The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture have announced a final rule aimed at enhancing Alaska Tribal representation on the Federal Subsistence Board (FSB). This board is responsible for managing subsistence use on federal lands and waters in Alaska. The changes reflect the Biden-Harris administration's commitment to involving Tribal leaders in decisions that affect their communities.
Subsistence practices are crucial for Alaska Native communities, closely tied to their traditions, food security, and culture. Following extensive consultations with hundreds of Alaska Native Tribes, Corporations, and organizations, three new public members will be added to the FSB. These members, nominated by federally recognized Tribal governments in Alaska, will bring personal knowledge and experience with rural subsistence practices. They will be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior with concurrence from the Secretary of Agriculture. Additionally, the FSB Chair must now have expertise in rural subsistence.
"Rural Alaskan communities depend on sound and equitable subsistence decisions to sustain their ways of life," stated Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. She emphasized the importance of a balanced board that acknowledges Alaska Native perspectives. "In strengthening Indigenous representation on the Federal Subsistence Board, we can ensure the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge for subsistence-related planning."
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack noted that this effort aligns with reshaping programs to include Tribal perspectives: "By adding representatives nominated by federally recognized Alaska Tribes to the Federal Subsistence Board, we reaffirm our commitment to respect and incorporate Indigenous knowledge and local expertise in decision-making."
The Federal Subsistence Management Program is jointly managed by both departments and overseen by the FSB. It administers regulations for using fish and wildlife resources for subsistence purposes on federal lands in Alaska. The board also funds research on fish stocks' status, harvest patterns, and Indigenous knowledge analysis.
In 2022, several listening sessions were conducted to explore improvements to this program. Feedback highlighted climate change's adverse impacts on subsistence practices and called for expanded Tribal partnerships and greater Tribal representation within federal management systems.
