Native Movement Blog
Introducing Kawai Danner, Native Movement Arts + Action Fellow
My name is Kawai Danner and I am the Arts In Action Fellow! I’m so excited for this amazing opportunity with Native Movement and I can’t wait to share my journey with you along the way. I am writing from Utqiagvik, Alaska, my beautiful hometown. My native roots and upbringing have inspired the work I do today and the passion I have for healing & wellness.
It took me a long time to come out of my shell when it comes to art. I’ve always loved writing and journaling which was my way of expressing emotions and spilling my thoughts onto a page. I know how it feels to create a piece of art, unsure of others’ reaction or how it’s portrayed. Eventually, with the motivation from my family and the hopes of reaching out to and uplifting people, I embraced and invested in my creative side. My art process begins with a feeling which may arise from within myself or in response to my environment; this feeling translates to an idea which then makes its way onto the canvas. I sketch by hand and finalize the art piece digitally. I feel most creative when I’m meditating or when I’m simply taking time for myself. Art is powerful and can be used to inspire meaningful change.
Through this Fellowship, I hope to gain new skills and tactics in using art as the driving force in activism. My goal is to become equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to be able to run community art builds and to create spaces for native artists, activists, and community members to connect and have meaningful discussions. I’ll be learning new skills like screen-printing, stencils, messaging, the inner workings of arts organizing and much more!
Thank you | Mahalo nui loa | Quyanaqpak
-Kawai
Artist Bio:
Kawai Danner (she/her) is from the coastal village of Utqiaġvik, Alaska and the island of Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi; she is Iñupiaq, Native Hawaiian, and German. As a Portland State University student, she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science: Public Service and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. Through her work, Kawai strives to be a part of real, positive change that empowers indigenous communities while paving the way to a more sustainable future. Through her art, Kawai advocates for freedom of self-expression and aims to shed light on issues affecting native people, native land, and native rights. She is deeply passionate about mental health awareness, youth & community wellness, and cultural revitalization.
Instagram: @kawai.babyy
Buy Prints: https://ko-fi.com/kawaibaby
The Arts in Action Fellowship with Native Movement is a 3-month part-time position which provides hands-on experience working with our team. The goal of this Fellowship is to give space to be creative in a collaborative environment, build capacity in our communities for Arts in Action, and support BIPOC, and queer artists/creatives who are interested in expanding their skills around Arts organizing.
Public Testimony to Protect the Arctic Refuge
There's still time to give testimony at the BLM public hearings for the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on oil and gas development on the coastal planes of the Arctic Refuge. Today (Sep 15th) at 6PM and tomorrow at 1PM and 6PM.
Public Testimony by Nauri Toler
Native Movement Environmental Justice Community Organizer
Sept 14, 2021
I am Iñupiaq from Nuiqsut and Utqiagvik, I currently live in Eagle River on the homelands of the Dena’ina. Thank you for hosting these meetings. I'm glad to have an opportunity to look further into the impacts of development of oil and gas on the coastal plain.
First I want to highlight the difference between indigenous voices before and against this project. While it's not 100% true, my experience is that those that speak for the development stand to gain financially, and I'm not saying anything bad about that. But in contrast we who speak against development have a lot to lose. It's not measured in dollar amounts, but in culture, tradition, mental health etc. We speak about protecting our land for children and future generations, and those of the people we want to protect. Extractive development may provide a short-term financial gain, but with many immeasurable negative consequences. Our people have had so much taken from us within the last few generations, I feel it is owed to us to evaluate these kinds of projects with our health and wellness being the priority.
Consider things like violence against indigenous women and children increase with extracted development projects nearby. Consider impacts to mental health, sense of identity and how that may worsen with already significant problems with suicides within our communities, especially with our youth. Consider the cumulative impacts of our health and subsistence, our communities rely on subsistence not just for food but to practice together our traditions, to take pride in our way of life. This is important in this sensitive area where caribou calving happens.
