The Landmine has confirmed the State of Alaska paid for a weeklong trip to Switzerland for the board chair and executive director of the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights. Board chair Dorene Lorenz and executive director Rob Corbisier took the trip to attend a meeting of the United Nations in Geneva in early November. 

The trip took place amid a travel ban Governor Mike Dunleavy (R – Alaska) issued in May. The administrative order mandates “a freeze on all out-of-state travel for state employees, regardless of funding source.” It further states that “exceptions may be granted through a waiver process for essential public safety or mission-critical duties.”

Corbisier told the Landmine the Governor’s Office approved the travel. The Landmine reached out to the Governor’s Office to see why the trip was for essential public safety or mission-critical duties. They have not yet responded. 

The Landmine sent a records to the Human Rights Commission on November 18 asking for a cost breakdown for the trip. They have yet to fulfill the request, saying the travel authorizations have not yet been closed out. But Corbisier did tell the Landmine that his plane ticket cost around $2,850 and the hotel in Geneva was $210/night. According to Corbisier, they each stayed for six nights, which would total $2,520 for the two rooms. Depending on the price of Lorenz’ plane ticket and other travel costs, the trip likely cost the state more than $8,000. 

Lorenz posted a video of remarks she made during the meeting. After giving a bizarre land acknowledgement to the Swiss, she spoke on the topic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. She also posted a video of remarks Corbisier made about the history of racism in Alaska, the role of the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights, and the importance of resource development for indigenous people.