Inuvialuit and Alaska Inuit continue historic partnership to tackle challenges to their culture and way of life 

IRC gratefully recalls timely support from Alaska’s Arctic Slope Regional Corporation in 1976 as the Committee for Original Peoples’ Entitlement (C.O.P.E.) was starting the long negotiations with Canada, which led to the Inuvialuit Final Agreement. Inuvialuit will always feel affinity towards our Alaskan Inuit relations and friends for this encouragement at a crucial time.   

As climate change increases erosion and intensifies storm risks along Alaska’s coast, IRC has remained actively involved during times of need in these coastal settlements and important travel routes. With the most recent typhoon devastating Alaska’s Kuskokwim Delta, leaving 1,500 displaced, IRC has provided support for the Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund. 

We remain mindful of our Alaskan Inupiat relatives as they rebuild crucial infrastructure, adjust to the disruptions to their wellbeing, culture, subsistence harvests and coastal strongholds, and make plans for future resilience.