Coastal villages consider alternative adaptation strategies

Tribes across the Arctic have inhabited their lands for thousands of years, relying on the land and wild resources that provide spiritual, subsistence, and economic value. At the same time, changing environmental conditions, such as sea level rise and storm surges, are impacting or threatening homes, schools and other critical infrastructure in many Arctic communities. 

In response, some of these communities have opted for a large-scale relocation, but relocation is cost-prohibitive and can disrupt connection to traditional lands, leading many communities to consider alternatives.

This spring, Alaska Sea Grant hosted a tribal-led workshop to discuss alternative ways communities can prepare for the changing environment. The workshop, Adapt in Place, sought to avoid problems stemming from abrupt community relocation by focusing on a slower migration away from the coast, one that is less disruptive to communities and families.

The workshop was born from ideas generated at an earlier workshop and published in a report, People on the Move in a Changing Climate. The workshop was organized by Alaska Sea Grant’s Davin Holen, a coastal community resilience specialist.

“At our first workshop, we saw the value in creating connections,” explained Holen. “Communities from Western Alaska shared their experience with land loss, especially from Typhoon Merbok in 2022. We heard similar stories from the Canadian Arctic. Our goal with Adapt in Place was to foster sharing of these experiences and connections among communities, so that they can learn from and support one another in enhancing community well-being and resilience.”

The workshop opened and closed with traditional song and dance by local Yup’ik performers. Held at The Nave, a historic church and community center in Anchorage’s Spenard neighborhood, the workshop fostered lively discussions that centered Indigenous culture and local priorities.

“Adapt in Place was not a traditional workshop. It included sharing dance, song, stories, food and kinship to foster connection,” said Holen.

Alaska Sea Grant State Fellow, Jake Cohen, one of the event’s organizers, noted while Adapt in Place built on other climate adaptation workshops, it was unique in that it centered on Indigenous culture and knowledge, and facilitated dialogue among community leaders, elders and youth.

“It is the start of a much larger effort,” explained Cohen. “We hope workshop attendees will build lasting intertribal relationships that will allow for the continued sharing of adaptation successes.”

Colleen Timmer, a tribal administrator of the Native Village of Paimiut and the Native Village of Hooper Bay, said the workshop provided a dedicated space for communities to hear about the successes and challenges of resilience planning. 

“We were able to have important conversations on how we can move forward with the issues we are dealing with as Indigenous peoples. I look forward to potentially having other gatherings hosted by Alaska Sea Grant in the years to come,” she stated.

Holen reported that workshop participants from three communities will reunite this fall in the Canadian Arctic community of Tuktoyaktuk to share resilience strategies, continuing the collaborations built at Adapt in Place.