Sovereign Iñupiat for a Living Arctic

Our mission is to create space for healthy communities, spiritually, mentally, and physically; fostering the connection between people, culture and land. We are empowered as frontline communities and those who have inherent connection with the land and what it provides.

Teskekpuk Lake (Image: *Stellar Stock/SuperStock)*

Teshekpuk Lake Caribou (Image: Bob Wick)

Teshekpuk Lake birds (Image: Gerrit Vyn)

What Is Willow?

MASSIVE PROJECT: Willow is a proposed oil development with a location that would necessitate huge investments in new fossil fuel infrastructure. As proposed, the Willow project would include up to five drill pads with fifty wells on each pad (250 wells total), an extensive permanent gravel road system that will connect back to existing industrial infrastructure, 386 miles of pipelines and water-intensive ice roads, 1-2 airstrips, and a new Central Processing Facility that will catalyze more oil projects and significant additional unnecessary carbon pollution.

The Willow Master Development Plan is incompatible with any efforts to combat the climate crisis. The clock is ticking and we have, at most, 10 years to avoid catastrophic outcomes of the climate crisis. Not only would Willow contribute to this inevitable result if passed, this project would also disproportionately affect the community of Nuiqsut, a predominantly Iñupiaq village of about 500 people already living through extreme pollution from existing oil projects.

While many Iñupiat are in support of oil development, there are still many that are on the fence and some that oppose. There is a misconception that our Native corporations represent all community members' opinions. SILA is one of the few organizations that openly speaks against oil development. Following the March 2022 gas leak at Alpine Field, some Nuiqsut community members have voiced their concerns about the environmental and public health implications of oil development in the area (here is a Washington Post article on it).

This project is a human rights issue as well as a climate issue. SILA urges the Bureau of Land Management to reassess their alternatives to include the community members of Nuiqsut’s recommendations to mitigate harm. BLM should form a safer alternative for the community closest to the project. We also urge BLM to pick the No Action Alternative that would cause the least harm to us all.

Talking Points

Global Impacts

Major climate threat as this massive oil and gas extractive project would only increase our current climate crisis.
The Arctic is warming at 4x the rate of the rest of the world, with an increasing risk of possibility of sea level rise and catastrophic flooding worldwide.
Willow will undeniably contribute to the global 1.5ºC rise in temperature. As a result, the average temperature of the Arctic could raise to between 1.5ºC-10ºC. (IPCC Special Report of Global Warming of 1.5ºC)
Doesn’t align with President Biden’s promise to mitigate the climate crisis and prevent further global rise in temperature.
Ecological values. The Western Arctic supports robust wild ecosystems that include caribou, geese, loons, salmon, polar bears and bowhead whales, and its lands, waters and animals support a number of communities within and adjacent to the Reserve.

Impacts on Iñupiat and locals

Iñupiat, the people Indigenous to the region, have lived and stewarded Arctic Alaska for millennia.
Food security is threatened by this project. As stated, in the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) this project would significantly impact the Teshekpuk Caribou Herd. The toxics and pollutants from this project would affect the plants that are harvested and those eaten by the animals harvested from nearby communities.
This project would significantly impact the air quality, create more toxics and pollutants that lead to diseases like cancer, asthma, loss of taste and smell, and more.
The project goes against the mitigation plan against the climate crisis. As the Arctic feels the effect at 4x the rate of the rest of world, the Indigenous and rural communities are most affected by these decisions.
The people of Nuiqsut would be surrounded by light, noise, and chemical pollution.
As stated in the prior record of decision, this project would give little to no jobs to residents of the affected communities.
Stated in the prior record of decision, this project would increase mental health illnesses including suicide in Arctic Slope communities.

Comment Period & Media Toolkit

Gravel Size

Image courtesy of The Wilderness Society

Length of Pipeline

Image courtesy of The Wilderness Society

Freshwater Usage

Image courtesy of The Wilderness Society

Global Warming Impacts

Image courtesy of IPCC

LATEST NEWS

Native Village of Nuiqsut, City of Nuiqsut, and Kuukpik Corporation have their own views, perspectives, and demands. The statements above do not insinuate any of these entities share SILA’s views, opinions, or demands. These documents are public record and do not reflect any relationship between said entities.

Native Village of Nuiqsut & City of Nuiqsut Joint Statement

In this groundbreaking statement Native Village of Nuiqsut and City of Nuiqsut give a comprehensive breakdown of concerns, issues, and the defective process to approve this dangerous project. Read more by clicking image to full PDF document

Kuukpik Corporation Comments/Statement

Kuukpik Corporation, historically aligned with the extractive industry for economic growth stated their major concerns about the project from the beginning and today. Click on link for full PDF document.

38 Indigenous organization sign on to stop Willow MDP

As congress continues to portray this project as safe and only opposed by liberal D.C. community members, SILA releases sign on letter with concerns. 38 Indigenous led organizations and Individuals signed in support. Visit link for full letter and signitures