Lives in the Balance

The way of life of the Gwich’in people could be threatened by the impacts of oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Award-winning photographer Deddeda Stemler chronicles their existence on the banks of the Porcupine River in the Yukon Territory. See the <a href=”https://www.truthdig.com/report/item/anwr_caribou/” title=”related story”>related story</a> and a commentary by <a href=”https://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/20051218_dancing_with_ghosts/” title=”Rep. Dennis Kucinich”>Rep. Dennis Kucinich</a> (D-Ohio).

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Old Crow is situated on the banks of the Porcupine River, located 113Km north of the Arctic Circle in the Yukon Territory, Canada.

Three teens walk down a dirt road in the tiny, isolated village of Old Crow, Yukon Territory, Canada.

Chelsea Charlie, 13, swings at the playground which is situated next to the air landing strip in Old Crow, Yukon Territory. Old Crow has no road access to rest of the Yukon or to Alaska, it is a fly-in community.

Willow Frost, 5, and Janelle Schafer, 6, play on an old tractor during the Caribou Days annual spring celebration in Old Crow, Yukon Territory, Canada.

The Porcupine caribou herd cross the Porcupine River near Old Crow, Yukon Territory, Canada. The Porcupine caribou migrate past Old Crow every spring and fall on their annual journey to and from the birthing grounds in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.

Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation member Dougie Charlie hunts the Porcupine caribou from a boat on the Porcupine River near Old Crow, Yukon Territory, Canada. The hunter only kill the bulls so the females are able to reproduce and maintain the herd.

Dougie Charlie and Joel Peter haul a heavy male caribou out of the Porcupine River and onto the river bank for skinning near Old Crow.

Allan Benjamin sits next to his caribou antler collection on the roof of his meat cache in Old Crow, Yukon Territory, Canada.

Community healer and teacher Randall Tetlichi looks up at his drying caribou meat in his living room in Old Crow.

Elder John Joe Kaye enjoys fresh caribou bone marrow from the leg of a caribou on the banks of the Porcupine River near Old Crow. The hunters often look forward to a meal of fresh caribou meat, marrow, or roasted guts minutes after butchering the animals.

Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation elder Mary Tizya tosses a ring during the caribou horn toss event at the village’s annual Vadzaih Choo Drin or Caribou Days in Old Crow. Caribou Days, which occur in the spring when the caribou arrive after a long, cold winter, include activities such as log-sawing, bannock (traditional flat bread) baking over a fire, a dart throw contest, a jig dance competiiton, and a feast of roasted caribou and caribou brain soup.