David Leslie
@kenske.bsky.social
A queer Iñupiaq Inuit in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Dancer, choreographer, actor, producer, filmmaker and fire spinner.
Dancer, choreographer, actor, producer, filmmaker and fire spinner.
Made the front page of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner today. I also have a letter to the editor about NANA.
These ICE contracts use the same violence inflicted on Alaska Natives during the boarding school era- separating families and denying access to language and culture.
It is white supremacy.
These ICE contracts use the same violence inflicted on Alaska Natives during the boarding school era- separating families and denying access to language and culture.
It is white supremacy.
November 19, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Made the front page of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner today. I also have a letter to the editor about NANA.
These ICE contracts use the same violence inflicted on Alaska Natives during the boarding school era- separating families and denying access to language and culture.
It is white supremacy.
These ICE contracts use the same violence inflicted on Alaska Natives during the boarding school era- separating families and denying access to language and culture.
It is white supremacy.
Reposted by David Leslie
The Republican Women of Fairbanks PAC is the biggest political spender in our local elections. Spoiler: their top donors are mostly men. It’s funded by the owners Chena Hot Springs and Sunrise Bagel & Espresso.
❌ Boycott big MAGA corps (Amazon, Spotify, Walmart, etc) AND local MAGA money. #AkLeg
❌ Boycott big MAGA corps (Amazon, Spotify, Walmart, etc) AND local MAGA money. #AkLeg
November 12, 2025 at 7:34 PM
The Republican Women of Fairbanks PAC is the biggest political spender in our local elections. Spoiler: their top donors are mostly men. It’s funded by the owners Chena Hot Springs and Sunrise Bagel & Espresso.
❌ Boycott big MAGA corps (Amazon, Spotify, Walmart, etc) AND local MAGA money. #AkLeg
❌ Boycott big MAGA corps (Amazon, Spotify, Walmart, etc) AND local MAGA money. #AkLeg
Reposted by David Leslie
@kenske.bsky.social is one of the strongest moral voices in Fairbanks. He speaks truth to power. Every time.
“This is not and Iñupiaq, Inuit, Alaska Native or Indigenous issue. This is a human rights issue, and we all must work together to demand NANA divest, before more people suffer.”
“This is not and Iñupiaq, Inuit, Alaska Native or Indigenous issue. This is a human rights issue, and we all must work together to demand NANA divest, before more people suffer.”
NANA must not make white supremacy an Iñupiaq value
To the editor: NANA Regional Corporation and its subsidiary, Akima, have been in the news many times this year for allegations of human rights violations.
www.newsminer.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:43 PM
@kenske.bsky.social is one of the strongest moral voices in Fairbanks. He speaks truth to power. Every time.
“This is not and Iñupiaq, Inuit, Alaska Native or Indigenous issue. This is a human rights issue, and we all must work together to demand NANA divest, before more people suffer.”
“This is not and Iñupiaq, Inuit, Alaska Native or Indigenous issue. This is a human rights issue, and we all must work together to demand NANA divest, before more people suffer.”
Reposted by David Leslie
Upcoming #Fairbanks events—
🍎 Food security town hall & food drive, Saturday, Nov. 22
📢 Protest outside Dan Sullivan’s fundraiser, Monday, Nov. 24
💰 Boycott Black Friday: protest and food drive, Friday, Nov. 28
#AlaskaSky #AkLeg #Alaska
🍎 Food security town hall & food drive, Saturday, Nov. 22
📢 Protest outside Dan Sullivan’s fundraiser, Monday, Nov. 24
💰 Boycott Black Friday: protest and food drive, Friday, Nov. 28
#AlaskaSky #AkLeg #Alaska
November 19, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Upcoming #Fairbanks events—
🍎 Food security town hall & food drive, Saturday, Nov. 22
📢 Protest outside Dan Sullivan’s fundraiser, Monday, Nov. 24
💰 Boycott Black Friday: protest and food drive, Friday, Nov. 28
#AlaskaSky #AkLeg #Alaska
🍎 Food security town hall & food drive, Saturday, Nov. 22
📢 Protest outside Dan Sullivan’s fundraiser, Monday, Nov. 24
💰 Boycott Black Friday: protest and food drive, Friday, Nov. 28
#AlaskaSky #AkLeg #Alaska
Reposted by David Leslie
President Trump and several others now high up in his second administration have been talking about using the National Guard to help with mass deportations — and possibly invoking the Insurrection Act — for years.
Now, those plans might be playing out.
Now, those plans might be playing out.
Trump's National Guard deployments aren't random. They were planned years ago
President Trump and several others now high up in his second administration have been talking about using the National Guard to help with mass deportations — and possibly invoking the Insurrection Act — for years. Now, those plans might be playing out.
akpub.io
November 3, 2025 at 6:12 PM
President Trump and several others now high up in his second administration have been talking about using the National Guard to help with mass deportations — and possibly invoking the Insurrection Act — for years.
