11/14/24

...and we are in this together

People sit at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory sponsor table and attend Night for the North on Nov. 9 in Fairbanks. Photo by Ness Stevens

Last week's election presents new challenges to the work we do and I know many of us are exhausted and hurting. But we are going to continue supporting one another, standing alongside Indigenous leaders and community activists, with a promise to keep moving forward together. This week's E-newsletter has updates and news to help you unwind, take action, and recharge.

- Emily Mesner (mesner@northern.org)

  Communications Coordinator

A sample of the online auction items available to bid on until Nov. 15.

Thank you to everyone who attended Night for the North this past weekend! It was immensely uplifting and served as a great reminder of the support we have from our community.

There's still time to bid on some bonus auction items through our online portal using the button below. Proceeds from this auction will go towards Camp Habitat and other Northern Center youth engagement opportunities like internships and Adventure Borealis youth programming. Thank you for your support and for helping make our annual event so memorable.

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources has opened another scoping process as they revise the reservation of water regulations across the state. 

Currently, there are no requirements for industry to retain enough water in lakes and streams to support salmon. Water reservations–which protect stream flow or a lake’s water level–are one of the few safeguards for Alaska waters and the salmon who depend on them. But the water reservation process requires extensive data collection and applicants often wait years for decisions. It’s much easier for industry to get water use permits, which don’t require data or any proof that their activities will not impair salmon or aquatic habitat. 

Our friends at Cook Inletkeeper have more information on why this process is biased against those who want to protect salmon and waterways, and have talking points to help inform your comments.

The comment period is open until 5 p.m. on Nov. 29. Comments can be submitted via email to dnr.water.regulation@alaska.gov or through DNR’s online comment portal.

Local communities have spoken: the Ambler industrial mining road threatens Alaska’s land, culture, and wildlife. Yet, Senator Dan Sullivan is still siding with foreign mining interests by sneaking an amendment into national legislation to move the Ambler Road forward. Urge Congress to reject his harmful provision by signing this petition from Tanana Chiefs Conference.

We'd like to give a big, warm thank you to Kasey Keogh for her dedication to the Northern Center board of directors over these past two years. She served as secretary and brought a bright and reliable presence. We miss her already. We wish her all the best with her growing family and send deep gratitude for her time and efforts.

Blueberries are gathered in Karlin Itchoak's Sámi kuksa, a traditional drinking cup. Photo by Emily Sullivan

The search for a taste of home in a new place

After writer Laureli Ivanoff moved from rural to urban Alaska, she hunted for the blueberries that nourish her family, body, and spirit. She writes, "Though I can simply purchase frozen berries from the Costco just more than a mile away, there’s something comforting and good in physically, tangibly providing food for your family. There’s something that’s set right in my soul, my nervous system, somewhere so deep it’s spiritual, from taking nourishment that’s offered from the land, clean and wild."

Nome woman finds business success with a modern take on a traditional garment

Naataq Gear owner Alice Bioff attended the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Anchorage last month where she sold her beautifully crafted and modernized atikluks and kuspuks. Read more in this Anchorage Daily News article, written by Zachariah Hughes. 

Watching over a fragile desert from the skies

From Humberto Basilio for Inside Climate News: A group of scientists looking for new ways to conduct studies that don’t harm the deserts of South America turned to motorized paragliding.

• Check out this opinion piece by Alexander Lee for the Anchorage Daily News highlighting why the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority shouldn’t be buying Arctic oil leases.
• The Alaska Center is hiring for two new positions on their Advocacy Team. Read more about the positions and requirements below.
  • Federal Infrastructure Coordinator - AKC seeks an individual knowledgeable about the federal funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act who is experienced in connecting federal programs/funding opportunities with communities, entities, and individuals who are eligible to receive funds. The goal of this position is to secure and guarantee equitable spending of as much federal funding for Alaskans as possible by serving as a connector, educator, and resource for communities across the state.
  • Partnerships Coordinator - AKC seeks an energetic community connector to help strengthen and build our ecosystem of environment, labor union, and community partners to advance our vision of a Just Transition for Alaska. This position will act as The Alaska Center’s lead in key climate and clean energy coalition spaces and will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with partner organizations by attending, scheduling, and facilitating coalition meetings, and identifying and bringing in key partners and stakeholder groups into our climate and clean energy campaigns.
• Thank you to all of our Night for the North sponsors: Aurora Animal Hospital, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Friends of Creamer’s Field, Arctic Audubon, Sierra Club Alaska Chapter, Enlaces Alaska, and Alaska Wilderness League!

MISSION

The Northern Alaska Environmental Center promotes conservation of the environment and sustainable resource stewardship in Interior and Arctic Alaska through education and advocacy.

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