In the tight-knit, primarily Yup'ik village of Newtok, Alaska, there persists a strong connection to traditional livelihoods, rooted in the land the community's ancestors have long occupied. But that land is quite literally disappearing before their eyes, thanks to climbing temperatures that have accelerated rates of coastal erosion to as much 50 feet per year. As Newtok faces the prospect of relocation, Losing Alaska presents a crisis mirrored in many Northern Indigenous communities. A history of haphazard planning by government has exacerbated housing issues and ongoing effects of colonization. Young people face the additional pressure of having to choose between leaving for better job and educational opportunities, or remaining to fight for the ways of life they hold dear. Despite the severity of their situation, the remoteness of such communities means resident's voices are seldom heard, making Losing Alaska's wake-up call all the more urgent.
Preceded by short film Welcome to Gwichyaa Zhee
Having seen first hand the effects of oil and gas development in his native territory, a Navajo activist lends his support to the Gwich'in of Alaska as they fight to defend their home against similar despoliation.