The Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) Alaska Migratory Bird Regional Co-Management Council (AMBCC) serves as a strong voice for Interior Alaska Tribes in the stewardship and management of migratory birds and their eggs. The council works to ensure the continued health and conservation of migratory bird populations while protecting the subsistence harvest rights of Alaska Native communities. Comprised of representatives from TCC’s six subregions, the council advocates for sustainable migratory bird management and subsistence access for Tribal members.
AMBCC brings together Alaska Native regional councils, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to collaboratively manage migratory bird resources. This unique partnership supports both conservation efforts and the preservation of Indigenous cultural practices and traditional harvesting rights.
A beloved project of the TCC Migratory Bird Regional Co-Management Council is Kk’onaat’oghee, kk’onaadedaale, tsooye (“Birds” or literally “things that fly”), a booklet that was compiled for the council by Susan “Ketsoo” Paskvan. It celebrates the rich history, knowledge, and personal bird stories of the Koyukon people. The publication highlights the deep cultural and spiritual connection Alaska Native communities have with migratory birds and underscores the importance of preserving these relationships for future generations.
Featured Bird: Bank Swallow
- Denaakk’e: dekenh yee hooldloy, violet-green swallow; kaałnoye, kaałnooye (U), kaałnoy (L), beł onh hooldloye
- Common: Bank swallow
- Scientific Names: Hirundo rustica
Important Characteristics
The Bank Swallow is usually seen in flocks, flying low over ponds and rivers with quick, fluttery wingbeats. It nests in dense colonies, in holes in dirt or sand banks.
Habitat/Description
Near water; fields, marshes, streams, lakes. Typically seen feeding in flight over (or near) water at all seasons, even in migration. Nests in colonies in vertical banks of dirt or sand, usually along rivers or ponds, seldom away from water.
Origin Story
Late Bill Williams of Hughes shared the following k’edon ts’ednee story at a language institute in Fairbanks. He said that a long time ago the birds had a big meeting in the Lower 48 before they traveled back to Alaska. Dotson’ started flying first. He asked “who would be the pilot of all the birds?” The telele, eagle, said he would lead the birds back. This was in the time long ago and it shows that this prophesied the coming of airplanes. On the way, he was not an honest pilot, not too friendly to his passengers, much in the same way that there are some airlines that are not so nice. So, the chiefs had another meeting and they asked who else would be able to lead the birds back. The deldoole, crane agreed to lead them back. It turned out he was a friendly pilot. He had enough room for three birds under its wings. Some birds can’t fly too far so they can rest under the crane’s wings. Swallows come back with the cranes.
Elder’s Stories
Benedict Jones stated that the swallows eat a lot of mosquitoes. The air force in Galena used a lot of pesticides to get rid of the mosquitoes and since then there have been fewer swallows. They nest on the hillsides or in the mud of the river banks.
Paddy Nollner told how the sand hill cranes would make big circles high up in the sky when they were coming back. The cranes would make a beautiful sound as they flew. The swallows would travel with the cranes, catch a ride right under its wings. Then they would get out anywhere.
August AMBCC Fall Meeting Participants
Members of the Alaska Migratory Bird Co-Management Council (AMBCC) and Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) Tribal Resources Stewardship (TRS) staff gathered during the August AMBCC Fall meeting. Pictured are AMBCC members Rady Mayo, Michael Peter, Alissa Perez, and Claude “Joe” Petruska, not pictured was Don Honea and Rich Freireich. Along with TRS staff Diloola Erickson, Kimberly Nicholas, Robin Haglin, and Jacqueline Muehlbauer. The meeting was made even more memorable with catering provided by the talented Indigenous chefs of Dishii Food Truck, Oden Peter-Raboff and Joana Cupul. Together, participants shared knowledge, strengthened partnerships, and supported collaborative efforts to conserve migratory birds while protecting Indigenous subsistence traditions across Alaska.