Members of the Steering Committee of the Episcopal Environmental Network (EEN) were anxious to get some time with Mark MacDonald, Bishop of Alaska at General Convention to learn first hand more about the key environmental issues in Alaska. MacDonald spoke largely of the tragedy and the hope of the Gwich'in Indian Tribe in Alaska.

The Gwich'in -- a tribe almost 100 percent Episcopalians -- live in a strip of land that is part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (AMWR). This Alaskan tundra is home to the Gwich'in and also to a herd of thousands of Porcupine Caribou. The caribou depend upon the ANWR and the Gwich'in depend for their livelihood on the caribou. As stated by Bishop McDonald, the "good news" is that our House of Bishops has taken a strong stand opposing proposed oil drilling in the ANWR. The bad news is that there is current, strong Congressional pressure, especially from the Alaskan delegation, to allow oil drilling in the ANWR.

MacDonald urged the EEN members to help spread the word about the need to urge President Clinton to designate the ANWR as a National Monument to prevent oil drilling. Despite the spectacular natural beauty throughout Alaska, the ANWR stands out as a significant opportunity to protect one very unique ecosystem and also to protect the livelihood of a group of Gwich'in Episcopalian Alaskans. We all need to speak out to support MacDonald and to affirm an important stand taken by our House of Bishops.

Jack Winder is chair of the Episcopal Environmental Network Steering Committee.