Protect the Peel - Empower Youth
Donation protected
(For a brief summary, see end of page)
Drin gwiinzii, good afternoon,
My name is Shayla Snowshoe, I am a 23 year-old Tetlit Gwich’in of Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories. My people have survived from the Peel River Watershed and the surrounding lands for many years.
This land is special to me because my ancestors were born here, they walked these trails, they hunted these animals, they raised their families, and they are now buried within the grounds. My Jijuu (grandmother) still tells me stories about growing up there. It is where she got all her knowledge from to survive in the North. This land has evolved my Gwich’in people into the strong, hard-working, intelligent and preserving people that we are. However, it is threatened to be spoiled and taken away by mining, oil and gas development. We need to protect this land in its original and wild state, not only for environmental reasons, but to protect the heritage and strength of my Gwich’in people. Without the land that provides the animals that we eat, the pure water that we drink, and the resources that we rely on, we will lose who we are as a people; we will lose our identities.
Growing up in a town, we, the youth, increasingly adjust to a Western lifestyle. We face addictions, depressions and discord, evils we never knew before. Fewer and fewer get the chance to go out on the land and learn the only lifestyle that really works for us, that not only sustains us but allows us to flourish – the traditional one. With every elder that dies, our tradition, language and lifestyle are lost a little bit more. I got the chance to travel in the Peel River Watershed together with elders, learn, and experience the fulfilment of life the way it was meant to be. We need to give more young people this chance!
The Vision
With the help of the environmental NGO Wilderness International, I am putting together an international leadership project to enable our Youth to raise their voices and speak up for themselves, their future, and this beautiful land.
Together with an international expedition team consisting of students, elders, scientists and a media team, we are going to travel to Germany and share cultures. But more importantly, we are going to learn how cultivating and industrializing nearly all of Germany’s lands has changed the lifestyle and ecosystem. Germany’s history of development as well as the current conservation and reclamation efforts effectively negate that development brings overall and long-term economic prosperity. Deserted vast open pit mining sites, large-scale forest plantations and the exploitation of nearly all resources paint a frightening picture of what the future of the North could look like if we do not step up for it now.
For the last part of the trip, we will fly North to the Peel River Watershed for our expedition down
the Snake and Peel River. With the help of massive media coverage, we are going to show the world the beauty, the treasure that the untouched northern wilderness is. Help us bring international awareness to this project!
The Peel River Watershed is one the last remaining areas of untouched nature on this planet, comprising an immense boreal mountain wilderness the size of Scotland. It is home to unique species such as caribou and wolverine, uncountable songbirds and a paradise of healing plants yet to be discovered by science. The three major rivers of the watershed, the Snake, Wind and Bonnet Plume, contribute pure water to the Peel River, which then again provides life to the people of Fort McPherson. What effects the Three Rivers thus also directly affects them.
The complexities facing the North and ongoing need to protect the Peel River Watershed are vitally important not only to the Gwich'in communities of the North but to the rest of the world as well. This is not a time for bystanders!
The Experience
This international leadership project is an educational experience like no other. Students involved in this program will not only work to help save one of the most pristine wilderness areas left on the planet, but they will develop a unique set of skills that will equip them to become the well-versed decision makers so necessary for our future. Learning from the land and giving them the opportunity to pass on their traditional knowledge is central to the experience. Most importantly, they will learn how to be responsible leaders by working on relevant issues at an international level.
The Mission
The program reinforces leadership, responsibility, and respect throughout all phases, while the international component provides the opportunity for each to demonstrate their unique cultures in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. By providing practical learning and development experiences it encourages a new generation of leaders to act and have a positive influence on policy for the benefit of their local communities and ultimately our world.
Financial Goal
Our adventure starts this June and we are still $100,000 short! Wilderness safety and first aid workshops, sightseeing, leadership activities, photographers, filmmakers, honorarium for elders, boats, life jackets, accommodation, transportation – the list for necessities to ensure the best experience possible is long. Every day we work hard, indefatigably looking for sponsors and supporters, repeating our vision over and over, accepting nos and celebrating even the smallest success. After all, it means we are one step closer to providing a great experience for the students, allowing them to grow and take charge. It means we are one step closer to protecting one of the last fascinatingly beautiful and unimaginably valuable wilderness areas. You can support this wonderful project and see a vision come true – every dollar counts!
Rewards
Support us and be part of the experience! We are going to share regular updates of the project on here. Check out Arctic adventures on wildblog.org! There will be massive media coverage – facebook posts, newspaper articles, radio features and a documentary on APTN are our prospect!
Special for early birds – if you donate within the first five days we are going to send you a postcard set with professional pictures of the magnificent Arctic!
Anyone who contributes $200 or more will get one of our unique Wilderness Warrior – T-shirts designed by Robert Pohle himself!
Summary
Our project wants to bring together Gwich’in and German Youth to stand up for the protection of the last wilderness areas on our planet. Together, we are going to travel in Germany, to learn about impacts of development and advocate sustainable solutions for our relationship with nature. Then, we are going on an expedition in the pristine Peel River Watershed wilderness, the endangered traditional homeland of the Gwich’in. Our trip is going to raise international awareness for its protection and enable youth to stand up for their lands, culture, and ultimately all our future.
