Uncertainty and anxiety for some Northerners, as Trump returns to power
The return of the winter sun to the Arctic village of Old Crow in late January usually brings joy to Pauline Frost, chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation in northern Yukon. However, this year feels different for Frost. The predictable return of longer days coincides with something much less predictable and hugely consequential: Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
“There are uncertain times before us,” said Frost. “It’s just so unpredictable, you just have to be ready to react. It is something we think about all the time.”
As the chief of the Gwich’in Nation, which spans Alaska, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories, Frost knows the importance of protecting the land, water, and animals that are central to Gwich’in culture. Salmon and caribou are traditional staples and the heart of their way of life. The area known as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd are sacred to the Gwich’in people.
The incoming U.S. president has made it clear that he intends to develop Alaska’s North Slope, which is home to the ANWR and the caribou calving grounds. This poses a significant threat to the Gwich’in way of life, as the area is also rich in oil reserves. The fight over oil development in this region has been ongoing for decades, depending on the administration in power.
The Biden administration tried to limit oil drilling in the ANWR, but with Trump’s return, the State of Alaska is challenging those restrictions in court. Frost understands the uncertainty that comes with Trump’s presidency and the impact it could have on the Gwich’in people.
Ken Coates, chair of the Yukon Arctic Security Advisory Council, also expresses concern about the implications of a second Trump administration for the Arctic region. With growing interest and aggression from Russia and China in the region, along with the leadership void in Canada due to Prime Minister Trudeau stepping down, Coates believes that Canada’s Arctic security is at risk.
Indigenous rights in the circumpolar region are also under threat, according to experts. Trump’s recent comments about Greenland and Canada have raised alarm bells about his disregard for Indigenous rights. Whitney Lackenbauer, a Canada Research Chair in the Study of the Canadian North, warns that Trump’s rhetoric should not be dismissed lightly.
In Greenland, former government leader Kuupik Kleist acknowledges the seriousness of Trump’s comments and the potential threats they pose to the largely Inuit-populated island. Greenland’s current prime minister, Múte B. Egede, emphasizes the importance of self-determination and Indigenous rights in the face of American interest in the resource-rich Arctic island.
Climate activist Carissa Waugh, from Whitehorse, shares her concerns about Trump’s impact on the fight against climate change. With Trump’s anti-environment stance, Waugh worries about the setback in efforts to address the climate crisis. Despite the challenges, she remains committed to advocating for climate action and Indigenous perspectives on healing the planet.
As Chief Frost and other leaders in the circumpolar region prepare for the uncertainties ahead, they are focused on protecting their lands, cultures, and ways of life. The fight for Indigenous rights, environmental preservation, and climate action continues, despite the challenges posed by a new Trump administration. In the face of adversity, these leaders are determined to stand strong and advocate for their communities.
