Corporate Accountability
holding those in power to our indigenous laws and ACCOUNTABILITY
“I repeat. In all this, we were never consulted. After the State leased our land to the oil corporations, they moved onto our land to behave in ways that would never be permitted today.
Gravel, a most precious commodity in the Arctic, was removed from river beds and beaches without proper regard to environmental impact. The gravel was used to build roads and pads over our old graveyards, and our sod houses at our fishing and summer camps were destroyed. Fish spawning areas were destroyed, and fish were killed during seismic exploration in our lakes.
The ancient caribou migration routes began being disturbed along our coast, and many of us feel that Prudhoe Bay and associated pipeline construction is to blame for what appears to our State game biologists to be a serious decline in our caribou herds. Our land began being littered by the junk of oil exploration. We suffered serious trespass.”
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA)
Corporations were forced upon Alaska Native Peoples during the discovery and pressure to build the Trans Alaska Pipeline. The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was put into law December, 18th 1971. We acknowledge that our People lived hard lives during these times and many felt ANCSA was the only choice they had to ensure the future generations survival. We acknowledge that there is privilege in our positions as Indigenous Peoples compared to other Indigenous groups from around the world. We also acknowledge that our youth have given up many privileges allotted to our past generations and ancestors such as healthy lands, abundance of healthy animals, and knowledge orally passed down about life before colonization.
What is not taught fluently in the history of ANCSA, if taught at all, is the resistance of Indigenous Peoples during this time. The circumstances that allowed our land to be divided into 12 regions controlled by corporations. Throughout the history of Iñupiaq People there has been resistance, direct action, and civil disobedience in order to uphold just and equitable laws. Today though, we do not hear much of this history, as the suppression of our people is heavy and much of us do not speak out against injustice in fear of repercussions.
The inherent nature of Corporations go against the values of Indigenous Peoples. As we are communal Peoples that take care of each other. We have never lived for just individualism and corporations have forced many people into the perspective and lifestyle of Western Culture. Corporations are for-profit systems that have divided our communities, pinned our people against one another, and embraced the system of taking everything from our Mother and Father without giving back and without regard and responsibility to the ecosystems health.
This is a complex issue and our current ways of living are coming to an inevitable transition. As our younger generations speak up for our relatives with four legs, of the sea, and with wings, the narrative of ANCSA has shifted. A majority of the older generations have focused on profit, monetary economy, and success based on Western Standards. The younger generation of Indigenous Peoples of Alaska are leading the discussion on the climate crisis, our contribution to climate change, and responsibility to sustain future generations.
Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC)
Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) is one of 13 ANCSA corporations. They have built themselves to be the largest Alaskan owned business and most profitable ANCSA corporation. They have numerous subsidiaries, shareholder programs, scholarship programs, and influence on the Arctic Slope Iñupiat People and representatives. ASRC overcame many obstacles in changing from the perspective of not owning land and respecting environmental impacts with any decision made, to depending primarily on economic wealth from extractive and pollutant industries. ASRC has supported some of the most controversial projects created on the North Slope and in Alaska. They have endorsed many politicians and bills that go directly against Iñupiat values, elders, and shareholder input. Although we acknowledge the financial support given by ASRC in dividend’s, scholarships, and job opportunities are a privilege, we take our responsibility as Iñupiaq land stewards first.
Political stances
ASRC endorsed and financially supported Mike Dunleavy, the current governor of Alaska. In early 2019 the budget for Alaska came out with cuts to fundamental programs such as pre-K - 12 education, university funds, senior housing and benefits, Alaska legal aid, Medicaid expansion, ferry system and many more vital programs. Some of the biggest cuts came to the Iñupiat People in the Arctic Slope, planning to cut all taxes on oil companies that work in the North Slope Borough region. “As written, Senate Bill 57 makes us question that support. Is this what the governor is intending to do with this legislation – pit the Iñupiaq people of the Slope against industry?” Stated Harry Brower Jr., North Slope Borough Mayor.
