Mahsi' choo, Quyana, Tsin'an, Enaa Basee',
Anaá Maseé, Gunalchéesh, Quyanapak! 

THANK YOU for taking action. Do you want to be more involved? Follow us on social media, join us at any of our public events and check out our resource pages and community education opportunities on our website! ​

BLM PUBLIC HEARING ANCHORAGE
October 16th • Pre-Hearing Gathering • 4:00PM - 5:00PM
Wilda Marston Theater at Z.J. Loussac Library, 3600 Denali St, Anchorage, AK

Come gather with us to prepare for the public hearing and get an update on proposed oil and gas drilling in the Arctic Refuge (ANWR). We will have information ready to prepare you for commenting at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public hearing and ANILCA 810 hearing. Free Food, Snacks, and Drinks!

Indigenous Rights - Food Security

The area known as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge – the Arctic Refuge – is the homelands of the Gwich’in and Iñupiaq peoples. For thousands of years Gwich’in and Iñupiaq peoples have maintained strong relationships with the plants, animals, lands, and waters of this area.

The coastal plain is commonly known as a sacred place: the birthing grounds of the Porcupine Caribou herd.

The Porcupine Caribou herd migrates from the coastal plain of Alaska through the Brooks Range and throughout Gwich'in homelands in both the US and Canada.

The harvesting of the Porcupine Caribou herd is critical for the well-being and food security of the Indigenous peoples and local communities of these areas.

The Porcupine Caribou herd provides food for many families throughout Alaska via traditional trade practices. The need for this trade is becoming even more evident as other vital food sources across the state are being depleted.

It is important, now more than ever, to protect the remaining healthy food sources we have left and to honor these relationships that have been held for thousands of years.

9.25.2023 UPDATE

The Federal Government is currently holding public hearings regarding the supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on proposed Oil & Gas Lease Sales

The impacts of drilling in the Arctic Refuge are a Human Rights issue; it would significantly impact Gwich’in and Iñupiaq Way of Life.

Drilling for oil and gas in the Coastal Plain (1002 area) of the Arctic Refuge would disrupt and terrorize the birthing grounds of the Porcupine Caribou Herd, an essential part of both Indigenous nations’ way of life.

Current Threat to the Arctic Refuge

In late 2017 Congress passed a law requiring the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to hold oil and gas lease sales in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Arctic Refuge). The second of these lease sales must be held by the end of 2024. BLM recently released a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) analyzing the impacts of the leasing program and seeking comments from the public.

Read the Draft SEIS & learn about comment sessions here: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2015144/570

SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARINGS

October 6, 2023 at 9am AK: Virtual Public Meeting #2 Registration Link 

October 9, 2023 at 12pm AK: Fort Yukon in-person location TBA. Public Meeting & ANILCA 810 Hearing

October 11, 2023 at 5pm AK: Virtual Public Meeting #3  Registration Link

October 17, 2023 at 1pm AK: Virtual Public Meeting #4 Registration Link

Help us reach 10,000 pledges to Defend the Sacred and Protect the Arctic. Our regional organizers at Native Movement will keep you updated to federal, state, and community action opportunities, as well as links to local events and resources to dive deeper into organizing and educating for environmental justice.