eS EE r “We're the Experts” Giuseppe Valiante, The Link (Concordia University) MONTREAL (CUP)—With 80 percent of their communi- ty suffering from asthma or other respiratory problems, Faith Gemmil and Wahleah Johns, from aboriginal commu- nities in the North Slope region of Alaska and Northern Arizona, attended the recent UN climate change confer- ence in Montreal with a clear message to deliver to other delegates. “We're the experts on climate change since we're hit the first and we're hit the hardest,” said Gemmill. Both women are part of different organizations working to bring alternative and sustainable practices to their territory. They also aim to reverse laws and acts that hinder the self- determination of their people. Gemmill and Johns acknowledge that heavy industry is a major contributor to rising global temperatures. The con- sequences can be seen with melting permafrost which forces Alaskan coastal communities to settle inland and some caribou meat turning a stained yellow, as the animals live around oil fields. Gemmill is a member of the group RED Oil, which stands for Resisting Environment Destruction on Indigenous lands. She explained how in 1968 the Prudhoe Bay oil field was discovered that currently emits 70 thou- sand tons of nitric acid into the air annually—twice that of Washington, DC. The Prudhoe Bay discovery also paved the way for the Alaska Native Claim Settlement Act which spawned the legal rights for multinationals to exploit Alaskan territory. “{The Alaska Native Claim Settlement Act] is an illegiti- mate infringement on the self-determining right of the aboriginal people of Alaska,” said Gemmill. Gemmill explained how the act created 13 regional for- profit native corporations that took control to the rights of the Alaskan landscape. She said that there was a clause in the act that stated that the land must yield profit-if not, the land would be bought out by the multinationals exploiting the territory. “They were forced into negotiations,” said Gemmill. “They were told that if they [didn't sign] they wouldn't get any land at all.” Worse, according to Gemmill, is the fact that her own people are allowing this exploitation. The native corpora- tions are made of local people who broker the negotiations with the industries. “We have people who used to survive on the land and live that way,” explained Gemmil, “they then put on a suit and became corporate leaders. They have become discon- nected with the land and therefore it's easier for them to go into these deals.” Gemmill recounted a story about a community on the North Slope of Alaska who was home to a multinational called Alpine. Gemmill explained how the oil patches were turning into killing fields. “fIn this community] in the 80s, there were few cases of asthma, today 80 percent of the community has asthma or other respiratory illnesses like pneumonia because they are breathing oil field air.” Johns is from the Black Mesa region of Northern Arizona, and is a member of the Black Mesa Water Coalition which is resisting the use of their scarce land water reserves as a means of transportation to get coal to opnewseditor@gmail.com Aboriginal Delegates to UN Conference on Climate Change: the southern states. Since 1965, Peabody Western Coal Company has been pumping 3.3 million gallons a year of pristine Mesa water to be used to be mixed with coal, called “slurry,” and trans- ported through a pipeline to urban areas like Nevada and California. “We live in a high desert region,” said Johns. “There is less than seven inches of rain each year, why are [Peabody] using this water?” she asked. “It is sacred to us, why are we letting them use it as a transportation means?” Johns has learned that organizational pressure can work to help address these issues. Johns and the Black Mesa Coalition have successfully pressured the Peabody company to sign a resolution agree- ing to cease using the Mesa water reserves to transport coal. The resolution went into effect December 1, 2005. Johns proved that small groups can make a difference. The problem is getting the message across to the larger public. Manon Tremblay is enjoying her tenth year as coordina- tor of the center for Native Education at Concordia University. She believes that these Aboriginal issues need to be talked about and be taken more seriously by the Canadian public. “One of the problems in Canada,” said Tremblay, “is that [Canadians] don't seem to care all that much, as long as it's not happening in their backyard and it doesn't affect them that specifically.” Tremblay does not see a bright future for the issue of climate change in their local communities. “T definitely see [climate change] getting worse,” declared Tremblay, “I don't think the world is ready to actively reverse the tide.” Johns believes all people in Canada have a stake in the future of the land. “This responsibility needs to be shared with everyone around the world,” said Johns. “We all have a responsibility as a human race to address these issues.” continued from page 4 military presence on-campus did not represent the interests of York students. Here in BC, both Capilano College and the University of British Columbia have student groups who have launched petition cam- paigns demanding, “Canada Out of Afghanistan! Recruiters Off Our Campus!” The petitions are available for students to sign and are addressed to the administration of each school. “The campaign has been a really important avenue for raising awareness about what is, really, the beginning of a new Canadian war drive,” said Alison Bodine, president of Coalition Against War on the People of Iraq and Internationally CAWOPI). Over 400 stu- dents have already given their signatures in the campaign that would follow York's example and give recruiters the boot. “The steps taken by the military over the last year show us a lot. Canada is increasing its role in war and occupation abroad, and as young people, we're generally the ones who are expected to fight, kill, and die in those missions.” During the Fall 2005 semester, CAWOPI organized a number of educational events around Canada and in Afghanistan and Haiti, as well as a forum on the university's academic and corporate connec- tions to war and occupation. Debates on the issue spatked student interest and discussion in the pages of the Ubyssey newspaper for EVENTS CALENDAR The Federal Election 2006 When: January 23, 8am-8pm Find out where your nearest election station is at www.elections.ca. Forum on Canada's Role in War and Occupation Part of the Student Week Against War and Occupation #4 When: Thursday, January 26, 2006, 12pm-2pm Where: Douglas College Contact: douglasagainstwar@gmail.com or 604-710-4994 for more information. * Organized by Douglas College Students Against War and Mobilization Against War and Occupation (MAWO) Student Leadership Development Symposium When: Friday, January 27, 2006 Where: Douglas College Cost of registration is $20. Deadline for Registration is January 20th Contact: 604-527-5385 or jensenb@douglas.bc.ca for more information * Organized by Douglas College Educational Services Support Gathering for the Families of the Pickton Victims When: January 30, 2006, 9am Where: BC Supreme Court at Begbie Square 651 Carnarvon Street New Westminster * Organized by the Committee planning the Valentine's Day Women's Memorial March 13th Annual Northwest Regional International Day of Solidarity with Leonard Peltier March and Rally for Justice When: Saturday, February 4, 2006 Where: Tacoma, WA Contact: Tacoma-lpsg@ojibwe.us or bayou@blarg.net * Organized by the Tacoma Leonard Peltier Support Group