Northbound - 5 months with the Gwich'in First Nations north of the Arctic circle

Youth in Action - Support Our Crowdfund

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 05:00:00 GMT

https://www.gofundme.com/youthprotectpeel

Our crowdfunding campaign is online and gives everyone the chance to support our youth!

For three months I have been living in the Arctic now; I learned to embrace the freezing cold and the return of the sun, I enjoy the warm hearts of the Gwich'in, and I experience how their traditional lifestyle sustains them in the rough North. In a remote place like this, where everything in the store has made a long travel up north, there is no true sense of independence or even survival without the land, the nature around. The water, the food, the medicine, the whole physical, cultural and spiritual subsistence comes from your surroundings. And these surroundings stretch as far as the Peel River Watershed, one of the last untouched wilderness areas on this planet.

Just three months, and yet I have also experienced how dull life can be in a remote place like this, especially during long, cold and dark winters. I got a sense of how easy it is to lose motivation and perspective in life and fall to the deception of pleasures that drag you down. The only thing that has always brought me back on track was experiencing the traditional lifestyle, so deeply connected to the land, to survival, but more importantly to a thriving and rich culture full of appreciation, happiness and love. And the vision of inspiring youth here and out in the world, to find these our roots and the power they have, giving a perspective and the unique chance to actually take action. Not just learn or talk, but finally have a purpose and do something to set down the claim for land, culture and future.

I sometimes think 'Man, this campaign would be a lot more impressive,striking, and successful if we had an actual superlative for it, such as “the last remaining wilderness on our Earth”. Everyone would act, suddenly.'

Well, thank God we don’t! We should not need those superlatives! Let’s not allow the situation to proceed that far, too far.

And yet we are already close – it is one of the last. Not a lot of wilderness areas are left on this planet, and definitely none of this kind and size. The Northwest of Canada is still widely wild and untouched. It is in some ways our last frontier. We have the same awe, the same excitement, the same needs as the settlers back then. But we also have the same luck, the same gift, and the same decision of what to do with it.

Yet we have one decisive advantage: We know what happens when we squander the treasure, when we develop it and cultivate it. We might win the supposable safeties and comforts of civilization. Yet we lose acres and acres of wild, beautiful, challenging nature, thousands of species that will never come back to our Earth, and inspiring indigenous cultures, stories, knowledge and people. We lose our future.

The preservation of wilderness gives both purpose and name to our foundation. We are firmly committed to the ideal that children and youth are our most valuable resource and our best hope for the future of our planet!

Thus, we have designed this unique leadership project for Gwich'in and German youth; it involves cultural exchange, wilderness experience and direct action towards conservation of the Peel!

For these five months, I have gladly committed pretty much my entire life to this project. I left my home, family and friends in Germany to learn about the Gwich'in way of life here in the North, 6500 km away from what is familiar and comfortable to me, to understand them better, and to help make this beautiful vision of empowering youth a reality.
Even though this project was far out of my comfort zone, I feel nothing but eternal thankfulness that I get to have this unique experience. The only thing I would regret is if this project were not to succeed. There are many things we criticize our youth for today and lots of things we want them to do and to be. Here is the chance to make this ideal a reality, empower our youth! Support our project, every dollar counts. Thanks a lot!

https://www.gofundme.com/youthprotectpeel

How Life Used To Be Every Day

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 04:50:00 GMT

Went to school camp the other day! It was one of my best days here so far - I loved being outside, directly learning about camp life and seeing the kids running around and playing in the deep snow. I admire them, tried to run around for five minutes and was exhausted! All this time we're surrounded by fairytale forest covered in waist-deep snow. And when you get cold (happens sometimes when it's -20°C outside!) you can go inside the tent or one of the houses, warm up at the wood stove and have some delicious bannock and hot tea! The tent is amazing - the ground is covered with a thick layer of spruce twigs, making it soft, warm and smelling just wonderfully, better than a bath! For lunch we all sat together in there and enjoyed some caribou soup. On days like these, the kids get to spend time with elders, hearing stories and learning about what life in the camp used to be like when the Gwich'in were on the land year-round! How do we respect the land, taking and giving back, leaving no trace. Thankful that Shayla and I got to share our project plans with them as well. And they had so many questions, I loved their curiosity. A day full of lively traditions!

