The Refuge | Fighting for a Way of Life

For hundreds of generations, the Gwich'in people of Alaska and northern Canada have depended on the caribou that migrate through the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. With their traditional culture now threatened by oil extraction and climate change, two Gwich'in women are continuing a decades-long fight to protect their land and future.
The Arctic Refuge is home to lands and wildlife vital for the subsistence way of life of Alaska Native communities; and it serves a vital role as a remaining link with the unspoiled natural world and a source of hope for future generations, even for those who may never set foot there. The Trump administration is proceeding with plans to give oil and gas companies the right to drill in the coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge. Drilling will destroy intact wilderness and violate the human rights of the Gwich’in, who rely on this sacred place to sustain their culture and way of life. The Gwich’in are fighting to protect their future, but they can’t win this battle alone.

[@MrAndyballard]

“Only after the last tree has been cut down, Only after the last river has been poisoned, Only after the last fish has been caught, Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten”. Cree indian prophecy. more now than ever people…

[@juneribaldi7093]

Exactly

[@milosbozilovic7843]

Oh they know that very well, its the darknes they deeply want in their dark hearts..

[@grainandfern]

I'm sitting here crying, thank you for this strong and important video. I get so sad and angry at the same time, thinking about how humans as a species believe ourselves to stand above nature and this only earth that we have. We are animals and have our place in the ecosystem just like all other creatures and plants, but we've forgotten that. We ignore that fact and live as if we are more than that. Indigenous people live in tune with nature and we have so much to learn from them. To protect the land, our nature and those of us that actually know how to live on this planet without destroying it - it should be on everyones agenda!

[@carlosdesandovaljordana7198]

Power to the people. Thanks for fighting

[@rmf9567]

Nope it didn't work and they are drilling in the Arctic and they're going to drill more..

[@CalmTurtle2023]

I am so sad that we did not protect this world.... stay strong and fight on!!!!

[@williamh5103]

Yes, this area and so many other places in the World needs protection for the environment, biodiversity, peoples, an amazing film capturing the plight of these wonderful native peoples. My prays and thoughts go to protect them and their way of life and keep this place pristine.

[@ReflectionsofLife]

These sacred places and the people who are the gaurdians have to be supported - thank you for making this film.

[@christinechang1258]

Thank you for having the Gwich'in share this important story and for all the work that you do to make your company more ethical and ecological

[@mpeacock7696]

Wow. This is blowing me away. Recent times with the examples of the treatment of indigenous people been the first times I haven't been proud to be American. Our government does not care about our own or others, only money. People's lives matter more than this.

[@erynnemichelle]

Beautiful and important work - thank you for centring Indigenous voices, governance and dignity.

[@hehersfdgf]

Its amazing when companies stand for a good cause

[@1shadowfx]

"What is important is invisible." The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. This is an outstanding mini-doc featuring the best spokeswomen. Miigwech.

[@vincentlimagne9768]

I support your fight for your way of Life, lands, traditions and Mother Earth ! You’re the Ines who are right !!! Beautiful documentary...

[@davidk.8608]

Thank you patagonia! Both touching and inspiring, yet heartbreaking at the same time. Respect to you all.

[@carly9147]

Yet another powerful and beautiful piece, thank you for using this platform for good.

[@JMcKaySV]

Alaska is so god damn beautiful

[@MikeLucasMJsHealthyWayShaklee]

Peace, love, and happiness on your journey to save your refuge!

[@Skellingtor]

This needs way more views.

[@Richniques]

Heartening video. You could not find a more worthy cause. After all we are human. This is import to life.

[@fitguy49]

I'm on my way to the refuge next month to meet the people and see the wildlife and become an advocate

[@Ladoria4]

Ana’ Bassee to everyone helping. Also to Patagonia, who stood with our brothers and sisters at standing rock too.

