Alaska Native Press Briefing to Voice Opposition to Oil and Gas Development

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The following is a being issued by Alaska Wilderness League:

   WHAT:   Tuesday Press Briefing:  Alaska Natives and Alaska Wilderness           League will hold a press briefing to discuss the risks to           subsistence traditions and the human health impacts from oil           drilling in America’s Arctic.  Native speakers will discuss their           firsthand experience with the impacts of development and climate           change on the waters off of northern Alaska’s and in the           Teshekpuk Lake special area of the western Arctic.    WHO:    The following experts will make brief opening statements or           will be available to answer questions directly following the           briefing:            — Rosemary Ahtuangaruak, Board Member, ICAS (Inupiat Community           of Arctic Slope), Nuiqsut, Alaska           Ms. Ahtuangaruak is currently a board member of ICAS, the former           Mayor of Nuiqsut and a public health worker who has witnessed           firsthand the human health impacts of drilling in Alaska.            — Earl Kingik, Subsistence Hunter and Whaler representing the           Native Village of Point Hope, Alaska, and REDOIL: Resisting           Environmental Destruction on Indigenous Lands           Earl Kingik is a subsistence hunter and whaler and will be           speaking on behalf of the Native Village of Point Hope.            — Elijah Lane, Subsistence Whaler, Native Village of Point Hope,           Alaska           Elijah Lane is a board member of the Western Arctic Caribou Herd           Working Group.  He is also a tribal member of the Native Village           of Point Hope and is on the village subsistence whaling crews           that hunt in the waters of the Chukchi Sea.  Additionally,           Elijah is the director of the Native Village of Point Hope           Parks and Wildlife Department.            — Daisy Sage, Council Member, City of Point Hope           Daisy Sage is a member of the Native Village of Point Hope and a           subsistence hunter.            — Cindy Shogan, Executive Director, Alaska Wilderness League            (Moderator)            — Representative Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) – (invited)    WHEN:   10:00 A.M., TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2007    WHERE:  2456 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC  

Alaska Wilderness League

CONTACT: CONTACTS: Becky Wynne of Alaska Wilderness League,+1-202-544-5205