AITRC in the Press

AITRC is recognized for its leadership in Tribal stewardship, working collaboratively to conserve fish, wildlife, and natural resources across Ahtna Territory. Through partnerships, applied research, and culturally grounded resource management, AITRC supports healthy ecosystems, strengthens local capacity, and advances long-term stewardship for future generations.

An article published by the Copper River Record covers discussions by the Subsistence Resource Commission on proposed federal subsistence regulation changes affecting the Copper Basin. The piece highlights input and regional involvement from partners including AITRC, emphasizing Tribal perspectives and local subsistence priorities as recommendations move forward to the Federal Subsistence Board for consideration.

An article published by the Copper River Record outlines proposed Alaska Board of Fisheries changes affecting subsistence and personal use salmon fisheries in the Copper River region, highlighting AITRC’s involvement in the regulatory process and advocacy for local and Tribal fishing priorities as proposals move forward for Board consideration.

AITRC was featured in an Alaska Public Media / Alaska Desk news story about Alaska Native leaders calling for a unified management approach for subsistence resources. At the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Anchorage, Tribal representatives—including AITRC’s executive director—spoke alongside peers from across the state about strengthening Indigenous co-management of wildlife and fish and elevating Alaska Native voices in subsistence policy discussions.

An article published by the Copper River Record highlights Glennallen students participating in the Changing Seasons outdoor education event, where local partners — including AITRC — helped provide hands-on, place-based learning activities that connect students to seasonal changes, local ecosystems, and stewardship of the Copper Basin.

NAFWS shared our work on safeguarding Copper River salmon and protecting Ahtna cultural lifeways. This recognition lifts up the importance of tribally led research, stewardship, and the commitment of our staff, partners, and communities.

NAFWS shared our work on safeguarding Copper River salmon and protecting Ahtna cultural lifeways. This recognition lifts up the importance of tribally led research, stewardship, and the commitment of our staff, partners, and communities.

NAFWS shared our work on safeguarding Copper River salmon and protecting Ahtna cultural lifeways. This recognition lifts up the importance of tribally led research, stewardship, and the commitment of our staff, partners, and communities.

The National Park Service highlighted research conducted by AITRC within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve on its “Research in the Park” page. The feature recognizes AITRC’s role in collaborative wildlife and ecological research efforts, emphasizing Tribal-led science and partnerships that contribute to long-term stewardship and understanding of lands and wildlife within the Ahtna Territory.

AITRC fosters food security and subsistence resilience in Copper River communities through preservation workshops and teleconferences, strengthening traditions and addressing climate challenges with support from the Inflation Reduction Act.

The National Park Service highlighted research conducted by AITRC within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve on its “Research in the Park” page. The feature recognizes AITRC’s role in collaborative wildlife and ecological research efforts, emphasizing Tribal-led science and partnerships that contribute to long-term stewardship and understanding of lands and wildlife within the Ahtna Territory.

​An article published by the Copper River Record provides updates from the Spring Copper Basin Land Managers Meeting, where agencies and regional partners shared information on fisheries, wildlife, land management, and community projects, highlighting AITRC’s participation in collaborative discussions supporting stewardship and coordination across the Copper Basin.

Undark Magazine published a feature story highlighting Alaska Tribal governments’ efforts to take on a larger role in conservation and resource management across the state. The article includes perspectives from the Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission and discusses how Tribal-led stewardship, co-management agreements, and traditional ecological knowledge are shaping conversations around wildlife, subsistence, and habitat conservation in Alaska.

Check out this article in the Copper River Record highlighting AITRC Anthropologist Odin Miller and a collaborative publication with Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve exploring changing ice conditions in the Copper Basin. The research combines local knowledge and scientific study to better understand how shifting snow and river ice patterns are affecting travel, access, and subsistence activities across the region.

An article published by the Copper River Record highlights the successful completion of the local Youth Conservation Corps season, showcasing hands-on conservation work and workforce development opportunities for youth, with AITRC supporting regional stewardship and youth engagement efforts.

An article published by the Copper River Record recaps the Wrangell-St. Elias Subsistence Resource Commission fall meeting, where wildlife and subsistence topics including caribou, Dall sheep, and bears were discussed, highlighting AITRC’s participation in regional subsistence discussions and Tribal representation in the regulatory process.

An article published by the Copper River Record highlights strong public testimony shared during a Copper River Native Association climate change adaptation planning meeting, emphasizing community concerns about environmental change and subsistence impacts, with AITRC contributing regional Tribal perspectives to discussions on future planning and stewardship.

An article published by the Copper River Record reflects on the impacts and continued collaboration following the Copper River Basin Symposium, highlighting how partners — including AITRC — contributed to ongoing conversations connecting science, stewardship, and community knowledge across the region.

The Alaska Department of Fish & Game featured the collaborative carnivore study taking place in Game Management Unit 13, led in partnership with the Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission, Ahtna Inc., and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The article highlights how the project was inspired by an Ahtna Elder’s question: “Why would we sell permits for bear-baiting when we don’t know how many bears are on the land?” The study aims to better understand bear population numbers and distribution in GMU 13 to inform responsible management decisions and support science-based stewardship across the Ahtna Territory.

The U.S. Department of the Interior issued a press release highlighting how it and the Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission signed a cooperative wildlife management agreement to create the Ahtna Cooperative Management Demonstration Project. The release emphasized the historic nature of the agreement under Secretarial Order No. 3342 and described how it will support greater Tribal involvement in managing subsistence moose and caribou hunting and wildlife habitat within the Ahtna traditional territory.

AITRC was featured in a Ahtna Inc. news release announcing the signing of the nation’s first cooperative management agreement under Secretarial Order No. 3342 with the U.S. Department of the Interior. The article highlights this historic partnership, which established the Ahtna Cooperative Management Demonstration Project and formalized Tribal–federal collaboration to co-manage subsistence wildlife resources within the Ahtna Territory.