Caribou Guts and a Whale for Dinner

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 02:03:00 GMT

Upon my arrival in Inuvik I walked straight into my first culture shock - we had caribou for dinner! But not with spices and veggies in a hamburger or a stew, no. First, Gwich'in hunter William proudly presented me his fresh trophies raw, bloody and half frozen.

Guts, heart and kidneys are apparently the delicacy and throwing it out would be disrespectful to the animal that gave its life for us.

When all was boiling with water in a pot, the others started coming out of their rooms from everywhere in the house, attracted by the unique smell, and gather in the kitchen. I learned that you just need to scratch off the black goo that's left of what the caribou ate, and then you can right away eat the meat.

Guts: taste like algae! I guess because they eat so much lichen
Heart: tastes like liver to me
Ribs: delicious!

By now, I really got used to it. Walk into the living room and see half a caribou lying around? Or a caribou head?

That's just normal here! And the diced meat in soups and stews tastes pretty good.

With it, we have buns, bannock or delicious donuts.

Everyone's favorite snack, however, is dry meat.

It tastes a lot like salami, can also be made from ground meat and is dried on those self-made racks almost everyone has in their house.

The most exotic thing I have tried, however, was whale meat. McPherson being so close to the Polar Beaufort Sea, some traditional Inuvialuit (also known as Inuit) foods are around as well. Muktuk, as they call it, is beluga, narwhal, or bowhead whale skin and blubber and tastes surprisingly good and just a little bit like fish.

Living off the land and having traditional foods is extremely healthy - not only for us humans, but for the entire natural cycle as well. No transportation costs for import, no animal abuse, no antibiotics or preservatives. In Europe, we try hard to go back to fair, regional, organic foods. Here they are still around - So respect, appreciate, and enjoy!

Honor the Knowledge

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 18:26:00 GMT

Hunting, killing animals. What does that have to do with environmental conservation and why is it so important to talk about it?

As the need for it has declined, to most people nowadays, hunting and handling the animal are something strange, outdated, maybe even sad and repelling.
And yet it is one of the oldest and most natural ways to live. For the Gwich'in, still today, hunting is an integral part of their lives. They still count on the caribou as the major source of nourishment.
They're dependence on the animal shines a spotlight on the importance of the caribou not only for the natural world, but for humans as well. Every spring, the porcupine caribou herd migrates all the way north to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The caribou leave their winter habitat in northern Yukon, which includes the Peel River Watershed. Their numbers decline. Climate change poses pressure on the herd, showing how our excessively carbon-emitting lifestyle on the other end of the world directly affects animals. And it shows how important the trees in the rainforests are to help prevent deterioration! One can only imagine how road development as well as oil, gas and mining claims in and around the Peel River Watershed would greatly endanger the caribou's strenuous and long route, additionally cutting off vital food and water sources.
However, harvesting by First Nation hunters has never affected the number of animals in a harmful way, for more than 20,000 years. Instead, they state an example for sustainable use of the animals: No part is wasted, everything is so useful. From regular muscle meat steak and gut stew, to the marrow used as fat and nutritious blood soup! That is crucial here in the North, where the conditions are harsh and food is rare. Yet it should teach us a lesson everywhere in the world. The knowledge may not get lost. So watch closely!

Information courtesy of http://www.protectpeel.ca/porcupine_caribou_herd.html

Taking a Walk at -35°C

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 06:10:00 GMT

Went for a walk at wind chill -35°C today 😊Nature makes better mascara!

https://www.facebook.com/wildernessinternational/

Have You Ever Been Part of a Caribou Hunt?

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:26:00 GMT

Get excited for the next post! It will be a short two-part movie about the once-in-a-lifetime experience of hunting caribou!