Now, those plans might be playing out.
Now, those plans might be playing out.
Reposted by David Leslie
Happy Halloween! It’s scary year round with this clown in office...#907initiative #YesManDan #SullivanShutdown #Alaska
November 1, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Happy Halloween! It’s scary year round with this clown in office...#907initiative #YesManDan #SullivanShutdown #Alaska
Reposted by David Leslie
Bwhahaha! 🤣🤣🤣
J.P. pulls out his wigs
J.P. pulls out his wigs
November 1, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Bwhahaha! 🤣🤣🤣
J.P. pulls out his wigs
J.P. pulls out his wigs
I'm mentioned in this. Previous dividends weren't even enough to pay my rent. This round is, but not by a lot.
But none of it is worth human rights violations. @humanrightswatch.bsky.social has called our Akima's ICE facilities, this is documented and being ignored by NANA leadership and AFN.
But none of it is worth human rights violations. @humanrightswatch.bsky.social has called our Akima's ICE facilities, this is documented and being ignored by NANA leadership and AFN.
Some shareholders of NANA Regional Corporation say the profit from its contract work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — nearly $1.2 billion over the past decade — aren't worth the human toll.
Some Alaska Native corporation shareholders say profits from ICE contracts not worth human toll
As the Trump administration's immigration crackdown continues, allegations of human rights abuses have led to calls from some NANA shareholders to get out of the immigrant detention business.
akpub.io
November 1, 2025 at 3:26 AM
I'm mentioned in this. Previous dividends weren't even enough to pay my rent. This round is, but not by a lot.
But none of it is worth human rights violations. @humanrightswatch.bsky.social has called our Akima's ICE facilities, this is documented and being ignored by NANA leadership and AFN.
But none of it is worth human rights violations. @humanrightswatch.bsky.social has called our Akima's ICE facilities, this is documented and being ignored by NANA leadership and AFN.
Reposted by David Leslie
“Bloomberg Businessweek, working with Kotzebue radio station KOTZ, found NANA held nearly 58.1% of ICE's 8(a) contracts over the past decade, a period during which it raked in about $1.2 billion.”
Some shareholders of NANA Regional Corporation say the profit from its contract work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — nearly $1.2 billion over the past decade — aren't worth the human toll.
Some Alaska Native corporation shareholders say profits from ICE contracts not worth human toll
As the Trump administration's immigration crackdown continues, allegations of human rights abuses have led to calls from some NANA shareholders to get out of the immigrant detention business.
akpub.io
November 1, 2025 at 2:21 AM
“Bloomberg Businessweek, working with Kotzebue radio station KOTZ, found NANA held nearly 58.1% of ICE's 8(a) contracts over the past decade, a period during which it raked in about $1.2 billion.”
In April 2023, PJ Simon signed a $50,000 contract with AIDEA to push for the Ambler road project, just fyi.
Are Alaska's critical minerals worth the cost of extraction? Locals weigh in
The Ambler Road would give mining companies access to a vast trove of untapped copper, cobalt and rare-earth minerals, but environmental groups and some Alaska Natives oppose the project.
www.wbur.org
October 31, 2025 at 5:59 PM
In April 2023, PJ Simon signed a $50,000 contract with AIDEA to push for the Ambler road project, just fyi.
Seeing the community work together to feed people as SNAP benefits get closer to lapsing is reminiscent of the Great Depression.
I suggest we call this era the Great Suppression.
I suggest we call this era the Great Suppression.
October 31, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Seeing the community work together to feed people as SNAP benefits get closer to lapsing is reminiscent of the Great Depression.
I suggest we call this era the Great Suppression.
I suggest we call this era the Great Suppression.
Reposted by David Leslie
"Trump's Unlikely ICE Detention Giant Is an Alaska Native Company -
Nana Regional Corp. is supposed to uphold Iñupiat values.
Some shareholders say its role in Trump’s deportation machinery makes a mockery of that."
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Nana Regional Corp. is supposed to uphold Iñupiat values.
Some shareholders say its role in Trump’s deportation machinery makes a mockery of that."
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Trump’s Unlikely ICE Detention Giant Is an Alaska Native Company
Nana Regional Corp. is supposed to uphold Iñupiat values. Some shareholders say its role in the president’s deportation machinery makes a mockery of that.
www.bloomberg.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:41 PM
"Trump's Unlikely ICE Detention Giant Is an Alaska Native Company -
Nana Regional Corp. is supposed to uphold Iñupiat values.
Some shareholders say its role in Trump’s deportation machinery makes a mockery of that."
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Nana Regional Corp. is supposed to uphold Iñupiat values.
Some shareholders say its role in Trump’s deportation machinery makes a mockery of that."
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Reposted by David Leslie
Are they counting the missing?
As ICE detains more people than it has in years, deaths in its custody have surged, with 2025 now the deadliest year on record for the agency.
