Eben Hopson spent several years in local governance, serving as the mayor of Utqiaġvik. He established the Inuit Circumpolar Council, an organization aimed at uniting Inuit communities across Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. Hopson was a key figure in advocating for the rights of native peoples to engage in subsistence whaling, as evidenced by his representation of the Inuit in a landmark court case. His leadership and advocacy significantly influenced both local and international policies regarding indigenous rights.

Eben Hopson's political identity is marked by a steadfast commitment to indigenous rights, particularly in the contentious arena of subsistence whaling. His legal battle against the US government on behalf of Inuit whaling rights demonstrates a willingness to confront powerful federal entities. Hopson's strategic framing of indigenous subsistence practices as cultural imperatives rather than economic activities reveals a deeply rooted ideological stance. His unexpected coalition-building with environmental groups on specific issues highlights a nuanced approach to policy advocacy.