The Taste of Freedom in the Air

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:47:00 GMT

Richardson Mountains off the famous Dempster Highway around Arctic Circle in the Northwest Territory, Canada ‪#‎wilderness‬ ‪#‎international‬‪#‎wildernessinternational‬ ‪#‎canada‬ ‪#‎kanada‬ ‪#‎NWT‬ ‪#‎NorthWestTerritory‬‪#‎Dempster‬ ‪#‎dempsterhighway‬ ‪#‎richardsonmountains‬ ‪#‎protect‬‪#‎conservation‬ ‪#‎Gwichin‬ ‪#‎fortmcpherson‬ ‪#‎protectpeel‬ ‪#‎GwichinWilderness‬‪#‎JetteShaylaArctic‬ ‪#‎arcticconservation‬ ‪#‎windowforwilderness‬ ‪#‎adventure‬‪#‎beautiful‬ ‪#‎unique‬ ‪#‎awesome‬ ‪#‎protection‬ ‪#‎nature‬ ‪#‎landscape‬ ‪#‎arctic‬

McPherson's Got Talent!

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:44:00 GMT

December 29th 2015 – McPherson’s got talent! Awesome fiddling and impressive singing!

When the Northern Lights Sing

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:41:00 GMT

I saw my first Northern lights, tonight – the most beautiful and enchanting thing I have ever seen in my life! They dance…and when you listen closely, they sing to you, a song of wildness, open space and unbelievable beauty.

With that, a happy new year from the North and I wish everyone that they find something as beautiful as this in their life!
Nature makes better firework!

Even the news agree – learn more about aurora borealis on New Year’s Eve here:
Northern Lights outshine NYE Fireworks

How Did the Gwich'in Use to Celebrate Christmas?

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 05:29:00 GMT

Elders are the most respected people here. They know all the stories, and by telling them, they pass on the culture of the Gwich’in as well as important life lessons.
Jijuu is the Gwich’in word for grandma. I am so honored to have met Jijuu Snowshoe, and that she wants to share her stories with me, and thus with all of you as well.
Back in the day, when the Gwich’in were still travelling around on the land following the caribou, and even when they settled down by the Peel River in tents, Christmas was just another day of the year.
After the Anglican missionaries had arrived and brought the tradition of celebrating Christmas, it still was not the big, rather material festivity that it is for most of us today, as my generous host Winnie thankfully shared with me. Instead, people would go around and visit each other, sharing lots of traditional foods, that is fish and caribou meat. They were thankful for each other and for the land that sustained them. Only in the 70s, when a lot of government jobs started to be available, people were able to afford different foods and presents and Christmas turned into the big event the way we know it today.

Have You Ever Seen Santa Clause Jig?

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 05:14:00 GMT

Watch my first video blog to take part in super cold weather and a heart-warming Christmas with the Snowshoe family!
Mahsi (that means thank you in Gwich’in) for letting me be part of it!

Yet Christmas hasn’t always been like this for the Gwich’in – so look forward to the next post to learn about the old ways.

Happy Holidays from the Other End of the World!

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 04:12:00 GMT

I was lucky to be celebrating an enchanting Gwich’in Christmas at -40°C today!

Last night, everyone went to church, most people here are Anglican since the missionaries arrived over a century ago. It was full and busy, people kept coming and going and children were talking and running around. Nothing that I am used to from church at home, but it was so wonderful to see faith alive and vivid!
In the morning, everyone got up early to unwrap their presents that were under the tree. And in the afternoon, the entire Snowshoe family, probably around 40 people!, gathered at the grandparents‘ house to hang outand have Christmas supper together.

What a great start into my stay here and excellent way to get to know everyone – Shayla and I are super excited now to prepare the Gwich’in – German cultural and environmental exchange next year!

What is it like above the Arctic Circle?

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Sat, 9 Jan 2016 11:30:00 GMT

I will answer this question over the next five months here! Yesterday, I arrived in Fort McPherson. Together with Shayla Snowshoe and many partners, we are going to support the struggle for the protection of the Peel River Watershed, the traditional homeland of the Gwich’in First Nations (see earlier post for more information). Through an expedition into the land and an exchange with German students, we want to give you the chance to experience true wilderness first hand. For what you love you won’t allow to be destroyed!

