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​AITRC Fish & Wildlife Committee
The Tribal Fish and Wildlife Council was established in early 2020 to represent the fish and wildlife management needs of the Ahtna people. The Council is composed of tribal citizens who have a deep understanding of the unwritten tribal laws that govern natural resource stewardship and are familiar with navigating the state and federal management systems. The Council is the regulatory body for the AITRC fish and wildlife management programs, incorporating traditional ecological knowledge and practices into their rulemaking. In addition, the Council participates in federal and state management meetings by creating proposals and providing valuable testimonies.
Strengthening Tribal voices in fish and wildlife management throughout the Ahtna Territory.
The AITRC Tribal Fish & Wildlife Committee brings together individuals with knowledge of Ahtna traditions, customary and traditional harvesting practices, and state and federal resource management systems. The Committee works to strengthen Tribal participation in decisions affecting fish, wildlife, and subsistence resources throughout the Ahtna Territory.
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By incorporating Ahtna Traditional Knowledge, cultural values, and contemporary wildlife management practices, the Committee supports the development of Tribal hunting and fishing regulations, advocates for subsistence opportunities, and helps ensure that Ahtna perspectives are represented in resource management decisions.
About the Committee.
The Ahtna people have relied on the fish, wildlife, and lands of the Ahtna Territory since time immemorial. Hunting, fishing, and trapping are deeply connected to Ahtna culture, food security, traditional knowledge, and the passing of skills and values between generations.
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The Fish & Wildlife Committee was established to provide a stronger, more coordinated Tribal voice in the management of these resources.
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Originally envisioned as an Elders Council, the group was expanded into the Tribal Fish & Wildlife Committee to welcome individuals of different ages and backgrounds who possess valuable knowledge of Ahtna traditions, Tribal laws, and state and federal management systems.
This broader approach recognizes that effective resource management requires both the knowledge passed down through generations and an understanding of the regulatory systems that influence hunting, fishing, and subsistence opportunities today.
Purpose & Responsibilities.
The Committee's work centers on strengthening Tribal authority, protecting customary and traditional practices, and supporting the long-term stewardship of fish and wildlife resources. Its established responsibilities and goals include:
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Tribal Regulations: Developing hunting and fishing codes and regulations that reflect Ahtna customs, traditional laws, and cultural values.
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Subsistence Advocacy: Representing Ahtna interests in state and federal fish and wildlife management processes.
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Traditional Knowledge: Incorporating Ahtna Traditional Knowledge and harvesting practices into management recommendations and decisions.
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Cooperative Management: Building relationships with state and federal agencies to strengthen Tribal participation in resource management.
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Education & Capacity Building: Expanding understanding of Tribal authority, regulatory processes, and opportunities for community involvement.
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Resource Stewardship: Supporting sustainable fish and wildlife populations and the continuation of traditional harvesting practices for future generations.
Participation in State & Federal Management.
Fish and wildlife management in Alaska involves multiple agencies, regulatory systems, and public decision-making processes. Decisions regarding hunting seasons, harvest limits, permit requirements, and subsistence opportunities can directly affect Ahtna communities.
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The Committee was established to help AITRC participate in these processes through proposals, testimony, consultation, and coordination with resource managers. Important management bodies include:
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Alaska Board of Game: Establishes state hunting and trapping regulations.
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Alaska Board of Fisheries: Establishes state fisheries regulations.
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Federal Subsistence Board: Oversees federal subsistence regulations for fish and wildlife on applicable federal public lands in Alaska.
Participation in these processes helps bring Tribal priorities, local observations, and customary and traditional harvesting practices into discussions that affect the Ahtna Territory.
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Committee Members.
Ahtna Traditional Knowledge provides generations of understanding about wildlife behavior, seasonal movements, habitat conditions, harvesting practices, and relationships between people and the land. The Committee recognizes this knowledge as an essential component of effective fish and wildlife management. Combining Traditional Knowledge with contemporary scientific research can help identify changes in wildlife populations, better understand local conditions, and develop management approaches that reflect both ecological sustainability and cultural priorities.
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The Committee's work is closely connected to AITRC's broader Tribal Stewardship Planning efforts, which support Tribal Councils in documenting resource priorities and strengthening their participation in land and resource management decisions.
Shirley 'Tursey' Smelcer
Kathryn Martin
Michael Jordan
Nicholas Jackson
Chair
Gulkana Village Council
Katie Finnesand
Committee Member
Native Village of Chitina
Faye Ewan
Committee Member
Native Village of Kluti Kaah
Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member
Tikaan Galbreth
Committee Member
Mentasta Traditional Council
Native Village of Kluti Kaah
Mentasta Traditional Council
Mentasta Traditional Council
Project Leads: Deanna Kosbruk | Questions on this project?