- Winter 2016/2017. Increased applications to Regional Advisory Councils of the Federal Subsistence Board.
- January 2017. Rhonda Pitka, First Chief of Beaver, appointed to the Federal Subsistence Board.
- February 2017. Developed and delivered, in partnership with UAF Tribal Management Program, “Intro to the Board of Game” to strengthen participation and advocacy in the State of Alaska Board of Game system, advocates attended and provided testimony to the Board of Game.
- December 2016. Developed and delivered, in partnership with UAF Tribal Management Program, “Hunter Regulations Workshop” to supply an introduction to the state and federal game management systems in Alaska, the operations and process of the regulatory system and rule making, and a provide hands on learning workshop session for understanding local regulations and developing recommendations/actions for change as needed to provide for traditional hunting practices. This class was attended by over 40 Tribal advocates, and praised by tribal volunteer advocates and hunters who will use tools to impact game management decisions.
- July 2016. Organized State of Alaska leadership (Lt. Governor and ADF&G Commissioner) relationship building mission to the Yukon Flats and Yukon River Subsistence Fishing District 5D to highlight inequities in subsistence fishing opportunities in upriver fishing communities. Mission resulted in increased fishing opportunities in District 5D.
- March 2016. Appointment of Taskforce Director Ben Stevens to the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council Advisory Panel, which has given the Interior and all subsistence fishermen in the state a voice in the most powerful influence in the fisheries industry.
- Spring 2016. Appointment of Tribal advocates Rhonda Pitka (Beaver), Brooke Wright (Rampart), James Kelly (Fort Yukon), David Walker (Holy Cross) to Yukon River Panel.
- Fall 2015/Spring 2016. Obtained, in coordination with strategic alliances, the decision by theNorth Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) to reduce the performance standards and hard caps for King Salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea Pollock fishery, lowering the bycatch limit by 25%, from 60,000 to 45,000 annually. In 2016, King bycatch on the Bering sea was 32,000, including Pollock and groundfish.
- November/October 2015. Co-sponsored the historic Co-management Symposium that brought over 200 participants and 45 speakers from across the state and nation that included representatives from Tribes, ANCSA’s, State/Federal agencies, and multiple Universities together at UAF. Discussion was led by Alaska Native Elders, and provided academic legitimacy to success of tribal fish and game management.
- March 2015/October 2015. Developed and delivered, in partnership with UAF Tribal Management Program, “Intro to Federal Subsistence Management” to strengthen participation and advocacy in the Federal Subsistence Management system in which after, 40 advocates attended and participated in FSB Regional Advisory Council meetings.
- January 2015. Partnered with Association of Interior Native Educators and International Arctic Research Center to hold Indigenous Exchange on Climate Change Forum. •Annual Fish Commission Meetings: St. Mary’s May 2014 ~ Tanana April 2015 ~ Fairbanks April 2016. Continued development of the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission to establish tribal unity and positions on salmon with the goal of participating in fishery management decisions. The YRITFC has proven commitment of Tribal Governments to conservation and stewardship of Yukon River Salmon for future generations. In 2017 we will be planning the 4th annual meeting with all tribes joining the Commission to develop specific collaborative in-season management projects with the State and Federal agencies.
- Reindeer Demonstration Project: Met with high-level University of Alaska officials. Decision made to support project and meeting set with Vice-President and Chancellor in April, 2017. Stevens Village and Partners to present at Small Business & Rural Enterprise Symposium and Alaska State Reindeer Council in March, 2017.
- Ongoing. Building statewide alliances and partnerships for protection of the traditional way of life. Participation in NCEAS State of Alaska Salmon and People synthesis working group. Participation in UAF Community Partnerships for Self-Reliance/Scenarios Network for Alaska & Arctic Planning.
- Ongoing. Advocating for protection of the traditional way of life: November 2016. Presented at first gathering of UAF Center for Salmon & Society. August 2016. Salmon Project Salmon Story Presented at American Fisheries Society. Presented at Ahtna Inter-Tribal Resource Commission Annual Meeting.
Task Force Contributions
- 2017: TCC, Doyon Limited, Bean Ridge Village Corporation, Tozitna Corporation, and the Tribal Governments of: Hughes, Takotna, Venetie, Koyukuk, Anvik, Minto, Shageluk, Nenana, Circle, Stevens Village, Nulato, Gwichyaa Zhee, Holy Cross, Evansville, and Eagle.
- 2016: TCC, and Tribal Governments of: Allakaket, Birch Creek, Circle, Eagle, Evansville, Grayling, Holy Cross, Hughes, Kaltag, Manley, Minto, Nenana, Rampart, Shageluk, Takotna, and Venetie.
- 2015/16: Alaska Conservation Foundation, Alaska Native Fund
- 2016: First Nations Development Institute
- 2015: TCC, Doyon Limited, and Tribal Governments of: Nenana, Nikolai, Hughes, Allakaket, Tanana.