Fred Phillip has lived in Kwigillingok his entire life and has been dedicated to preserving his community’s land and natural resources from an early age. Fred serves as the Chairman for the Bering Sea Elders Group. This group was started in 2007 with the initial focus on food security, especially against commercialized organizations. Fred has been a critical player in growing awareness and finding solutions that prioritize the preservation his traditional ways of life. From all his efforts and involvement Fred has become a well-respected Elder. He emphasizes the need for likeminded organizations and companies to rally together to create positive and impactful change. Prior to his involvement with the Elders group, Fred worked with the Calista Corporation for 60 years. He is a U.S Navy veteran and was in The Alaska Army National Guard.

Fred Phillip has a deep connection with his community, he knows the land well. Over the last 10 years he has noticed a lot of changes that are creating many difficulties for the Kwigillingok community. With massive erosion and permafrost melt the lakes are draining and the land is dwindling. The rise in temperatures have caused early ice melt that shorten the ocean hunting periods and create dangers for the people that depend on subsistence living. Fred is excited to be a part of the TAC to address and bring attention to these detrimental environmental shifts.