As he awaits prison sentence, man is banished from three Alaska villages

Three southwest Alaska villages have banished a man awaiting his sentence for homicide charges related to a

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Over the course of this summer, Derek Adams, 22, has been banned from entering from the Yukon River communities of Nunam Iqua, Alakanuk, and Emmonak. One village bought Adams a one-way plane ticket to Bethel.

“When we found out he was banished from Numa Iqua (the site of the fire) and he was living here, we didn’t want this as a dumping ground for people that have been banned from other villages,” said Benjamin Phillip, president of Alakanuk Traditional Council.

“We tolerated that in the past, but we’re putting our foot down and saying enough is enough," he told KTUU.

Adams pleaded guilty in April to three counts of criminally negligent homicide and two counts of assault. He is on probation in Bethel awaiting a September 12 sentencing, according to court records and an offender locator database.

Attempts to contact Adams' attorney were unsuccessful.

Records show Adams was first banished from Nunam Iqua in June by the community's traditional council.

A resolution by the council states Adams may not enter the village boundaries for ten years, citing concerns of serious criminal activity, protective orders against him by tribal members, and threats against family members.

“Determination will be made whether all requirements set by the Nunam Iqua Traditional Council are met before being allowed to return,” the resolution said.

Adams would have to show documentation that behavioral health treatment and anger management have been completed and that he commits no other criminal activities within the ten years before lifting his banishment would be considered, the resolution states.

Edward Adams Sr., president of the traditional council and Adams’ uncle, said it’s the third or fourth time a community member has been banished from the village since the early 1980s.

“The only reason why villages banish people is if they’re a danger to themselves or a danger to someone else,” Adams said.

The Nunam Iqua council’s decision to banish Adams makes it even harder, Edward Adams said, knowing it’s a family member.

“Yeah, it’s always hard, you know, because everybody’s related to each other,” Edward Adams said.

In July, Alakanuk Traditional Council soon followed in banishing Adams from its village, also citing concerns of the severity of Adams’ charges. At the time, Adams was residing in Alakanuk, about 13 miles from Nunam Iqua on the Lower Yukon River.

While he might be able to return to Nunam Iqua in the future, the Alakanuk banishment order is "permanent in nature," that village resolved.

Phillip, the traditional council president, said that once the council banishes someone, they notify surrounding communities of the decision. Emmonak Tribal Council also made the decision to banish Adams.

“The Emmonak Tribal Council has developed serious concerns regarding Mr. Derek William Daren Adams as a result of the serious violent crimes of which he is accused, his threatening and aggressive behavior within the village, and the concerns of many residents who are afraid for their own safety,” the council’s July 5 resolution stated.

The council noted Adams was invited to present his side of the story and argue against the ban to the council at its regularly scheduled meeting. In a subsequent August 8 letter, the council told Adams that the decision was a difficult one.

"We did practice our sovereign governing rights to protect our members and other residents residing in our village from any danger that may befall them," wrote council chairperson Martha Kelly.

The city bought a $300 Grant Aviation ticket for Adams to travel to Bethel where his sentencing is scheduled, according to a copy of the check.

Adams’ banishment is permanent unless and until the resolution is revoked or replaced by a similar action of the Emmonak Tribal Council the resolution said.

According to court documents, Adams has a total of three open cases against him, the most severe involving the deadly 2013 fire that killed 43-year-old Joseph Ignatius, 25-year-old Edward Murphy, and 8-year-old Cyprian Ignatius.