Washington, D.C. FlyIn Delegation

WASHINGTON, D.C. FLY IN DELEGATION PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Love Is King x Alaska Wilderness League

Advocating for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge & Standing with the Gwich’in Nation
The Washington, D.C. FlyIn Delegation is a national advocacy initiative led by Love Is King in partnership with Alaska Wilderness League. Each year, this program brings a united delegation of diverse professional leaders—including U.S. veterans and alumni of Love Is King’s Operation ROAM program—to the nation’s capital to champion the protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and uplift the sovereignty and leadership of the Gwich’in Nation.

These delegates are not abstract supporters—they are witnesses. Each has traveled to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, stayed with Gwich’in communities, and experienced firsthand the cultural, ecological, and political realities unfolding at ground zero. Their lived experience becomes the foundation for powerful, informed advocacy against ongoing efforts by oil and gas corporations to open the Refuge and the 1002 Area to industrial drilling.

“When diverse leaders stand together on ancestral land, partnership becomes more than strategy—it becomes a promise to protect what cannot be replaced.”

Purpose of the Delegation

The FlyIn Delegation is designed to:

Elevate diverse voices and lived experiences in national conservation policy
Strengthen solidarity with the Gwich’in Nation and amplify their leadership
Advocate for long‑term protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Counter political and corporate pressure threatening the Refuge’s ecological and cultural integrity
Build a pipeline of BIPOC and veteran leaders equipped to influence federal environmental policy
Build a pipeline of BIPOC and veteran leaders equipped to influence federal environmental policy

This program reflects Love Is King’s commitment to ensuring that democracy, justice, and stewardship extend beyond boardrooms and political chambers—into the outdoors, onto ancestral lands, and into the communities most impacted.

Delegate Background

Delegates are selected from the Operation ROAM alumni network—leaders who have:

Traveled to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Lived with and learned from the Gwich’in Nation
Witnessed the political, cultural, and environmental stakes firsthand
Developed a deep understanding of the threats posed by extractive industries
Demonstrated commitment to justice, stewardship, and community leadership

Their experience in the Arctic transforms them into powerful advocates capable of speaking with authenticity, clarity, and moral authority.

“Four years of returning to Washington, D.C. has taught us this truth: the Arctic Refuge is defended not only by policy, but by the courage of those who have witnessed its spirit.”

Program Structure

Day 1: Policy Briefing & Advocacy Training

Upon arrival in Washington, D.C., the delegation spends a full day with Alaska Wilderness League for an intensive briefing. This includes:

A comprehensive overview of current political dynamics surrounding the Arctic Refuge
Updates on legislative threats, administrative actions, and corporate pressure
Training on effective advocacy, storytelling, and meeting preparation
Review of scheduled meetings with senators, representatives, and policy staff
Role‑playing exercises to prepare for high‑stakes conversations on Capitol Hill

This day ensures every delegate enters the halls of power informed, confident, and unified in message.

Days 2–3: Capitol Hill Advocacy

For the next two days, the delegation—guided by Alaska Wilderness League—meets with lawmakers across Capitol Hill. Delegates:

Share their firsthand experiences in the Arctic Refuge
Communicate the cultural and spiritual significance of the land to the Gwich’in Nation
Advocate for permanent protections against drilling in the 1002 Area
Highlight the importance of Indigenous sovereignty and environmental justice
Build relationships with congressional offices committed to conservation and human rights

These meetings are powerful, personal, and deeply impactful. Delegates speak not as distant observers but as people who have walked the land, listened to the community, and carry the responsibility of witness.

“Our alliance with Alaska Wilderness League is a reminder that real change happens when community, experience, and justice walk into the halls of power side by side.”

Program Structure

The Washington, D.C. Fly‑In Delegation:

Expands the presence of BIPOC leaders and veterans in national conservation advocacy
Strengthens long‑term alliances between Love Is King, Alaska Wilderness League, and the Gwich’in Nation
Builds a growing cohort of leaders capable of influencing federal policy
Ensures that the Arctic Refuge is defended by people who understand its cultural, ecological, and spiritual importance
Demonstrates the power of lived experience in shaping national environmental decisions

This program is a testament to what happens when diverse leaders, Indigenous communities, and conservation
partners unite with purpose, clarity, and courage.

“Standing with the Gwich’in Nation is not an act of advocacy—it is an act of honoring a people, a place, and a future that depends on our collective courage.”