ESKIMO WALRUS COMMISSION
EWC FORMS & APPLICATIONS
USEFUL LINKS
CONTACT INFORMATION
Eskimo Walrus Commision
Encourage self-regulation of walrus hunting and management of walrus stock by Alaska Natives who use and need walrus to survive.
Eskimo Walrus Commission (EWC) is convening a Young Hunters – Walrus Summit 2022 in Nome
EWC is seeking a young hunter (ages 18-29) from each of the Eskimo Walrus Commission statewide walrus hunting communities of Utqiagvik, Wainwright, Point Lay, Point Hope, Kivalina, Kotzebue, Shishmaref, Wales, Little Diomede, Brevig Mission, King Island, Nome, Gambell, Savoonga, Unalakleet, Stebbins, Mekoryuk, Kwigillingok, and Manokotak to participate in this first Young Hunters – Walrus Summit.
Summit will be 3 days, October 4, 5, & 6, 2022 with the goal of supporting young hunters as the next generation of informed, engaged representatives who are prepared to provide leadership regarding walrus and marine resources. The summit will include intensive study and discussion of all relevant laws, regulations, policies, and current management practices for marine mammals with particular focus on Pacific walrus
Apply via Google Form: https://forms.gle/aQfCp9aHL7xe7wMV6
DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 12!
The intent is to provide a unique opportunity to bring together EWC Commissioners and young hunters to:
- Develop the next generation of informed, engaged community representatives who are prepared to advocate and provide leadership for Alaska Native interests regarding marine mammal resources
- Strengthen the capacity of EWC communities to participate in marine mammal co-management responsibilities
- Prepare the Eskimo Walrus Commission for effectively responding to the future impacts of environmental changes in the New Arctic
If interested, contact our EWC staff, Sierra Smith (907) 443-4378 or email ssmith@kawerak.org. Participants must be endorsed by IRA or tribal organization.
Created in 1978 by Kawerak, Inc. of Nome, Eskimo Walrus Commission (EWC) is the organization representing Alaska’s coastal walrus hunting communities. Initially formed as a consortium of Native hunters, EWC is a recognized statewide entity working on resource co-management issues, specifically walrus, on behalf of Alaska Natives as it continues to be an essential cultural, natural, and subsistence resource to the Alaskan coastal Yupik and Inupiaq communities. Walrus is also a primary resource of food for Alaska Natives and is used to produce handicrafts and artwork from its ivory and bone.
EWC MEMBER COMMUNITIES
| Barrow | Brevig Mission | Clarks Point | Gambell |
| Kivalina | King Island | Kotzebue | Kwigillingok |
| Little Diomede | Mekoryuk | Nome | Point Hope |
| Point Lay | Savoonga | Shishmaref | Stebbins |
| Unalakleet | Wainwright | Wales |
A cooperative agreement between FWS and EWC was developed in 1997 to encourage subsistence hunters’ participation in conserving and managing walrus stocks in the coastal communities. In 1998, a Memorandum of Understanding between EWC, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, and FWS was signed further allowing joint management of the Pacific Walrus Conservation Fund where the majority of the funds come from the sale of raw ivory by EWC during state conferences and events.
Kawerak’s Eskimo Walrus Commission represents Alaska’s coastal walrus hunting communities and continues to work cooperatively with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service work on a number of projects:
- Conducting biannual meetings of commission members who represent 19 communities
- Monitoring subsistence walrus hunts on Round Island with Bristol Bay Native Association’s Qayassiq Walrus Commission in the Bristol Bay
- Collecting detailed walrus harvest data and biological samples in five communities
- Recording general walrus harvest data through the federally mandated marking, tagging, and reporting program
- Working through a cooperative agreement between U.S. and Russian governments with all Chukotkan Native coastal communities in the harvest, conservation and sound management of the Pacific walrus
- Gathering culture-based traditional knowledge
- Working with communities to become more proactive in ‘co-management’ of the walrus population
You can also visit EWC’s website at https://eskimowalruscommission.org
Eskimo Walrus Commision
Encourage self-regulation of walrus hunting and management of walrus stock by Alaska Natives who use and need walrus to survive.
