For generations, Alaska Native people have lived off the land in the Cook Inlet region. Our region encompasses approximately 1.6 million acres—approximately the size of the state of Pennsylvania—spanning past Chickaloon to the north and Seldovia to the south.
When it comes to our lands, CIRI abides by a philosophy that strikes a balance between sustainably developing resources to generate income for Shareholders and protecting lands for future generations. In line with our region-wide priority of managing subsistence resources, CIRI also prioritizes upholding traditional values, balancing the needs of Shareholders and their Descendants, and advocating for the rights of Alaska Native people.
For more than 20 years, CIRI and the Ninilchik Traditional Council (NTC) have worked together to manage access to CIRI lands for moose hunting. In August, CIRI, NTC and the Ninilchik Natives Association Inc. (NNAI) signed the Niqnalchint Yaghenen (Dena’ina: “Ninilchik, the good land”) Culture and Subsistence Commitment, which outlines shared responsibilities for protecting, preserving, and enhancing land and resources on CIRI and NNAI lands within the traditional homelands of the Ninilchik Village Tribe.
“The Culture and Subsistence Commitment represents the first trilateral agreement between CIRI and our villages and Tribes,” said Darla Graham, director of CIRI stakeholder engagement. “We’re hoping this paves the way for other such agreements in the future.”
Part of the agreement involves the management of moose hunting on CIRI and NNAI lands within State of Alaska Game Management Unit 15C (GMU15C). For the 2024 moose hunting season, which ran Sept. 1–25, NTC was responsible for issuing permits to hunt on CIRI-owned lands within GMU15C. NTC also assumed responsibility for land and resource management related to moose hunting, including access, safety and trespass. All three organizations—CIRI, NNAI and NTC—contributed equally to cover the administrative costs of the program.
“Moose hunting permits for GMU15C are issued only to CIRI Shareholders and Descendants and shareholders of NNAI; no one else is legally permitted to access this cultural resource,” NTC Executive Director Ivan Encelewski said. “Working together to provide land access for a program that has such a strong cultural connection for both CIRI and the Tribe is nothing short of monumental.”
Moose are an important resource for Alaska Native people. Experts estimate that a single moose is worth $15,000 to $20,000 to a rural family, and a single large male can provide more than 450 pounds of meat. In addition to the meat—which is protein-rich, low in fat, and high in iron and B vitamins—the hides, bones and antlers are also used by Alaska Native people.
NTC Resource and Environment Director Darrel Williams led a moose hunt within GMU15C this fall, with a portion of the meat going to CIRI for the meals served at our Friendship Potlatches. Darrel said he expects the Culture and Subsistence Commitment to coordinate future priorities “with a foundation in culture, preservation and commitment.”
“The implementation of the agreement will help all three entities capture opportunities to make improvements, coordinate planning efforts and meet goals to improve the program,” Darrel continued. “It is also important to note that the framework of the agreement delivers a wide range of consideration that supports other positive outcomes, such as intergenerational interaction, family bonding and the sharing of knowledge.”
CIRI is incredibly grateful to NTC and NNAI for their commitment to work together to protect our lands and resources. “Our shared values as Alaska Native people are engrained in everything we do,” Darla said. “We recognize we are stronger together, and we honor invitations to work in partnership to accomplish our regional goals and priorities.”