Development not only creates reliance on financial income that will only last decades, it threatens subsistence practices we have relied on since time immemorial. It impacts our part of the world more so than other areas. I'm asking that our people, health, culture and traditions are given a priority after historically being an afterthought or considered a barrier.
We deserve justice and acknowledgment at some point. I am asking the BLM to lead in this an example of the powerful entity to be an ally to Indigenous people of Alaska and take our well-being as not just a consideration, but a priority in this evaluation. Thank you.
Willow Project Update: Wins for the Arctic!
“ Quyanaqpak (thank you so much) to those who support this work! It's starting to feel like we have some room to breath and focus on building the change we want to see. “ - Nauri Toller
Willow Project Update by Nauri Toller, Environmental Justice Organizer, Native Movement
If you haven't heard, we have some great news for our land protectors! There have been some major events in the Arctic Slope of Alaska regarding oil and gas development. First, in the western arctic near the village of Nuiqsut (also referred to as NPRA), a court ruling voided ConocoPhillps' permits on the Master Willow Project, essentially halting the project. This is great news as residents have voiced major concerns over subsistence impacts, industry accountability and environmental damage.
There are two options the industry has now, file an appeal to the ruling or redo the environmental assessment addressing the legal and policy violations. What seemed like a long-shot lawsuit to some has become a very exciting win! Other big news to celebrate is the denial for processing seismic testing applications in the Refuge (also called the Eastern Arctic or ANWR) by the Department of the Interior (DOI). As far as we know they will not process any applications until the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) has been completed.
Commenting period for this ends on October 4th with zoom-based meetings being held on September 14th, 15th and 16th. For more information on the meetings and how to submit comments, visit the following link: https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-announces-public-meetings-supplemental-EIS-coastal-plain.
photo by Keri Oberly
Lawsuit Debrief & Summary courtesy of Earthjustice:
The Willow Project poses threats to the Western Arctic—and far beyond.
The project called for using giant chillers to refreeze the Arctic permafrost, which is melting due to climate change, in order to stabilize the ground for fossil fuel drilling.
ConocoPhillips would have built 37 miles of new gravel roads, seven bridges, an airstrip, and a gravel mine on public lands.
The project’s construction and daily operation would have devastated local wildlife, like polar bears, migratory birds, and caribou. It also would have jeopardized the health and traditional practices of nearby Alaska Natives.
Over its lifetime, Willow would have accelerated the climate crisis by releasing enough greenhouse gas emissions to equal that of 66 coal-fired power plants.
The Biden administration can’t uphold its stated climate goals and keep defending the Willow Project.
Despite a major legal setback this spring when a court halted the project and sharply critiqued the government’s analysis, Biden’s Department of Justice bafflingly continued the Trump administration’s defense of this climate threat.
Though the Biden administration has promised historic progress on fighting climate change, its support of Trump-era fossil fuel projects like Willow severely undermines U.S. climate goals.
What happens next?
The Interior Department must now go back and conduct a thorough environmental assessment before making a new decision.
Urgent Action to Protect The Arctic
Ask your Senators to Vote “NO”
on the Murkowski Ammendment
Congress has a chance to act this week to protect the Arctic Refuge by using the budget reconciliation process to call for buying back Refuge oil and gas leases. Unsurprisingly, Senator Lisa Murkowksi, who put the Refuge in harm’s way in the first place by sneaking coastal plain oil and gas leases into the Tax Act four years ago, introduced an amendment removing the critical buy-back provision – ONE DAY after the International Panel on Climate Change report called for governments to end all new fossil fuel exploration and production. (Thanks to our friends at Northern Center for this Action Alert)
And this is where you come in. The Senate will vote on the Murkowski amendment in the coming days, and senators need to hear from their constituents. You may choose to share your story and values connecting you to the Arctic Refuge, or to keep your message short and simple. Either way, be very clear you are asking for a “No” vote on the Murkowski amendment.
