Oil Patch Bits: IABA to host US senate candidate Arctic debate

The Iñuit Arctic Business Alliance will host a U.S. Senate candidate debate on the Arctic from noon to 2 p.m. on Oct. 26 at the Barrow High School auditorium in Barrow, Alaska. Confirmed candidates include the incumbent, Republican candidate Lisa Murkowski, independent or non-affiliated candidate Margaret Stock, Democrat candidate Ray Metcalf and non-affiliated candidate Breck Craig. Libertarian candidate Joe Miller and non-affiliated candidate Ted Gianoutsos have also been invited.

The debate will cover issues relevant to the Arctic, including national security, commercial shipping, transportation infrastructure, energy exploration, climate change, subsistence, economic development, housing, health and telecommunications. KTVA’s Rhonda McBride will moderate the debate.

By virtue of Alaska, the United States is an Arctic nation. As this region of the world rapidly changes, Alaska is on the forefront of a new Arctic frontier. Issues of national security, commercial shipping, transportation, infrastructure, and energy exploration demand an elected leader who is ready to lead and advance Alaska’s Arctic interests. It is also imperative that candidates running for statewide or federal office have a respect and understanding of Alaska’s Arctic indigenous communities. It is critical for our elected leaders to honor the relationship Alaska Natives have with the United States federal government and to understand, as well as advocate for, the importance of our subsistence lifestyle, our languages and cultures.

IABA’s mission is to provide a unified voice, collective vision, guidelines, and venue for doing business in the Arctic. IABA’s goals are to ensure that the ASRC, BSNC and NANA regions directly benefit from activity and operations in the Arctic. IABA will provide the Alaska Iñuit a voice, with respect to transportation, infrastructure, energy and all facets of sustainable economic development and cultural stewardship.

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