President Barack Obama hiked to Exit Glacier on September 2, 2015, the second day of his historic trip to Alaska. He wrote on Instagram: "Markers throughout Exit Glacier show how much it's receded over time. The impacts of climate change are real, and the people of Alaska are living with them every day. It's never been more important for us to work together to address this challenge." Photo from White House / Instagram
President Barack Obama is wrapping up his historic three-day trip to Alaska today with visits to two Native communities. Obama's first stop is Dillingham in Bristol Bay. He will meet with fishermen and families at Kanakanak Beach and attend a cultural performance at Dillingham Middle School. He is expected to spend about 3 hours total in Dillingham. The second stop is Kotzebue. The visit will make Obama the first sitting president to set foot in the Arctic. The trip to Kotzebue aboard Air Force One is expected to take a little over two hours, an indication of the lengthy distance Obama is traveling to meet the Native community there. He will deliver remarks at the Kotzebue School and tour the village. He is expected to spent about 3 1/2 hours total there. Obama will fly back to Anchorage later tonight. From there he will return to the White House in Washington, D.C.
YouTube: The President Addresses the GLACIER Conference
Obama arrived in Anchorage on Monday. He met with Native leaders at a roundtable and delivered remarks to the Conference on Global Leadership in the Arctic: Cooperation, Innovation, Engagement and Resilience, where he discussed the dangers facing Native communities due to climate change. "I had a chance to meet with some Native peoples before I came in here, and they described for me villages that are slipping into the sea, and the changes that are taking place -- changing migratory patterns; the changing fauna so that what used to feed the animals that they, in turn, would hunt or fish beginning to vanish," Obama said in his remarks. "It’s urgent for them today. But that is the future for all of us if we don’t take care. " On Tuesday, Obama visited Seward. He hiked to Exit Glacier and toured Kenai Fjords National Park. Get the Story:
Obama, Visiting Arctic, Will Pledge Aid to Alaskans Hit by Climate Change (The New York Times 9/2)
Paring His Bucket List, Obama Relishes Hiking at an Alaskan Glacier (The New York Times 9/2)
Dillingham opens up to presidential team with dinners, signs and thanks for stance on Pebble mine (Alaska Dispatch News 9/1)
Kotzebue polishes up, preparing for Obama and an uncertain future (Alaska Dispatch News 9/1)
Video: Dancers perform in Kotzebue ahead of Obama's arrival (Alaska Dispatch News 9/1)
Business and pleasure for Obama in Seward (Alaska Dispatch News 9/1)
Highlighted by Obama visit, Seward is a microcosm of climate change (Alaska Dispatch News 9/1)
Obama visits receding glacier in Alaska to highlight climate change (The Washington Post 9/1)
Obama Makes Urgent Appeal in Alaska for Climate Change Action (The New York Times 9/1) Some Opinions:
Natalie Landreth: If you're going to talk about arctic shipping, talk to Alaska's tribes (Alaska Dispatch News 9/1)
John Creed and Susan B. Andrews: In Kotzebue, president will find warm welcome, different way of life (Alaska Dispatch News 9/1) Related Stories:
President Obama meets Native leaders after landing in Alaska (9/1)
Rhonda Pitka: Alaska Natives put priority on subsistence rights (9/1)
Transcript: Obama remarks following Native leaders roundtable (9/1)
94-year-old Alaska Native elder greets Obama with Denali song (9/1)
Politicians in Ohio oppose return of Alaska Native name for peak (9/1)
President Obama restores Alaska Native name of highest peak (8/31)
President Obama to visit Native villages on historic trip to Alaska (8/25)
Alaska governor pursues appeal in landmark land-into-trust case (8/25)
Alaska Natives to welcome President Obama at end of month (8/17)
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