From the POPs INC3, Treaty Negotiations, Geneva, Switzerland for the third round of negotiations of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3), September 1999

Statement by Faith Gemmill, Arctic Village, Alaska
and on behalf of the Gwich'in Nation


Thank you Mr. Chairman. I wish to respectfully offer a statement on behalf of the Gwich'in Nations and the Indigenous Environmental Network a participating member of IPEN, the International POPs Elimination Network.

I speak before you today as a young Gwich'in woman with an infant daughter and with a deep commitment to ensuring her future and the continuation of the Indigenous way of life. Lessons are passed from one generation to the next of our deep reverence and respect for the Earth and all life forms that she supports. I am here to respectfully request the drafting of a treaty that helps to ensure the protection of the environment that is essential to the cultural, physical and spiritual survival of all Indigenous peoples. One cannot separate the health of the environment from the health of our peoples.

In my community which is 110 miles above the Arctic Circle in Northeastern Alaska, USA, we have noticed alarming changes and disturbing impacts which may be attributed to POPs. I would like to cite a few examples.

  • Hunters have noticed lesions and spots on the internal organs of the Caribou, as well as deformation in the antlers and a decrease in size of the male caribou and calves.
  • Lesions found on the inner flesh of the ground squirrels.
  • The bears which eat the ground squirrels behave strangely as if in a state of starvation in the Fall when they should be retaining fat reserves for hibernation.
  • All of the fish in one of our lakes died with no indication of sickness or ill health.
  • The most notable health effect of our people is the increased rate of cancer. Every other death in our communities is caused by cancer and younger people are becoming more susceptible.
As Indigenous peoples we are greatly concerned when we realize evidence which suggests that women, infants and children are very vulnerable to POPs. This threatens the very existence of our peoples and cultures. The multigenerational impacts threaten our hope of healthy, thriving and productive future generations.

In conclusion, on behalf of my people in northern Alaska, I implore world leaders and governments to develop language that will ultimately achieve the elimination of POPs to restore health to our environment that it may continue to sustain all life.

 


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