February storms aren’t unusual in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, but the amount of rain and flooding is. The combination has caused some damage for two communities in the region.
Alaska Native Government & Policy
North Slope village tribal government sues over ConocoPhillips’ drilling plans
Along with five environmental groups, the Native Village of Nuiqsut is challenging the Bureau of Land Management’s approval of ConocoPhillips’ exploratory drilling program this winter in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.
Army Corps of Engineers releases Pebble Mine’s draft environmental impact statement
In a major development, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released the draft environmental impact statement for the proposed Pebble Mine on Wednesday.
Southeast Alaska tribe takes initial steps to create their own tribal court
Yakutat Tlingit Tribe recently was awarded two grants to start their own tribal court system. The tribe’s executive director says it’s a demonstration of the tribe’s self-determination.
Dunleavy’s midyear budget bill would cut VPSO funds
Gov. Michael Dunleavy has proposed pulling back $3 million in unspent money for the Village Public Safety Officer program. Some Alaska lawmakers expressed dismay at the proposed cuts.
Murkowski reintroduces bill to prevent violence against Indigenous women and girls
Sen. Lisa Murkowski has reintroduced Savanna’s Act, which would improve data collection on missing and murdered Native women and require federal agencies to consult with tribes.
Shutdown puts strain on some Alaska Native tribes and tribal organizations
Some Alaska Native tribes and tribal organizations are dipping into reserves in order to pay for services that the federal government usually covers.
Alaska officials call on court to uphold Indian Child Welfare Act
Alaska’s attorney general and two of the state’s congressional lawmakers are calling on a federal appeals court to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act. A U.S. district court judge struck the law down in October.
Sitka Tribe of Alaska sues state, claiming mismanagement of herring fishery
“People don’t want trees in their freezer. It’s all about putting eggs in their freezers, not branches,” said STA Resource Protection Director Jeff Feldpausch. “This is looking grim. This is really grim.”
Alaska Native groups ask Dunleavy to investigate missing and murdered Indigenous women
A dozen Alaska Native groups cosigned a letter asking Dunleavy to include money in his proposal for the next state budget, which his administration is scheduled to release on Dec. 15.