By Chad Love

Here's an interesting story about an innovative program that trains Alaska Native youths from villages surrounding the Bristol Bay area to be fishing guides on the region's many rivers. Yes, that Bristol Bay, you know, the one that unless something is done to stop it, will be transformed from one of the world's richest recreational and commercial fisheries into one of the world's biggest open-pit copper and gold mines.

From this story on the Olean Times-Herald:
The weeklong academy aims to start youngsters from such towns and villages as Aleknagik, Manokotak, Ekwok and New Stuyahok on a path allows them to eventually work as local sport fish guides."We're trying to make it apparent that that's a business out there — and it's not something new that has to be created," said Tim Troll, executive director of the Nushagak-Mulchatna/Wood-Tikchik Land Trust, a sponsor of the academy. "We think that lodges would be very interested in hiring locals, but they have to have basic skills. "Personally, I think lodges need to be a little more engaged locally."

Reuben Hastings, 24, of New Stuyahok, who went through the first academy, is finishing up his U.S. Coast Guard certification, which will enable him to drive a boat with paying clients. "I'm lucky because I grew up in an outdoorsy family where everyone relied on kings, reds and silvers," Hastings said. "That was one of our major protein sources for the winter. "Plus, his father worked as a guide out of the Ekwok Lodge for Luki Akelkok, a lifelong Bristol Bay resident and president of the Ekwok Tribal Council and lodge owner. "He had lots of lodges that wanted him to guide," Akelkok said of Hastings. "He knows the area around here. He was born and raised around here."

Recreational fishing in the Bristol Bay region is big business, with anglers from around the world arriving each summer to pursue feisty salmon, chunky rainbow trout, Dolly Varden and Arctic grayling. "Although the industry provides hundreds of seasonal jobs, local residents, particularly Alaska Natives, have traditionally played a very small part in this lucrative and sustainable industry," said Paula Dobbyn of Trout Unlimited Alaska, one of the academy sponsors. "Most of the jobs go to seasonal workers from the Lower 48. "Trout Unlimited wants to see that change. Recognizing that Bristol Bay is a region of high unemployment with staggering costs, (we) want to encourage residents to get involved in the sportfishing and outdoor recreation industry by providing opportunities for local young."

Perhaps if the British and Canadian consortium (no, it's not even an American company that's trying to destroy our public resources) is successful in its bid to go ahead with the Pebble mine project, perhaps they could find work for all those young Alaska Natives guiding on the Thames. Because in a few years it'll probably have about as many salmon as Bristol Bay.

Comments (3)

from Bookie12 wrote 1 year 29 weeks ago

That is a fantastic idea and article. I have some buddies from down here in the states that go up there to guide. I am sure they would completely understand if their job was lost to a local native fishing guide. That would also be a HUGE draw for tourists...fish with the locals (the true locals). I would go up there just to fish with those guys. This whole pebble mine thing though just completely disgusts me. Esp with all thats going down in the Gulf. I dont think there should even be any question. HELL NO!!

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from countitandone wrote 1 year 28 weeks ago

Not uncommon in the world of work. In my line, if a tradesman is injured or substantially mamed, he is given the opportunity to be retrained for, say a less physically demanding career.

We might do well to ask guys like sayfu or deet about how demanding it is to be a fishing guide. Who knows, both these guys might be "retrained lawyers!"

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from rslayden wrote 1 year 27 weeks ago

My husband is a part of keeping things running smoothly with the plumbing part of it at the lodge in Ekwok.

Luki is a good friend of my father-in-law.

My husband will be flying out tomorrow to begin work for Luki.

I love you Honey, Your Wife....Robin.

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from Bookie12 wrote 1 year 29 weeks ago

That is a fantastic idea and article. I have some buddies from down here in the states that go up there to guide. I am sure they would completely understand if their job was lost to a local native fishing guide. That would also be a HUGE draw for tourists...fish with the locals (the true locals). I would go up there just to fish with those guys. This whole pebble mine thing though just completely disgusts me. Esp with all thats going down in the Gulf. I dont think there should even be any question. HELL NO!!

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from countitandone wrote 1 year 28 weeks ago

Not uncommon in the world of work. In my line, if a tradesman is injured or substantially mamed, he is given the opportunity to be retrained for, say a less physically demanding career.

We might do well to ask guys like sayfu or deet about how demanding it is to be a fishing guide. Who knows, both these guys might be "retrained lawyers!"

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from rslayden wrote 1 year 27 weeks ago

My husband is a part of keeping things running smoothly with the plumbing part of it at the lodge in Ekwok.

Luki is a good friend of my father-in-law.

My husband will be flying out tomorrow to begin work for Luki.

I love you Honey, Your Wife....Robin.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.