Yukon-Kuskokwim Environmental Justice Summit: Published Summit Proceedings
By Northwest Environmental Justice Center Team
Artwork by Wren Holzinger
In September, our Alaska partners, Rural Community Assistance Corporation, hosted an Environmental Justice Summit in Bethel, Alaska for leaders from up and down the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The goal was to listen directly to Native Peoples about injustice and unfair treatment in the region and develop action plans to address these EJ concerns. The published proceedings acknowledges and documents the environmental justice challenges and solutions in Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and, at the request of participants, shares what the YK Delta is experiencing to a wider audience.
The scale and breadth of environmental issues in rural Alaska are staggering, yet leaders across the YK Delta have a strong understanding of what types of resources and investments are needed to meaningfully address them. Some of the key themes that emerged were, but not limited to:
“We, as Indigenous people of this land need to respect and care for the land, air, & waters which bless us with the nourishment of our whole being.”
- Augusta Edmund, Alakanuk IGAP Director
Subsistence rights: Overregulation by state and federal agencies are limiting Tribes’ access to hunting, fishing, and gathering that is needed to survive culturally and practically in one of the most expensive regions of the United States.
Education and training: A call for more opportunities for youth to earn good paying jobs, ability to communicate across agencies, and a strong understanding of Tribal Sovereignty and treaty rights.
“Very good to see Environmental Justice again. EJ should be in the forefront of this devastating environmental crisis that is happening all over the world, but 4 times worse in Alaska.”
- Alexie J. Morris, Nunapitchuk Permafrost Pathways Liaison
Funding: Funding opportunities must be equitable to the needs of rural Alaska and account for additional costs for infrastructure, transportation, shipping, construction, and energy. Funding application processes need to be simplified and accessible.
Government to Government relationships: The Alaskan Tribal landscape is unique from the Lower 48, and recommended that agencies visit rural villages so they could understand the challenges in person. Participants commented on not enough action, inconsistency among administration priorities, and failed promises. Tribal Sovereignty must be upheld.
Climate Change, Erosion, and Permafrost: The impacts of climate change increase the cumulative health and social impacts that villages are facing. “In order for our communities to be healthy, first they need to be safe.”
Language Justice: Increasing translation and interpretation of resources in native languages allow better participation and meaningful engagement. Furthermore, it promotes culture, Tribal Sovereignty, storytelling, and way of life.
“This gathering was a much-needed opportunity for surrounding villages to come together to share the issues that they’re facing. Quyana cakneq for inviting me to participate at this summit.”
- Jerilyn Kelly, Mayor, Quinhagak
Read the full proceedings to learn more about what leaders discussed at the Yukon-Kuskokwim Environmental Justice Summit. We encourage you to advocate for rural Alaska in your realm of influence, and reach out if you see opportunities to partner, resource, and advocate.
Finally, we offer immense gratitude to all the leaders for participating in the summit during moose season, to Jacqueline Shirley for her powerful and culturally-specific facilitation, and the rest of RCAC’s staff for hosting the event: Kristin K’eit, Mollyanne Rapoza, and Alicia Marshall. Thank you.