Subsistence Program Purpose

The goal of the Subsistence Program is to advocate for subsistence rights of Alaska Natives and tribes to ensure the continued customary and traditional uses of fish, wildlife and plant resources on lands and waters of Southeast Alaska.

Program Description

The Subsistence Program provides essential subsistence information to tribal citizens and Southeast tribes and provides input and testimony to state and federal agencies regarding any regulatory changes that may affect traditional gathering activities. The program is implemented through the Subsistence & Sustainable Development Coordinator with guidance from the Subsistence Work Group.

In addition, the program is conducting a Customary Trade Project to document subsistence sockeye salmon production, distribution and exchange in Southeast Alaska. This information will be used to document the importance of salmon resources to the Native communities and will be used to explore possible changes to state and federal regulations that affect subsistence harvest.

Communities Served

All Southeast Alaska communities.

Eligibility Requirements

Support is provided to Alaska Natives/American Indians in our service area, and Southeast Alaska communities and tribes regarding subsistence rights protection.

Funding Agency

Funding is provided through the federal compact and the Customary Trade Project is funded by the US Forest Service through the Fisheries Resource Monitoring Program managed by the USFWS, Office of Subsistence Management.

Current Southeast Alaska Subsistence Issues

There are many regulations that affect our customary and traditional subsistence rights and they are overly complex and difficult to understand. There is a federal law that is commonly referred to as ANILCA (Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act) which includes Title VIII that defines "subsistence" and provides for a rural preference ~ not a Native preference, but it is not clear for many how the law is implemented.

In addition, in Alaska there is also dual management between State and federal jurisdictions which causes confusion for the subsistence users. And there has been a real decline in the push to protect "Our Way of Life" and a lack of education for future generations ~ meanwhile regulations continue to be made that affect us.

To educate and motivate our Tribal members, Carries Sykes, Subsistence and Sustainable Development Coordinator, has begun a subsistence education drive. She has made numerous presentations and testimonies at meetings and conferences in which she provided an overview of the federal and state subsistence management programs, and also presented information about current subsistence issues.

There are many subsistence challenges ~ but there is also hope for change with the new Obama administration.

We need more Tribal member involvement to ensure our traditional culture is protected.

Carrie has developed a Central Council Subsistence Work Group to discuss possible solutions and work toward the development of a Subsistence Summit. A meeting was recently held on September 25th and included participants from all Native organizations in Southeast Alaska, including the Alaska Native Brotherhood/Sisterhood, Southeast Alaska Tribes, Sealaska Corporation and Heritage Institute, ANSCA corporations and Central Council’s Subsistence Work Group. The goal was to work on developing a strategy to address subsistence issues.

With dual management, increased regulations, policies detrimental to our customary and traditional uses, legal issues, high fuel costs, barriers to subsistence activities, and two new administrations ~ the time is right to concentrate on unifying our efforts and work out a coordinated strategy to advance the important issues.

The meeting was very informative for all participants and allowed for a real “meeting of the minds”. We all share common concerns, and when we have a more unified approach we can be more effective! Information from the meeting will be posted soon.

If you have any questions, need additional information, or want to be involved, please email or call Carrie.

Contact: Carrie Sykes, Subsistence & Sustainable Development Coordinator

Business & Economic Development | Subsistence Program

Email: csykes@ccthita.org

Toll Free: 1-(800) 344-1432 ext. 7197 | Local: (907) 463-7197

Fax: (907) 463-7356

Important Documents:

Talking Points - Department of the Interior Consultation Meeting with Tribes

Signed Letter - Concerns with State-Federal MOU

MOU with FWS FSB and State of Alaska

AFN Letter Opposing Federal-State MOU

Signed Letter to Tribes ~ Priorities Ballot

Ballot - Top State Subsistence Issues