Yukon Delta Community Moving Towards Energy Sovereignty
Storyknife, September/October 2025 edition
The village of Kotlik aims to transform its energy supply with a new project led by Kongnikilnomuit Yuita Corporation and its president Richard Oakes Pilaarilgia Bender, a Calista Shareholder.
Bender’s Yup’ik name Pilaarilgia has two meanings: the person that makes the first cut on the seal after it’s caught, and he will do what he says. Bender was born in Kotlik, moved to Anchorage at 19 and now works for his village corporation.
Kongnikilnomuit Yuita is the village corporation for Bill Moore’s Slough, now relocated to Kotlik.
“Our corporation is one extended family, as we are all related. We own the land we chose for its subsistence value. It gives us a voice and place at the table in state and federal levels of governance,” says Bender.
After decades of dependence on diesel fuel and uncertainty in the supply chain, leaders advocated for their community and received grants for renewable energy projects.
Three board members of Kongnikilnomuit Yuita were young adults when the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was passed, and two are Descendant Shareholders. All of the board members have executive experience and half of them have college degrees, which is helpful for managing this project.
“After getting to know who I was working with—the Elders and Shareholders of my village—working for my corporation is a way to stay connected and make an impact in our community. Our people are very supportive of me, and that made me want to keep working,” says Bender.
There are three phases to Kotlik’s renewable energy project. The project is in its first phase, which is planning and analyzing the existing grid’s resilience. With the help of Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Kotlik is using its U.S. Department of Energy 40101(d) grant to replace the existing generator, repair outdated transformers, and add grid components to prepare for the following two phases.
“Phase two is to develop solar capabilities, and phase three is to develop wind. We are using our U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs grant to create a business plan, power purchase agreement, and operation and maintenance practices for the next two phases,” says Bender.
Once the project is completed, Kotlik plans to function as an independent power producer. This way, the utility buys energy from the village and the earnings are put back towards the community to provide benefits like bill rebates, all while providing energy at a reasonable cost.
Kongnikilnomuit Yuita is one of three corporations operating in Kotlik. Developing Kotlik’s energy project increased the need for partnership and understanding between the corporations.
“Our corporation is one extended family, as we are all related. We own the land we chose for its subsistence value. It gives us a voice and place at the table in state and federal levels of governance.”
Richard Oakes Pilaarilgia Bender, President and CEO of Kongnikilnomuit Yuita Corporation
“We created the Kotlik Energy Planning Committee as a way to streamline and improve communications and coordination for this project and other projects moving forward,” says Bender.
Bender’s priorities for this project are creating capacity and workforce development for those living in Kotlik, and helping to pass down the traditional ways, values and culture of the region.
“After this project is completed, we need people trained to maintain our renewable energy,” Bender says. “We want to empower people to stay in the village and have good employment opportunities. Two ways we ensure that is our local and Native hiring preference and offering competitive wages.”
Bender’s advice for other village corporations looking for alternative energy sources is to talk to community members through the entire process.
“These projects are a community effort. Ask questions and reciprocate with the community, because nothing is going to move forward without their support,” says Bender. “My people are helping me not only with this project but with passing down the traditions and values of our region.”