Regenerative economies are thriving throughout Alaska in ways that maintain continuity across millennia of Indigenous stewardship. The following pages are filled with examples of how people are putting theory into practice across regions and economic sectors, guided by Alaska Native values. We seek to share the vibrant future that is already here. We invite you to take part in building pathways that ensure the great shift is not just inevitable but also equitable. Transition is inevitable; justice is not. In Alaska, many of us measure “wealth” by more than financial income; we measure our wealth in terms of caring neighbors and by how full our freezers are–of fish, moose, caribou, and berries. Regenerative economics helps us recognize that our natural systems are in crisis and that we are not separate from them. Sustaining the status quo is not good enough. Regenerative economics undoes harm and creates economies that restore natural systems.
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The Sustainable Southeast Partnership has a decade of expertise building the relationships needed for Tribes, conservationists, Alaska Native Corporations, and regional nonprofits to advance a shared vision for the region. Spruce Root, an Alaska Native-run Community Development Institution (CDFI), is especially well-positioned to provide financing, and, at times more importantly, the technical assistance needed to expedite a Just Transition. Spruce Root supports small businesses through their Path to Prosperity Program, wherein they lead a coalition of finalists on a large grant application for funding. They are also one of many partners who recently launched a new fund, the Sea Coast Trust, to advance Indigenous led development.
@JUSTTRANSITION_AK
In the Alaskan context, we know that diversity is essential to resilience. We recognize that no single industry, policy, or investment is the solution. We also recognize that over-reliance on one industry (oil and gas, for example) has created systemic problems for Alaska. Diversifying our economy does not mean advancing other types of natural resource extraction. Shifts in Southeast Alaska away from extractive timber industries can inform how other regions respond to pressures to mine, frack, and drill.
REGENERATIVE ECONOMICS IN ALASKA