[@colinthompson5881]

Beautiful place, beautiful people ❤️

[@tech_45]

This is powerful. Makes me want to live a better life

[@katka584]

the most ridiculous and hypocritical deal with all of these CEOs is, they are ruining this earth and see money in every river and forest.. but when the vacation time comes, they all wanna sit under the tree next to clean water, drinking clean water, breathing in the fresh air! someone should ask them in court where are they spending their holidays. ridiculous!

[@topturn9653]

at least in the U.S. the scale tips both ways-ghetto smarts/live vs. wealth/consumerism No one wins, same imbalance where to redistribute? if we haven't solved it yet....

[@hansmaier8341]

@@topturn9653 certainly not by redistributing from the poor to the rich. Sadly thats all im seeing in this world

[@ReWildAfrica]

Here is to coming together, for a wilder world. Love your work @patagonia

[@mahimaanand555]

i loved this documentary.

[@Tribaltourist]

Wow, amazing story of struggle. We shouldn't be fighting for the preservation of our lands, environment and wildlife. It's obvious humans are destroying the planet. Keep fighting, keep protecting your land and the life within it!

[@philthefixer]

I wanna be able to say yes too. Say that I did everything I possibly could.

[@zandra335]

Thank you so much Patagonia for making this short film. It is so important for as many people to hear just how important it is to protect land that indigenous people live on and not only that but beautiful land that provides for all of us. It's extremely disheartening to hear what is going on, but the more it is made known that not only that land provides for them, but that it's the only land that they've/we've got that's untouched is absolutely vital to making a difference for the future of our planet.

[@Peralau]

Money makes the world go round. Human greed knows no bounds. All the best for the Gwich'in. Protect the last real wilderness in the USA.

[@alcalavi]

Thank you for sharing this video with us! LOVE IT!

[@avedilo]

All my Love to Patagonians¡

[@foygreenwood]

This awareness and these important, moving pieces are but a couple of reasons that my gear and clothing are Patagonia. I work in the southern Appalachians with at-risk children, ages 6-12. Our program uses the Chattahoochee and Nantahala NF to reconnect these kids to the environment, to nature. It works wonders. Far better than pharmaceuticals. So, I use Patagonia products at work and at play---for my wife and I, recreation is hiking, camping, and scrambling in flooded hollows. Thank you for helping me to reduce my footprint. I have Patagonia pants that I bought in 2011 that are still going strong.

[@AliciaMarkoe]

thank you for this video

[@lisahamilton6654]

Beautiful!

[@angusdraffan6656]

what strong beautiful women.

[@MavZX6]

Masterpiece.

[@williamowensewell]

This was beautiful

[@josezuniga4277]

Alaska sure is beautiful!. Leave these people's land alone!

[@habibikebabtheiii2037]

They don't have a nation they chose not to in the 1970s instead each tribe has a corporation. They natives in this video have Doyon. Anwar is not there land its the feds. Alaska is 1700000square km 16% is owned by the tribal corporations

[@bandcrodriguez5515]

I remember canvasing neighbourhoods in NC back in 2003/2004 and SO MANY folks were so unaware of the issues affecting ANWAR and the Gwich'in people. I'm pretty certain it isn't any better now :(

[@fernandog.aguirre2791]

Each day that goes by...I'm very concern and scary how the human being is attacking and killing Mother Nature and resources! I feel that there is a aware and educated part of our society that we experienced the confort of the city living and realized that we want to go back to a basic and simple life. A spiritual and rich life, respecting, understanding and protecting life! I only hope and wish.....that all these hearts and souls are real and truly to there feelings and not like more than few Hawaiians that they claim the Land and do nothing but collect food stamps, federal and state unemployment, drugs and disrespectful to society. God bless all this brothers and sisters. God bless and protect Mother Nature!

[@ianmunro9097]

beautiful.

