AFN Delegation Seeks Guidance on Subsistence Goals

On October 1, a delegation from the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) came to Kluti-Kaah for a listening session on subsistence, the last of a series held in Native communities around the state. Over 30 people from around the region attended. 

AFN President Ben Mallott stated, “We’ve been reactive, not proactive for the past 20 years.” He described AFN involvement in the recent case Alaska v. United States in which the state and federal government were in conflict over fisheries management on the Kuskokwim River. While AFN was on the winning side, he added, “We spent two million dollars on that case, just to achieve the status quo.” 

But what should the future look like? The delegates wanted to know where AFN could be most effective in advocating for meaningful changes that would reflect community needs, be it through statutory changes, funding advocacy, or even Constitutional amendments. 

Mentasta Tribal member Kathryn Martin stated that although “subsistence” is the word in statutes, “subsistence as a word doesn’t mean anything. To me, it’s my way of life.” 

Shirley “Tursy” Smelcer, from Kluti-Kaah, described ties to elders, an opportunity to eat healthy, natural food, and a connection to history from harvesting traditional foods.  Smelcer added these activities feed her “soul and joy,” and that culturally, “what makes a man is putting food on the table.” 

M. Starr Knighten, from Kluti-Kaah, added, “We’re doing more than just gathering. We are teaching youth respect for the land, water, fish and animals and making sure our elders are fed.” She added there was a poor berry harvest this year and noted, “People have knowledge to contribute and see the changes before they appear in studies.” 

Attendees including Smelcer, Marce Simeon, who has ties to the Kuskokwim but has resided in the Copper Basin over 20 years, Clint Marshall, from Tazlina, and Katherine McConkey, from Kluti-Kaah, described the Copper Basin as “overrun” with hunters from other areas during moose season. 

Marshall stated the rural area of the Copper Basin is getting “hit from both sides: Anchorage and Fairbanks. Not everyone can hunt in one place. Not everyone can fish in one place.” 

Marshall and Smelcer added some out of towners have more powerful off road vehicles than locals can afford, and locals “can’t compete.” Simeon added her concern that “just two wildlife troopers is not enough,” for adequate enforcement, noting Game Unit 13 is over two and a half times the size of New Hampshire. Other attendees described noise, traffic, roadkill incidents, and environmental degradation. 

Smelcer, Kirk Wilson, from Tolsona, and Ahtna Koht'aene Faye Ewan noted that in April, the Federal Subsistence Board passed a proposed rule to exclude non-federally qualified users from hunting moose on BLM lands that fall within Unit 13. However, the administration did not enter the rule into the Federal Register in time for the 2026 hunting season, resulting in the rule not being applied in 2026.

Smelcer, Wilson, Simeon, Ewan, Martin, and others stated concern about the Trump Administration Executive Order to overturn the 2024 “No Action” decision on 17(d)(1) land withdrawals. Broadly, the E.O. orders the BLM to make 28 million acres of federal land in Alaska eligible for mineral and other development, and available for selection by the State of Alaska. 

Federal subsistence users in the Copper Basin stand to lose hunting priority on 288,753 acres of land locally. Land status on an additional 165,545 acres near Cantwell, which has traditional ties to the area, is also at stake.

Ewan and others added concern not only about additional pressure from urban and out of state hunters, but mining and other development that would exclude hunting altogether. “Tribal opposition did not seem to matter,” to the Trump administration, Ewan concluded. 

Attendees expressed that the resources of the area need more help with conservation. Ken Johns, of Kluti-Kaah, stated, “It’s not just, ‘We don’t have enough fish, we don’t have enough meat,’ but ‘How are we going to protect it?’” 

Simeon expressed, “overharvesting will be devastating without significant action.” 

McConkey, Ewan, Dean Barlip of Chitina, and others expressed trawl bycatch is a major concern for Native communities dependent on river-run fish. 

Ewan noted, “These fish come through the ocean,” and urged others to pay attention to ocean warming, ocean pollution and potential ocean resource extraction.

Among all the above threats to the Native way of life, Johns added he felt the greatest threat is “not outside but inside. We will lose it if we lose the youth.” 

Several participants and delegates praised AITRC for improving food and information sovereignty in the area. 

Attendees expressed they felt that Native people are not adequately represented in decision making bodies that have a strong impact on Native people. Johns stated he felt “tired of showing up to different meetings and saying the same things over and over again.” 

Katie Finnesand, Native Village of Chitina Council member, said, “We need Native participation in decision making. We shouldn’t be ‘begging for a seat’ anywhere when it impacts us so much.” 

Marshall felt political power from urban centers tipped the scales away from rural needs. 

Marshall added lobbying groups for sport hunting and commercial fishing “attend meetings in force and are organized.” He continued, “being disorganized is a threat.” He challenged AFN to do more to increase rural Native participation in important meetings, including calling people on the phone, providing transportation and reserving a room for delegates at conference centers. 

Tazlina Tribal Elder Member Donna Renard said, “Whatever issue involves Native people here, Tribal consultation needs to be done.” Tribal representation on boards including the Board of Game and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council was also suggested.

Renard also encouraged AFN to get youth involved in decision making through internships or other programs. Attendees said they would like to see more Native youth entering relevant fields including biology and government, and more Natives running for office. 

Delegation members and attendees stated it was important for Alaska Natives to vote. Jaeleen Kookesh, attorney with Van Ness Feldman working with AFN, stated about one third of Alaska Natives vote. 

“Make sure you know where your gubernatorial candidates stand on subsistence,” she said, noting the governor appoints members to the Board of Fish and the Board of Game, the Commissioner of ADF&G and many others. 

“Who you vote in matters,” said one Kluti-Kaah elder, “Teach your children about hunting, fishing, and voting.” Martin added, “We need to vote. And after they’re elected, we need to hold them accountable.” 

Gayla Hoseth, AFN Co-Chair, Angela Totemoff, AFN Board Member and Subsistence Committee Chair, and Nikki Stoops, Vice President of Engagement, comprised the rest of the delegation.