Honoring Wanda Culp, Desi Jacobsson, Jackie Mclean, Renee Culp and Tracy Gonzalez cited for subsistence fishing by Dredge Lake, near the Mendenhall Glacier.  

"We are going fishing again, us women...The canoe rocks, we do not know what will become of us..."

                                                         Wanda Culp, Tlingit
                                                          Chookeneidi Clan from Glacier Bay
                                                          Born and raised in Juneau, Alaska

"We were inspired by the four Tlingit Women who first went under the Glacier and inspired the Tlingit National Anthem.  They did not go under the Glacier so that we would lose our subsistence rights today.  We are artists who cast the subsistence net  for the next six generations forever."   said Desi Jacobsson.

Internet Resources

Subsistence  by  Alaska Federation of Natives

Alaska Natives Justice & Law Links

Alaska: The Subsistence Lifeway - Alaska subsistence traditions in food gathering,living,and village life on the last frontier where things haven't changed all that much in some ways.

Alaska Natives Subsistence Issue - ... Under a federal law that protects Alaska Native subsistence rights, the State's refusal to recognize the subsistence priority requires the takeover of ...

 

 "We the People-- Standing our Ground" Alaska Native Protest Marches. - August 22, 2002 | May 3, 2000 | May 5, 1999 | May 7, 1998 by AlaskaCam

Honoring Wanda Culp, Desi Jacobsson, Jackie Mclean, Renee Culp and Tracy Gonzalez

Dec 20th , 1999 - Trial starts for five Alaska Native women for catching 5 sockeye with subsistence net  (Wanda Culp, Desi Jacobsson, Jackie Mclean, Renee Culp and Tracy Gonzalez).

The Dec.20 trial did not happen as the State Prosecuter requested and received a 2-1/2 week extension due to the holidays and the comlications of Federal Indian Law.  The extension was done overthe objections of the 5 women.  24 people showed up for the hearing from Klukwan and Hoonah as well as Juneau supporters.  Their attorney instead gave a legal briefing during a meeting in the very court room thehearing was set to be in.  

Jan 07,was the Prosecuters deadline to respond to the defendants motionto dismiss.  Arguments are scheduled for Jan.  26th  3:30 p.m. which only gives the 5 15 minutes so their attorney is hoping to reschedule for Jan. 28th, 3:30 p.m. which will give 2 hours for their witnesses.  If it goes to trial, it is scheduled for Feb. 15 at8:30 a.m.

Chilkat Indian Village, Resolution #99-010 supporting the Juneau Five. Hand carried by Joe Hotch of Klukwan.

Oct 1, 1999.  More then half of Alaska's fish and game resources are now under Federal Control.  Anti Subsistence supporters plan to take issue through legal system.

Sept 30, 1999 Alaska Senate misses by 2 votes.   6:30 pm Subsistence deadline passes.

Sept 28, 1999.  House passes their version of subsistence solution (without putting  the word "rural" in resolution) by a 28-12 vote.    Now moves to the Alaskan Senate.

 Sept 27, 1999 - Trial date set for five Alaska Native women for catching 5 sockeye with subsistence net  (Wanda Culp, Desi Jacobsson, Jackie Mclean, Renee Culp and Tracy Gonzalez). Supporters pack court room.

Sept 22, 1999 - Alaska legislature begins special subsistence session.

Sept 21, 1999 - State to prosecute five Alaska Native women for catching 5 sockeye with subsistence net. Wanda Culp, Desi Jacobsson, Jackie Mclean, Renee Culp and Tracy Gonzalez will be charged for fishing without a permit.

"This isn't going to stop us from pursuing this.  We intend to get kings and cohos (salmon).  If the laws are unjust, all human beings have a responsibility to stand up.  We are not criminal Native women raised by criminal Native parents," said Desi Jacobsson. 

Four Alaska Native women making history by casting the subsistence net are Wanda Culp, Desi Jacobsson, Jackie Mclean, Tracy Gonzalez.   They were inspired by Southeast Alaska history,  during the last great ice age in North America,  Four Tlingit women went under a Dangerous Glacier for their people and helped found the Southeast Alaska Tlingit Nation ( read The Tlingit National Anthem  retold by Robert Willard Jr.)  

A fifth Alaska Native Woman  Renee Culp was cited for moving the truck making it The Juneau five on trial.

Aug 26, 1999 - Statement of Wanda Culp and Desa Jacobsson

"For the sake of our children and their children a subsistence net will be set on August 28, 1999 at 1:00 P.M in the Juneau area at the sockeye pond near the Mendenall Glacier.