Gayla Hoseth is the Director of Natural Resources for Bristol Bay Native Association
and the 1 st Chief of the Curyung Tribe from Dillingham, Alaska. Gayla’s career for over
a decade has been focused on protecting our natural resources and subsistence way of
life in Alaska. Prior to her role in Natural Resources, Gayla worked in the medical field
helping patients, community health aides, and medical providers for twenty years in
Bristol Bay. Gayla has served as a tribal chief for the past twelve years and just
recently became the first chief of her tribe. Gayla also serves on several boards and
councils. Her most recent appointment was to Secretary Haaland’s Department of
Interior Secretarial Tribal Advisory Committee (DOI STAC), as the primary
representative for the State of Alaska. Gayla was elected to serve on the Alaska
Federation of Natives Board (AFN) as the village representative for Bristol Bay, where
she also serves as the AFN Subsistence Chair. She also serves as a board member on
the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), EPA National Tribal Operations Committee,
EPA Region 10 Tribal Operations Committee, Western Alaska Partnership Steering
Committee, Indigenous People’s Council for Marine Mammals (IPCoMM) Alternate,
Previous Co-Chair on the Alaska Migratory Bird Co-Management Council, Nushagak
Peninsula Caribou Planning Committee, and Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Nushagak Advisory Council At-Large Representative.
Gayla is a leader advocating many tribal issues both state and nationwide for her tribe
and tribal members across the United States. Her passion is subsistence and
protecting a subsistence lifestyle reminding decision makers of Alaska’s Subsistence
Priority, as well as holding the Federal Governmental agencies accountable for the
Federal Trust Responsibility. Gayla is dedicated to making a difference. When she is
faced with challenges, she doesn’t forget where she comes from, and remembers those
before her, as she continues to move forward for this generation and the generations to
come.
Gayla’s most important job is being a mother and grandmother and passing on life
lessons as she continues on her life’s journey. She also enjoys traveling, preparing and
preserving traditional foods, learning about different cultures, crafting, and visiting with
family and friends, as well as growing new relationships.