The incident is reminiscent of a 1988 rescue where three gray whales were trapped near Barrow, Alaska.

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Barrow, Alaska, is the northernmost community in the United States.

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He previously served as President of Inuit Circumpolar Council - Alaska, Vice Chairman of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, and has served on the Board of Directors of Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation, the village corporation of Barrow, Alaska.

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