Logo for InfluenceWatch InfluenceWatch

Donate
Non-profit

United Tribes of Bristol Bay (UTBB)

Website:

www.utbb.org/
Type:

Left-of-Center Environmental Advocacy
Formation:

2013
Executive Director:

Alannah Hurley

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

The United Tribes of Bristol Bay (UTBB) is a left-of-center tribal consortium and environmental advocacy organization that represents 15 federally recognized tribes in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region. The group’s primary focus is opposing large-scale mineral extraction projects; as of 2026, it was particularly invested in the blockage of the proposed Pebble Mine. In addition to opposing the development of such mines, the group promotes economic and community development in the area. 1

Founding and History

Fifteen federally recognized tribes in the Bristol Bay area of Alaska founded the United Tribes of Bristol Bay in 2013 to organize tribal opposition in Alaska to the proposed Pebble Mine, a large-scale open-pit mining project. Prior to UTBB’s formation, individual tribes and tribal members had opposed the mine since the early 2000s when exploration of development options began. 1  2

While there had been vague plans to develop a mine in the region for many years, the main opposition campaign began in 2010 when six native tribes in the Bristol Bay area petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use Clean Water Act authority to prohibit the mine, initiating a multi-year regulatory process. After its formation in 2013, the UTBB began coordinating opposition with its members and provided testimony to congress and contributed to legal and regulatory challenges. Executive director Alannah Hurley testified before Congress in October 2019 about the group’s opposition to the mine. 2  3

As of 2026, the group’s membership consisted of 15 federally recognized tribes in Bristol Bay, which it claims made up 80 percent of the population of the area: Togiak Traditional Council, Twin Hills Village Council, Manokotak Village Council, Curyung Tribal Council, Ekuk Village Council, Clark’s Point Village Council, Aleknagik Traditional Council, Portage Creek Village Council, New Stuyahok Traditional Council, New Koliganek Village Council, Levelock Village Council, Nondalton Village Council, Pilot Point Tribal Council, Pedro Bay Village Council, and Chignik Lake Tribal Council. 1

Partnership

The United Tribes of Bristol Bay works with the Native American Rights Fund, which provides legal representation, and participates in the Bristol Bay Defense Fund, a broader coalition of tribal, fishing industry, and environmental groups. The Bristol Bay Defense Fund is hosted by the Alaska Venture Fund, which is itself a project of the New Venture Fund, a left-of-center “dark money” group associated with the reorganized Arabella Advisors network. Sunflower Services, which is owned in part by New Venture Fund, acquired Arabella Advisors’ fiscal sponsorship business in November 2025. 1  4  5

Financials

As a tribal government entity, the United Tribes of Bristol Bay does not file a nonprofit tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). However, it does have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), which has been referenced by other nonprofits when reporting their grantmaking to the group. Donor groups have included the Alaska Conservation Foundation, the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association, the Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples, Possibility Labs, the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation, and First Nations Development Institute. 6  7  8  9  10  11 Additional funders have included the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Rasmuson Foundation, Flock Inc., the Head and Heart Foundation, Patagonia, and the Warsh Mott Legacy. 12

Organization Philosophy

United Tribes of Bristol Bay advances left-of-center positions on environmental issues and promotes indigenous rights. The group frames opposition to resource extraction as essential to preserving traditional subsistence lifestyles dependent on salmon fishing. It emphasizes tribal sovereignty and self-determination, arguing that Alaska Native communities should have decisive say over development in their ancestral territories and use the regulatory system to contest development. 1  13

Projects and Initiatives

United Tribes of Bristol Bay’s primary work is focused on contesting the development of the Pebble Mine, which it argues would have disastrous environmental and economic effects on the area and native ways of life. The group also works to preserve and strengthen tribal sovereignty and to preserve the so-called traditional ways of life of the local inhabitants. It works to promote economic development in the area, especially the local fishing industry, and promotes the hiring of locals for remote work positions. As part of these efforts, it conducts workforce development and training. UTBB also works to combat opioid abuse and conducts youth leadership training. 14  15  16  17

Leadership

As of 2026, Alannah Hurley was the executive director of United Tribes of Bristol Bay. She was born and raised in the Bristol Bay area and is a member of the Yup’ik tribe. In October of 2019, she testified before the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment concerning the Pebble Mine Project, arguing that native tribes had not been properly engaged during the development and planning process for the mine. 18   13  3

References

  1. “About UTBB.” United Tribes of Bristol Bay. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.utbb.org/about-utbb.
  2. “Defending our Home from Pebble Mine.” United Tribes of Bristol Bay. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.utbb.org/a-brief-history-of-pebble-mine.
  3. Hurley, Alannah. “Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives.” October 23, 2019. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.congress.gov/116/meeting/house/110065/witnesses/HHRG-116-PW02-Wstate-HurleyA-20191023.pdf.
  4. “Bristol Bay Defense Fund.” Alaska Venture Fund. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://alaskaventure.org/ventures/bristol-bay-defense-fund/.
  5. “New Entity Sunflower Services Purchasing Fiscal Sponsorship Services Business from Arabella Advisors.” Arabella Advisors, November 17, 2025. https://www.arabellaadvisors.com/
  6. Alaska Conservation Foundation. Return of an organization exempt from taxation (Form 990). 2020 Schedule I
  7. Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association. Return of an organization exempt from taxation (Form 990). 2024, Schedule I.
  8. The Seventh Generation Fund For Indigenous Peoples Inc. Return of an organization exempt from taxation (Form 990). 2021, Schedule I.
  9. Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation. Return of an organization exempt from taxation (Form 990). 2023, Schedule I.
  10. First Nations Development Institute. Return of an organization exempt from taxation (Form 990). 2019, Schedule I.
  11. Possibility Labs. Return of an organization exempt from taxation (Form 990). 2022, Schedule I.
  12. “United Tribes of Bristol Bay.” Grantmakers.io. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/search/grantees/?query=United%20Tribes%20of%20Bristol%20Bay.
  13. Sullivan, Meghan. “Alannah Hurley: ‘Be brave enough’ to reevaluate.” ICT. December 18, 2021. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://ictnews.org/culture/alannah-hurley-be-brave-ancsa-50/.
  14. “Lands, Air and Waters.” United Tribes of Bristol Bay. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.utbb.org/protecting-our-lands-and-waters.
  15. “Tribal Self Determination.” United Tribes of Bristol Bay. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.utbb.org/tribal-self-determination.
  16. “Sustainable Development.” United Tribes of Bristol Bay. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.utbb.org/sustainable-development.
  17. “Community Wellbeing.” United Tribes of Bristol Bay. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.utbb.org/community-wellbeing.
  18. “Our Staff.” United Tribes of Bristol Bay. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.utbb.org/our-staff.
  See an error? Let us know!