photo by Emily Sullivan
Untangling Colonialism Public Training • August 5th @ 1PM
Untangling Colonialism – Building a Decolonizing Framework. A decolonizing practice requires recognition of the history of colonization and its current manifestations. This training briefly covers United States Federal Indian Policy carried out dominantly in the lower 48 and its expansion into Alaska policy and the implications on Alaska Native peoples. Additionally, participants will discuss how the history of environmental conservation has mirrored colonial world-views and what possible strategies we can further in order to decolonize conservation. This training delves into the spectrum of decolonizing strategies; from various personal, institutional, and systemic pathways forward.
Meet the Trainers
“As a nonprofit environmental law firm in Alaska, we work with many coalitions and represent diverse interests. Native Movement is a valued partner and the decolonization trainings they provide are essential. Our Board and staff have done at least one of the trainings and it is so helpful for unlearning dominant culture norms and becoming/being aware of unconscious bias. Learning and unlearning with Native Movement is always effective, but especially in our current political culture.” - Vicki Clark, Executive Director, Trustees for Alaska
"The decolonization training helped our group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers and community leaders get centered in the history of colonial relations and decolonial efforts in Alaska. It also helped us experience in a personal way what the impact of colonial processes was on tribes. Several members of our group incorporated aspects of the training into their work with Indigenous youth. I would recommend this training to anyone who is interested in partnering with Indigenous communities and organizations so that they can have a shared understanding of history and its affects on current day relationships." - Noor Johnson, Research Scientist, National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado Boulder
“Native Movement's decolonization workshop had a profound impact on the way I understand the shape of white supremacy and the conservation movement. It offered a powerful way forward toward building up communities and supporting each other on our path of healing and justice. Everyone needs to go…twice!” -Veri di Suvero, Anchorage community organizer
Indigenized THRIVE Booklet : Download
The THRIVE Agenda has taken many forms, but at heart it is a vision of a just future put to paper. In late 2020, it was brought to Congress as a resolution, and it will be proposed as a Bill this springtime. If it is passed by Congress, we would see massive changes in funding and investments, as well as climate adaptation and support to vulnerable communities.
It has been formed by the work of the Green New Deal Network, in community with hundreds of frontline grassroots organizations (including us!)
Is AIDEA for Alaskans?
SHARE YOUR CONCERNS DIRECTLY BY CALLING INTO THE AIDEA BOARD MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23RD AT 9:30AM AK.
TO CALL IN, DIAL 1 (888) 585-9008 AND ENTER CODE 212-753-619#. EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS TO PUBLICCOMMENT@AIDEA.ORG WITH A SUBJECT: RESOLUTION G21-18.
“Projecting two billion dollars in lease sales, that’s not going to happen and they know it from the beginning” said a Kaktovik resident on February 5th, 2019 in a meeting on the lease sales for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Specifically the 1002 area where Kaktovik village is located.
He was right, the lease sales held on January 6th, 2021 brought in less than 1% of that estimate. An inflated estimate was given to gain support for lease sales asserting that it would bring in money for Alaskans. Instead, about $12 million of the $14.4 million dollars that was spent on the leases came from Alaska’s own public corporation Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA).
I am Inupiaq and among the indigenous voices in opposition to AIDEA’s bids on the lease sales in the Refuge, which I urge them to relinquish. In a meeting the board held on January 13, 2021 AIDEA made the claim that the Kaktovik community was in support of development in the 1002 area. Clearly they didn’t read through the publicly available transcripts, the majority of residents had deep concerns or were outright opposed.
“I just want to be on the record saying that I oppose oil development, and I’d rather have it saved for our children’s future” said another Kaktovik resident. Yet another comment criticized the process itself saying “I want to go on the record saying that I think this was fast-tracked too fast, that it wasn’t given enough time for the EIS (environmental impact statement) to come out. Normally these things take more than three months”.
