HOW IT ALL STARTED

Sovereign Inupiat for a Living Arctic started with three young people who wanted positive change. Their backgrounds were different; a young man who grew up in the Arctic Slope hunting, fishing, and working in a variety of community positions. A young mother of five Inupiaq children who grew up on the Arctic Slope finishing her masters in rural development. A young Inupiaq woman who grew up in Fairbanks and Anchorage Alaska with family rooted in the slope working in environmental justice organizing.

In May of 2019 the three attended the Frontline Oil and Gas conference held in Ponca OK. They were inspired to try and create a place to share what they had learned across the slope, the experiences and stories. They wanted to hold their leaders accountable and let their voices be heard, but most of all they wanted to find hope.

In December of 2019 they released their website, silainuat.org. Since then they have tried, failed, and tried again. A grassroots movement that started to gain momentum with elders and community support. We strive to continue this work in a good way with Iñupiaqatigiigñiq: Traditional Iñupiat Values at the core of everything we do.