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Children's Book on Natural Indicators Annual Report Newsletter - Fall 2011

YRDFA Annual Meeting Just Days Away

By now you know that from February 13-16 fishers and others from all over the Yukon River drainage are gathering in Galena. But, as you read this and consider making travel plans, do you know some of the highlights attendees can look forward to? There’ll be a chance to comment on possible king salmon management plan revisions, a potluck, a visit from Senator Kookesh and Lt. Governor Treadwell, sausage gravy over biscuits, a salmon biology workshop, chicken curry, fisheries managers discussing the upcoming season, two nights of music, teleconferencing with Senator Begich, Representative Dick, and others, beef stir fry, and an Elders talk. If that whets your appetite, click here to view the draft agenda or email Marilynn Woods for more details.

Calendar of Upcoming Public Events

Take advantage of these opportunities to learn something new about your fishery, share your ideas and concerns, and give feedback about management. Click here to view the current calendar of events.

Yukon River King Salmon Management Plan Revision Kicks into High Gear

In an effort to address low salmon returns, YRDFA is partnering with stakeholder groups from throughout the drainage to revise the Yukon River King Salmon Management Plan. These stakeholders met recently and created a number of draft plan components, which will be presented to the public for comment over the next two months. Click here for more details.

Meet YRDFA's Newest Staffer

A new program assistant has joined the YRDFA team, and she is gangbusters! Marilynn Woods is originally from Manley Hot Springs and has strong ties in a number of villages on the Yukon. She’s got seven years of teaching experience under her belt, and in addition to working with YRDFA she is working toward a Master’s degree from UAF. Marilynn is currently coordinating most of the details for the upcoming YRDFA Annual Meeting, and she’s quickly become the go-to person in the office for, well, everything. Click here to learn more about Marilynn.

Watch New Video Interviews from YRDFA’s Founding Fathers

Spurred by declines in the salmon runs, in 1990 a contingent of lower river fishers traveled to the upper river for the first time to talk about sharing salmon. After that historic meeting in Galena, the next year an upper river delegation traveled to the lower river village of St. Mary’s to formally create the association known as YRDFA. With funds from the Alaska Humanities Forum, YRDFA was able to interview six people—Virgil Umphenour, Victor Lord, Richard Burnham, Lester Wilde, Harry Wilde, and John Lamont—who were either the initial founders of our organization or were there pretty early on in the process. We sought to document the hard work of fisheries leaders and young adults two decades past, and to gain insight. The salmon run is again in crisis; perhaps we can look to the past for solutions. Click here for more details.

Children’s Books & Teacher Toolkits on Natural Indicators on Sale Now

Long before sonars, counting tours, and management agencies, Yukon River Elders predicted the salmon runs. They observed the world around them—wind, birds, insects, fish, plants, water, weather, and even the moon—to determine when the salmon would come and how many would arrive. When Will the Salmon Come? Advice from Elders highlights this knowledge from the lower and middle river in a colorful, illustrated children’s book, and the knowledge is re-emphasized through a teacher toolkit. Click here for more details.