Monday, October 20, 2025 – Alaska Native residents assess their future after record-breaking storm damage

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-AK) predicts many of the more than 2,000 people uprooted by historically damaging storms may not be able to return to their villages for more than a year and a half. In at least one village, officials say 90% of the residences are destroyed – and, as their lives are suddenly and drastically changed, the mostly Alaska Native inhabitants of the hardest-hit areas face the possibility of increasingly severe weather as the climate changes. We’ll get updates on the current efforts to provide relief and assess the long-term options for the people who have always lived there.

We’ll also hear about how a new influx of $15 million in federal money over the next five years will help the StrongHearts Native Helpline, which provides culturally specific outreach for Native domestic violence survivors. The money comes at a time when the federal government is cutting back and eliminating staff for many other social programs.

GUESTS

Walter Nelson (Yup’ik), managed retreat coordinator for Village of Napakiak

Lori Jump (Sault Ste. Marie Band of Chippewa Indians), CEO of StrongHearts Native Helpline

Taylar Sausen, director of communications for American Red Cross of Alaska

Rick Thoman, Alaska climate specialist with the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy at the University of Alaska Fairbanks

Eric Stone, state government reporter for Alaska Public Media

 

Break 1 Music: Ocean Prayer [Version A] (song) Pamyua (artist) Side A/Side B (album)

Break 2 Music: Thunderbird (song) Blue Moon Marquee (artist) Scream, Holler, and Howl (album)