Inuit Circumpolar Conference
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rector, Department of Administration and Finance
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Charlie Edwardsen, Jr. Director, Congressional Liaison Office
Oliver Leavitt President, North Slope Borough Assembly
Edward Hopson, Sr. Vice President, North Slope Borough Assembly
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PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE
The Arctic is a unique environment. Indigenous peoples who live in the Arctic have demonstrated to
mankind over tens of thousands of years their successful survival as a distinct people. Arctic cultures
have evolved in isolation—not only from other geographical areas of the world—but in isolation
from each other. While individual Arctic cultures may differ to some degree, they are all
autochthonous: integrally a part of, and possessing the skills to live in total harmony with, the
environment.
Within this lifetime, the possibility of extensive damage to the fragile environment of the Arctic has
become a real threat. To those living ip(f® Arctic, tl ility becomes a threat to the very
foundation of Inuit society. As the qui resources ie dominant cultures to one of the
most promising, unexplored areas of the world, the Arctic Polar region, exchange among Inuit
(Inupiat/people) becomes not only important but esser
jence at Barrow was Arctic
‘eloping an international Arctic
\ey pertain to the Arctic policy,
, health, education and
Thus, the primary focus of the’ first Int
conservation and environmental pr
policy. However, a comprehensiv
were also considered: land lai
technology.