Guardians of the Refuge: A Delegation Rooted in Justice

Portland, OR — April 2026
In a landmark step for environmental justice and Indigenous sovereignty, Love Is King and the Alaska Wilderness League have announced a bold new collaboration: a 2028 Delegation of 18 diverse leaders, including BIPOC advocates, U.S. veterans, and emerging conservation voices, who will travel to Washington, D.C. to defend one of the nation’s most threatened wild landscapes—the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for the Arctic, where ongoing political pressure continues to threaten the sacred calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd and the ancestral homelands of the Gwich’in Nation. For the Gwich’in, the coastal plain—known as Iizhik Gwats’an Gwandaii Goodlit, “The Sacred Place Where Life Begins”—is not simply land. It is culture, identity, and survival.

A Growing Movement for the Arctic

The 2028 Delegation builds on years of partnership between Love Is King and the Alaska Wilderness League, who have worked together to elevate frontline voices in the fight to protect the Refuge. Each year, the organizations cultivate a cohort of BIPOC leaders and veterans who travel to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers, share lived experiences, and advocate for permanent protections.

This year’s announcement marks the largest and most diverse delegation yet.

“This is more than advocacy—this is solidarity, sovereignty, and stewardship in action,” said Love Is King founder Chad Brown. “When diverse leaders stand with the Gwich’in Nation, we strengthen a movement rooted in justice and universal belonging.”

Why the Arctic Refuge Matters

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the last truly wild ecosystems on Earth. Its sweeping tundra, braided rivers, and migratory pathways support polar bears, muskoxen, migratory birds, and the Porcupine caribou herd—an animal central to Gwich’in culture for thousands of years.

For decades, the Gwich’in have led the fight to protect the Refuge from industrial development. Their message has remained unwavering:

Protect the caribou. Protect the land. Protect the people.

The 2028 Delegation aims to amplify that message at the highest levels of government.

A Delegation Built on Leadership, Healing, and Universality

What sets Love Is King’s delegation apart is its foundation in leadership development, healing, and universality—the belief that all people have a role in protecting the Earth and standing with Indigenous nations.

Delegates are drawn from Love Is King’s Justice Habitat, a leadership pipeline that nurtures youth, veterans, and diverse community leaders from early development into full stewardship. Through expeditions, conservation work, and immersive outdoor experiences, participants learn to advocate with clarity, courage, and cultural awareness.

Veterans bring a unique dimension to the delegation. Many find healing and renewed purpose through Love Is King’s programs, and their presence in D.C. adds a powerful voice to the call for environmental protection.

Standing With the Gwich’in Nation

The 2028 Delegation will travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with congressional leaders, federal agencies, and national conservation partners. Their mission is clear:

Advocate for permanent protections for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Elevate the leadership and sovereignty of the Gwich’in Nation
Build national awareness around the cultural and ecological importance of the Refuge
Strengthen a movement rooted in justice, equity, and universality

The Gwich’in Steering Committee has welcomed the delegation’s continued support, emphasizing that solidarity from diverse communities strengthens their long‑standing fight.

A Future Rooted in Justice

As the climate crisis accelerates and political threats persist, the need for bold, diverse leadership has never been greater. The 2028 Delegation represents a new chapter in the national movement to protect the Arctic Refuge—one grounded in justice, cultural respect, and the belief that all people share responsibility for safeguarding the Earth.

“We are building a future where universality guides our actions—where every person understands their role in protecting land, culture, and community,” said Brown. “The Arctic Refuge is sacred. And together, we will defend it.”