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Fish Factor: New Salmon Fellows Program Aims for Common Ground to Shape & Protect the Future By LAINE WELCH - Salmon is the heart of Alaska’s fisheries – it almost singlehandedly spawned the push for statehood nearly 60 years ago. A new Alaska Salmon Fellows program wants to make sure Alaskans are poised to “shape the future” of the cultural fish and it is investing in the people to do so.

In its call for applications, the Fellows program is described as a means to “facilitate demanding conversations about salmon issues among leaders from a cross section of salmon policy, management, industry, activism, research and cultural sectors.”

“The goal is to bring people with different perspectives together from all across Alaska, people who care about the future and want to work together, and let them shape strategies and initiatives by learning from each other,” said Kitty Farnham, Director of Leadership Programs for the Alaska Humanities Forum, sponsor of the Salmon Fellows program.

Most Alaskans are deeply connected to salmon in some way, but it has some flash point issues, such as allocation and interception grievances among users and the urban/rural divide. One thing everyone has in common, Farnham said, is a desire to preserve and protect the fish, and the importance of dialogue is core to the purpose of the Humanities Forum.

“We often don’t see each other’s perspectives very well because we’re mostly talking to people who have a similar relationship to the world of salmon, whether it’s commercial fishermen, or sport users or subsistence. We want to create stronger connections across all those boundaries,” she explained. “We really believe it takes all thinkers and all residents to be part of different solutions. So this notion of holding a space where we can learn with and from each other will broaden our understanding of how our salmon is going to remain sustainable and acceptable to all Alaskans for generations.”

Each Salmon Fellow will receive $10,000 to support their participation in the program and use of the money is open ended.

“Truly, there are no restrictions on that. It may be used to cover child care or elder care for someone’s participation. They might choose to use that money to invest in their existing work; they can spend the $10,000 however they want individually,” Farnham said.

A determination of success of the Fellows program could be as simple as seeing more people involved in “dialogues that matter, so there is a higher level of inclusion across all parts of our community,” she added.

Salmon Fellows will be required to attend four gatherings starting in May through next April; all travel costs are covered from a separate pool of funds. Fellows also are expected to fully participate in readings, connections between events, and development of innovative projects that promote a strong future for Alaska’s salmon and people.

“Projects they come up with as a result of listening and talking with each other,” Farnham explained. “Things they can do together that they can’t do alone. Those initiatives will be separately funded later this year.”

A webinar on the Salmon Fellows program scheduled for Feb. 8 is limited to 50 people and will remain on the Alaska Humanities Forum website.

Deadline to apply for a Salmon Fellows award is Feb. 28; recipients will be notified in April. - More....
Monday AM - February 06, 2017

Southeast Alaska: Transboundary Mining Prompts Resolution to Investigate Possible Downstream Impacts to Water and Fish - Representative Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan) has introduced a resolution asking the United States and Canadian Governments to investigate the downstream effects of proposed and existing transboundary mining developments. House Joint Resolution 9 urges the United States government to continue to work with the government of Canada to investigate the long-term, region-wide downstream effects of proposed and existing industrial development and to develop measures to ensure that state resources are not harmed by upstream development in British Columbia.

The resolution was introduced to protect Alaska’s pristine water and healthy wild salmon populations.

“For decades, pollution from British Columbian mines has flowed downstream into Alaska’s rivers, with documented adverse effects to the Taku, Stikine, and Unuk Rivers,” said Rep. Ortiz. “With the proposal of multiple new mines in British Columbia, large-scale mining is on the horizon and with that comes possible negative impacts. This resolution is intended ensure the protection of natural resources that we cannot allow to be destroyed or harmed.” - More...
Monday AM - February 06, 2017

Alaska: Wood Bison's Death Leaves Void That Could Slow Herd's Expansion - Alaska's fledgling wood bison herd lost an important member Friday when Bison No. 124 was illegally shot and killed near the village of Quinhagak. Alaska Wildlife Troopers are investigating the incident. The bison was salvaged and donated to a Bethel charity.

A photograph of one of many wood bisons.
Photo courtesy ADF&G

Bison 124 was among 130 wood bison released along the lower Innoko and Yukon rivers between April and June 2015 as part of the Alaska Wood Bison Restoration Project. The area was selected for its excellent habitat and strong community support.

A wanderer that captured the hearts of rural communities across western Alaska, Bison 124 was a young cow known for its extensive exploration of the Yukon, Kuskokwim, and Innoko drainages. Residents of Grayling, Anvik, Shageluk, Holy Cross, Kalskag, Aniak, Russian Mission, Akiachuk, Kwethluk, Tuntutuliak, Eek, and Bethel welcomed the animal and enjoyed watching it explore new habitat. Many remarked that its appearance marked the beginning of more to come and should be respected.

Bison 124 had a knack for identifying suitable habitat where future generations of bison could prosper, making it an important contributor to wood bison conservation. Valuable knowledge the animal gained can no longer be shared with the main herd and is now lost. As a result, the herd's expansion into the lower Kuskokwim area may require significantly more time which could delay opportunities for area residents to enjoy wood bison as a resource. - More...
Monday AM - February 06, 2017

Columns - Commentary

This is something that I was not previously aware of because I have known many women who have laughed at my jokes since time immemorial (at my current age, immemorial is anything older than 15 minutes).

Yes, yes, you are snickering to yourself with the thought that they were just humoring me. While that is possible in some cases, I just can't shake the fact that I really am funny.

No, that is not an "alternate fact."

Besides, even if they were simply "humoring" me, that would at least have to presume they have a "sense of humor." Right?

But I digress.

I'm kinda surprised about this revelation, because I have always known that some women are really funny. Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Amy Schumer, Tina Fey, Sarah Palin, etc. Seriously funny. Bigly.

But apparently my assessment that because women are funny, they must also have a sense of humor is incorrect. At least according to one of the most respect arbiters of "what is" in America today.

Hallmark.

Actually not just Hallmark but the whole danged greeting card industry put together.

You see I recently went in search of a birthday card for my long suffering (nearly 23 years) wife, Charlotte. Now I know that Charlotte has a sense of humor, because I have heard her occasionally laugh at things. Usually things that happen to me, to be sure, as opposed to the bits of wit that I generate, but she does laugh.

That is why I like to present her with at least a moderately humorous birthday card each year. You know the type. Always something deprecating about the hubby (me) and how I'd be a lost blubbering infantile fool without the wife (her).

Now, this, in all likelihood, is probably true, but that's the not the point here. - More...
Monday AM - February 06, 2017