It's the deadliest year for ICE in decades. As detentions rise, the trend may continue
There have been at least 20 deaths in ICE custody in 2025, the deadliest year since 2004. As the agency is ramping up hiring and increasing detentions, concerns remain about how to stop the trend.
akpub.io
October 24, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Are they counting the missing?
Reposted by David Leslie
As ICE detains more people than it has in years, deaths in its custody have surged, with 2025 now the deadliest year on record for the agency.
It's the deadliest year for ICE in decades. As detentions rise, the trend may continue
There have been at least 20 deaths in ICE custody in 2025, the deadliest year since 2004. As the agency is ramping up hiring and increasing detentions, concerns remain about how to stop the trend.
akpub.io
October 23, 2025 at 11:20 PM
As ICE detains more people than it has in years, deaths in its custody have surged, with 2025 now the deadliest year on record for the agency.
I'm in this article. NANA must divest from ICE contracts. They are perverting our Iñupiaq values for greed.
This is truly evil, there is no other words to describe it.
This is white supremacy at the highest levels of Alaska Native leadership.
This is truly evil, there is no other words to describe it.
This is white supremacy at the highest levels of Alaska Native leadership.
An Alaska Native company started with a vision for how it could make a profit and do good.
Then it became an ICE detention giant.
Then it became an ICE detention giant.
Lucrative ICE detention centers bring money — and anger — to an Alaska Native community
NANA Regional Corp. is supposed to uphold Iñupiat values. Some shareholders say its role in Trump’s deportation machinery makes a mockery of that.
akpub.io
October 24, 2025 at 7:53 PM
I'm in this article. NANA must divest from ICE contracts. They are perverting our Iñupiaq values for greed.
This is truly evil, there is no other words to describe it.
This is white supremacy at the highest levels of Alaska Native leadership.
This is truly evil, there is no other words to describe it.
This is white supremacy at the highest levels of Alaska Native leadership.
Reposted by David Leslie
“Some shareholders say the financial payoff isn’t worth the human toll. “Yeah, we get some money, but we also tarnish our culture, our people,” says David Leslie, a shareholder who lives in Fairbanks. The company is complicit in “acts of violence” he says, “and I can’t pay my rent.””
October 24, 2025 at 12:11 AM
“Some shareholders say the financial payoff isn’t worth the human toll. “Yeah, we get some money, but we also tarnish our culture, our people,” says David Leslie, a shareholder who lives in Fairbanks. The company is complicit in “acts of violence” he says, “and I can’t pay my rent.””
Reposted by David Leslie
University of Alaska Fairbanks officials estimated cuts of $8.8 million for a variety of programs and student services. Via @alaskabeacon.com
Trump administration cuts to University of Alaska programs for Native students are worse than previously announced
UAF officials estimate $8.8 million in canceled funding for a variety of programs and student services.
www.adn.com
September 18, 2025 at 6:17 PM
University of Alaska Fairbanks officials estimated cuts of $8.8 million for a variety of programs and student services. Via @alaskabeacon.com
The NAACP Anchorage branch declares a state of emergency over escalating hate and threats to our members and community members for speaking out in light of recent events and calls for the community to stand in solidarity with us to uplift and support marginalized voices and communities across AK.
September 18, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The NAACP Anchorage branch declares a state of emergency over escalating hate and threats to our members and community members for speaking out in light of recent events and calls for the community to stand in solidarity with us to uplift and support marginalized voices and communities across AK.
Reposted by David Leslie
This is what passes for “family values” in the Mat-Su-based Watchman comment section on Facebook…thinly veiled threats directed at school board members. Absolutely vile and dangerous.
September 1, 2025 at 5:55 PM
This is what passes for “family values” in the Mat-Su-based Watchman comment section on Facebook…thinly veiled threats directed at school board members. Absolutely vile and dangerous.
Reposted by David Leslie
It's getting where I think that if Trump dies in office, the only way we'll find out about it is if it happens in the middle of a press conference.
September 1, 2025 at 9:03 PM
It's getting where I think that if Trump dies in office, the only way we'll find out about it is if it happens in the middle of a press conference.
Reposted by David Leslie
Melania sits Don Jr., Eric, Ivanka and Tiffany down and tells them their dad went out for cigarettes but hasn’t come back.
September 1, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Melania sits Don Jr., Eric, Ivanka and Tiffany down and tells them their dad went out for cigarettes but hasn’t come back.
Reposted by David Leslie
remember that you can't play Wagon Wheel after Labor Day
September 1, 2025 at 8:58 PM
remember that you can't play Wagon Wheel after Labor Day
Reposted by David Leslie
I dunno. If Trump kicked the bucket, I can't help but think one of those greedy, grifting sleeazebags on his staff, despite being sworn to silence, would've sold that info for an exorbitant price at the first chance.
August 30, 2025 at 6:23 AM
I dunno. If Trump kicked the bucket, I can't help but think one of those greedy, grifting sleeazebags on his staff, despite being sworn to silence, would've sold that info for an exorbitant price at the first chance.