Instead, AIDEA points to representatives of corporations and groups that will have direct financial gain from oil and gas development in ANWR. Corporations like Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation (KIC). While these corporations are vital to have in the conversation, they don’t necessarily represent resident views. KIC has pushed for development in ANWR despite the major concerns and objections from Kaktovik community members.
AIDEA turns a blind eye to these concerns though, which isn’t a surprise considering their history of ignoring public opinions. A great example is the Ambler road project which local communities had significant concerns with. AIDEA denied the blood bank a $2.5 million dollar loan and at the same time approved $35 million for the Ambler road project in 2020.
AIDEA has had many bad investments and showcase a culture of bad practices. For example the Mustang project, on the north slope of Alaska, lost $70 million dollars. They are also being investigated for poor treatment of employees and a toxic work environment. Public transparency is a weak spot for them, AIDEA has abused their use of executive sessions with about 68% of their 2020 board meetings being held in private executive sessions.
How about conflict of interest? Chair J. Dana Pruhs businesses received over ninety thousand dollars of CARES Act grants and Vice Chair Bernie Karl received a hundred thousand dollars for his business. The Chair and Vice Chair terms expire on June 30th, is it possible we will see a much needed change within AIDEA’s board?
Now AIDEA is proposing to spend $1.5 million dollars towards a proposal for seismic testing. After significant public opposition, little industry interest in the lease sales and the Secretary of the Interior identifying significant legal problems with this Coastal Plain program, AIDEA is stubbornly pushing forward.
I ask that AIDEA listen to Alaskans, stop this seismic proposal, and drop the leases they currently hold in the Refuge.
Share your concerns directly by calling into the AIDEA board meeting on Wednesday, June 23rd at 9:30AM AK.
To call in, dial 1 (888) 585-9008 and enter code 212-753-619#. EMAIL your comments to publiccomment@aidea.org with a subject: Resolution G21-18.
Talking Points from Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition >> https://docs.google.com/.../1P6SWGOY07arnq9okRvcRfli.../edit
Arts in Action Fellowship
Are you interested in using your creative superpowers to support the issues that matter to you and building your skills in Arts organizing?
Deadline extended to July 16!
The Arts in Action Fellowship with Native Movement is a 3-month part-time position which will give you hands-on experience working with our team. The goal of this Fellowship is to give you space to be creative in a collaborative environment, build capacity in our communities for Arts in Action, and support BIPOC, and queer artists/creatives who are interested in expanding their skills around Arts organizing.
While tangibles and skills-building will depend greatly on the individual Fellow and their experience and interests, goals of the Arts in Action Fellowship include:
● Building hard skills around messaging, screenprinting, lino printing, banner making, how to run an art build, etc.
● Deepening understanding of the issues and Programs that Native Movement works on
● Deepening understanding of political art, artistic activism and arts organizing
The ideal candidate for this Fellowship will be able to work independently, and depending on location, remotely. They will also be able to work collaboratively within our team and demonstrate a passion for using their creativity in creating positive change. Some experience of community organizing would be beneficial but is not a requirement, though a demonstrated desire to engage on environmental and social issues is a must.
Alaska's Time To THRIVE: Fireside Chats
Additionally, you can take the survey linked below to share your insights so we can incorporate your feedback into the Alaskanized THRIVE zine and beyond.
Note: if you need to fill the survey out in more than one sitting, SUBMIT the survey and come back to edit your submission later to avoid losing your progress. It will not save if you close the window or close your laptop. Secondly, none of the questions are required, so please spend your time where it feels generative and don’t feel forced to wrestle with this survey! We are grateful for ANY and ALL forms of feedback.
Confirm Deb Haaland for Secretary of Interior
If confirmed, U.S. Representative Deb Haaland of New Mexico will become the first Indigenous person to serve as Secretary of the Interior. Her historic nomination by President Biden demonstrates the Administration’s bold plan to address the climate crisis and commitments to Environmental Justice.
