Wednesday, April 15, 2026 – Iñupiaq leaders weigh their economic future and oil drilling in the Arctic
From Native America Calling by Koahnic
April 15, 2026 · 57 min
About this episode
Iñupiaq leaders discuss the implications of increased oil drilling in the Arctic on their communities and environment.
President Donald Trump is pushing for more oil drilling in Alaska’s Arctic, a decision directly impacting Iñupiaq communities. Millions of acres in the National Petroleum Reserve were opened for oil and gas leasing and the administration’s reversal of Biden-era protections has the potential to open up the pristine National Wildlife Refuge for leasing and drilling. Some Iñupiaq communities welcome the potential for more oil drilling that promises to boost revenue and jobs for shareholders. Others worry about the environment and their ability to carry on subsistence lifestyles. We’ll get perspectives from Iñupiaq leaders about the future of economic development in the Arctic. We’re broadcasting live from the 2026 Arctic Encounter Summit in Anchorage, Alaska. GUESTS Asisaun Toovak (Iñupiaq), mayor of Utqiagvik, Alaska Pearl Brower (Iñupiaq), president and CEO of Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation Nagruk Harcharek (Iñupiaq), president and CEO of The Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat (VOICE)
Topics covered
- Iñupiaq leaders
- economic future
- oil drilling
- Arctic
- environment
- subsistence lifestyles
Keywords
- oil drilling
- economic development
- Arctic Encounter Summit
- Alaska
- National Petroleum Reserve
Mentioned in this episode
Places: Arctic, Alaska, the National Petroleum Reserve, National Wildlife Refuge, Anchorage, Utqiagvik
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