New Nunamta leadership fights for Bristol Bay

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Thursday May 4, 2017

Nunamta Aulukestai (Caretakers of Our Land) Announces Interim Executive Director

Dillingham, AK: Nunamta Aulukestai (Nunamta), a coalition of Bristol Bay Alaska Native Village Corporations and tribes working to protect Bristol Bay from the proposed Pebble Mine project is pleased to announce that Myrtice Evalt, Nunamta’s Office Manager, will serve as its interim Executive Director. Myrtice will replace the group’s former employee, Kimberly Williams, who resigned to take a position on a proposed “advisory board” organized by the Pebble Limited Partnership. Sharon Clark, Spokesperson for Nunamta, released the following statement on behalf of Nunamta Aulukestai:
“Nunamta Aulukestai will continue our mission to protect Bristol Bay under the direction of Myrtice. Nunamta remains steadfast in our unwavering opposition to the Pebble project. We will continue to be a voice for the Bristol Bay community, as represented by our member tribes and corporations. Our organization and region will continue our fight to protect our way of life from a project that threatens our salmon fisheries and subsistence. While unfortunate, it is not uncommon for Outside mining companies to try to influence local voices by offering jobs and other monetary rewards. Pebble is resorting to desperate tactics to buy support for its mine. Its desperation does not change the fact that over 80 percent of Bristol Bay residents want healthy fisheries and communities, not a destructive mine. Nunamta remains unified in our opposition to the Pebble project.”

Nunamta Aulukestai is a coalition of Alaska Native Village Corporations and tribes in the Bristol Bay region dedicated to protecting the Bristol Bay watershed from unsustainable development. Nunamta is a client of Trustees for Alaska.