The Arctic Athabaskan Council (AAC) is an organization that represents American and Canadian Athabaskan member First Nation governments. The AAC’s membership spans across Alaska, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. About 76 communities and roughly 45,000 people live in an area that includes three of the largest river systems in North America, tundra and boreal forests, mountains and non-polar ice fields. Many Athabaskans continue to practice the same traditions and eat the same diet as their ancestors who were semi-nomadic hunters. The AAC is a Permanent Participant in the Arctic Council and emphasizes biodiversity conservation, climate change and helps ensure the implementation of the global Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).^[1] The main goal of the AAC is to “foster a greater understanding of the shared heritage of Athabaskan peoples of Arctic North America.”^[2] And according to the Treaty of the AAC, Athabaskan peoples are “aware of their respective and mutual interests and responsibilities in preserving and protecting the northern environmental ecosystem.”^[3]

While Athabaskan peoples have a shared heritage, their views and perspectives are hardly monolithic or homogenous. That said climate change is a major concern for all Athabaskans who urge for climate adaptation practices and policies. In Alaska, Athabaskan peoples are organized under federal and State statutes, and many other state-legislated and traditional political entities. Energy is central to the economy of the state of Alaska and while Athabaskans are aware of the abundance of natural resources that surround them, their goal is to ensure that natural resources are developed sustainably and responsibly.^[4] In Canada, Athabaskan peoples have organized under federal legislation into political bodies, such as bands, self-governing First Nations and regional umbrella organizations. 

In regards to shipping, tourism and oil and gas exploitation, the AAC urges for sustainable and responsible development in addition to greater empowerment and awareness raising of indigenous peoples to participate in decision-making processes. As a majority of Athabaskans are relatively young, the consequences of decisions being made will be felt by the younger generations who will inherit the region. The AAC seeks to influence international decision-making and protect the rights and interests of Athabaskan peoples in the US and Canada.^[5]