09-08 Utilizing sea otters for subsistence and handicraft

Published on November 10th, 2009

By ALEX DEMARBAN

Summary

Allow ANCSA descendents and Alaska tribal government members to non-wastefully take, possess and use sea otters for subsistence and handicraft purposes.

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Full Text

RESOLUTION 09-08

SUPPORTING REGULATORY CHANGES TO ALLOW TRIBAL MEMBERS AND/OR ALASKA NATIVE ANCSA DESCENDENTS TO TAKE, POSSESS AND UTILIZE SEA OTTERS FOR SUBSISTENCE AND HANDICRAFT

WHEREAS: The indigenous people of Alaska have harvested sea otters since time immemorial for many uses that include regalia, clothing, art, and trade; and

WHEREAS: The Marine Mammal Protection Act was made law in 1972 and states that only coastal Indians, Aleuts and Eskimos are able to take marine mammals for subsistence or handicraft purposes; and

WHEREAS: The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 uses the original definition of "Native" established in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971; and

WHEREAS: In the CFRs, "Native" means a citizen of the United States who is a person of one-fourth degree or more Alaska Indian (including Tsimshian Indians not enrolled in the Metlakatla Indian Community) Eskimo, or Aleut blood, or combination thereof, or originally enrolled under Section 5 of ANCSA; and

WHEREAS: These regulations have divided Alaskan Natives into two categories of "Natives" and "Descendants of'; and

WHEREAS: Hunting, proper hide preparation and skin sewing are traditional activities that are essential components of one's cultural identify, and these skills are taught and passed from one generation to the next; and

WHEREAS: Sea otter hunting, hide preparation and skin sewing are important in the Alutiiq culture; and

WHEREAS: The current regulations prohibit teaching and meI}toring our youth on the skill and knowledge of sea otter hunting and handicraft if they are below 1/4 blood quantum, negatively impacting the Alutiiq and the other Alaska Native cultures; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CFR (50 CFR 18) be revised, if required, to allow each Alaska Native Tribe to authorize and allow Alaska Native ANCSA Descendants to non-wastefully take, possess and utilize sea otters for subsistence or handicraft purposes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the regulations be further amended to allow Alaska Native members of Alaska Native tribal governments to non-wastefully take, possess and utilize sea otters for subsistence and handicraft purposes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Interior and appropriate agencies take the necessary steps to implement this resolution immediately.

SUBMITTED BY: KONIAG REGION

COMMITTEE ACTION: DO PASS

CONVENTION ACTION: AMENDED AND PASSED