Washington, DC – At the invitation of the Alaska Federation of Natives, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will attend the organization’s leadership meeting in Alaska next week.
This will be Secretary Jewell’s second visit to the state in her official capacity. Jewell has visited Alaska more than a dozen times in previous roles, including as an oil and gas engineer, commercial banker and outdoor recreation business leader.
Jewell will address the Alaska Federation of Natives Leadership Summit in Kotzebue on Tuesday, February 17, 2015. Following the summit, Jewell will hold a media availability in Anchorage to discuss her visit.
In addition to the AFN summit, Jewell will join local leaders to tour the town of Kotzebue and the village of Kivalina to discuss the impacts of climate change on the coastal communities. The island on which Kivalina lies is threatened by rising sea levels and coastal erosion, which has been exacerbated by stronger fall storms and reduced sea ice. It is predicted that the island will be inundated by 2025.
Jewell is also expected to meet with Governor Walker and Alaska elected officials.
WHO: U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell
WHAT: Media Availability to Discuss Alaska Trip
WHEN: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at 3:45 pm AKST
WHERE: U.S. Department of the Interior OS Conference Room 1689 C Street Anchorage, AK 99501
RSVP: Credentialed members of the media should RSVP HERE no later than Tuesday, February 17 at 11:00 am AKST