Wilderness International's Website
Drin gwiinzii, good afternoon,
My name is Shayla Snowshoe, I am a 23 year-old Tetlit Gwich’in of Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories. My people have survived from the Peel River Watershed and the surrounding lands for many years.
This land is special to me because my ancestors were born here, they walked these trails, they hunted these animals, they raised their families, and they are now buried within the grounds. My Jijuu (grandmother) still tells me stories about growing up there. It is where she got all her knowledge from to survive in the North. This land has evolved my Gwich’in people into the strong, hard-working, intelligent and preserving people that we are. However, it is threatened to be spoiled and taken away by mining, oil and gas development. We need to protect this land in its original and wild state, not only for environmental reasons, but to protect the heritage and strength of my Gwich’in people. Without the land that provides the animals that we eat, the pure water that we drink, and the resources that we rely on, we will lose who we are as a people; we will lose our identities.
Growing up in a town, we, the youth, increasingly adjust to a Western lifestyle. We face addictions, depressions and discord, evils we never knew before. Fewer and fewer get the chance to go out on the land and learn the only lifestyle that really works for us, that not only sustains us but allows us to flourish – the traditional one. With every elder that dies, our tradition, language and lifestyle are lost a little bit more. I got the chance to travel in the Peel River Watershed together with elders, learn, and experience the fulfilment of life the way it was meant to be. We need to give more young people this chance!
The Vision
With the help of the environmental NGO Wilderness International, I am putting together an international leadership project to enable our Youth to raise their voices and speak up for themselves, their future, and this beautiful land.
Together with an international expedition team consisting of students, elders, scientists and a media team, we are going to travel to Germany and share cultures. But more importantly, we are going to learn how cultivating and industrializing nearly all of Germany’s lands has changed the lifestyle and ecosystem. Germany’s history of development as well as the current conservation and reclamation efforts effectively negate that development brings overall and long-term economic prosperity. Deserted vast open pit mining sites, large-scale forest plantations and the exploitation of nearly all resources paint a frightening picture of what the future of the North could look like if we do not step up for it now.
For the last part of the trip, we will fly North to the Peel River Watershed for our expedition down
the Snake and Peel River. With the help of massive media coverage, we are going to show the world the beauty, the treasure that the untouched northern wilderness is. Help us bring international awareness to this project!
The Peel River Watershed is one the last remaining areas of untouched nature on this planet, comprising an immense boreal mountain wilderness the size of Scotland. It is home to unique species such as caribou and wolverine, uncountable songbirds and a paradise of healing plants yet to be discovered by science. The three major rivers of the watershed, the Snake, Wind and Bonnet Plume, contribute pure water to the Peel River, which then again provides life to the people of Fort McPherson. What effects the Three Rivers thus also directly affects them.
The complexities facing the North and ongoing need to protect the Peel River Watershed are vitally important not only to the Gwich'in communities of the North but to the rest of the world as well. This is not a time for bystanders!
The Experience
This international leadership project is an educational experience like no other. Students involved in this program will not only work to help save one of the most pristine wilderness areas left on the planet, but they will develop a unique set of skills that will equip them to become the well-versed decision makers so necessary for our future. Learning from the land and giving them the opportunity to pass on their traditional knowledge is central to the experience. Most importantly, they will learn how to be responsible leaders by working on relevant issues at an international level.
The Mission
The program reinforces leadership, responsibility, and respect throughout all phases, while the international component provides the opportunity for each to demonstrate their unique cultures in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. By providing practical learning and development experiences it encourages a new generation of leaders to act and have a positive influence on policy for the benefit of their local communities and ultimately our world.
Financial Goal
Our adventure starts this June and we are still $100,000 short! Wilderness safety and first aid workshops, sightseeing, leadership activities, photographers, filmmakers, honorarium for elders, boats, life jackets, accommodation, transportation – the list for necessities to ensure the best experience possible is long. Every day we work hard, indefatigably looking for sponsors and supporters, repeating our vision over and over, accepting nos and celebrating even the smallest success. After all, it means we are one step closer to providing a great experience for the students, allowing them to grow and take charge. It means we are one step closer to protecting one of the last fascinatingly beautiful and unimaginably valuable wilderness areas. You can support this wonderful project and see a vision come true – every dollar counts!
Rewards
Support us and be part of the experience! We are going to share regular updates of the project on here. Check out Arctic adventures on wildblog.org! There will be massive media coverage – facebook posts, newspaper articles, radio features and a documentary on APTN are our prospect!
Special for early birds – if you donate within the first five days we are going to send you a postcard set with professional pictures of the magnificent Arctic!
Anyone who contributes $200 or more will get one of our unique Wilderness Warrior – T-shirts designed by Robert Pohle himself!
Summary
Our project wants to bring together Gwich’in and German Youth to stand up for the protection of the last wilderness areas on our planet. Together, we are going to travel in Germany, to learn about impacts of development and advocate sustainable solutions for our relationship with nature. Then, we are going on an expedition in the pristine Peel River Watershed wilderness, the endangered traditional homeland of the Gwich’in. Our trip is going to raise international awareness for its protection and enable youth to stand up for their lands, culture, and ultimately all our future.
Wilderness International's Website
Organiser
Henriette Wessel
Organiser
Fort Mcpherson, NT
