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The Biden Administration is set to sign off on the beginning phases of an oil drilling plan in Alaska that promises big dividends for Alaska Native corporations and the state. The Willow Project could ultimately produce 180,000 barrels a day and perhaps 300 long-term jobs. But, in addition to the other potential environmental damages, the drilling comes in the same place where climate change is melting permafrost and villages are having to move out of the way of rising sea levels. Today on Native America Calling, we hear from both sides of this timely and contentious debate with Nagruk Harcharek (Iñupiaq), president of the Voices of the Arctic Iñupiat; Doreen Leavitt (Iñupiaq), director of natural resources for the Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope; State Rep. Josiah Patkotak (I-AK); Eunice Brower (Inupiaq), tribal treasurer for Nuiqsut; Adam Ortega, communications coordinator for Alaska Community Action on Toxics; and Deloole’aanh Erickson (from the village of Kaltag), environmental justice director for the Native Movement.
Break 1 music: Storm (song) PIQSIQ (artist) Live from Christ Church Cathedral (album)
Break 2 music: The Water Will Cleanse Me (song) Russell Wallace (artist) Unceded Tongues (album)
Full disclosure: ConocoPhillips is an underwriter of our flagship station KNBA.
