About ICAS
The Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope (ICAS) is a Regional Alaska Native tribal government governed by the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 and the ICAS Constitution as amended that represents and is selected by the Iñupiat people of the Arctic Slope region.
ICAS was established as an IRA in August 26, 1971.
The mission of ICAS is to exercise its sovereign rights and powers for the benefit of tribal members, to conserve and retain tribal lands and resources including subsistence and environmental issues, to establish and carry-out justice systems including social services pursuant to Iñupiat Tribal law and custom, and to increase the variety and quality of services provided to current tribal members and for our future generations.
Our Location
Within our boundaries are some of North America’s most unique regions. Bordered by the foothills of the Brooks Range to the south and the Arctic Ocean on the north and west, and Canada to the east, the area encompasses 89,000 square miles. Fifteen percent of Alaska’s land mass lies in this region, all of which is located above the Arctic Circle.
The North Slope Borough population as of July 2019 was 9,832. A majority of the villages are coastal with the exception of Atqasuk, 60 miles south of Barrow, and Anaktuvuk Pass, 258 miles southeast of Barrow.
History
In 2020, the Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope (ICAS) applied for funding from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The grant aimed to establish Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) in each of our tribal communities to enhance situational awareness through the EOCs during the COVID-19 response. Through this program, ICAS established the Department of Emergency Management (ICAS-DEM).
ICAS-DEM vision is to establish strategies to mitigate hazards, prepare for and effectively coordinate response and recovery to emergencies and disasters across the region. This includes our member tribal governments, tribal citizens, and regional and local partners. A regional tribal emergency management system was implemented to protect the life, health, safety, and the Iñupiat way of life throughout our region.
ICAS-DEM mission is to enhance situational awareness and provide timely alerts and warnings to the communities. This will enable us to better respond to disasters.
