Protect Tongass National Forest and Indigenous Rights

The Tongass National Forest faces renewed threats from efforts to repeal vital protections that safeguard this invaluable ecosystem and the Indigenous communities who rely upon it. Lifting the Roadless Rule would open over 9 million acres of pristine temperate rainforest to destructive industrial activity like logging, mining, and road construction. This directly imperils the food security, cultural practices, and very existence of Alaska Native tribes whose lifeways are intricately intertwined with the Tongass. As President Gloria Ilsxileé Stáng Burns of the Ketchikan Indian Community powerfully stated, "We, the people of Kichxáan, are the Tongass. You cannot separate us from the land." Tribes have tirelessly defended the Tongass for generations out of a deep responsibility to protect this ancient rainforest for future generations. Any rollbacks to current safeguards disregard Indigenous sovereignty, ecological knowledge systems, and the human right to a healthy environment. Honoring tribal self-determination and investing in sustainable economic opportunities that align with traditional values is crucial for the Tongass and all who depend upon its invaluable services.