Children's Book on Natural Indicators Teleconference Summaries Newsletter - Spring 2011

Cultural Preservation Projects

• Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)
  YRDFA participates in and/or supports important historical documentation of TEK. This is an extremely important task as elders on the Yukon River are the main holders of this type of information and, as they grow older, there is a risk that the information they hold will not be passed on.
  When Will the Salmon Come
  TEK of Customary Trade of Subsistence Harvested Salmon
• Natural Indicators of Salmon Run Abundance & Timing
  YRDFA seeks to understand the historical abundance, distribution, and health of salmon populations in subsistence fishing communities in the lower Yukon River drainage through the documentation and incorporation of local and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). Data gained from key respondent interviews was analyzed to understand the correlations between TEK natural indicators and salmon population dynamics. Essentially, this project links TEK with conventional approaches to fisheries research.
  Results of Natural Indicators Project
• Koyukuk River Drainage Fish Habitat Mapping
  This atlas presents the information learned about salmon through interviews with elders and fishers in Allakaket, Alatna, and Hughes. Native place names are also included. Alaska Professional Communicators awarded this atlas first place in the category of Book Edited by Entrant. Here are the judge's remarks: "This publication is very well designed, very pleasing to the eye, and most importantly well researched and written. Kudos on an excellent job of explaining the river and the people so well."
  Atlas Part 1
  Atlas Part 2
  Atlas Part 3