Eskimo Walrus Commission (EWC) is convening a Young Hunters – Walrus Summit 2022 in Nome
EWC is seeking a young hunter (ages 18-29) from each of the Eskimo Walrus Commission statewide walrus hunting communities of Utqiagvik, Wainwright, Point Lay, Point Hope, Kivalina, Kotzebue, Shishmaref, Wales, Little Diomede, Brevig Mission, King Island, Nome, Gambell, Savoonga, Unalakleet, Stebbins, Mekoryuk, Kwigillingok, and Manokotak to participate in this first Young Hunters – Walrus Summit.
Summit will be 3 days, October 4, 5, & 6, 2022 with the goal of supporting young hunters as the next generation of informed, engaged representatives who are prepared to provide leadership regarding walrus and marine resources. The summit will include intensive study and discussion of all relevant laws, regulations, policies, and current management practices for marine mammals with particular focus on Pacific walrus
Apply via Google Form: https://forms.gle/aQfCp9aHL7xe7wMV6
DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 12!
The intent is to provide a unique opportunity to bring together EWC Commissioners and young hunters to:
- Develop the next generation of informed, engaged community representatives who are prepared to advocate and provide leadership for Alaska Native interests regarding marine mammal resources
- Strengthen the capacity of EWC communities to participate in marine mammal co-management responsibilities
- Prepare the Eskimo Walrus Commission for effectively responding to the future impacts of environmental changes in the New Arctic
If interested, contact our EWC staff, Sierra Smith (907) 443-4378 or email ssmith@kawerak.org. Participants must be endorsed by IRA or tribal organization.
Created in 1978 by Kawerak, Inc. of Nome, Eskimo Walrus Commission (EWC) is the organization representing Alaska’s coastal walrus hunting communities. Initially formed as a consortium of Native hunters, EWC is a recognized statewide entity working on resource co-management issues, specifically walrus, on behalf of Alaska Natives as it continues to be an essential cultural, natural, and subsistence resource to the Alaskan coastal Yupik and Inupiaq communities. Walrus is also a primary resource of food for Alaska Natives and is used to produce handicrafts and artwork from its ivory and bone.
EWC MEMBER COMMUNITIES
| Barrow | Brevig Mission | Clarks Point | Gambell |
| Kivalina | King Island | Kotzebue | Kwigillingok |
| Little Diomede | Mekoryuk | Nome | Point Hope |
| Point Lay | Savoonga | Shishmaref | Stebbins |
| Unalakleet | Wainwright | Wales |
A cooperative agreement between FWS and EWC was developed in 1997 to encourage subsistence hunters’ participation in conserving and managing walrus stocks in the coastal communities. In 1998, a Memorandum of Understanding between EWC, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, and FWS was signed further allowing joint management of the Pacific Walrus Conservation Fund where the majority of the funds come from the sale of raw ivory by EWC during state conferences and events.
Kawerak’s Eskimo Walrus Commission represents Alaska’s coastal walrus hunting communities and continues to work cooperatively with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service work on a number of projects:
- Conducting biannual meetings of commission members who represent 19 communities
- Monitoring subsistence walrus hunts on Round Island with Bristol Bay Native Association’s Qayassiq Walrus Commission in the Bristol Bay
- Collecting detailed walrus harvest data and biological samples in five communities
- Recording general walrus harvest data through the federally mandated marking, tagging, and reporting program
- Working through a cooperative agreement between U.S. and Russian governments with all Chukotkan Native coastal communities in the harvest, conservation and sound management of the Pacific walrus
- Gathering culture-based traditional knowledge
- Working with communities to become more proactive in ‘co-management’ of the walrus population
You can also visit EWC’s website at https://eskimowalruscommission.org