Alaskan Natives Challenge Biden-Harris’s Energy Restrictions and Call for Economic Justice

A July 2024 article by Yereth Rosen in the Alaska Beacon discusses a lawsuit filed by North Slope local and regional governments, tribal governments, and Native corporations. They are challenging the Biden administration’s restrictions on oil development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, highlighting a critical issue for Indigenous communities. This lawsuit, led by Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat, seeks to overturn new environmental protections enacted without proper consultation with the North Slope Iñupiat, significantly affecting their economic interests and autonomy.

The new rule by the Department of the Interior, which codifies protections in the Obama administration’s Integrated Activity Plan, essentially turns large reserve areas into conservation zones, restricting oil development. These measures severely limit economic opportunities for Indigenous communities that rely on revenues and employment from domestic energy development.

The anti-domestic energy agenda promoted by the current Biden-Harris administration is detrimental to Native communities, particularly in Alaska, where the oil industry plays a vital role in the local economy. By restricting development without adequately engaging with the Indigenous populations who inhabit and understand these lands, the administration undermines tribal sovereignty and self-determination. This approach contrasts with the Trump administration’s plan, which aimed to open more of the reserve for oil leasing and development.

This situation is a clear example of how federal policies, often made without meaningful input from Indigenous peoples, can harm rather than help Native communities. Deb Haaland, the DOI, and the BLM failed to properly consult with the North Slope Iñupiat and consider their unique needs. This reflects a broader pattern of ignoring Indigenous rights and economic interests.

For Native communities, access to resources and managing their lands according to their values and needs are essential for sustaining economic development and cultural preservation. The lawsuit by the North Slope Iñupiat represents a fight for these rights, challenging the federal government to recognize and respect Indigenous sovereignty. It highlights the importance of including Native voices in policy decisions directly impacting their lands and livelihoods.

“The federal government’s unilateral mandates not only threaten our economic stability but also disregard our sovereignty and the voices of Indigenous communities who have stewarded these lands for generations.” – Director of NASP.

The anti-domestic energy agenda pursued by the current Biden-Harris administration risks undermining this balance, resulting in economic harm to Native populations and further eroding their ability to manage their resources independently.