They Came but Could Not Conquer: The Struggle for Environmental Justice in Alaska Native Communities

by Diane J. Purvis

As the environmental justice movement slowly builds momentum, Diane J. Purvis highlights the work of Indigenous peoples in Alaska’s small rural villages, who have faced incredible odds throughout history yet have built political clout fueled by vigorous common cause in defense of their homes and livelihood. Starting with the transition from Russian to American occupation of Alaska, Alaska Natives have battled with oil and gas corporations; fought against U.S. plans to explode thermonuclear bombs on the edge of Native villages; litigated against political plans to flood Native homes; sought recompense for the Exxon Valdez oil spill disaster; and struggled against the federal government’s fishing restrictions that altered Native paths for subsistence.

In They Came but Could Not Conquer Purvis presents twelve environmental crises that occurred when isolated villages were threatened by a governmental monolith or big business. In each, Native peoples rallied together to protect their land, waters, resources, and a way of life against the bulldozer of unwanted, often dangerous alterations labeled as progress. In this gripping narrative Purvis shares the inspiring stories of those who possessed little influence over big business and regulations yet were able to protect their traditional lands and waterways anyway.
 

314 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2024

Reviews

[Nathan Muus · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good book, but seriously marred by a poor chapter on "Hunters to Herders" accounting for the Indigenous Sami people working with the Native Alaskans (FKA Eskimos). Takes the position that the Sami were detrimental to Native Alaskan experience.

Serious errors, in the chapter the Sami are relegated to be included in "The Scandinavians", thrown in with the Loman Brothers. Also, a reference to "the three winds hat", obviously someones early observation, does not help.

Perhape a not of reminder that in the process of two distinct Indigenous Peoples working together with reindeer, many kids and marital unions resulted. And today, the Sami and the Inuit are united as keepers of the Arctic.

[Matt Heavner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Critical and fantastic look at Alaska Native EJ. Important history (and current events).