Anchorage residents hold vigil for Renee Good
Calls for Divestment from ICE Detention Centers Echo at Memorial for Alaska Poet
A recent memorial service for Anchorage poet and mother, Sarah Good, became a focal point for activism, as attendees voiced concerns over investments made by the Alaska Native Corporation, NANA, in facilities operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The event, held to honour Good’s life and work, was powerfully interwoven with calls for corporate accountability and a renewed commitment to remembering those impacted by immigration policies.
A Poet’s Life and a Community’s Grief
Sarah Good, an Alaskan resident, died on October 18, 2023, after experiencing a medical emergency while in ICE custody [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/alaska-poet-sarah-good-dies-ice-custody-rcna120498]. She was 41 years old and a mother. Good’s passing sparked outrage and grief within the Alaskan literary community and among advocates for immigration reform. Her work often explored themes of identity, loss, and the Alaskan landscape, and her death has become a symbol of the human cost of increasingly restrictive immigration policies. The memorial service aimed to celebrate her life as a poet, a mother, and a member of the Anchorage community, while also acknowledging the circumstances surrounding her death.
NANA Corporation Under Scrutiny
During the memorial, a NANA shareholder publicly expressed her shame regarding the corporation’s financial ties to ICE detention facilities [https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/2025-10-23/lucrative-ice-detention-centers-bring-money-and-anger-to-an-alaska-native-community].NANA, one of the twelve regional Alaska Native corporations created by the Alaska Native claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971, is a for-profit entity owned by Inupiat shareholders. The corporation’s investments are intended to benefit its shareholders, but the ethical implications of profiting from immigration detention have become a source of meaningful internal conflict.
NANA’s involvement stems from its ownership stake in CoreCivic,a private prison company that operates several ICE detention facilities [https://www.corecivic.com/]. These facilities have faced repeated criticism for substandard conditions, allegations of abuse, and the separation of families. While NANA maintains that these investments are made with the goal of maximizing shareholder value, critics argue that they directly contribute to a system that inflicts harm on vulnerable populations. The financial benefits to NANA are substantial; Alaska Public Media reported that the corporation’s investments in CoreCivic have generated significant revenue.
A Call to Action: Divestment and Remembrance
The shareholder at the memorial urged attendees to contact NANA President John Lincoln and demand the corporation divest from CoreCivic and other companies involved in ICE detention. This call to action reflects a growing movement advocating for divestment from the private prison industry, arguing that financial pressure can force companies to reconsider their involvement in controversial practices. Divestment campaigns have gained momentum in recent years, with universities, faith-based organizations, and individual investors increasingly choosing to withdraw their funds from companies profiting from incarceration.
The Weight of remembrance: A Jewish Perspective
Adding a profound spiritual dimension to the event, a local rabbi addressed the crowd, drawing upon a central tenet of jewish faith: the concept of “double death.” He explained that a person first dies physically when their heart stops beating, but experiences a “second death” when their memory fades and no one remains to remember them.This concept, rooted in the Mishnah and Talmud, emphasizes the importance of preserving the memory of the deceased and ensuring their story is not forgotten.
The rabbi specifically highlighted Good’s identity as an american, a mother, and a poet, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of her life and the importance of honoring all aspects of her being. He underscored the role of funerals and memorial services not only as expressions of grief but also as opportunities for the living to find solace, inspiration, and a renewed sense of purpose. the recitation of the Mourner’s Kaddish, a customary Jewish prayer of mourning, further reinforced this theme of remembrance and communal support.
The Broader Context: ICE Detention and Human Rights Concerns
Sarah Good’s death is not an isolated incident. Numerous reports have documented concerning conditions within ICE detention facilities and raised serious questions about the treatment of detainees [https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights]. These concerns include inadequate medical care, overcrowding, insufficient access to legal counsel, and allegations of physical and sexual abuse. Human rights organizations, such as the American Civil liberties Union (ACLU) and Human Rights Watch, have consistently called for increased oversight of ICE and an end to the practice of indefinite detention.
The debate surrounding ICE detention is deeply intertwined with broader discussions about immigration policy, border security, and the rights of migrants. Advocates for immigration reform argue that the current system is overly punitive and fails to recognize the humanity of those seeking refuge or a better life in the United States. They advocate for more humane and complete immigration policies that prioritize due process, family reunification,