Ice Sculpture Along The Anacostia Shows Climate Change's Effects On Indigenous Alaskans

WASHINGTON, DC — The Alaska Center, the Alaska affiliate of the League of Conservation Voters, projected a video showing the effects of climate change onto a 9,000-pound ice sculpture on Saturday at Diamond Teague Park along the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C.

The LCV affiliate, together with Native Peoples Action and Alaska-based Indigenous activist Sophie Swope, picked Saturday for the event near Nationals Park because it coincided with the Indigenous Peoples Day holiday weekend.

The video was projected onto the ice sculpture of a salmon jumping out of water. The event aimed to show members of Congress the devastating effects of climate change on Indigenous Alaskans.

Swope, of Cup’ik descent from Mamterilleq Bethel, Alaska, spoke on her experience with the effects of climate change on her home and critical food resources such as the salmon depicted in the ice sculpture.

“Climate change is challenging the traditional ways of life and hurting my community. The numbers of fish in our rivers — specifically salmon — are declining, and hunting and harvesting trails are not freezing properly,” Swope said at the event.

“Let's listen to those most impacted by the climate crisis and pollution who have for too long, not had a seat at the table," Swope said. "There is a world of opportunity here now, we just need our leaders to take bold steps forward and pass legislation that will support our future and address environmental injustice.”

The installation featured testimony from Alaska Native through short films made by Alaskan videographer Chris Ho. From melting glaciers to the loss of salmon, a major food source, Alaskans are facing the extreme effects of climate change.