RC]

6. More people need to ask themselves, "How is this our land?"

The true answer is because a King or Queen on the East side of the Atlantic Ocean, said so and had their signature on a piece of paper saying that somebody working for them had set foot on said land. That's it in a nut shell.
Did it matter that people were already living here and had been living here for over 10,000 years? No. No, why? Because the aboriginals were not white and did not practice the Christian religion.

Those of who who have not yet read the article, need to. Forward the links and excerpts to friends and relatives and people who you think may be interested.

This land is not our land to do as we wish, no matter what we think.

[ensho]

7. kick

the oil/gas Barons love the Palins.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

8. Good stuff

<SNIP>The colonial mentality in and towards Alaska is to exploit the land and resources for profits and power, at the expense of Alaska Native people. Governor Palin reflects this attitude and perspective in her words and leadership. She comes from an area within Alaska that was settled by relocated agricultural families from the continental United States in the second half of the last century. It is striking that a leader from that particular area feels she has a right, considering all of the injustices to Alaska Native people, to offer Alaskan oil and resources in an attempt to solve the national energy crisis at the Republican Convention. Palin also chose not to mention the connection between oil development and global warming, which is wreaking havoc on Alaska Native villages, forcing some to begin the process of relocation at a cost sure to reach into the hundreds of millions.

Our tribes depend on healthy and abundant land and animals for our survival. For example, my people depend on the Porcupine Caribou herd, which migrates into the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge each spring to birth their young. Any disruption and contamination will directly impact the health and capacity for my people to continue to live in a homeland we have been blessed to live in for over 10,000 years. This is the sacrifice Palin offered to the nation. The worst part of it is that there are viable alternatives to addressing the energy crisis in the United States, yet Palin chooses options that very well may result in the extinguishment of some of the last remaining intact ecosystems and original cultures in all of North America. Palin is also promoting off shore oil drilling and increased mining in sensitive areas of Alaska, all of which would have a lifespan of far fewer years than my grandfather walked on this earth and which would not even make a smidgen of an impact on national consumption rates or longer term sustainability. McCain was once a champion of protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and it is sad to see, that with Palin on board, he is no longer vocal and perhaps even giving up on what he believes in to satisfy Palin’s position. <snip>