Stockholm convention is a legally binding international convention for the global ban on toxics. When scientists found higher concentrations of toxics in Inuit women’s breast milk in Canada they did not understand. The People of that land were nowhere near where these toxics were being created or used. After testing the niqipaq (real food) of the Iñuit People and finding toxics from South America there was major alarm for concern. This ignited what is now one of the most effective ways to eliminate dangerous toxics on a global level. Unfortunately there is little presence of Inuit, and almost no Iñupiaq representation. As the most affected populations, representation matters.

Toxics, pollutants, and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP’s) have been discovered in Iñuit traditional foods at alarming rates. This does not mean we should not eat our medicine, but urges our People to fight for our health. Viola (“Vi”) Waghiyi is Alaska Community Action on Toxics Environmental Health and Justice Program Director in Anchorage, AK. Vi has advocated and fought for clean air, water, and land of Inuit Peoples and all Peoples for over ten years. ACAT and Native Movement were invited to Nuiqsut in February of 2019 to conduct an air quality monitoring training and bring equipment up for the community. During this time a report about pollutant in the air from oil and gas and the health risks were brought to light. Below is the shorter version and a downloadable link to the entire report.

Air Pollution in Alaska’s North Slope:

And its implication for the community of Nuiqsut

The Arctic and our health

ACAT created a comprehensive report on POP’s in the Arctic. Currently most of our information for air quality and human health impacts from pollutants are overseen by those who stand to make profit from the least amount of environmental regulations. We need more third party agencies with no agenda besides human health and what is best for the community. Our people demand informed consent to projects that may negatively impact our health.