[@ScottSlone]

Great film except that stock footage was clearly not produced using locals. The footage at mark: 1:39 - This is the Matanuska Valley just an hour from Anchorage, no where near ANWR. As a native Alaskan and film locations expert, I'm very familiar with our landscapes. While "somewhat" similar to ANWR, consistence in messaging is important. Hire local next time. :)

[@hoja9633]

Not drilling !!!! Not drilling no more

[@bahouse7]

damn patagonia, makin me cry n shit

[@ncornn]

After how we treated the native people of this land, the least we could do is preserve what they have left.

[@dff1978]

Can you please do one of these for the Great Australian Bite? Don't let them drill in the richest ecosystem in the world plz.

[@jeredstewart2946]

It would be nice if you included our Inupiat tribal people in your video as well. We actually live in the refuge and are near where the development would occur.

[@andreasdahl717]

Damn onions! at the same time, it seems that this people(also me) really need oli/gasoloine/diesel. All those huge trucks, ATV, boats and so on. Love the short film, and the spirit of the Gwich. So just one question is, how can they start to rethink their use of oil in their daily life, hunting routines and fishing? Thank you Pata for this awsome film piece! just for the record, I would love to see their land protected from drilling.

[@mscylon1]

So sad.. we study about Yellowstone in my university in Australia about the history of National Park and conservation.

[@aatt3209]

Tundra is filled with life, not a waste land, Alaska/ANWR would be left as another Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria in Trump era 2017, abused and neglected with irrevocable environmental damage from pipeline leaks and oil spills. People, get involved and vote in 2018 & 2020 and protect public lands.

[@Pandariansiguess]

TNF's logo at 2:27 in a documentary by Patagonia proves that they are way more than their logo and business.

[@MrOreoBean]

That was heartbreaking, inspiring and beautiful all at the same time. Who was the music by?

[@EMCAL13]

Has there been any updates on this?

[@Chris-id2wb]

There is an over supply of oil in the world and very few truly natural places left, hold strong in your resolve, too many people are driven by greed.

[@rosco3659]

Have more children , lots and lots of children . The more people the harder it is to just take the land .

[@dff1978]

Powerful stuff: "is this the first battle in how we will come to view the resources of this world: an Indigenous World Vs Western World of our mother earth and what these resources we live upon are actually for...do we want to buy a mentality where we put money above everything else... What will it feel like to know your home is a national monument that will never be destroyed by the plastic and gas world?

[@bennewman6713]

Watching this in 2021 and I am so happy to know that there is no drilling in ANWR

[@saucytriceratops365]

Late to respond, but BLM has done an Environmental Impact Statement and now working on a supplemental EIS to open ANWR for oil and gas leasing. This fight isn't over, even in 2021. Still, happy to know we haven't lost yet

[@skyscraper8419]

caribou!

[@dylancurry6290]

This is there land we have already taken so much and lost so many different types of people. We all learn about genocide in school and what hitler did to the Jews. But we look past what we have done to Native Americans and we keep trying to take more and more why don’t we give some back.

[@isaackorman6568]

We need change

[@mooseknuckle8334]

Pave paradise, put up a parking lot!

[@AronBraggans]

@Patagonia what happened to the care2.com petition?

[@davidharris1562]

There’s a book, written by Alexanda Cordell called Rape of the Fair Country, sounds apt

[@TDVigilante]

I feel for them as I too was raised in rural wilderness and detest living in urban environments but I have to ask what about when others observe their personal consumption of petroleum based products? Are the cars, trucks, boat motors, ATV 4-wheeler at the end of the video all electric?

[@drownthedays]

They are to some degree reliant on modern technology, as they are real people trying to survive in our modern world. So yes, they do need cars and such, and if they could (which isn't the case), they would use electric means of transportation. But this is real. Real people living in a real world. Not some armchair activists that only think about doing something, and therefore not needing anything but a laptop. And criticizing them or even implying hypocrisy is a highly unnecessary thing to do.

