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  • A Mauritanian makes his way on one of the few isolated roads in a country primarily made up of low-lying desert. During the recurrent droughts of the 1970s and 80s, many nomads were forced into the urban capital of Nouakchott. Now nearly half the population resides there. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    MT114.jpg
  • Roads through Lindytown, West Virginia have been nearly silent since residents moved away in 2008, when a nearby mine was created. Lindytown was once home to dozens of families, many with roots dating back generations. Today, only one original family remains: Quinnie Richmond and her son, Roger. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_8247.jpg
  • A child works on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road.(Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0367.jpg
  • A man works on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road.(Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0066.jpg
  • A child works on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road.(Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0342.jpg
  • A child works on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road.(Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0333A.jpg
  • A child works on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road.(Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0289.jpg
  • Children and adults together work on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road that the Maoists promise to bring in defiance to the central government who they say had been promising for decades. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0371.jpg
  • Children and adults together work on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road that the Maoists promise to bring in defiance to the central government who they say had been promising for decades. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0331.jpg
  • Children and adults together work on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road that the Maoists promise to bring in defiance to the central government who they say had been promising for decades. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0326.jpg
  • Children and adults together work on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road that the Maoists promise to bring in defiance to the central government who they say had been promising for decades. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0323.jpg
  • Children and adults together work on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road that the Maoists promise to bring in defiance to the central government who they say had been promising for decades. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0319.jpg
  • Children and adults together work on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road that the Maoists promise to bring in defiance to the central government who they say had been promising for decades. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0315.jpg
  • Children and adults together work on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road that the Maoists promise to bring in defiance to the central government who they say had been promising for decades. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0310.jpg
  • Children and adults together work on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road that the Maoists promise to bring in defiance to the central government who they say had been promising for decades. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0309.jpg
  • Children and adults together work on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road that the Maoists promise to bring in defiance to the central government who they say had been promising for decades. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0306.jpg
  • Children and adults together work on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road that the Maoists promise to bring in defiance to the central government who they say had been promising for decades. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0196.jpg
  • Children and adults together work on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road that the Maoists promise to bring in defiance to the central government who they say had been promising for decades. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0192.jpg
  • Children and adults together work on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road that the Maoists promise to bring in defiance to the central government who they say had been promising for decades. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0160.jpg
  • Children and adults together work on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road that the Maoists promise to bring in defiance to the central government who they say had been promising for decades. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0145m.jpg
  • Children and adults together work on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road that the Maoists promise to bring in defiance to the central government who they say had been promising for decades. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0101.jpg
  • Children and adults together work on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road that the Maoists promise to bring in defiance to the central government who they say had been promising for decades. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0081c.jpg
  • Children and adults together work on the road from Rolpa to Thabang in western Nepal, Nepal March 14, 2005. Nearly every citizen living in the Maoist controlled area must work for 15 days straight, manually digging through the mountaineous region to construct the road that the Maoists promise to bring in defiance to the central government who they say had been promising for decades. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0062.jpg
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species and is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area.
    NCM3014_1309200937.TIF
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species and is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309200634.TIF
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species and is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309200629.TIF
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species and is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309200609.TIF
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species and is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309200607.TIF
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species and is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area.
    NCM3014_1309201002.TIF
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species and is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area.
