AKPIRG Updates November 2022
November 4, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Election Information and Voter Language Access
Alaska Native Language Translation Protocols
APOC Complaints
AKPIRG Employee Spotlight
October Photo Recap
AKPIRG Swag
Have You Voted Yet?
Election Day is less than a week away! Whether you’re voting early, absentee, or in person on November 8, it’s time to make a plan to vote. Here are some resources to help you make that plan:
Check your voter registration status
ALL voters, regardless of preferred language, should have equal access to the ballot box. Share these language assistance voting hotlines with your world language community, and check out akpirg.org/language-access for more resources.
Find your polling location HERE!
Alaska Native Language Translation Protocols
Last month, at the annual Elders & Youth Conference hosted by the First Alaskans Institute, the AKPIRG/NPACF Language Team presented a new set of protocols for Alaska native language translation.
Language protocols are necessary to ensure reciprocal and equitable relationships between Indigenous translation experts and partners. While these protocols are not exhaustive, they capture some of the core tenets of the team’s work.
The protocols include a list of best practices when working with indigenous language translation experts as well as a list of “Dos” and “Don’ts.” See the complete list of protocols on our website here.
Alaska Public Offices Commission finds AKPIRG Complaint Creditable
Throughout the month of October, AKPIRG worked on several complaints to the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) on various violations of Alaska’s campaign finance laws. The most recent complaint was levied against the Republican Governors Association, a national dark money group that operates in 36 states across the country, and A Stronger Alaska, a fraudulent shell organization created for the singular purpose of funneling $3 million dollars of dark money into Alaska’s gubernatorial election.
AKPIRG filed a complaint to APOC that was reviewed on an expedited basis given the severity of the violations and the proximity to the November 8th election. Ultimately, after multiple hearings and long deliberations, the commission found all of the evidence in support of AKPIRG’’s claim and issued a strongly worded order warning both A Stronger Alaska and the Republican Governor’s Association to be cautious, stating that the groups can “continue to make expenditures at their own peril.” The order details that the Commission will continue to investigate the matter further and determine any appropriate fines or penalties at a later date.
If you like the work we are doing to push back against dark money in politics and ensure free and fair elections, please help us keep up the fire and scrutiny with a donation today!
Employee Spotlight: Meet Our New Outreach Coordinator!
We have a new Outreach Coordinator! Meet Ashlyn Luckhurst:
Ashlyn tabling for AKPIRG at the 2022 Alaska Federation of Native Conference.
Ashlyn is Yup’ik and was born and raised on Curyung lands, also known as Dillingham, Alaska. Ashlyn is a recent graduate of Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Human Services. She spent many years working with United Tribes of Bristol Bay to protect the lands and waters of her home from potential toxic mining so that her community can continue to live in their culture and way of life as they have done since time immemorial.
Ashlyn enjoys traveling, exploring the lands and waters of her home with her family, adventuring with her sweet dog Lola, and working to create and maintain relationships that focus on sustainability for future generations.
October Photo Recap
October was a busy month for AKPIRG! Here are some highlights from AFN, GOTV events, tabling and more!
AKPIRG Swag! Get Yours Today
It’s not too late to get your AKPIRG swag! Show your support with some comfy and stylish merch - each purchase helps support the work we do for a sustainable future and healthy communities in Alaska. Visit our Bonfire store today!
AKPIRG staff and AKPIRG supporters in their AKPIRG hoodies.
Additionally, consider making a donation to AKPIRG or becoming a monthly supporter if you haven't already!
Thank you for reading! If you would like to learn more about any topic covered in this newsletter reach out to robin@akpirg.org to get connected!
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