[@idn]

Owning and using gas powered vehicles does not make one less environmentally conscious by default. It's still quite difficult to use and depend on 100% electric or even hybrid vehicles in many places. Best thing we can do is exactly what this video suggests: Recognize the value of our environment and demand that it is protected. Less drilling, fewer pipelines, fewer dams--more solar, wind, and responsible hydro energy production that does not harm the environment. Once the demand for sustainable energy surpasses that of oil and gas, technology will catch up and allow all people to use electric or fuel cell vehicles.

[@drownthedays]

idn I reckon technology doesn't even need to catch up. We are so advanced today that I find it very likely that detailed plans and concepts for renewable energy lie in the drawers of major energy suppliers, but as long as they still earn their money with gas and oil, they will keep them secret.

[@TDVigilante]

I'm an advocate for renewable resources and have been for 30+ years. The nature of my comment is to highlight the perspective that others will have from these observations. Declaring that criticism or implying hypocrisy is highly unnecessary does not change the fact that people will do so.

[@drownthedays]

TDVigilante And what perspective will that be? Criticising the Gwich'in for using cars? If someone takes this form their observation that's just downright stupid. Sorry, I'm having trouble making sense from this. Of course people will criticise anyway, but that doesn't change the fact that they're idiots if they do, does it?

[@ryanlevron1972]

LEAVE THE REFUGE ALONE...NO DRILLING!!!!! Im from New Orleans....currently live in Wyoming I SUPPORT THE REFUGE....NO DRILLING

[@markforeman4359]

In Oklahoma, They paid my Cherokee and white family royalties for drilling oil on their land. They continued to farm and lived a long peace full life along the Canadian river.

[@kili5896]

Why are we talking about drilling for oil & building pipelines in 2016? Oil is going to be a dead commodity in 10-20 years. The market will decide, & is presently on its way to doing so, that their are much more economical forms of power generation, such as solar & wind. The price of electricity is on its way to being much cheaper than any form of oil, natural gas, & even nuclear power. In 10-20 years ALL vehicles sold will be electric, because for the one reason alone, they will be much cheaper to buy & operate than any gas or diesel fueled vehicles. As will the cost of powering a home or building.

[@Jonnyvonwallstrom]

Love it! This is brilliant marketing!

[@geneball211]

We shouldn’t have to walk these halls (of Congress) to protect our human rights

[@drewhunkins7192]

The caller at the 1:47ish mark is the personification of so much ignorance that permeates this nation in certain quarters.

[@kin9karn4ge]

protect them Patagonia plz!

[@alexab200926]

Why don't you? You are strong yourself.

[@bigplanet7818]

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: They (the ones who back this drilling) steal, kill and destroy the creation for their love of money..

[@polkatolka]

As moving as these matters are, they are nonetheless external to the economic calculus of capitalism. I sure hope companies such as Patagonia are able to go so far as to name the problem in order to fight it. This IS a political issue because it is an economic issue, and vice versa. The United States has no left, so hopefully we can create one, otherwise, all native people's lands will become commodities for the system to exploit.

[@HBCrigs]

He says what would she do if it were declared a monument, but even in point Reyes they were killing elk to make room for cattle smh I just hope all we can do is enough

[@hoja9633]

Now is your time if you say no they can't do nothing no this time

[@nicholasobrien836]

What about they're Petroleum intake? They use it just like everyone else. There's no alternative. Mostly to those who don't have lots of money to invest in an alternative. They do what they can to get around just like us. But that's really missing the big picture here. There's a far bigger hazard.

[@paulandrews3984]

I think its important to recognize that by fighting oil extraction in their area, they are making a stand to say they want renewable energy. It wouldn't really be possible to do any sort of environmental advocacy work without the use of petroleum at some point, but this is a fight for alternatives! If enough people say we dont want it here, hopefully a change for renewables will be made!

[@xcracer311]

Who said ar15 is not for hunting

[@magnusthered4973]

Bears hogs and deer it’s a small round but you might need multiple rounds for certain animals

[@SolaceEasy]

R1, R2, R3 & more, all made from Alaskan oil.

