Into the Wild: Life in the Mat-Su Valley of Alaska

Sarah Montalbano is the Policy Manager for the Alaska Policy Forum and a senior fellow with the Independent Women’s Forum. She was born and raised in Wasilla, AK, and her family has roots in the state from the era before Alaskan statehood. Sarah joins the Forgotten America podcast to share about the culture, natural beauty, and economic growth of the state. Garrett & Sarah discuss public policy challenges Alaska faces, art and culture, and the history of the native population as well as how Alaskans handle issues of conservation and responsible land development.

Follow @SarahMontalban0 and at IWF, Young Voices, and Alaska Policy Forum.

Additional Resources for This Episode

Wasilla, Alaska: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasilla,_Alaska

Alaska Policy Forum: https://alaskapolicyforum.org/author/sarahm/

Mat-Su Valley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanuska-Susitna_Valley

Alaska Permanent Fund: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Permanent_Fund

Endless Wall Trail in West Virginia https://www.nps.gov/places/endless-wall-trail.htm

Hatcher Pass Alaska https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatcher_Pass

229 federally recognized federally recognized Alaskan native villages. Alaska Federation of Natives: https://www.nativefederation.org/

Alaska Native Corporations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Native_Claims_Settlement_Act

13 regional corporations that generate revenues and distribute them to shareholders

Denali National Park: https://www.alaska.org/destination/denali-national-park