THE LINK: OCTOBER 2023 20 CONTINUED from PAGE 19 standing lessee from the previous sale? Unfortunately, that seems to be the point. “The administration is putting on a legal charade by pretending to follow the law that requires them to hold lease sales with no intent of ever actually honoring those leases — daring any investor to waste their time and money. Not only is this an affront to the rule of law, it’s also a grave injustice to the Inupiat people of the North Slope, especially the people of Kaktovik — the only village in ANWR. As evidenced by this and so many of the administration’s actions negatively impacting the Alaska Native people, the idea of ‘equity’ is being exploited as a hollow political soundbite,” Sullivan said. North Slope Borough Mayor Harry Brower said: “Once again we see the Biden Administration elevating environmental extremism over national security, energy independence, and the voices of local indigenous people who overwhelmingly support economic development in their region. At a time when the American people are struggling with oppressive inflation and high energy costs, we should be looking to grow our economy and produce more energy rather than playing into the hands of despots and potentates around the world. “Where is the justice and local consultation for Alaska Natives and all of our residents when the Depart of Interior and extreme environmental groups conspire to manipulate the current system and bypass even federal law that leads to costly litigation, profits for NGO’s, and our local economy further damaged? Simply put, these discriminatory and bias outcomes are unacceptable and should not be tolerated by federal regulatory agencies, such as BLM, that oversee these politically motivated decisions which now even ignore years of documented science, public meetings, and local governments our locals that rely on subsistence foods to live a healthy life. Secretary Haaland, we can’t go to a Whole Foods store in Arlington or DC to meet our basic needs,” Brower said. ASRC President and CEO Rex Rock, Sr. said: “Our regional leadership has tirelessly offered to work in partnership with the administration on issues affecting our region. The decisions issued today exclude the voices of the North Slope Iñupiat, causing irreparable harm to our culture and economic self-determination.” Nagruk Harcharek, President, Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat, said: “This decision once again shows that the Biden administration prioritizes their agenda over the will of local Indigenous communities. By dismissing the needs and interests of the people who call this region home, they continue to impede the self-determination of the Iñupiat of the North Slope. These actions contradict local, Indigenous-led resolutions despite the administration’s ‘pledge’ to listen and work with Indigenous communities.” “The administration has continually violated its mandate to consult and work with ICAS, the region’s federally recognized Tribe. This action directly impacts the livelihoods and economic future of our tribal members. Our voices, our heritage and our connection to this land cannot be silenced or overlooked,” said Morrie Lemen, Executive Director of the Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope. “How can the Secretary of Interior make a decision that has such an economic impact on our community of Kaktovik without any formal Tribal Consultation through our sovereign relationship with the federal government? AND to do this under the name of climate change without engaging us as a Tribe is completely discriminatory. Native Village of Kaktovik has engaged on this issue at every level — we were involved in the Coastal Plain EIS and stand by the Record of Decision — you are ignoring us as a tribe. For an Administration that is focused on Indigenous Knowledge we wonder when you have talked to us about climate change in our region. We are losing confidence in President Biden’s actions and promises to Tribal Consultation and Strengthen Nation-to-Nation Relationships and Advancing Racial Equity and Supporting Underserved Communities! “This all sounds good unless you are a tribal government that has a different stance than this Administration on what types of activities should happen in our homelands. We are in the midst of subsistence — the timing of this announcement couldn’t be more tone deaf to the Kaktovikmiut – because our community is focused on providing our native food to sustain us through the upcoming winter. We demand Government-to-Government consultation on how this decision was reached — we will not be muted!” said Nathan Gordon Jr., Vice President, Native Village of Kaktovik. “It’s difficult to express our utter shock and disappointment of Secretary Haaland’s decision today. We live in the Arctic! We are the Arctic! And for you to tell us about our region in the name of climate change is outrageous! For an Administration that touts its focus on working with Indigenous People from our perspective it is doing the opposite. “We are a subsistence culture and are working hard to collect enough food to feed our community through whaling. We don’t have the time or energy to address this action. I can only say that as the only community within the Coastal Plain who has been fighting for the rights promised
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