Resources
Grandmothers Growing Goodness lives and works in the Western Arctic, advocating for clean air, clean water and healthy livelihoods. Here are some main issues we are following right now.
Why The Western Arctic Is Critical
Benefits of Western Arctic Protections to Indigenous Communities
Teshekpuk Lake Conservation Instrument & Nuiqsut Subsistence Special Area
The Biden Administration’s Western Arctic Rules Helped Protect Indigenous Communities and Cultures
Grandmothers Growing Goodness Launched a TV, Digital Ad Campaign Thanking Biden For Strengthening Protections for America’s Arctic. Read press release. Public Comments on Arctic Issues
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New economic analysis shows that eliminating the NPRA Special Areas Rule could cost North Slope communities $15.7 million a year in wild harvest replacement costs
A report by Key-Log Economics found that the elimination of the Special Areas Rule will lead to increased restrictions on subsistence for communities on the North Slope. BLM has admitted that Nuiqsut, Atqasuk, Utqiagvik, Wainwright, and Anaktuvuk Pass will face a reduction in the abundance of animals used for subsistence and that Nuiqsut will also face limitations on user access to subsistence areas.
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Proposed Changes to Marine Mammal Protection Act (July 2025)
Grandmother’s Growing Goodness statement on the proposed (July 2025) changes to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and changes to marine mammal management.
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Comments on the Proposed Rescission of the Management and Protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Regulations
Grandmothers Growing Goodness releases a statement alongside SILA and Native Movement to the BLM.
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Urgent Opposition FY 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill
A joint statement released by GGG and SILA to the Senate and House regarding impacts of the FY 2026 appropriations bill.
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Joint Comment to BLM Regarding NPR-A Plan
A joint comment from Grandmothers Growing Goodness and SILA to the Alaska BLM regarding the 2025 NPR-A Draft Integrated Activity Plan EA
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Alaska Native Communities Ask the Bureau of Land Management to Designate a New Nuiqsut Subsistence Use Special Area
During the Public Comment Period, Alaska Native Communities Also Urged More Co-Management and Tribally-led Stewardship
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Update for the NSB Assembly—April 2024
In April 2024, Grandmothers Growing Goodness submitted comments to the NSB Assembly
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Rule Management Input to BLM—December 2023
In December 2023, Grandmothers Growing Goodness offered comments on the proposed rule on the management and protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (Reserve)
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Comments on 2023 Draft NSB Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP)
In November 2023 Grandmothers Growing Goodness submitted comments to the North Slop Borough’s Hazard Mitigation Plan.
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Testimony from Dr. Rosemary Ahtuangaruak submitted to the HNRC Energy and Minerals Resources Subcommittee
In November 2023, Dr. Rosemary Ahtuangaruak submitted comments to the HNRC Energy and Minerals Resources Subcommittee on the importance of subsistence hunting and fishing to Nuiqsut.
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Letter to Secretary Haaland on the Willow Master Development Plan
Dr. Rosemary Ahtuanguruak, Eunice Brower and Carl Brower’s March 2023 letter to Secretary Deb Haaland on the impacts the Willow Master Development Plan would have on the community of Nuiqsut.
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Comments on ConocoPhillips Seismic Survey to DOI/BLM
In December 2023 Grandmothers Growing Goodness provided suggestions for mitigation to protect the caribou, subsistence hunting, and the tundra.
“Cohesion of protecting special areas will help us protect what’s important for our community’s survival.”
– Dr. Rosemary Ahtuangaruak, Founder of Grandmothers Growing Goodness
Lands across the Western Arctic are essential to the caribou herds that Inupiat communities depend on. The health and survival of families are on the line - Inupiat subsistence, cultural, and traditional needs must be prioritized over development. This means industry must stop using the existing road during periods of high subsistence or caribou migration, and stop building new roads, in order to ensure the safety and success of hunters and the health of critical caribou herds.
#ProtectTheArctic
“If I could ask the public one thing, I would ask them to engage with our administration to protect these important public lands and the special areas.”
– Dr. Rosemary Ahtuangaruak, Founder of Grandmothers Growing Goodness
“The Western Arctic is vital to subsistence hunting traditions, critical wildlife, and the way of life of Alaska Native communities. Yet, threats from climate change and development in the region are mounting. That’s why the new protections for more than 13 million acres of the Western Arctic are so critical. We need @potus to hear our public calls to #ProtectTheArctic by designating a new Nuiqsut Subsistence Use Special Area and co-manage these lands to prioritize Inupiat subsistence, culture, and tradition.”