Senator Murkowski stated only a few weeks ago that she would not would not support a confirmation vote to fill the current Supreme Court vacancy before the November 3rd election.
Senator Sullivan should join Senator Murkowski to oppose this rushed Supreme Court confirmation before the election. Alaskans need our Senators to stand by their word and principles: vote No on confirming Judge Barrett to the United States Supreme Court.
In the midst of the third-spike of the global Pandemic of Covid-19, now is not the time to be deliberating on this nomination, while the people of Alaska are calling for relief. Covid is increasing the impacts on Alaskans health and our health care systems. Our labor force and job security is stressed. And Alaskan families are struggling with homeschool and childcare needs. Add to this the fact that we are in the middle of a critical election season. Senator Sullivan and Senator Murkwoski must honor their own past promises and oppose the rushed process to confirm a new Supreme Court judge.
What does it mean for you? Judges nominated to the Supreme Court serve for the remainder of their lives, therefore their appointments must be a deliberate and fair process that guarantees the best interests of the people. The decisions of the supreme court impact the the most critical issues of our time including the mechanics of our democracy, our responses to climate change, and legal amendments for LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and so much more.
Check out these recent Op-Eds for more:
Sullivan should stand up for principal, stand down on Barrett Nomination.
Written by Native Peoples Action board member Heather Kendall-Miller.
With our futures on the line, Supreme Court nomination process must not be rushed.
Co-authored by Native Movement Executive Director Enei Begaye, Native Peoples Action Executive Director Kendra Kloster, The Alaska Center executive director Polly Carr, Natalie Dawson, Jessica Girard, Meredith Trainor and Pamela Miller.
Indigenous Peoples Day 2020
CelebratE and Rally for Representation + Participation on Indigenous Peoples Day
• Monday, October 12 @ 12:00 AK •
Join us Live on Facebook
or Register for the Zoom Webinar
We are joining with Defend the Sacred AK in co-hosting a 90-minute virtual celebration and rally for Indigneous Peoples Day, Monday, October 12 @ 12:00PM AK. Featuring Special Musical Performances by
Mark Brown
Nanieezh Peter
Portugal. The Man
Torin Jacobs
Words and Discussions with Indigenous Protectors from across Alaska on topics of
Land, Water, Food Justice
Gender Justice & Healing
Police Brutality & Systemic Racism
EMCEEs Naaweiyaa Tagaban
& Ruth Miller
and guest appearance by Dakota & Dine Activist/Comedian
Dallas Goldtooth
#ClimateJusticeNow #GetOutTheNativeVote #ProtectTheArctic #Decolonize
#IndigenousPeoplesDay
The system isn't broken. It's rotten.
Breonna Taylor was murdered by Police. Six long, lingering months later, after repeated attempts by the police state to manipulate and corrupt the evidence, the Kentucky Grand Jury failed to confirm what the rest of the world has already witnessed. Justice has been struck down once again.
Carl Takei, senior staff attorney with the ACLU's Criminal Law Reform Project, said in a statement Wednesday that the grand jury's "decision further highlights what was already obvious: To change these systems that routinely perpetuate egregious acts of violence against Black lives, elected officials must listen to the cries of those communities and make sweeping changes—including divestment from these broken institutions and reinvesting in non-police alternatives—so that Black people no longer fear being murdered in their own home."
"Today's charging decision," said Takei, "is the manifestation of what the millions of people who have taken to the streets to protest police violence already know: Modern policing and our criminal legal system are rotten to the core."
On the same day as the Kentucky Supreme Court decision, Donald Trump signed an Executive Order that bans critical trainings on power, privilege and oppression for Federal and Military contractors. The executive order, which Trump said was meant to “to combat offensive and anti-American race and sex stereotyping and scapegoating,” bars contractors from conducting training that “teaches, advocates, or promotes divisive concepts” such as unconscious bias and systemic racism. This action from the top office of the United States government is an affirmation of the rampant authoritarianism and white supremacy that is rotting at the foundation of our history and “Americanism”.
