Alaska Native, American Indian and First Nations Issues

Salmon beyond Borders (Facebook)

Salmon beyond Borders (Website)


The Taku, Stikine, and Unuk rivers are central to life, culture, commerce, sustenance, and ways of life in this region - and home to several Indigenous Nations, including the Tlingit and the Tahltan - linking about 80,000 people in many communities on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border. These rivers are hotspots of biodiversity, climate refugia, and birth all five species of wild Pacific salmon - and serve as economic powerhouses that contribute $48 million annually to Southeast Alaska's economy. B.C. is feverishly rushing through massive open-pit gold and copper mines, including their colossal toxic waste storage facilities, at the headwaters of shared, iconic salmon rivers. This is happening without the meaningful input of communities and Tribes downstream in Alaska, and despite a global push to ban earthen mine tailings dams.


Keep updated ... Honor The Earth ... Indigenous Environmental Network ... Save Bristol Bay ...Salmon beyond Borders (Facebook) ... Sacred Stone Camp (Facebook) ... Idle No More Offical (Facebook) ...Idle No More Washington (Fackbook) ... Alaska Native Subsistence Rights

"Gunalchéesh " Yéil Ya-Tseen (Instagram)

Herring Egg subsisting in Sitka, Alaska April 10, 2021

Yéil Ya-Tseen (@nicholasgalanin) • Instagram


Keep updated - Herring Protectors (Facebook)

Herring Protectors’ film "Yáa at Wooné" has been selected for the International Ocean Film Festival's 2021 Coastal Culture Award.. Film Directed by Kh’asheechtlaa (Louise Brady), Lee House
Trailer: Yáa at Wooné (Respect for All Things)

2021 International Ocean Film Festival Kicks Off Next Week; Winners Announced (4/7/2021)
With the winning entries to the 2021 International Ocean Film Festival recently announced, you’ll be able to see those movies — and many more — beginning April 15th. The virtual festival runs from April 15th to May 2, 2021. For more info and to purchase presale tickets, go to intloceanfilmfest.org

Yéil Ya-Tseen shared a Facebook post 2019. (Screen Capture)
Click link for Herring Rock Water Protectors (Facebook video)

The herring of Sitka Sound are disappearing. Learn why herring are culturally
and ecologically critical to the people of Southeast Alaska.
Protect the Herring! Donate to Sitka Tribe of Alaska link in FB video discription.




Yéil Ya-Tseen shared a Facebook post by Tommy Gee. (Screen Capture)

"It is a serious issue happening in Sitka this week. I was about to start cast nets in waters less than 50 ft deep when these guys showed up in the bay and pretty much took every available herring right under us, and right over us." Tommy Gee




Nancy Keen, right, Vivian Mork, Marvin Willard and Rosita Worl, left, hold a protest outside the Dimond Courthouse as a court hearing between the Sitka Tribe of Alaska and the Department of Fish and Game on herring limits in Sitka Sound takes place inside on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Tribe takes state to court in attempt to protect herring
Tribe of Sitka members hope to change the way fishery is managed
By Alex McCarthy (Juneau Empire Feb 21, 2019)

"Indigenous peoples should never be removed from our lands! #indigenous #aknative #tlingitandhaida" Chalyee Éesh Peterson

On Facebook Cherish Lynn Rose shared a photo by Chalyee Éesh Peterson

Screen capture of FB video 'The Standing Rock resistance and our fight for Indgenous rights' by Tara Houska At TEDWomen 2017
. This is the link to the Facebook video 'The Standing Rock resistance and our fight for Indgenous rights'
Video was released by TED April 9th, 2018

Rally Against Line 3 Minnesota Pipe Yards coverage by Unicorn Riot

DECEMBER 11, 2017 Cloquet, MN – Unicorn Riot was live from a rally in below freezing temperatures against Enbridge’s Line 3 pipe yards in northern Minnesota on Monday, December 11, which local indigenous-led resistance is claiming are illegal.

The Line 3 project, which would cut through dozens of wild rice growing areas used by indigenous Anishinaabe people, has not yet had completed any environmental review of the project, leading opponents of the pipeline to protest that Enbridge is storing its pipe without valid permits.




