My eyes smile again: A caribou hunt up the Kobuk River

Caribou hunting on the Kobuk River, a life of gratitude and love. “NALUQ — There’s something about being out in the country 10 miles up the Kobuk from Kiana. In the open air. Having the freedom of a river. Feeling the grounding of black spruce trees. Hearing the lightness in heart from friends’ laughter. And eating a breakfast prepared on …

Ambler road would cost villagers dearly in food, new study says

“The cost of a proposed 200-mile road into Northwest Alaska could weigh heavily on the dinner tables of villagers living near the route, a new study says. The controversial Ambler Mining District Access Project, if built, would take subsistence food from the people who live in the 10 villages near the proposed road corridor, says the study, led by the University …

Jordan River Salmon Wiped Out by Copper Tailings

ELC director Calvin Sandborn says the Jordan River is symptomatic of a much bigger problem — the province’s apparent failure to adequately monitor for similar environmental legacies from the mining industry. This story should serve as a warning for what could occur in the Brooks Range Mountains: About 70 kilometres west of Victoria B.C., the Jordan River which used to …

Walker going soft on megaprojects as Juneau road shows signs of life

Governor Walker who had taken a strong stance on halting megaprojects has begun to quietly soften his stand. “In June, when he vetoed half the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend and cut various state departments, Walker finally ended the Knik Arm crossing project and the Susitna-Watana dam. Part of the message of that event was that he would cut deeply before he …

Paving Tundra – capturing the voices and concerns of local communities

“A five person crew of experienced storytellers and Alaskan explorers will complete an approximate 300 mile packraft/hike through the southern half of the Brooks Range to spend time in each of the six villages for filming and interviews, and offering a lens into the complex realities of this region. The team will use their combined talents to produce photographs, written …

NovaCopper stock losing investment interest

Investment brokers are losing interest in NovaCopper stock. “A number of investment brokers have recently updated their price targets on shares of NovaCopper Inc. (NCQ). According to the latest broker reports outstanding on Friday 3rd of June, 0 analysts have a rating of “strong buy”, 0 analysts “buy”, 0 analysts “neutral”, 0 analysts “sell” and 0 analysts “strong sell”.” Read …

As Copper Prices Decline – Paulson & Co. Loses Money on NovaCopper

Even Wall Street is losing confidence in NovaCopper and falling copper prices. AIDEA should follow suit and back away from this  boondoggle! “When Paulson bought nearly 6 million shares of NovaCopper in the second quarter of 2014, the company’s stock price was $2.13. However, the stock price fell below $1 in recent years, and NovaCopper is trading at 50 cents. …

Alaska House majority keeps wasteful spending while shorting basic services

The inability of the House to make responsible decisions condemns the State to further wasteful spending during the drawn out legislative session. “As the newest member of Alaska’s Legislature, there have been a lot of things that have surprised me about our political process. One of the biggest surprises has been the disconnect between our fiscal situation and some of …

Point Lay Tribal Council travels to D.C. to speak against oil lease sales

Alaska’s senior Senator Lisa Murkowski, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, criticized the Interior Department for presumably promoting a meeting with Alaska Natives who are opposed to drilling in the Arctic, arguing that they do not represent the true opinions of most Alaskans. “Murkowski, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, held a hearing Thursday …