Pam Miller Recognized for Lifetime Achievement

The Alaska Conservation Foundation has recognized Pamela Miller, IPEN’s global co-chair, with its 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award. Pam founded Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT) in 1997 and serves as Executive Director, working passionately for environmental and reproductive justice, health, and human rights. She came to Alaska in 1989 following the Exxon Valdez oil spill to serve as a research biologist and campaigner with Greenpeace. Pam has served as a Principal Investigator for community-based participatory research projects funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, served as Ocean Issues Technical Coordinator for the Washington Department of Ecology, and was Director of a marine science education center at Nisqually Reach in southern Puget Sound. She previously received a Meritorious Service Award from the University of Alaska and a Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence in Washington State. 

In addition, the Foundation recognized Viola “Vi” Waghiyi with its Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual. Vi is profiled in the IPEN Women Leaders report for her work to expose health threats to Alaskan Natives from toxic chemicals. Vi is a Sivuqaq Yupik grandmother and Native Village of Savoonga Tribal Citizen and a nationally recognized environmental justice leader who is frequently invited to speak locally, nationally, and internationally. Since 2002, she has worked with ACAT and serves as Environmental Health and Justice Program Director. She was appointed by President Biden to the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council in April 2021 and re-appointed in March 2023 to advise the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality to increase the federal government’s efforts to address environmental justice. In December 2021, Vi was one of five women of color presented with the Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award for women environmental leaders of color. Vi serves as a leader of the Global Indigenous Peoples Caucus that advises the United Nations’ international delegates for treaties concerning persistent organic pollutants. 

IPEN congratulates Pam and Vi for this well-deserved recognition!