Their claim to represent Iñupiat Peoples and wellness does not match their actions. In 2015 ASRC gave financial support and endorsed Dan Sullivan although most of the Arctic Slope voted in support of Mark Begich. Dan Sullivan re-opened Katie John’s case and in 2014 Katie’s son Fred John stated “Today, I can openly and honestly state that I am deeply uncomfortable with the reality that the man who re-opened my mom's case could be Alaska's next senator. Sullivan litigated against our family's subsistence and traditional rights. It was misguided and wrong. Tony Knowles was in that same position at one time. Before making any bold decisions, he chose to visit our family's fish camp, meet my mother and learn about the core reason for the Katie John case. Sullivan could have followed Knowles' example. Instead, he chose to continue litigating against my mother.” Dan Sullivan has voted in favor of Israel Anti-Boycott Act that takes away freedom of independent contractors to boycott Israel products. Follow link for more information on the conflict in Israel.
Air quality and community outreach
Nuiqsut residents were in a lawsuit against Bureau of Land Management for insufficient safety precautions and research on human health impacts. During shareholder meetings held in Nuiqsut, shareholders have complained about the 50% rise in respiratory illness, epidemic of cancer, and suicide. ASRC has not taken responsibility but instead discredited and disvalues these reports, evidence, and concerns. Shareholders have spoken out about being ostracized from communities for partaking in any event that goes against extractive industry.
Climate Change
ASRC has taken an official stance that climate change is not man made but cyclical. When a shareholder asked the board why there was not one section of the annual report that covered climate change, executive vice president of External Affairs Richard Glenn said “If we shut down every oil field in the Arctic Slope, that wouldn’t make a difference” during the annual shareholder meeting held in Fairbanks, AK. The Arctic Slope holds the largest oil field in North America. ASRC holds some of its largest contracts with NASA, who has dedicated an entire section of their website to the science of the current man made climate crisis. Ignoring overwhelming evidence from 98% of the science community is irresponsible and dangerous. When presented with ideas for a transition into regenerative energy and addressing climate change in an equitable way, ASRC officials have been hostile. Recently ASRC representative Crawford Pakotak spoke against a climate change resolution presented by youth at Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN).
Pebble Mine
ASRC has partnered with Pebble Mine, a Canadian company that has been trying to open a mine in Bristol Bay for over 20 years. Bristol Bay Native Corporation has been outspoken in fighting Pebble Mine alongside a majority of Alaskans. Only through roll backs in environmental regulations has pebble been able to move forward. "No one from Bristol Bay has ever told the people of the North Slope how to develop their resources," Hurley said. "It's tragic ASRC cannot extend us the same courtesy and respect." Said Alannah Hurley Executive Director of United Tribes of Bristol Bay. Bristol Bay is the last sustainable sockeye salmon fishery in the world.
Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat
“Ironically, those of us who live in the Arctic and have contributed the least to climate change stand to be most impacted by it. But we are not victims of climate change. We are resilient and adaptable people who are also presented with the greatest opportunities to benefit from it effects.
New shipping and transportation routes, tourism, and infrastructure potential, and access to untapped natural resources are just a few of the possibilities that lie ahead for our region. My vision for the future of the Arctic is not only promising, it’s endless.”
- Doug Whitman from Voice of the Arctic’s vision.
Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat is a non-profit that lobbies for oil and gas development and claims to represent the best interest of Iñupiat People. ASRC is a member of Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat and shares two of their board members. Continued investment and support of the fossil fuel industry, the leading cause of climate change is not in alignment with Iñupiat values nor coincide with western or traditional science for a healthy future. Communities have houses falling into the ocean, sinking into the ground, and basic necessities not being met that are caused by climate change. Stating that climate change is an opportunity to make economic wealth and a new opportunities takes away from the hardships that we now face and our future generations face.
If Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat wants to truly represent their People, there needs to be diverse representation on the board that includes those leaders of our People who have spoken in opposition to oil and gas for health and safety reasons. The best interests of our People is not always economic wealth, but the overall wellness of our communities.