I had a great first day! At cozy -33°C, I took part in my first hockey tournament ever and our team got second place!
Outside it might be freezing, but it’s easy to forget that when you meet the heart-warming Gwich’in! I was overwhelmed by the hospitality, friendliness and interest today.
Thanks to everyone for welcoming me so heartily!

Breathtaking Wilderness Just Outside of Town?

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Sat, 9 Jan 2016 09:15:00 GMT

It is possible! Today I went for a ski on (yes, on!) Jackson Lake just 20km away from Whitehorse with Jill from CPAWS. Afterwards, we were able to warm up in the lovely cabin of some friends who were having a Christmas party. They are actually two German brothers with their families who immigrated a long time ago. They live with water from the lake and solar power, still have a wood stove and oven and no connected plumbing. And yet all the more it is a wonderful place and lifestyle, a little nostalgic and definitely in touch with nature and all the surroundings. The children can play outside all the time, they all gather cozily around the fire, they get to admire the scenery right outside their window and observe wild, undisturbed animals so closely! Say good morning to the sun rising over the lake and goodnight to the marvelous star sky. There is definitely no need to long for the luxuries of the city.

Terrific landscape, peaceful silence and this sense of life how it is supposed to be. Beauty no picture can capture.

Now I’m just thinking, if so close to a city already lies a jewel like this, how incredible must untouched wilderness areas like the Peel River Watershed then be!

Good Work!

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Sat, 9 Jan 2016 08:08:00 GMT

Thanks a lot to CPAWS Yukon for having me in their office for the last couple of days in this busy last week before Christmas!
I learned a lot about the work of this hard-working environmental organization, gained tons of background information about the Peel and heard about the long struggle of trying to protect it. It has been going on for more than 10 years now, so let’s finally all join forces to protect it once and for all! CPAWS, the Yukon Conservation Society and Wilderness International want to stay closely in touch to make a start and spread this matter internationally.
I feel geared up for the challenge!

The fate of the Peel goes to the Supreme Court of Canada!

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Sat, 9 Jan 2016 05:35:00 GMT

#‎protectpeel‬

With all the snow here in Whitehorse it truly feels like Christmas is coming soon!
So it’s cold here, but definitely not too cold to take action!
The beauty of untouched wilderness, the purity of the water, the sustenance of First Nation people and our future on this planet are at stake.

In 2011, a land use plan was recommended for the region of the Peel Watershed. It was worked out with the input of First Nations and the Yukon government, leaving 80% of pristine wilderness protected and 29% open for development. However, in 2014 the government simply ignored this plan and implemented its own, which only sought for 20% of the area to be untouched! So the opponents had no choice but go to court.

Last night I got the chance to attend the presentation of the recent decisions in the Peel River Watershed Case.
The coalition of three First Nation tribes and two environmental organizations (among them CPAWS who I’ll be working with this week) presented their arguments and announced that they are going to take the fate of the Peel to the Supreme Court of Canada!
It was very interesting and helpful to get such a close look at the case. The people in charge are all incredibly competent, ambitious and passionate.
So of course it felt incredible to be part of taking action for the protection of unimaginable natural beauty!
Read this press article:

Application for Leave to Appeal to be Filed with the Supreme Court of Canada

Or read here for the hole story of the case:

The Peel River Watershed is one of the last remaining jewels of nature of the size of Scotland. It includes the Three Rivers area, where Wilderness International has ventured out on an expedition in 2008 together with German and Gwich’in students.

Earlier, in the 20th century, the First Nations gave up a lot of their land and in return the government of the Yukon agreed to include them in the planning of the land’s use.
In 2003, First Nation elders decided that they wanted the Peel River Watershed to be one of the first areas protected under a land use plan.
Thus, an independent commission of government appointed people and First Nations was formed to determine the plan.
Once everything has been thoroughly researched and all possibilities of use regarded, The plan was open to modifications from both parties. However, due to the coming up election, the government only made some minor changes. And so in 2011 a final recommended land-use plan was on the table and ready to be implemented. Nevertheless, the government put forth its own land-use plan without consulting the other party. Subsequently, it had to be taken to court. The Supreme Court of Yukon ruled that the Yukon government did indeed breach the agreement and that the process should be taken back to 2011 before the final recommend plan was in place. That would again open up the question of how much land should be protected versus open for access.
Regardless of what the decision in this case will be, it will set a precedent for how these kinds of land use plans are developed, adopted and respected.

