Kotzebue hosted the 2011 Emerging Leaders Dialogue, led by the Institute of the North, in early June. Attending from RDC were staff members Deantha Crockett, Marleanna Hall, and summer intern Natasha Shively.

The first Emerging Leaders Dialogue was first held in 2007 in Girdwood and is now held each spring in communities around the state. The theme of this Dialogue was “Livable Communities and the Human Condition.” Most of the focus was on small group discussions. Topics ranged from getting youth involved in making community decisions and focusing on economic opportunities to preventing domestic abuse and addressing racism. The Dialogue featured a full slate of speakers, including Representative Reggie Joule, and Kotzebue Mayor Martha Siikauraq Whiting.

The Dialogue also included a tour of Red Dog Mine and a trip to Noatak. Featured in the Red Dog tour was a safety orientation, as well as a walk-through of the mill, mine, and fish weir. Visitors learned of the economic impact of Red Dog and the $145.9 million in royalties paid to NANA Regional Corporation in 2010. Studies have shown that most of rural Alaska’s population is diminishing because people are moving into urban areas, which offer better economic opportunities. However, this isn’t the case for the NANA Region, mainly because of the Red Dog Mine.

Noatak rolled out the welcome mat for the group by serving traditional native foods like caribou, sheefish, and dryfish. Many attendees participated in the Walk for Life; a walk through the village to recognize how devastating the suicide rate is for Alaska Natives in small villages. The group was also given a tour of the new high school and had a chance to visit with the locals.

RDC very much appreciated the opportunity to participate in this Dialogue, as well as the hospitality in Kotzebue, Noatak, and Red Dog.

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