Farewell, Sweet Ice

By Matthew Gilbert

This article appeared in the May 7, 2007 edition of The Nation.

April 19, 2007

Gwich'in elders long ago predicted that a day would come when the world would warm, and things would not be the same with the animals. That time is now.

My tribe, the Gwich'in of northeastern Alaska and northwestern Canada, are the northernmost Indian nation on the American continent. Our 8,000 tribal members live in fifteen small villages dotted across a huge area of subarctic tundra and forest scattered with thousands of lakes and scores of rivers. Our home is also home to the Porcupine River Caribou Herd. For as long as anyone can remember, we have survived by hunting caribou. Despite the introduction of rifles, Christianity, a few snowmobiles and some electricity, we still make our living from subsistence hunting.

ow climate change has put our lives and livelihoods in immediate danger: The lakes, the rivers, the waterfowl and, most of all, the caribou that we depend on are under threat.

Subscriber Login

4 ISSUES FREE

Subscribe Now!

The only way to read this article and the full contents of each week's issue of The Nation online is by subscribing to the magazine. Subscribe now and read this article -- and every article published since for the past five years -- right now.

There's no obligation -- try The Nation for four weeks free.

.

About Matthew Gilbert

Matthew Gilbert Resides in Arctic Village, where he was raised by his grandparents, Reverend Trimble and Mary Gilbert. He earned a BA at the University of Alaska and recently completed a fellowship for the National Wildlife Federation documenting Gwich'in traditional knowledge of global warming. more...
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Blogs

» The Beat

Revolutionary Republic of July 4 Should Eschew Empire's Errors | Instead of interventions in Iran, Honduras, we must recall wisdom that said: "(America) goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy."
John Nichols
31 Comments
Posted at 8:00 ET

» Act Now!

Defining Patriotism | What do you value in the traditions of your country?
Peter Rothberg
22 Comments

» Editor's Cut

Rediscovering Secular America | This Fourth of July those who identify themselves as non-believers have much cause for celebration.
Katrina vanden Heuvel
35 Comments

» The Notion

Celebrating the Fourth by Remembering the Fifth | On Independence Day, the forgotten and imperiled Fifth Amendment bears honoring.
Eyal Press
20 Comments

» Altercation

Mikey 'n' Me | I got closer to Michael Jackson than almost anyone, or at least closer than most people of the age of consent.
Eric Alterman

» Capitolism

Washington: Even More Corrupt Than You Thought! | Washington Post sells access to lobbyists.
Christopher Hayes
59 Comments

» The Dreyfuss Report

Whisky Tango Foxtrot? | General Jones tells the generals in Kabul: don't bother asking for more troops.
Robert Dreyfuss
65 Comments