*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
Date: March 5, 2025
Contact: voiceofthearctic@marathonstrategies.com
A statement from Nagruk Harcharek, President of the Voice of Arctic Iñupiat (VOICE) following President Trump’s first address of his second term to a joint session of Congress. VOICE is a nonprofit organization established in 2015 by the region’s collective elected Iñupiat leadership and is dedicated to preserving and advancing North Slope Iñupiat cultural and economic selfdetermination. Its members include local governments, Alaska Native Corporations, federally-recognized tribes, and tribal non-profits across the North Slope of Alaska.
“The President’s comments during his address to a joint session of Congress are another indicator that Alaska, particularly our Indigenous North Slope homelands, remains a priority in the Trump-Vance administration’s policy agenda. However, it is important that this early action be backed by durable congressional policy to drive lasting change for the North Slope Iñupiat. We urge Congress to engage our North Slope Iñupiat leaders early and regularly to ensure enduring policy success for the President’s energy agenda. This inclusive approach – which prioritizes respect for the North Slope Iñupiat’s economy, communities, and culture – will stand in contrast to the previous administration, which routinely denied us our rightful spot at the policymaking table.
“Yesterday’s comments by President Trump underscore our cautious optimism in the early days of his administration. The North Slope Iñupiat are ready to work with the federal government to advance lasting policy solutions in our region to strengthen the American economy and unleash our Iñupiaq self-determination, as we have done with leaders from both parties for decades.”