FRONTLINE: Film Audio Track | PBS
Alaska's Vanishing Native Villages
May 6, 2025
Patty Tallahongva, a correspondent with the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, delves into the dire situation of Alaska's Native villages facing climate change. She discusses the alarming rise in sea levels and its profound effects on communities, prompting considerations for relocation. The emotional ties residents have to their land and traditional subsistence practices illuminate the struggle to maintain identity amidst cultural and environmental threats. Their stories reflect resilience, as they navigate the complexities of survival while preserving their heritage.
30:36
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Quick takeaways
- Alaska Native villages face displacement due to climate change, with rising sea levels and severe storms threatening their existence and infrastructure.
- Despite relocation challenges, these communities strive to preserve their cultural practices and subsistence traditions, emphasizing the importance of identity and heritage.
Deep dives
Impact of Climate Change on Native Villages
Alaska Native villages are experiencing severe consequences from climate change, with entire towns submerged due to extreme weather events like Typhoon Murbok. This storm led to substantial flooding, destruction of infrastructure, and displacement of residents, particularly in vulnerable communities such as Hooper Bay and Chivak. The combination of rising sea levels, warmth-induced melting of permafrost, and the increased frequency of severe storms point to an alarming trajectory for these indigenous communities. As a result, many residents face the grim reality of having to adapt their way of life dramatically or risk losing their homes entirely.
