George W. Bush and the oil industry are now pushing harder than ever to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling.

 It is urgent that everyone contact their elected officials in Washington D.C. to demand they oppose this reckless plan that threatens the Arctic Refuge and sacred Gwichin land.

The people of the Gwich'in Nation have had a long and sacred relationship with the wildlife of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. For thousands of years their ancestors relied upon the Porcupine River Caribou Herd to meet their subsistence needs, and today the caribou is still vital for food, clothing, tools, and are a source of respect and spiritual guidance for the Gwich'in.

Exploration would devastate a majestic landscape filled with caribou and migratory birds, as airstrips, roads, pipelines and industrial facilities will stretch across the coastal plain.

The U.S. Geological Survey and oil company executives have conceded that the refuge contains only six months' worth of oil, and that it would not be available for a decade. Drilling in the refuge would do little to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil.

 Despite the fact that drilling in the Refuge has twice been rejected by bipartisan majorities in the Senate, and that a majority of the American public does not support it, the Bush administration continues to push this unpopular initiative.

The House has already passed the legislation, and the Senate is considering it now. The vote is to take place very soon, so you must inform them NOW how you feel about drilling in the Arctic Refuge.

Take action! Call your U.S. Senators and Congressional Representative today.

Let them know that drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge threatens the Gwich'in culture and it is not the way to solve America's need for energy. Tell your elected officials we want renewable energy, not oil drilling in the Arctic Reserve.

Call your Senators and Congresspersons 202-224-3121

For more information, contact:

Gwich'in Steering Committee (907) 458-8264 www.alaska.net/~gwichin