Rally for the River to Bring Together Tribal Leaders, Community Members, and Advocates in Bethel on June 5

BETHEL, ALASKA — The Mother Kuskokwim Tribal Coalition, alongside partners and community members, will host a “Rally for the River” in Bethel on Friday, June 5, at 11:30am -1pm to show support for protecting the Kuskokwim River and opposing the proposed Donlin Gold mine.

The rally will bring together Tribal leaders, youth, elders, fishermen, subsistence users, berry pickers and supporters from across the Yukon-Kuskokwim region to stand in solidarity for clean water, healthy salmon, and the protection of Indigenous homelands and ways of life bringing shareholder voices to Calista board members.  

Organizers say the event comes at a critical time as concerns continue to grow over the long-term impacts the proposed Donlin Gold project could have on the Kuskokwim watershed, salmon habitat, subsistence resources, and community health.

WHEN: Friday, June 5, 2026 11:30am -1pm 
WHAT: Rally for the River
WHERE: Start location @ BNC complex; End point @ Bethel Regional High School parking lot Bethel, Alaska
WHO: Hosted by the Mother Kuskokwim Tribal Coalition 

The rally will feature speakers, community members, cultural expression, and opportunities for the public and media to hear directly from those who depend on the Kuskokwim River for subsistence, culture, and future generations.

“The Kuskokwim River is our food source, our transportation corridor, our culture, and our connection to one another,” organizers said. “This rally is about standing together to protect what sustains us.”

Media are encouraged to attend.