Press Conference on Health and Human Rights for the Indigenous People of Sivuqaq, Alaska and Future Generations
Media Advisory: Press Conference on Health and Human Rights for the Indigenous People of Sivuqaq, Alaska and Future Generations
For Planning Purposes Only:
Date: March 5, 2025
Media Contact: Jayla Shannon, [email protected], (240) 375-2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, March 12th, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. EST, Alaska
Community Action on Toxics (ACAT) with Native Village of Gambell and Native Village of Savoonga will host a press conference at the National Press Club to announce its filing of a complaint with the UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, a Special Procedure of the UN Human Rights Council, in response to the U.S. military’s contamination of Sivuqaq (St. Lawrence Island, Alaska) associated with formerly used defense sites, in violation of the Indigenous Yupik people’s human rights.
Joined by the U.N. Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, Dr. Marcos
Orellana, ACAT, their legal counsel, and leaders from Sivuqaq Tribal communities will testify as to why the complaint was filed, its legal standing, and the negative health, environmental, and cultural injuries caused by the U.S. military’s mishandling of military cleanup efforts.
WHO:
- Pamela Miller, Executive Director, Alaska Community Action on Toxics
- Viola “Vi” Waghiyi, Native Village of Savoonga Tribal Citizen, Environmental Health and Justice Program Director, Alaska Community Action on Toxics
- Sivuqaq tribal community leaders Merle Apassingok, Sandra Gologergen, and Trisha Waghiyi
- Dr. Marcos Orellana, Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights
- Claudia Polsky, Director, University of California Berkeley Environmental Law Clinic
WHEN: Wednesday, March 12th, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. EST
WHERE: National Press Club (The Fourth Estate Room) 529 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20045
RSVP: Media planning to attend should RSVP at [email protected]
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