The Inuit in Alaska: Policies

Inukshuk, or stones, used by the Inuit as a marker.

Policies important to the Alaska Inuit people are being advanced through self-governance, the state legislative process and the United Nations. Through collaboration, diplomacy, advocacy and leadership training, the Inuit people craft public policy important to them.

Crafting and Advocating Policy

Policies important to the Inuit people are crafted and advocated through non-profit policy centers such as The Alaska Native Policy Center in Anchorage, part of the non-profit First Alaskans Institute. The First Alaskans Institute mission is to advance Alaska Natives, including the Inuit, "through community engagement, information and research, collaboration, and leadership development."

Training New Leaders

Creating future policy leaders to advance the goals of the Inuit people is the purpose of a public policy fellowship sponsored by the First Alaskans Institute. It places promising young Alaskan Natives, including Inuit, into legislative positions in Juneau to develop law-making experience and knowledge of their people's history.

International Collaboration

Advancing policies important to the Inuit people throughout the world is the goal of The Inuit Circumpolar Council, an international non-governmental organization of approximately 150,000 Inuit of Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Chukotka (Russia). ICC holds Consultative Status II at the United Nations and held its 11th General Assembly in Nuuk, Greenland, in 2010.

References

• First Alaskans Institute: About Us
• First Alaskans Institute: Alaska Native Policy Center: Overview, "Native Minds Shaping Our Future"
• First Alaskans Institute: About the Public Policy Fellowship
• Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC): About
• ICC General Assembly
• ICC Media Advisory, April 9, 2010; "Inuit: "Sharing Life"