CHAMPIONING the COMMONS

The Institute of the North conducts research, facilitates discussion, and advocates for managing our shared resources for the benefit of all humankind

News & Events

The Institute Launches Program for Developing Nations
The Institute Launches Program for Developing Nations

Institute founder, Wally Hickel, long aspired to share Alaska’s Owner State Model of resource governance with other parts of the world. Today, we are excited to be making that dream a reality. Last June, the Institute’s Director traveled to Nairobi Kenya with former...

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ANILCA Training Update
ANILCA Training Update

We are currently working to upgrade our regular ANILCA training program to an on-demand online format. This will significantly improve training reach, access, convenience and educational outcomes. In the meantime, please join our mailing list to be notified when this new program is available. We also consider requests for customized ANILCA training from time to time.

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Featured Projects

Arctic Resilient Communities Youth Fellowship

The Arctic Resilient Communities Youth Fellowship (ARCYF) is a one-year, paid fellowship designed to empower northern youth to advance responsible development and contribute to greater resilience and prosperity of their communities. The program envisions an Arctic future shaped by those most directly affected, by giving them the tools to help influence decision making.

The New Face Of ANILCA Training

For over 20 years, this Institute has administered the most comprehensive and balanced ANILCA training available. We are currently working to transition this training to an asynchronous delivery format. This move will significantly improve access and flexibility for participants, well into the foreseeable future. During this transition, we will offering a version of this asynchronous training through.

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Bringing the North to Africa

Former Governor Wally Hickel long aspired to share Alaska’s unique model for resource governance with other parts of the developing world. In June of 2023, former Governor Bill Walker and board member, Jack Hickel, were finally able to launch the Institute’s newest program in Nairobi Kenya, with a presentation before the International Association of Study of the Commons.

“we, the people of the world, own most of this planet in common. Our future depends on learning to use and develop this commons for the good of the total, and not just for the few… If we could learn to use these God-given resources productively for the benefit of all, the world would stand today on the threshold of wealth and social advancement we cannot yet imagine. There would be no legitimate reason for poverty.”
WALLY J. HICKEL, FOUNDER