House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman and U.S. Rep. Nick Begich led a roundtable meeting with Alaska Native leaders in Anchorage, Alaska this week. The event was part of a bipartisan congressional delegation’s visit to the state, focusing on issues under the committee’s jurisdiction that affect Alaska’s future and its native communities.
Chairman Westerman stated, “This week’s meeting with leadership from the Alaska Native community provided an important opportunity for our members to hear directly from Alaska Natives and learn about their unique culture and challenges. Our committee is committed to amplifying native voices and continuing to work on policies supporting their way of life. I commend Congressman Begich for his leadership on these issues and for making this historic meeting possible.”
Rep. Begich added, “It was an honor to welcome my colleagues to Alaska this week and ensure they heard from Alaska Native leadership from across our great state. This week’s roundtable was an important opportunity to hear about the unique issues facing Alaska Natives and discuss ways to support them through our work in Washington. It is critical that we continue these conversations and ensure the Alaskan way of life is preserved for generations to come.”
The congressional group visited several sites in Anchorage, including the Alaska Native Heritage Center. They held discussions with representatives from organizations such as the Alaska Federation of Natives, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, the Alaska Native Village Corporation Association, and the ANCSA Regional Association.
Topics at the roundtable included energy production, economic development, subsistence rights, healthcare, fish and wildlife management.
The trip marks the largest bipartisan delegation of Natural Resources Committee members ever to visit Alaska. Members attending included Reps. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), Celeste Maloy (R-Utah), Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.), Rob Wittman (R-Va.), Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.), and Val Hoyle (D-Ore.).
