ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An infusion of nearly $75 million in federal grant funding has been earmarked for Alaska Native communities over the next five years, aiming to bolster their resilience against the daunting impacts of climate change.
The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium is the recipient of this financial support, part of a broader initiative focused on enhancing resilience within U.S. coastal communities facing extreme weather and environmental shifts. This program is rooted in a federal climate and health care law passed in 2022.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will collaborate with tribal governments as they work through this initiative, with the funding announcement made during a recent news conference.
“This funding and these partnerships not only recognize the current condition of our lands, but also affirm Alaska’s tribes as the authentic leaders in this matter,” remarked Natasha Singh, interim leader of the tribal health consortium.
A summary released by NOAA indicates that the funds will benefit nearly 100 Alaska Native communities and will concentrate on three key areas of adaptation. These include helping communities evaluate their vulnerabilities to climate change, sharing information on adaptation methods, and offering greater technical assistance.
“Our objective and vision are to meet communities where they are and to empower them to make decisions that will drive their future success,” stated Jackie Qataliña Schaeffer, who heads the Climate Initiatives Program at the tribal health consortium.
She added that the funding will facilitate the creation of numerous new full-time jobs, which will incorporate both technical and subject matter experts. These positions will be distributed across consortium offices in Anchorage and rural areas of Alaska experiencing the brunt of climate-related challenges.
NOAA Deputy Administrator Jainey Bavishi noted that the funding and this new partnership “will fundamentally alter the landscape of climate change adaptation among Alaska tribes.”
Singh further emphasized that the health and well-being of individuals are intricately linked to the consequences of climate change. Coastal erosion and thawing permafrost pose risks to buildings and other infrastructure, while access to traditional food sources becomes increasingly uncertain. Enhanced technical support and resources are anticipated to aid communities in identifying and implementing solutions that are effective for them, she explained.
“The real work starts now, as we employ this tribal self-governance model to enable tribes to take the lead in this journey,” Singh concluded.