For more information on the Circumpolar Conservation Union and its
programs, please contact:
Evelyn M. Hurwich
Executive Director of the Circumpolar Conservation Union (CCU)
1615 M Street NW, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202/429-7440
Fax: 202/429-7444
Email: circumpolar [at] igc.org
NEWSOME NAMED WASHINGTON DIRECTOR OF CIRCUMPOLAR CONSERVATION UNION
WASHINGTON, May 17, 2001--Sharon Newsome, who was senior director of
environment and health programs at Physicians for Social Responsibility,
becomes the Circumpolar Conservation Union's Washington director as of
this month. At the same time, Michelle Sparck, legislative liaison for
the Association of Village Council Presidents for the Yukon-Kuskokwim
Delta region of Alaska joins the Circumpolar Conservation Union team.
"We are tremendously excited to have Sharon and Michelle coming on
board," said Evelyn M. Hurwich, executive director of the Circumpolar
Conservation Union (CCU). "Sharon has more than 20 years of experience
with a broad range of natural resource and health issues, and she knows
how to get things done in Washington. Michelle brings her specialized
expertise and commitment as an Alaska Native to advocate on behalf of
indigenous and northern concerns, particularly the food safety of
subsistence resources."
A native of Dallas, Texas, Sharon specialized in the health effects of
global climate change and persistent organic pollutants in her time at
Physicians for Social Responsibility. During her tenure, the
organization tripled its staff and budget, and became the secretariat
for the International POPs Elimination Network. Previously she served as
assistant director for the Presidential/Congressional Commission on Risk
Assessment and Risk Management. Newsome's background also includes
executive positions at the National Wildlife Federation and the Alaska
Trollers Association.
"I'm honored to have this opportunity," said Newsome. "CCU plays a
unique role in bridging the diverse interests of the North. I look
forward to addressing the pressing challenges facing Arctic ecosystems
and peoples."
A Cup'ik Eskimo from Chevak and Bethel, Michelle's work with the
Association of Village Council Presidents, a consortium of 56 tribal
communities, has been focused on resource management and government
relations. Michelle is also a member of the Indigenous Peoples Council
on Marine Mammals, a subcommittee of the Alaska Federation of Natives
Committee on Subsistence. Michelle previously worked on Capitol Hill,
serving on the personal staff of Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) and as
legislative staff on the Committee on Resources under Chairman Don Young
(R-AK). Michelle has a B.A. in International Studies with a
concentration in Russian affairs from American University in Washington,
DC.
"Michelle will enhance CCU's expertise and credibility with regard to
issues of interest to indigenous peoples," observed advisory board
member Oran Young, director of the Institute for Arctic Studies at
Dartmouth College. "Together, Sharon and Michelle will form an effective
team in leading the organization's efforts to promote both environmental
protection and sustainable development in the circumpolar world."
The mission of the Circumpolar Conservation Union is to protect the
ecological and cultural integrity of the Arctic for present and future
generations. CCU is an accredited Observer to the intergovernmental
Arctic Council, and will continue and expand efforts to encourage Arctic
Nations to quickly ratify the Persistent Organic Pollutant Convention.
The twelve chemicals to be banned or phased out by the Convention
concentrate in the fish, wildlife, and peoples of the North. CCU will
also be working to bring a northern perspective and indigenous voices to
the debate over the impacts of global climate change.
For more information on the Circumpolar Conservation Union and its
programs, please contact:
Evelyn M. Hurwich
Executive Director of the Circumpolar Conservation Union (CCU)
1615 M Street NW, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202/429-7440
Fax: 202/429-7444
Email: circumpolar [at] igc.org