KRITFC 2022 Annual Meeting and Elections Update

Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission commissioners at the 2022 Annual Meeting. Photo courtesy of the KRITC

by the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission 

Commissioners of the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (KRITFC) gathered on April 6 and 7, 2022 in Anchorage and over Zoom for two days of conversations about fish, updates from the 2021 season and previews of the 2022 season, and sharing of Indigenous Knowledge and wisdom.

These Commissioners come from communities throughout the Kuskokwim River watershed, from our river’s mouth to its headwaters. Each one, appointed by their Tribe, represents their community’s interests in fisheries management and brings a wealth of knowledge about, experience with, and passion for Kuskokwim fish to our meetings.

We began our annual meeting with introductions and updates from our communities. Everyone along the Kusko, from the mouth to the headwaters, is suffering with few kings and chums returning to our river. Reds were abundant last year, and they “saved the day,” as our Chair Mike Williams Sr. of Akiak said. Our people are worried about salmon bycatch. Many of us commented on the snow and thick ice this year, wondering what it will mean for breakup and the 2022 salmon season. Everyone agreed that it was good to meet in-person after the past 2 years of the Covid-19 pandemic.

On April 6, our new Executive Council representatives and In-Season Managers were elected. Quyana, Tsen’ahn, Thank you to all of the Commissioners who previously held these seats and did tremendous work for our river. Nutaan atam, Congratulations to our newly elected (and re-elected) Executive Council representatives, Executive Officers, and In-Season Managers! As we get closer to the 2022 fishing season, these Executive Council representatives, In-Season Managers, and Elder Advisors will lead KRITFC to protect the fish and fishing ways of life of our Kuskokwim communities.

2022 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL:

•Unit 1: Betty Magnuson, McGrath

•Unit 2: Jonathan Samuelson, Georgetown – Vice Chair

•Unit 3: Gerald Kameroff, Kalskag

•Unit 4: Mike Williams Sr., Akiak – Chair

•Unit 5: Avery Hoffman, Bethel – Secretary

•Unit 6: Ralph Nelson, Napakiak

•Unit 7: Adolph Lupie, Tuntutuliak

2022 IN-SEASON MANAGERS:

•Upriver/Headwaters: Betty Magnuson, McGrath

•Middle River: Megan Leary, Napaimute

•Lower River: Mike Williams Sr., Akiak

•Bethel/Lower River: Avery Hoffman, Bethel

•Tundra/Coast: Paul Cleveland, Quinhagak

ELDER ADVISORS:

•Robert Lekander, Bethel

•James Nicori, Kwethluk

KRITFC would like to thank our past elected Commissioners. Quyana, Tsen’ahn, Thank you to:

•James Charles of Tuntutuliak for his service as an Elder Advisor, In-Season Manager, and foundational member of our organization.

•James Nicori of Kwethluk for his service as an In-Season Manager.

•Jacki Cleveland of Quinhagak for her service on the Executive Council, as Secretary, and as an In-Season Manager.

•Megan Leary of Napaimute for her service on the Executive Council.

We look forward to the 2022 salmon season and hope you and your relatives stay safe as the Kusko breaks up! Keep up with us this fishing season at kuskosalmon.org and facebook.com/kuskosalmon.