Yukon Indian Chief: We are seeing birds up in our community we have never seen before – Their migrations are changing – The snow is changing – The rivers are changing – Everything is changing right in front of our eyes
StrangeSounds.org
May 24, 2019
Officials in the Yukon’s most northern community have declared a state of emergency, saying the traditional way of life in Old Crow is under threat. “It’s going to be the blink of an eye before my great grandchild is living in a completely different territory, and if that’s not an emergency, I don’t know what is,” said Dana Tizya-Tramm, chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, after a ceremony marking the state of emergency May 19.
Tizya-Tramm said climate change is dramatically altering the landscape of Old Crow, directly putting his people’s culture in jeopardy.
“We are seeing birds up in our community we have never seen before. Their migrations are changing, the snow is changing, the rivers are changing. Everything is changing right in front of our eyes.“
Lorraine Netro, a member of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and an environmental advocate, said she’s scared about what could happen if people don’t start working now to reverse the effects of climate change.
“We’re spiritually connected to our land, to our water and to our animals, and it’s our sole responsibility to make sure we do everything in our power to take care of the land and water for future generations,” she said.
The Rest…HERE
