The Bureau of Land Management Alaska today announce the recent signing of a multi-year, self-governance funding agreement to transfer a portion of the BLM’s cultural resource activities and functions to Kawerak, Inc. Kawerak represents nearly one-quarter of the federal lands managed by the Anchorage Field Office.
This groundbreaking agreement is the first of its kind between BLM and Tribes in Alaska. It provides annual funding for fiscal years 2023 through 2025, totaling $230,000, to be used for Kawerak’s Social Science Program, led by Dr. Julie Raymond-Yakoubian.
This new agreement supports shared priorities such as incorporating traditional and ecological knowledge into western science, maintaining resilient landscapes and durable decisions that benefit present and future generations. Through authority provided by the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Public Law 93-638), the signing represents a significant step forward in the exercise of self-determination for the member Tribes of the Kawerak consortium.
“Kawerak was formed as an act of self-governance by the Tribes in the Bering Strait Region of Alaska and this agreement furthers our Board of Directors’ goal of exercising self-determination. Our Tribal nations are the best authority on cultural resources, and we welcome this transfer of responsibility,” said Kawerak, Inc. President Melanie Bahnke.
Recognizing Indigenous land stewardship is an essential part of land and water conservation. Kawerak’s work under this agreement will provide integral cultural resource information and inventories to appropriately inform future BLM permit evaluations.
“This is an exciting program, and we are looking forward to the opportunities it will provide. Our office manages more than 23 million acres of federal land encompassing a vast scope of regionally unique cultures, history, and resources,” said Jamie Rhoades, acting BLM Anchorage Field Office manager. “Working with Kawerak will ensure the inclusion of their local expertise and traditional knowledge.”
Kawerak Inc. acts in accordance with its mission, to advance the capacity of our people and tribes for the benefit of the region. Kawerak is a nonprofit tribal consortium that provides over 40 different programs to the Inupiaq, St. Lawrence Island Yupik and Yup’ik people who reside in 16 communities of western Alaska and represents the 20 federally recognized tribes in the Bering Strait Region.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