Our pain for Breonna Taylor, her family, and her community, is a visceral reminder that colonial justice systems were never meant to work for us. They were built this way. Native Movement raises our fists in outrage as we stand side by side with our Black relatives in the movement for Black lives, in the movement for liberation.
Native Movement calls on our community and our allies: raise your voices to decry the continued injustices built on racist systems. Dig deep with us to highlight the rotting foundations of the justice system. We believe it is critical for each of us to analyze our participation in white supremacy culture, personally and professionally; this is one step in which we can begin to dismantle systemic oppression. Another step toward stripping rotten systems is by supporting Black, Indigenous, and people of color grassroots leadership. Grassroots leadership rooted in responsibility to community and utilizing strategies grounded in an Indigenized worldview, in decolonizing frameworks, and in anti-racist actions is a powerful path forward.
While our anger escalates and our frustration mounts, we know that we stand with millions of people across the country who are organizing in their communities -- Don’t stop. Do your work to understand the impacts of the power and privilege structures of colonialism, racism, patriarchy, and capitalism. And to our Black, Indigenous, and people of color relatives in particular: we must take moments of reprieve and rest.
Our Joy is Resistance as well. All of us must engage daily in healing practices, this is essential to the longevity of our march toward Liberation. We were meant to be here, at this time, in this place, for a purpose; fists in the air and songs from our hearts, we are marching forward in solidarity for for Black lives, for Justice, for Liberation.
#JusticeForBreonnaTaylor #BlackLivesMatter #Solidarity
banner image is a mural in Oakland, CA by The People's Conservatory Collective
MMIWG2S Alaska 5K: Run for Healing, Run for Justice
Artwork by Sarah Whalen-Lunn
We invite you to participate and honor our AK MMIWG2S (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Womxn and Girls/Two Spirit) through healthy healing.
MMIWG Alaska Run for Healing, Run for Justice is a virtual 5K run, walk, or other physical activity dedicated to honoring missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and relatives. This is a free virtual 5K run open to all. The 5K is meant to raise awareness and provide a healthy healing activity for our community to join.
While this is not a race or competition, you can share your participation into the Facebook event and you will be entered into a drawing for a swag bag!
Register and participate from any location!
Once registered you’ll receive your registration packet through email from the organizing team before the event. Share your participation for a drawing! Details are in the packet that you will receive.
>> Here are ways that you can participate!
1. Mark yourself ‘GOING’ in our Facebook Event!
2. Choose your activity! We invite all active participation! You can walk, roll, skate, ski, climb, or even row! The idea is to be active in any way that is healthy for you!
3. Choose your route and distance! Whether it's 2 blocks, 5k, up a mountain, or around your village, we invite you to do what feels best for you! If you’d like to mark your route using GPS check out Android/iOS options here: https://www.tomsguide.com/round-up/best-running-apps
>> Check out the schedule of Facebook events with daily videos from our organizing team!
October 5th - Welcome from our team!
October 6th - Healing with Rochelle Adams, NPA CF
October 7th - Justice with Charlene Aqpik Apok, NM & DIJ
October 8th - Future Generations with Maritza Nuglene-Gomez , NM
October 9th - Healthy Families with Kelsey Wallace, NPA CF
October 10th - Closing and Drawing!
>> Make it yours!
Print the BIB! Check out the webpage for the BIB to print: https://aknativevision.files.wordpress.com/.../mmiwg2s...
If you’d like to do your ‘5K’ in honor of someone special add their names on your bib. Dress up! Wear red, or fun clothes to commemorate. Go as a team! Practice safe distancing and COVID precautions if going as a group.
>> Share the love!
