Hi everyone,

Last week, the constitutional climate lawsuit that my 15 co-plaintiffs and I brought against our State, Sinnok v. Alaska, was heard before the highest court in Alaska. We sat together before the Alaska Supreme Court to demand that the Court fulfill its duty to decide whether the State’s statutory policy of promoting fossil fuels infringes on our constitutional rights. If successful, our lawsuit would stop the State of Alaska from prioritizing fossil fuel development over our lives, our cultures and traditions, and our futures. 

It was an honor to sit in front of the judges with hundreds of our supporters packed into the courtroom in solidarity behind us. Thank you, to all who supported us in Anchorage and from afar! You can read the full press release from Our Children’s Trust about the hearing here. And check out this Associated Press piece about it, as well as this op-ed by two of my co-plaintiffs. 

I am Inupiaq and my culture is important. For thousands of years we have lived off of the land and sea through our subsistence lifestyle. My elders have taught me to treat the land like I would treat a human being. They taught me to respect the land and sea so that the land will continue to provide for our people. It is time that the State of Alaska begin treating the Earth with respect so that my culture can survive.

Thank you again for all of your support.  

Summer Abuzunaq Massu Ikkugaq Sagoonick
Sinnok v. Alaska plaintiff from Unalakleet Alaska