Catastrophe and the Coalition of Conscience

• Main Author: Dunaway, Finis
• Format: Book Part
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Carolina Press 2021
• Subjects: Arctic; Gwich’in; Alaska
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.5149/northcarolina/9781469661100.003.0015

This chapter begins with the crash of the Exxon Valdez supertanker in March 1989. It explains how this catastrophic oil spill led to increased media coverage of Alaskan resource conflicts, including the ongoing debate over Arctic Refuge drilling. The Gwich’in Steering Committee encouraged reporters to visit their communities to find out how oil development would threaten their culture, identity, and food security. In addition, Gwich’in leaders broadened the coalition of conscience by gaining support from churches and faith groups. Beginning with the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska (followed by the national Episcopal Church), other religious groups became involved in the struggle, largely because of the human rights issues at stake. In this way, the Gwich’in built diverse alliances and gained more public support for refuge protection.