[@11tylerhill]

Yeah, it's sad because basically, this planet has a human population problem, and these people are seeing the ramifications of it first hand. Most do not.

[@BAlvn-yr6ej]

Hey, umm...how can I make a smartphone out of Caribou bones, please?

[@craig3287]

The same way you can't breathe without trees. The caribou go, everything goes with them.

[@batbawls]

What we call America is too far gone. Art, culture, history, meaning, depth of life: all lost and hopeless. I think it's been a slow rumble toward us for 40-50 years. Nearly everyone I know only cares about one thing.

[@stevebachman908]

Do you see the irony? They fly and drive to the gathering, ride 4-wheelers, talk on cell phones yet don't want oil? How about safely, extracting it and using the revenue to improve the lives of the people?

[@bluecircleofsquares]

throw every member of the GOP in jail

[@luiscontreras7945]

On his way out of the White House Trump attempts to sell Oil Drilling leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This is not going to happen.

[@irenesgarden]

oh but drill asia free of guilt right.......

[@BAlvn-yr6ej]

well these indians gotta gas up their SUVs, ATVs, airplanes, heaters, and make their synthetic clothing and other plastic crap they seem to have an abundance of...

[@samlauer1]

Let the free market move naturally to renewable energy, don't legislate. We already see that now. Within the next 25 years or so cars will be almost entirely electric. Ships are to follow and planes shortly after that.

[@magnusthered4973]

There isn’t enough electricity to keep a plane in the air for a long period of time that why they use a different fuel then cars boats are giant and need the gas to move sense they are so large in mass it might happen for boats but the cost would be battery pollution you can’t recycle and throw away battery’s when it goes bad that’s the problem both solutions are going to cause their own problems also the normal American civilian don’t make enough to but all those electrical properties that’s why they use gas cause they already have it and it’s cheaper

[@leonardneamtu_]

ah, 'Murica, never failing to be the bad guy and always greedy.

[@illduitmyself]

but they all drive trucks....

[@habibikebabtheiii2037]

What a propaganda piece. I'm from Alaska. When the pipeline came In the 70s people where worried the caribou population would go down. However the population grew...

[@habibikebabtheiii2037]

@ActiveOffense tell me how I am wrong

[@Keefe_Outdoors]

in the first 5 minutes the point is made that we get all our oil from overseas. glad patagonia is ok with other countries messing up their backyards to get oil for Americans as long as American backyard is untouched.

[@robertsagar]

Indeed, a well-produced video. *BUT* sappy music and kids in slow-motion are not going to win anything. How about some FACTS? I love the idea of protecting wilderness, but isn't there a balance? Of course there is. And, what was in those motor boat engines and 4-wheelers making them run? Or in all the home products and clothing in this short 15-minute clip? And what are the majority of the camera parts made of used to film and edit this video. Come on y'all. This video highlights the hypocrisy and ignores the wholistic realities of our world. Present the WHOLE picture please.

[@skaterhawk66]

Robert Sagar In response to your last couple (whether they where meant to be or not) insults towards our knowledge of what is in the products we use on an everyday biases to hunt, get from place to place and survive we are informed and damn well over pay to have them flown in and refuse to contribute the capitalistic idealism that you yourself are pushing in the comments of a video that is for the exact opposite purpose. Educate yourself before you speew out arrogant nonsense on a truly informative video. Thank you

[@BAlvn-yr6ej]

@Thicc Grimes Ah, so if I fly up there can you show me how to hunt and butcher a caribou with traditional tools, and how we can use every part of its sacred body to help survive? I will pay you richly if you can....how about next Tuesday?

[@mileshamblen9982]

Greed

[@dougdavis8986]

Vote Democrat unless you want these things to happen.

[@lukasik7478]

It's Russian land!

[@whoshootya]

no one owns this land. its there to feed and protect the animals and poeple who lives there !