Alannah Acaq Hurley

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Alannah Acaq Hurley
Born1985 or 1986 (age 40–41)
Clark's Point, Alaska
EducationUniversity of New Mexico (BA)
Known forEnvironmental activism
Children6
AwardsGoldman Environmental Prize (2026)

Alannah Acaq Hurley is a Yup’ik American environmental activist and fisher.[1] She was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2026.[2][3][4][5]

Life

She grew up in Clark's Point, Alaska.[6] She graduated from the University of New Mexico.[7]

Beginning in the 2000s, she organized opposition to Pebble Mine, a proposed open-pit copper and gold mine, in the Bristol Bay watershed.[8][9][10] In 2023, the EPA vetoed the proposal, citing risks to stream and wetlands habitats, including the world's largest salmon fishery.[11] In 2026, Hurley was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for her work opposing the project.[12][9]

Beginning in 2013, she is executive director of the United Tribes of Bristol Bay.[9]

In 2019, she testified before the United States Congress.[6][7]

References

  1. Petersen, Victoria (2023-01-31). "The EPA vetoed Alaska's proposed Pebble Mine". High Country News. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  2. Coco, Lance (2026-04-25). "History made as all women lineup win Goldman Environmental prize". RNZ. Retrieved 2026-04-27.
  3. "Alannah Acaq Hurley - 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize Winner". Goldman Environmental Prize. 2026-03-03. Retrieved 2026-04-27.
  4. Gayle, Damien (2026-04-20). "Woman who won legal case over greenhouse emissions awarded top environmental prize". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-04-27.
  5. "Six Women Win Goldman Environmental Prize, Widely Known as the "Green Nobel"". Democracy Now!. Retrieved 2026-04-27.
  6. Harris, Linnea. "Alannah Acaq Hurley's Watershed Moment". Sierra Club. Retrieved 2026-04-27.
  7. "Alannah Hurley (Yup'ik) HHRG" (PDF). Retrieved 2026-04-27.
  8. "Alaska Native leader Alannah Hurley wins Goldman Environmental Prize for Bristol Bay advocacy". Tribal Business News. 2026-04-26. Retrieved 2026-04-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. Geib, Claudia. "Goldman Prize winner Alannah Hurley fights Pebble Mine "from a place of love"". Mongabay. Archived from the original on 2026-04-29. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  10. Sun, Amy; Battula, Madhu (2026-06-15). "Goldman Prize: Protecting Fragile River Ecosystems". earthnova. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  11. Bohrer, Becky; Whittle, Patrick (2023-02-01). "Alaska gold, copper mine blocked over environmental worries". AP News. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  12. Moore, Ellen (2026-04-20). "Earthworks celebrates Alannah Acaq Hurley, Goldman Environmental Prize Winner". Earthworks. Retrieved 2026-06-27.