Gabriel Eskilida and Mason Lambert -YETI Youth

On July 8, the Copper River Native Association (CRNA) and the Native Village of Tazlina took seven youth workers to the inaugural Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) youth summit in Fairbanks, Alaska. Nearly 50 Native youth from across the state gathered to learn about food systems and ways to get involved.

Gabriel explains that sovereignty means that you get to make your own decisions, that you do your best to live off the land, and use the stuff that is around you. Also that we need to learn the traditional ways of life like how to process moose and fish. He says “I have learned a lot about my culture and traditional way of life through my family, especially Kathryn Martin”.

Mason shared, “Gabriel and I recognize the importance of food to our health. Salmon, rivers, and the land are crucial to our well-being and traditional ways. Our attendance at the summit stemmed from a desire to deepen our understanding of these traditions, so we can become future leaders, protectors, and advocates for our traditional foods.”

“I discovered I knew more Yupik words and sentences than a kid who grew up in the Village for his entire life. I guess I’m not a gussuk. This new knowledge has given validation that I am very well connected to my culture and traditions. Another example of how I am connected is last September when I hunted and shot my first moose. In my culture we give the first moose that we harvest to Elders. I gave mine away. My mom taught me this. I know how important it is to keep this tradition alive. Thanks, Mom.”

On the second day, our group visited the Nenana fish camp, located about an hour west of Fairbanks. The camp, set along the Tanana River, was reached via a small dirt road lined with shrubs and trees.

Despite the cloudy and rainy weather, the powerful river, with large trees floating downstream and flat- bottom boats navigating the silty waters, created a memorable setting.

At the camp, we gathered in a tiny log cabin to listen to Eva Burke, a Masters student, a community leader in food sovereignty and steward of Alaskan fisheries, discuss salmon management, subsistence rights, Katie John, and the health of our salmon populations. She engaged us with her words, but the hands-on learning experience was invaluable. We cleaned fish, jarred salmon, and prepared it for smoking.

We were reminded that the Copper River Chinook has been closed to sport fishing this season to preserve the fish for future generations. Overharvesting and climate change are putting pressure on these vital resources. Alarmingly, at a recent meeting we learned that one river in our region has been measured at 68 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature lethal to salmon.

As people flock to the rivers, our salmon populations are increasingly threatened. It’s crucial for everyone to be mindful of their catch and consider the needs of upstream villages that have relied on this food for thousands of years. Our responsibility is to learn from our families and elders at culture camps and advocate for salmon. Eva Burke emphasized that “many hands make for light work,” and together, we can make a significant impact. With your help, we can maintain Salmon populations for the next seven generations and beyond.

To support food security in the Copper River Basin, consider donating to the Copper River Basin Resource Commission (food bank) and contact them at 907-822-8849. The Intertribal Agriculture Council provides numerous opportunities for youth in our community. To learn more, reach out to cmerrick@crnative.org or visit Indianag.org. Finally, please comment or advocate for policies that support our wild foods.

The Youth Employment and Training Initiative (YETI) program is run by the Copper River Native Association (CRNA). Participants are Copper Basin youth ages 14-18 who are employed for the summer to work with various regional organizations and agencies. YETIs are learning career skills, gaining mentors, and helping our communities. Tsin’aen, YETIs!