Tradition and Transition on the Seward Peninsula: Bridging the Gap Between Potential Mining Development and Indigenous Livelihoods

Abstract

Alaska’s Seward Peninsula communities are at a pivotal intersection of natural resource development and Indigenous subsistence livelihoods. As the demand for graphite, a vital component in the transition towards a decarbonized economy increases, a proposal has been made to establish a large graphite mine 60km North of Nome. Thus, these communities find themselves at the forefront of balancing economic development with environmental stewardship and cultural preservation. There remains a notable policy gap in accounting for the impacts of extractive industries on livelihoods in this region and this research integrates specific spatial and temporal land-use data to inform adaptive recommendations.