Deb Haaland U.S. Secretary of the Interior | Official Website
The Department of the Interior has signed three significant agreements with Alaska Native Tribes and Corporations to enhance co-stewardship on public lands and waters. These agreements are part of the Gravel to Gravel Initiative, aimed at protecting salmon in the Yukon, Kuskokwim, and Norton Sound regions.
Two agreements involve federal agencies and Alaska Native Tribes alongside the Tanana Chiefs Conference. They focus on safeguarding salmon through collaborative efforts combining Indigenous Knowledge and scientific research. The initiative is supported by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which has already allocated over $44 million towards these efforts.
“Since time immemorial, the Yukon, Kuskokwim and Norton Sound regions have sustained Alaska Native people, fish, birds and other wildlife,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “Thanks to historic resources provided through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, our Gravel to Gravel Keystone Initiative is centering Indigenous Knowledge as we work to safeguard salmon, communities and cultures in this region.”
Salmon holds cultural and ecological importance for more than 100 Alaska Native Tribes. Climate change impacts have led to a decline in salmon populations, affecting food security and cultural practices. The initiative aims to address these issues through collaboration between various stakeholders.
The first agreement establishes a partnership focused on habitat restoration for Pacific salmon throughout their lifecycle. Signatories include several federal agencies such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), along with numerous tribal organizations.
Pursuant to this agreement, parties will collaborate across boundaries to restore salmon health, build trust between Tribes and federal agencies, honor Tribal sovereignty in decision-making processes, and work together on ecosystem restoration projects.
A separate self-governance funding agreement was also signed with the Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC). This agreement enhances Tribal self-governance authorities by allowing TCC to administer education programs that incorporate Indigenous Knowledge into regulations.
Additionally, an agreement was made with Ahtna Inc., transferring management of easements providing access across privately owned Ahtna lands from BLM’s Glennallen Field Office to Ahtna Inc. This effort aims to improve public understanding of land ownership patterns while respecting private lands.
These initiatives represent steps toward strengthening relationships between federal agencies and Alaska Native Tribes while promoting sustainable management of natural resources.