Take a video or picture of your participation and share in the Facebook event! Each person who shares in the FB event will be entered into a final drawing of swag!
Share: your name, location/whose land you are on, your activity, and why you chose to participate!
#MMIWG #MMIWGAK #MMIWG2S #RunningForJustice #SayTheirNames
This event is cohosted by MMIWG Alaska: Native Peoples Action Community Fund, Native Movement, and Data for Indigenous Justice.
Why Is Bank of America Still Open to Funding the Destruction of Our Homelands in the Arctic?
We stand together, the Iñupiat and the Gwich’in, in calling on Bank of America to listen to Indigenous people, protect our homelands, and stay out of the Arctic Refuge. Continue reading at CommonDreams.Org >>
Original Press Release Below:
All Eyes Are on Bank of America to Rule out Support for Arctic Drilling
By Bernadette Demientieff and Siqiñiq Maupin
Bank of America’s customers may have noticed that recently the bank has been standing out from the rest of its peers. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been in a good way. Right now, Bank of America is the only major American bank that has not yet ruled out funding for destructive drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Over the last year, every other major American bank -- Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Chase, Citi, and Morgan Stanley -- have joined more than two dozen financial institutions worldwide in updating their lending policies to exclude funding for new drilling in the Arctic, including the Arctic Refuge. Indigenous human rights are being upheld in these new policies and pave the way towards a just transition into a sustainable economy.
For thousands of years, the coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge has sustained life for the Porcupine Caribou Herd, and other relatives on and off the land, that sustain the food security and ways of life of the Iñupiat and Gwich'in people as well as other Alaska Native Tribes. Any disruption of this area would pose an existential threat to not just food security, but our identity as Iñupiat and Gwich'in People. Drilling in the Arctic Refuge would also pose an increased public health threat to communities on Alaska’s North Slope that already experience severe health disparities directly tied to the oil production surrounding their community.
Drilling in the Arctic Refuge violates Indigenous rights, and is a threat to the bottom line of any bank that funds this destructive activity. As the world increasingly recognizes the urgent need to move away from polluting fossil fuels, investments in expensive new drilling projects are growing riskier. By ruling out support for Arctic drilling, banks have recognized that investing in a project that would threaten human rights and worsen the climate crisis is a risk that’s not worth taking.
Pro-drilling politicians that have long sought to sell off the coastal plain for drilling have predictably pushed back on this growing trend, even going so far as to point to support from corporations like Arctic Slope Regional Corporation to claim that Alaska Native people support drilling, or that the Gwich’in are alone in their opposition to drilling while the Iñupiat people or members of other Tribes support it. This week, we had the opportunity to meet with Bank of America executives to correct the record and explain that these claims couldn’t be further from the truth.
We let them know that both Gwich’in and Iñupiat Peoples have made official resolutions to protect the Arctic Refuge, and that Alaska Native corporations are just that: corporations. They are not accountable to Tribal members, and they do not speak for us. Neither does Alaska’s Congressional delegation, whose push for drilling and disingenuous claims that the destruction of the Arctic Refuge would help Native communities have made it clear that they care more about corporate profits than our health or human rights.
We know that we can’t count on these politicians to do the right thing to defend our land and our communities, and the Trump administration is pushing ahead to try to sell off the coastal plain for drilling by the end of the year. That’s why it’s more important than ever that financial institutions like Bank of America recognize the role they play in helping destroy this sacred place or keeping it intact.
As a growing number of major banks are making the right decision, all eyes are on Bank of America to see whether they will follow their peers or continue to stand out in their disregard for the rights of Alaska’s Indigenous people. We stand together, the Iñupiat and the Gwich’in, in calling on Bank of America to listen to Indigenous people, protect our homelands, and stay out of the Arctic Refuge.
Bernadette Demientieff is the Executive Director of the Gwich’in Steering Committee. Siqiñiq Maupin is a co-founder/Director of Sovereign Iñupiat for a Living Arctic.