Tribal leaders, federal agencies meet on impacts of climate change

Tribal leaders and members from 10 Alaska Native communities gathered in Anchorage

Author: Joe Cadotte

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Tribal leaders and members from 10 Alaska Native communities gathered in Anchorage this week for a three-day conference with multiple federal agencies to help them prepare for, respond to and recover from the impacts of climate change.

Community relocation is among several topics on the agenda at the conference, which runs through Wednesday at the Marriott and Dena’ina Center in Downtown Anchorage. The event is supported by the Alaska Institute for Justice and Permafrost Pathways. Together, the two organizations back climate adaptation efforts in places like Akiak, Akiachak, Chevak, Golovin, Kwethluk, Kwigillingok, Quinhagak, Nelson Lagoon, Nunapitchuk and Kipnuk.

“2023 has shown all too clearly that climate change is here with the intensifying and unique impacts on the environment. Our support at Alaska Institute for Justice to ten rural Alaska Native Tribes is positioned to deliver on climate adaptation objectives together while protecting the human rights of Alaskans and building a more sustainable, safe and resilient future,” AIJ Executive Director Robin Bronen said in a statement.

There are more than 10 Alaska Native tribes that have had to take at least some relocation measures because of environmental impacts to their communities, such as flooding and damage to shorelines, according to Victoria Salinas, a senior official performing the duties of deputy administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.