Salmon crisis prompts Senate committee hearing in Bethel

November 21, 2024 | Written By: Jeff Chen

Declining salmon populations along Alaska’s Arctic, Yukon, and Kuskokwim Rivers, pose a significant threat to the cultural and traditional livelihoods of Alaska Native communities.

On November 10th, 2023, Senator Lisa Murkowski visited Bethel to participate in a United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs public hearing and listening session, where the concerns surrounding salmon declines and its impacts on the health, culture, and well being of indigenous communities were discussed.

The turnout at the public hearing in Bethel was substantial, numerous individuals and community representatives testified their concerns with a broad range of topics which included climate change, excessive catch limits for ocean fisheries practicing trawling, and bycatch while our subsistence living communities face harsh restrictions, and concerns brought on by the proposed Donlin Gold development.

In order for all of our voices to be heard, it’s important that you know the public has until this Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, to submit comments via email for inclusion in the hearing’s public record. Concerned citizens and stakeholders: please take a few moments of your time to contribute your perspectives on this critical issue. Your comments and concerns can be submitted via email to: mailto: testimony@indian.senate.gov

Tribes from the Yukon-Kuskokwim region interested in amplifying their sovereign voices of opposition to the Donlin Gold mine are encouraged to join the Mother Kuskokwim Tribal Coalition. If your tribe is looking for additional information or a draft resolution, please reach out to Anaan’arar Sophie Swope by phone at tel: 545-4764 or via email at mailto: sophie@motherkuskokwim.org, using the subject line “Joining Mother Kuskokwim.”