On this episode of the podcast, Nagruk Harcharek, President of the Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat talks with Amanda Head to break down the real-world consequences of energy decisions made in Washington, D.C. and how they ripple all the way to Alaska’s North Slope.

Harcharek explains how restrictive policies under the Biden Administration — ranging from canceled leases to drilling limitations — put critical infrastructure, jobs, and economic stability at risk for Indigenous communities that depend heavily on oil and gas development.

But the story doesn’t end there. After mounting legal challenges and sustained pressure, a major oil and gas lease sale in Alaska generated a staggering $160 million in bids, offering a renewed sense of hope, self-determination, and long-term sustainability for the region.

You can learn more about Harcharek and VOICE by visiting their website: https://voiceofthearcticinupiat.org/