"EPA was in Dillingham today to listen to us. So I hopped in my bird and flew over
to speak my mind and heart. #nopebblemine #bristolbay" Anna Hoover (October 11, 2017)
Save Bristol Bay


Latest update for film director and artist Anna Hoover - 'Last Walk' 2017 film win at Red Nation Film Festival Native Cinema for best short in Hollywood, L.A on Nov 22nd, 2017 4 Directors: Anna Hoover (Alaska), Pipaluk Jorgensen and Johanes Lynge (Greenland) and Jerri Thrasher (Northwest Territories) Latest update for film director and artist Anna Hoover - 'Last Walk' 2017 film win at Red Nation Film Festival Native Cinema for best short in Hollywood, L.A on Nov 22nd, 2017 4 Directors: Anna Hoover (Alaska), Pipaluk Jorgensen and Johanes Lynge (Greenland) and Jerri Thrasher (Northwest Territories)




Tlingit Artist Doug Chilton and DeAndre King in front of the canoe they’ll take to North Dakota. (Photo courtesy of Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska)
Doug Chilton and DeAndre King members of the 'One People Canoe Society' are holding the Tlingit & Haida Central Council Flag they are taking to Standing Rock.

‘We Are Water People’: Tlingit Canoe Travels Nearly 3,000 Miles to Support Standing Rock By Steve Quinn • September 6, 2016 ( Indian Country Media)

'Supporting Standing Rock in Juneau' Steve Quinn • September 10, 2016 (Indian Country Media)

More than 100 Alaska Natives from the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian tribes gathered recently at a Juneau park to sing, dance and drum their support for those at Standing Rock opposing the Dakota Access pipeline. There has been other support from Alaska too, with Tlingit artist Doug Chilton bringing his famed custom 30-foot fiberglass canoe to the Missouri River." Steve Quinn. Tlingit Artist Doug Chilton's canoe with Allies were nearly 2,800 miles away in Bismarck participating in 'Paddle to Standing Rock' on the Missouri River.





'Paddle to Standing Rock' Northwest Canoes on the Cannon Ball River' by Censored News - blogger
Photo Tlingit Haida from Southeast Alaska. Photos copyright Professor Zoltan Grossman, Evergreen College, Olymia, Washington





#Nodapl canoes By Darl Wright
Northwest Coastal Natives join the Nodapl sacred stone camp. North Camp

Pacific Northwest Nation Flags, Tlingit and Haida Central Council Flag in 'Paddle to Standing Rock 2016' arriving September 9, 2016. Photo by Hemene James — at Oceti Sakowin Camp, Cannon Ball, ND. September 8, 2016.

Black Snake Killaz: A #NoDAPL Story from Unicorn Riot on Vimeo.

Idle No More Rally in Juneau, Alaska 12/29/2012

 

Alaska Native Subsistence Rights Summer 2012 - Akiak elders told families to fish despite government ban From Kyle Hopkins (Anchorage Daily News, June 22nd, 2012)

Emergency Subsistence Fishing Situation for Alaska's Yup'ik Peoples Continues (Statement from the Akiak Native Community and Akiak IRA Council)

Traditional Alaska Native Fish Harvest Blocked By Government Agencies; Alaska Fish and Game and US Fish and Wildlife Service Confiscating Fishing Nets and Salmon caught; Native elders cite mismanagement and global warming as primary threat to fish population

Akiak - Facing arrest, fines, and seizure of foods and fishing nets by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and US Fish and Wildlife Troopers, Alaska Native people took to their boats this past Wednesday to stave off a food security emergency. Following orders of village elders, boats filled with men, women, and children fished along the Kuskokwim River in Southwest Alaska on the day an original seven-day river closure was to lift.

The conflict began after the Alaska Department of the Fish and Game and US Fish and Wildlife Service went against the nearly unanimous vote by the Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group, a working group organized by the agency, to immediately open the fishery after an initial agreed upon seven-day closure of the river. The commercial fisheries representative on the working group was the only non-supporting vote of the opener.

