Dune Lankard

Native American Environmental Activist - standing up for human rights

When the Exxon tanker Valdez spilled millions of gallons of oil into Alaska's Prince William Sound in 1989, Native American fisherman Dune Lankard became an activist, dedicating his life to protection of human rights and the environment. He founded the Eyak Preservation Council to unite fisherman with Native Americans and environmentalists. The Council has conserved nearly 700,000 acres of endangered wild salmon habitat.

His mission now is to help Indigenous people around the world protect the 'last wild places' while preserving their cultural heritage. He is co-creator of the FIRE Fund, which helps Indigenous Nations around the world defend their human rights and homelands from excessive development. He also co-founded the RED OIL Network (Resisting Environmental Degradation of Indigenous Lands). "By the ocean dying, something came to life in me," Dune says.

Standing up for the principles of the Universal Declaration
Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family." Article 22 guarantees the right to social security. Article 23 affirms the right to work, as well as to equal pay for equal work and just and favourable remuneration.

Learn more:
>>Bio: Dune Lankard
>>Eyak Preservation Council

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