    NCM3014_1309200952.TIF
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species. Yet Lewa’s mission is not only to protect wildlife, but to act as a catalyst for conservation across northern Kenya and beyond.   Lewa is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area.<br />
Lewa’s  bloodhounds have helped to drastically reduce crime in the area.(Photo by Ami Vitale)
    KEN_3348.JPG
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species. Yet Lewa’s mission is not only to protect wildlife, but to act as a catalyst for conservation across northern Kenya and beyond.   Lewa is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area.<br />
Lewa’s  bloodhounds have helped to drastically reduce crime in the area.(Photo by Ami Vitale)
    KEN_3328.JPG
  • The road from Bamiya to Kabul, Afghanistan August 2, 2002.  (Photo  by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0028.jpg
  • The road from Bamiya to Kabul, Afghanistan August 2, 2002.  (Photo  by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0026-2.jpg
  • The road from Bamiya to Kabul, Afghanistan August 2, 2002.  (Photo  by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0001-4.jpg
  • Just down the road from Lindytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook visits the now-vandalized building that once served as the meeting hall for members of Local 8377 of the United Mine Workers of America. Back when the building was in use, Cook sometimes polished its wooden floors. Mountaintop-removal mines are now abundant in the area. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_8493.jpg
  • Just down the road from Lindytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook visits the now-vandalized building that once served as the meeting hall for members of Local 8377 of the United Mine Workers of America. Back when the building was in use, Cook sometimes polished its wooden floors. Mountaintop-removal mines are now abundant in the area. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_8478.jpg
  • Just down the road from Lindytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook looks out a window of the now-vandalized building that once served as the meeting hall for members of Local 8377 of the United Mine Workers of America. Back when the building was in use, Cook sometimes polished its wooden floors. Mountaintop-removal mines are now abundant in the area. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7952.jpg
  • Just down the road from Lindytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook looks out a window of the now-vandalized building that once served as the meeting hall for members of Local 8377 of the United Mine Workers of America. Back when the building was in use, Cook sometimes polished its wooden floors. Mountaintop-removal mines are now abundant in the area. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7948.jpg
  • Just down the road from Lindytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook stands in the doorway of the now-vandalized building that once served as the meeting hall for members of Local 8377 of the United Mine Workers of America. Back when the building was in use, Cook sometimes polished its wooden floors. Mountaintop-removal mines are now abundant in the area. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7933.jpg
  • Just down the road from Lindytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook stands in the doorway of the now-vandalized building that once served as the meeting hall for members of Local 8377 of the United Mine Workers of America. Back when the building was in use, Cook sometimes polished its wooden floors. Mountaintop-removal mines are now abundant in the area. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7917.jpg
  • Mike Palmer, left and Richard Jeo, right take out a hook as Brendan Felix Head, 14, watches  as the Dene First Nation youth  paddle on the waters of the Thelon river August, 2011.  The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections.(Photo by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_2954.TIFF
  • Mike Palmer, left and Richard Jeo, right take out a hook as Brendan Felix Head, 14, watches  as the Dene First Nation youth  paddle on the waters of the Thelon river August, 2011.  The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections.(Photo by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_2949.TIF
  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_8874.TIF
  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_8871.TIF
  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_8758.TIFF
  • First Nation Dene youth gather  during a spiritual gethering in Reliance after a group returns on a canoe trip from the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_8687.TIFF
  • First Nation Dene youth gather  during a spiritual gethering in Reliance after a group returns on a canoe trip from the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_8679.TIFF
  • First Nation Dene youth gather  during a spiritual gethering in Reliance after a group returns on a canoe trip from the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_8652.TIFF
  • First Nation Dene youth gather  during a spiritual gethering in Reliance after a group returns on a canoe trip from the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_8614.TIFF
  • First Nation Dene youth gather  during a spiritual gethering in Reliance after a group returns on a canoe trip from the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_8544.TIFF
  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_8502.TIFF
  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_8491.TIFF
  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_8490.TIFF
  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_8488.TIFF
  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_8486.TIFF
  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_8472.TIF
