Julie Kitka, the federal co-chair of the Denali Commission, voiced her concerns regarding the future of vital Alaska infrastructure projects that are currently at risk due to actions taken by the Trump administration. Kitka, who previously led the Alaska Federation of Natives for three decades, emphasized the urgency of the situation during her remarks at the City of Nome Investment Summit on Friday.
The Denali Commission, established in 1998, plays a critical role in coordinating infrastructure and economic development planning in rural Alaska. However, its future is now uncertain as the Trump administration pursues deep budget cuts and seeks to downsize portions of the federal government. Kitka described her dealings with the new administration as unprecedented and stressful, referring to it as an era where “urgency is the new normal.”
In her meeting with representatives from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an ad-hoc team led by billionaire Elon Musk, Kitka learned that she would now be shadowed by three DOGE staff members, who are tasked with assessing the Denali Commission’s operations. This development places Kitka and her colleagues in a position to advocate for the commission’s continued existence. Previous attempts to eliminate the Denali Commission during the first Trump administration were thwarted by Congress.
To demonstrate the commission’s value, Kitka is spearheading a “strategic pivot” that emphasizes the dual-use potential of funded infrastructure projects. By presenting infrastructure improvements as beneficial not only to local communities but also to national defense interests, she aims to secure the commission’s relevance.
For instance, a key project on the North Slope that seeks to establish climate-resilient telecommunications has emerged as a priority. This initiative involves collaboration between the Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope and telecommunications company Quintillion, navigating through a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant program. However, the recent cancellation of the BRIC (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities) program has put the project and many others at risk. The BRIC program, which had received praise for its efficiency during the first Trump administration, was deemed “wasteful” by FEMA spokespersons following its recent termination.
Kitka also highlighted specific projects in Alaska that are now jeopardized, such as a $19.9 million BRIC grant awarded to Skagway for landslide risk mitigation at the city’s port. Furthermore, past BRIC funding, including $1.465 million awarded to the Native Village of Kwigillingok to address environmental concerns, is threatened by this major policy shift.
During her address, Kitka reiterated the potential for the Utqiagvik telecommunications project to serve as a “test case” for demonstrating the benefits of infrastructure investments. She noted that there are 16 other pending projects in Alaska facing similar threats due to the axing of the BRIC program.
Kitka asserted that the Denali Commission’s unique role as a coordinating agency with flexible funding mechanisms exemplifies governmental efficiency. This allows for multiyear planning and minimizes seasonal delays, distinguishing the commission from other federal entities in Alaska.
The uncertainty surrounding the commission’s future prompted Kitka to express her concerns about its survival within the current administrative landscape. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who also spoke at the Nome conference, addressed the importance of ensuring that previously secured funding is disbursed rather than halted.
Murkowski echoed Kitka’s sentiments about emphasizing Alaska’s strategic role in national security discussions. She pointed to the Bering Strait region as a geographic and strategic asset, especially in light of increased attention on Arctic diplomacy and potential extraction of critical minerals.
“We’re looking at Greenland because of national security and mineral and economic security. What’s Nome? Chopped liver?” Murkowski questioned, emphasizing that the arguments used to justify interest in Greenland could equally apply to Alaska’s Bering Strait region.
In conclusion, both Kitka and Murkowski underscored the pressing need to advocate for federal investment in Alaska, as the region is not only vital to the state’s interests but also significant from a national defense perspective. As infrastructure planning hangs in the balance, the fate of the Denali Commission and its projects remains uncertain as the new administration moves forward with its policies.
image source from：https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/washington-d-c/2025-04-22/federal-leader-of-alaskas-denali-commission-says-she-is-fighting-for-the-agencys-survival
