Alaska Native peoples have lived from, with, and as a part of the environment since time immemorial. We partner with Tribes, Alaska Native Organizations, and Alaska Native Corporations on countless ongoing, long-standing relationships across Alaska, as well as formal financial and non-monetary agreements. Together with Alaska Native peoples, we collaborate, live with, live from, learn from, and enjoy this place we call home.

Alaska Native Relations Policy

Alaska Native peoples have lived from, with and as a part of the environment since time immemorial, and as such, have a direct connection to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mission. We are in the process of developing a new chapter to supplement the national Native American Policy which will be tailored to the uniqueness of Alaska.  

State of Alaska joins Service in Formal Apology for Harmful Impacts of Past Bird Harvest Prohibitions

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game formally apologized to Alaska Native peoples on Thursday, September 13, 2018. The apology recognizes hardships Alaska Native families experienced from implementation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the 1960s and 1970s. "This moment...can bring healing, and healing is what needs to happen for Natives throughout the State," said Gayla Hoseth, AMBCC Native Caucus Co-Chair and Bristol Bay Regional Advisory Committee Representative. Council members honored many Alaska Native leaders who worked to change the Act during the ceremony. The apology was presented to the Alaska Migratory Bird Co-Management Council at their fall meeting by former Alaska Regional Director Greg Siekaniec and Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Sam Cotten. 

Read and watch the apology

Indigenous Engagement with the Alexander Archipelago Wolf: An Applied Study of Culture and Traditional Ecological Knowledge
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Indigenous Engagement with the Alexander Archipelago Wolf: An Applied Study of Culture and Traditional Ecological Knowledge

The Service’s Species Status Assessment in response to a petition to list the Alexander Archipelago wolf under the ESA couldn’t have been adequately prepared without including the voices of Indigenous people who have a deep connection with the species and an understanding of wolves that differs...

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Jeffrey J. Brooks

and 11 others

Identification of National Wildlife Refuge System Lands in Alaska That Should Be Made Available for Allotment Selection by Eligible Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans.pdf
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Identification of National Wildlife Refuge System Lands in Alaska That Should Be Made Available for Allotment Selection by Eligible Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans.pdf

Report to Congress: Identification of National Wildlife Refuge System Lands in Alaska That Should Be Made Available for Allotment Selection by Eligible Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans

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Crystal Leonetti with mountain in background
Alaska Native Affairs Specialist
Office of Communications,
National Native American Programs
Expertise
Tribal Trust,
Alaska Native Relations Training,
Co-stewardship,
Policy,
Indigenous Knowledge,
Cross-cultural Communication,
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act,
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
Area
AK
Anchorage,AK
woman wearing a FWS shirt
Tribal Communication and Outreach Specialist
Office of Communications
Additional Role(s)
Arctic Youth Ambassadors,
Native Youth Climate Adaptation and Leadership Congress
Expertise
Tribal communications, Migratory Bird Calendar
Area
AK
Fairbanks,AK