Commentary: MEHS Student Learns More About Subsistence

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Created on Friday, 04 April 2025 14:27

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By NAOMI JONES 

Alaska Beacon

I have been subsistence harvesting since I was born. Whether from being by the fish-cutting table or helping package moose for the freezer, I’ve always been right there helping. I am from Tyonek, which is on the west side of the Cook Inlet, and currently a senior at Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka.

Living in a rural village is hard, especially when you have to order your groceries from Anchorage and have them sent down by plane. In certain weather conditions, this is when having subsistence foods on hand is important. Subsistence foods like baleek (smoked salmon strips), ganut (the salmon meat we cut off to make baleek), salmon fillets, moose jerky, moose meat, and more. While putting these foods away, I was taught to show respect to the animals we harvest, how to care for them, and to thank them for their sacrifice to feed my family. 

Naomi Jones. (Photo provided)

Being so intertwined with our ways of life with my family and community pushed me to take the Federal Subsistence Board Policy and Procedures class at the University of Alaska Southeast Sitka Campus, a dual enrollment class offered by UAS with the Sitka Conservation Society and U.S. Forest Service.

Before learning about this class, I had never heard of these processes before and didn’t realize that we had regulations on subsistence that people discussed, decided on, and made changes to. Taking the class with teachers Heather Bauscher and Ashley Bolwerk showed me the importance of subsistence for rural communities across Alaska. An example of this would be the closing of units 11, 12 and 13 due to the decline of the caribou herd. I saw how important this food source was to the people in those communities, but I also saw how important it was to those communities to see that herd continue to grow and flourish. That showed me how much we as rural people give up for the environment and for the animals that we harvest. We aren’t interested in over-harvesting these animals, because if we did, what would we have to eat or use for traditional crafts when there was no more?

This class showed me how much our regional advisory councils listen to the voices in their communities, and that they actually bring these concerns to the Federal Subsistence Board. The board members listen to these concerns as well, and they make sure they are doing the right thing for the rural communities across Alaska. It is also just a great experience to see the measures taken for our ways of life. The best part of taking this class was to see how passionate rural Alaskans are about our ways of life and the traditions that are passed down. 

Over the past year, I have noticed the importance of involvement in this process. Being involved can mean a variety of different things. It can mean just going to a meeting in your region or talking to one of the RAC members. Doing this shows that, as rural Alaskans, we care about our resources and want to keep them. If we don’t use these processes, then what is the point of having them anyway?

Here are some ways Alaskans can be involved in this process: giving testimony at their RAC meeting or the board meeting about their concerns, apply for a seat on their RAC, talk to someone who sits on their RAC, or they can submit a proposal to the RAC. I am hoping to apply to the SouthCentral RAC to represent myself, my family, and most importantly, my community. I recommend this class because I have seen the importance of protecting how we carry and participate in our ways of life. I cannot see myself not doing any subsistence harvesting with my family, and when I even imagine just a little bit, it breaks my heart. 

Subsistence creates life. Subsistence creates memories. Subsistence is about love. Subsistence is special. Subsistence is our way of life.

Without subsistence, life is quiet. Without subsistence, I’m not close with my family. Without subsistence, we are not a community. Without subsistence, there is starvation in rural areas. Without subsistence, I see a decay in Alaskan Native traditions. Without subsistence, I see more substance abuse. Without subsistence, there are no funny stories. Without subsistence, I see elders not sharing traditions.

Subsistence creates life. Subsistence creates memories. Subsistence is about love. Subsistence is special. Subsistence is our way of life.

Without subsistence, there is no me.

Chiqnik. Thank you.

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Naomi Jones, a senior at Mt. Edgecumbe High School, is from Tyonek, where she subsistence fishes and commercially fishes with her family. She is an environmental policy intern at the Sitka Conservation Society.

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