subsistence

A large number of unfilled seats on the councils that manage Alaska’s subsistence hunting and fishing has left advocates worried their voices won’t be heard and confused about the process of filling those seats.

The State of Alaska is filing a lawsuit in federal court alleging the U.S. Office of Subsistence Management has overstepped its authority. 

The tribal lawsuit over herring in Sitka Sound boiled down to one question this week: Does the management of the commercial seine fishery still allow residents a “reasonable opportunity” to harvest enough spawn for subsistence?

This spring, the North Slope Borough conducted a census — not of people, but of the western Arctic bowhead whale population.

A humpback whale died after it beached in Turnagain Arm south of Anchorage near Girdwood. Biologists say it is an uncommon location for a humpback and they are now studying its death.

The whale became stranded twice early last week. It appeared to free itself but its body washed ashore Tuesday a few miles away from where it had first beached. Researchers carefully took measurements and samples, and subsistence users harvested blubber for food.

The House Resources Committee got an update on the traditional foods movement in Alaska.

It’s becoming more common for public facilities in the state to accept wild-harvested donations, such as deer or seafood. Seal soup has been added to the menu at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage.

Today's guest on Our Community is a longtime Executive Director of the Chugach Regional Resources Commission.  At an annual award luncheon hosted by the Alaska Conservation Foundation, CRRC's Patty Schwalenberg was awarded the 2017 Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual.

Patty Schwalenberg is executive director of Chugach Regional Resources Commission, a nonprofit inter-tribal organization dedicated to conservation of natural resources in the Chugach region.  

Today on Morning Line, Frank and Danny visited with Karen Evanoff and Rachel Mason about an event this evening at the Mountain View Library, which focuses on Indigenous Women and Subsistence.  

The two women will be the speakers - Karen has an insider's viewpoint, and Rachel has more of a researcher's viewpoint in this case. 

Details, from a press release are below:

AUG 31

Integrating Voices: Women and Subsistence

Hosted by Tundra Vision: Public History Consultants

Today on Our Community, ​Kristen Collins, the Alaska Center Community Organizer and Gayla Hoseth, 2nd Chief of Curyung Tribal Council & Stand for Salmon spokesperson came by KNBA to share a new state holiday.  

Each year, August 10th is designated as Alaska Wild Salmon Day.  

Collins says this comes after a law was passed that started as House Bill 128 on the 29th Legislature of Alaska in 2016.   

The Alaska Dispatch News reports Edward Itta, a prominent North Slope leader, died Sunday of cancer. Itta was mayor of the North Slope Borough from 2005 to 2011, when Shell was seeking oil leases and permits for offshore Arctic development.