Alaska was anticipated to welcome 1.3 million tourists by cruise ship in 2020 before the pandemic brought tourism to a halt. The economic loss from a canceled cruise ship season in 2020 alone totals $3 billion, with 2,180 businesses at direct risk – many of which are small family owned businesses. In early April, Governor […]
In the years leading up to 1971, the federal government urged Alaska Native families to claim their 160-acre land allotment before the program was abruptly terminated by the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. That message never reached George Bennett Sr. Like 2,800 other Alaska Natives, he was serving his country on the […]
Alaskans have been through it all: earthquakes, fires, floods, and landslides. For the past year, our communities, businesses, families, and friends have weathered the everyday challenges of living in the Last Frontier while simultaneously managing a global pandemic. On all fronts, we worked together. We showed the nation how to manage a pandemic while still […]
Bruce L. Davidson MD, MPH co-led development of the NIH oral rotavirus vaccine, is Past President of the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association, and is a public health and pulmonary physician in the Seattle area. On Friday March 19, 2021, FDA released new data with a breakdown of location for the 18 American Indians/Alaska Natives in […]
Tuesday night, I announced that COVID-19 vaccines are now available to any Alaskan who wants one. While seniors and our most vulnerable will continue to be prioritized, our vaccination infrastructure has grown tremendously over the past month. Many smaller communities have already fully opened their eligibility criteria, and the arrival of the Johnson & Johnson […]
The study results for the third Covid-19 vaccine, a single-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, were good news for nearly everyone—but not for Alaska Natives, nor American Indians. The results are conclusive for lack of protection by 28 days after a dose for these two groups, who should avoid this vaccine for now and stick […]
Since introducing my plan to provide Alaskans with $5,000 in economic relief during the worst economic crisis in Alaska’s history, I’ve seen no shortage of outlandish claims. Invariably, these arguments are made by folks who aren’t having any problems paying their bills in these difficult times. I’d like to set a few things straight. My […]
Dear friends, Let me take this moment to wish you all a Happy Black History Month! During the 2019 Legislative Session, SB40 established the month of February as Black History Month in Alaska. What an honor it is to have this recognition permanently in State Statues. We celebrate this month by remembering the achievements […]
Hunting is an important way to pass on family traditions and fill our freezers with healthy wild game meat. As we begin the 40-Mile Caribou winter hunt, we want to make sure you are ready to get out and be successful in your harvest. On top of everything that you may have on your […]