Rooted in Our Ways of Life
Community Conversations on Subsistence and Stewardship
Hosted by the Alaska Federation of Natives
The Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) invites Tribal and Native Corporation leaders, Elders, subsistence harvesters, youth, natural resource staff, community leaders, and interested community members to participate in an upcoming Subsistence Listening Session.
As Alaskans consider the future of subsistence management, including potential policy changes, co-management opportunities, and constitutional amendment considerations, AFN is committed to hearing directly from Alaska Native communities to inform the development of positions and recommendations.
These listening sessions are designed to provide a respectful forum for communities to share their experiences, concerns, priorities, and visions for the future of subsistence. We want to better understand the challenges facing subsistence users today, identify regional priorities, discuss Native and local involvement in management decisions, and hear which principles and values Alaska Native people believe should guide changes to subsistence policy.
The purpose of these sessions is to listen, learn, and ensure that community voices help shape future discussions—not to promote or oppose any specific proposal or management framework at this time.
We encourage participation from:
- Tribal leaders and Tribal citizens
- Elders and traditional knowledge holders
- Active hunters, fishers, gatherers, and trappers
- Youth and future subsistence users
- Tribal natural resource and environmental staff
- Community and village leaders
- Regional organizations and Native corporations
Listening Session Information (More locations to come)
Utqiagvik
Tuesday, July 7, 2026; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Inupiat Heritage Center
Kotzebue
Wednesday, July 15, 2026; 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Nullagvik Hotel – Katimavik Meeting Room
Dillingham
Wednesday, August 12, 2026; 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Dillingham High School Gym
Kodiak
Friday, August 21, 2026; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Koniag Conference Room
Bethel
Wednesday, August 26, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.; and Thursday, August 27, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center
Fairbanks
Monday, August 31, 2026; 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Chief David Salmon Tribal Hall
Nome
Monday, September 14, 2026; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Mini Convention Center
Anchorage
Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
NANA NANAtkut Room (1st floor)
Ketchikan
Monday, September 28
TBD
For additional information, please contact:
Nikki Stoops
(907) 229-2126
nstoops@nativefederation.org
Your voice and experiences are important. We hope you will join us as we work together to identify the priorities, concerns, and values that must guide the future of subsistence for Alaska Native peoples and future generations.