Traditional Use Study: An assessment of Caribou and other resources of cultural significance in Noatka, Alaska

Project ID: P18AC00238

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: Portland State University

Fiscal Year: 2018

Initial Funding: $16,025

Total Funding: $16,025

Project Type: Research

Project Disciplines: Cultural

National Park: Alaska Region

Principal Investigator: Deur, Doug

Agreement Technical Representative: Atkinson, Valerie

Abstract: The objective of this Agreement is to complete a Traditional Use Study (TUS) for Noatak National Preserve to document Native subsistence practices relating to caribou and visitor effects on those practices, in partnership with Portland State University (PSU). This research will gather information to help address an enduring problem for the village of Noatak, Noatak National Preserve and the larger region relating to subsistence uses of caribou and other species. Since the creation of the Preserve, subsistence studies and tribal consultation records make frequent mention of the possible negative effects of certain visitors -including those flying airplanes and/or non-local hunters- on hunting grounds traditionally utilized by Native communities, or on lands critical to caribou migrations in the Noatak region. Past social and anthropological studies of subsistence users, and regulatory changes undertaken during this period have not fully eliminated these concerns. This collaborative study will involve gathering both new and existing documentation, and facilitating broader communications between Noatak village su bsistence hunters and NPS staff; research findings will be organized in such a way to facilitate future land and resource use planning that will be significantly informed by the knowledge, observations, values, and concerns ofNoatak caribou hunters.