At Alaska Wilderness League, we work to keep Alaska’s wildest places protected now and for generations to come. We recognize that threats to the environment have disproportionate effects on marginalized communities, and until the conservation movement is more just, equitable and inclusive of all people, we cannot truly secure a safer, healthier and more sustainable environment for future generations. We recognize the need to expand our understanding of the systems of power and oppression at play in today’s world.

A commitment to centering our work in justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) is critical to our mission and effectiveness. It is imperative to build and maintain transformational relationships with our partners, broadening our base of support and making our organization an even better home for its employees.

Alaska Wilderness League had a strong year of progress in 2022 on the work we are doing to become the organization we envision – one that is more inclusive and committed to justice and lives up to our commitment to be an example for the conservation and environmental community. In 2022 this has been done through multiple actions supporting our Indigenous partners, continued staff training and uplifting partners’ voices and events.

Our commitment to JEDI includes a focus on confronting our own biases and privileges — both organizational and personal — and actively working to dismantle them. One of the opportunities is to better align Alaska conservation with the cause of Indigenous rights and social justice. Indeed, many of our Indigenous partners and allies are among the most compelling and important leaders in the fight to transition away from fossil fuels, for respecting the land and for traditional Native knowledge and expertise.

This commitment to justice is inseparable from a commitment to developing more meaningful allyship with a diversity of partners and the communities most impacted by our work. It is a promise to listen, learn and grow. It is a promise to stand for, support and speak up for the broader causes of justice and equality. Continually expanding our awareness of systems of power and oppression will help us reimagine conservation as a tool for justice and advocate for Alaska’s public lands with a heightened focus on the intersectionality of climate change and human rights.

This is a journey and although we’ve made progress along this path, we do know that there is much more that needs to be done – we are committed to continuing to prioritize the work of becoming better allies.