Why am I even here?

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Sat, 9 Jan 2016 05:30:00 GMT

The Peel River Watershed is one of the last remaining untouched wilderness areas on this planet. It is home to unique wildlife and provides „physical and spiritual sustenance“ for several First Nation tribes of the region such that „they can not only survive, but flourish.“ (Jill Pangman, CPAWS)
Mining and oil and gas extraction threaten to destroy this stunning landscape and harm its delicate ecological balance. Roads will fragment the landscape, mines dig up the lush grass plains and chemicals pollute the pure air and water. Air we breathe and water we want to drink.
This would mean the loss of incredible natural beauty. And more importantly, it will deprive the porcupine caribou of their safe route and the First Nations of their traditional lands, let alone be an offense to their constitutionally protected rights!

The affected tribes, supported by two environmental organizations have geared up to defend the Peel in front of court.
But see yourself:

Protect the Peel – Yukon Court of Appeal Hearing

Opening up the Peel Watershed wilderness for industrial development would only benefit very few for a short time. Protecting it will benefit all of us and the generations to come forever.

What’s the future of the Peel? The next steps in the process are to be determined these days. Stay updated here!

From Vancouver to Whitehorse

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Sat, 9 Jan 2016 05:16:00 GMT

Had a great day in Vancouver on Monday!

I visited the beach, a very beautiful and quiet place to get some rest from the busy city. But I also spent time downtown at the busiest (shopping) street corners – it’s Christmas time in the city!

In the evening I flew to Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon Territory. Here, I will work with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society this week to learn about the Peel Watershed case.

Everybody was saying that it has been incredibly warm this year, yet of course the 20° drop -15°C felt like it was freezing for me. But I guess that’s just a glimpse of what it is going to be like in Fort McPherson next week!

I am staying at the Beez Kneez hostel and it is the cutest place I have ever seen! A lovely little house, filled with postcards, decorations and people from all over the world! I have a private room and there is a common room with sofas and games to hang out and a kitchen where you can make your own food. I’ve talked to several people here about our project with the Gwich’in and they’re all super excited to hear about it

Tomorrow I’ll have time to look around town and at night, I’ll attend an event about the Peel Watershed

Vancouver

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Sat, 9 Jan 2016 05:00:00 GMT

I have arrived safely in Vancouver and am as usually immediately overwhelmed by North American friendliness! The struggle was just about to begin when the ticket machine didn’t want to except my credit card and my cash was buried somewhere deep down in one of my three bags. But suddenly a young lady offered me her day ticket!
Some minutes later in the streets a toothless old lady in a wheelchair simply asked me where I wanted to go and then described me the way to my hotel. I have the day to roam around the city tomorrow and then I’ll fly to Whitehorse at night.

Stay wild, Jette

A story of northern lights, ancient Gwich’in culture and true wilderness

jette_for_wildernessinternational — Thu, 7 Jan 2016 18:09:00 GMT

Protecting the largest pristine mountain wilderness in the world – the objective is not too small, that’s for sure!

I am Jette, an environmental ambassador from the NGO Wilderness International. In 2014, I went on an expedition to the Toba Valley and got hooked by their fun and convincing way to protect the last remaining wilderness areas in this world for all of us together with young people. Currently, I am a volunteer for Wilderness International. Starting on December 5th this year, I will live with the Gwich’in First Nation of Fort McPherson, NT, in Canada for five months. Together with Shayla Snowshoe and many partners we will work to support the struggle of protecting the traditional homeland of the Gwich’in First Nation from being ripped apart by mining.

Also, we will prepare a student exchange including an expeditions with elders, scientists and photographers/filmmakers in order to give people the chance to experience true wilderness and raise awareness for the importance of saving the Peel Watershed area in the Western Arctic.

Wilderness International together with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society have been engaged for many years working to protect this magnificent place. We are thankful for your interest and would appreciate if you shared this with others - little for you to do, great help for the planet! So let's go!