  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Brendan Felix Head, 14, relaxes after cutting wood for a campsite as First Nation Dene youth finish their trip from the Upper Thelon River, where their ancestors believe is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Brendan Felix Head, 14, relaxes after cutting wood for a campsite as First Nation Dene youth finish their trip from the Upper Thelon River, where their ancestors believe is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Brendan Felix Head, 14, cuts wood for a campsite as First Nation Dene youth finish their trip from the Upper Thelon River, where their ancestors believe is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Brendan Felix Head, 14, cuts wood for a campsite as First Nation Dene youth finish their trip from the Upper Thelon River, where their ancestors believe is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Dene First Nation Youth Damian Kailek, left,  and Brendan Felix Head, eat the last scraps of food on the final day of a journey  to the Upper Thelon River, where their ancestors believe is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Den First Nation youth eat dinner on the edge of  the Thelon river in August, 2011.  The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections.(Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Dene First Nation youth paddle through the Thelon Sanctuary  in August, 2011.  The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections.(Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Brendan Felix Head, 14, plays at a campsite in the Thelon, the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Hawke Ellis Williams, 4, plays at a campsite in the Thelon, the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Sanjayan Muttulingam, left and Tristen Jade Lockhart, 14 relax at a campsite in the Thelon, the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Miles Catholoque, 14, fishes on his canoe along the Thelon, the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • James Catholique looks for wildlife in The Thelon, the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Brendan Felix Head, 14, prepares to de-feather a duck in The Thelon, the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Dene First Nation Youth take a break from canoing on their trip to the Upper Thelon River, where their ancestors believe is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Dene First Nation youth watch the last float plane leave before they begin to their journey along the Thelon, the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Dene First Nation youth play in the sub arctic waters of the Thelon river August, 2011.  The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections.(Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Scientist Richard Jeo looks for a camp in the Thelon Sanctuary  in August, 2011.  The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections.(Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Mike Palmer, left and Richard Jeo, right take out a hook as Brendan Felix Head, 14, watches  as the Dene First Nation youth  paddle on the waters of the Thelon river August, 2011.  The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections.(Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Sanjayan Muttulingam paddles in the sub arctic waters of the Thelon river August, 2011.  The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections.(Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species and is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species. Yet Lewa’s mission is not only to protect wildlife, but to act as a catalyst for conservation across northern Kenya and beyond.   Lewa is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area.<br />
Lewa’s  bloodhounds have helped to drastically reduce crime in the area.(Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • The road from Bamiya to Kabul, Afghanistan August 2, 2002.  (Photo  by Ami Vitale)
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  • The road from Bamiya to Kabul, Afghanistan August 2, 2002.  (Photo  by Ami Vitale)
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  • BAMIYAN,AFGHANISTAN-July 31,2002: Afghans from the Bamiyan district herd their livestock along a road past the site of ancient Buddha statues that were destroyed by Taliban in 2001. (photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • BAMIYAN,AFGHANISTAN-July 31,2002: Afghans from the Bamiyan district herd their livestock along a road past the site of ancient Buddha statues that were destroyed by Taliban in 2001. (photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • BAMIYAN,AFGHANISTAN-July 31,2002: Afghans from the Bamiyan district herd their livestock along a road past the site of ancient Buddha statues that were destroyed by Taliban in 2001. (photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Just down the road from Lindytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook looks out a window of the now-vandalized building that once served as the meeting hall for members of Local 8377 of the United Mine Workers of America. Back when the building was in use, Cook sometimes polished its wooden floors. Mountaintop-removal mines are now abundant in the area. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
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  • Just down the road from Lindytown, West Virginia, Leo Cook visits the now-vandalized building that once served as the meeting hall for members of Local 8377 of the United Mine Workers of America. Back when the building was in use, Cook sometimes polished its wooden floors. Mountaintop-removal mines are now abundant in the area. Mountaintop Removal is a method of surface mining that literally removes the tops of mountains to get to the coal seams beneath. It is the most profitable mining technique available because it is performed quickly, cheaply and comes with hefty economic benefits for the mining companies, most of which are located out of state. Many argue that they have brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but others say they have only demolished an estimated 1.4 million acres of forested hills, buried an estimated 2,000 miles of streams, poisoned drinking water, and wiped whole towns from the map. The mountaintop-removal mine near Blair caused the population to fall from 700 in the 1990s to fewer than 50 today, according to the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance. "I saw Lindytown disappear," Leo Cook said. "Three people up there that died, and I believe in my soul -- I'll go to my grave believin' this?that aggravation's what caused it." © Ami Vitale
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  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • First Nation Dene youth beat drums near a fire during a spiritual gethering in Reliance after a group returns on a canoe trip from the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • The Thelon is the largest and most remote game sanctuary in North America, which almost no one has heard of.  For the Akaitcho Dene, the Upper Thelon River is "the place where God began."  Sparsely populated, today few make it into the Thelon. Distances are simply too far, modern vehicles too expensive and unreliable. For the Dene youth, faced with the pressures of a western world, the ties that bind the people and their way of life to the land are even more tenuous. Every impending mine, road, and dam construction threatens to sever these connections. In July and August, 2011 a group of youth paddled to their ancestral hunting ground and spiritual abode.  this next generation of young leaders will be the ones who will need to speak for the Thelon the loudest. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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