"Fish and Game issued citations and fishing nets were cut up, torn and taken away including the fish by enforcement officers," said Mike Williams, a member of the Akiak Native Community and the Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group.

Elders and tribal leaders across Alaska called the government decision to extend the river closure by an additional five days a violation of trust and a threat to sovereign fishing rights.

Ivan M. Ivan, Chief of Akiak said that "this enforcement practice toward our tribal citizens is totally inhumane as the Elders have stated. It is violating our basic human rights as first peoples of this land and first protectors of our resources. The Tribal Council will work hard to protect our resources and our land as we have done for over 10,000 years. We have done this because there were many people from the river who stated that they did not have any fish yet hanging for drying on their racks. This is true from the mouth of the river to the headwaters of the Kuskokwim River."

"All of the Alaska Native Peoples must protect their way of life, lands and waters," he continued. "The Elders have directed their fishermen to fish without any fear of breaking laws. They said that putting up fish for their survival is not breaking the law. It is just common sense that they have been taught by the great teachers before others showed up."

Village elders and leadership are pointing to climate change, and lack of respect for thousands of years of management and tribal sovereignty as the leading factors for the face off. Villages from Tuluksak all the way down to Tuntutuliak are involved. The tribes in the area are going to continue to meet to address the restoration of the Chinook salmon for the future.

After a long cold winter, this harvest time is crucial for much needed dried fish and the villages need enough fish stored for the upcoming winter. The Kuskokwim River stretches From Bering Sea, 702 miles through Southwest Alaska to the headwaters of Mt. Denali. It is the ninth largest river in the United States and the longest free flowing river in the Country.

 

Alaska Native Subsistence Rights | Alaska Native Sovereignty | Alaska's Landless Tlingits and Haidas

 

Two Different views of the Alaska Land Claims Settlement Act

1 - Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (From Wikipedia)

2 - Since the 1971 Alaska Native Land Claims Settlement Act, Tlingits who questioned ANCSA and the loss of Sovereignty and Subsistence rights were told "We are a for-profit corporation, not a needs organization." by Sealaska spokespersons.

ANCSA was rushed through by the  Oil Companies so further debate ended on what the loss of Sovereignty and Subsistence rights meant for Alaska Native Nations and their people.  
ANCSA  created under Nixon 50 Years ago was called the great experiment, inspired by Milton Friedman and the Chicago School of Economics and the result was the corporate privatization of traditional lands replacing Sovereignty, Subsistence rights, and Traditional values.  A Corporate shareholder check for 10 cents for the year was not uncommon years later neither was not receiving a check either.

Sovereignty and Subsistence Rights are supported by the majority of Alaska Natives.  Congress had ended treaty-making with Indian Nations in 1871.  So only an act of Congress can grant Alaska Natives Sovereignty and Subsistence Rights. Sovereignty & Subsistence rights can pass in the future with the help of Allies.

Shinnecock land claim draws wide press, but most miss point - by: Jim Adams / Indian Country Today

 

Postscript Sacred Run 2006 Benefit Concert Artists, Runners and Supporters...Sacred Run Calendar from San Francisco (February 11), New Orleans, United Houma Nation March 25th Concert Headliners: Don't Lose Hope (MP3) by Cannes Brulees ... Martha Redbone ... Treaters ... C*ReAL Films has filmed the entire Sacred Run event, from the Benefit Concert in San Francisco to the arrival in Washington DC. .. .Sacred Run needs your help with unexpectedly high gas costs ! ... First plans for Sacred Run 2008. Plan now to participate!

 

Support Six Nations Land Reclamation! June 16: Concert for Kanenhstaton (The Protected Place). Emcees: Gary Farmer, Cheri Maracle, Brandon Oakes and Adam Beach. Artists include: Keith Secola, Willie Dunn, Diggin Roots, Moiety, David R. Maracle, Raven and Shoshona, Jacques and the Shakey, Tonto's Nephews -"Native Skit Artist", Little Wolf, Joseph Firecrow, Howard Lyons, Shane Anthony Band, Jasmine Netsena. Plus Many More! ... also resource link Six Nations Solidarity news ... What you could do.

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