Bristol Bay Guardians Initiative launches

Alaska Pacific University (APU) is working with various partners to create a new Bristol Bay Guardians Initiative for Bristol Bay. This initiative creates Indigenous-led stewardship and collaborative partnerships rooted in cultural knowledge and ecological sustainability to best sustain and preserve the unique and treasured area that is Bristol Bay. For example, these waters support the largest sockeye salmon run in the world—46% of the global wild sockeye harvest. While sockeye is the most prolific, all five species of Pacific salmon spawn and rear in this watershed, sustaining a rich web of wildlife, people, and fisheries. The initiative is a partnership between the Igiugig Village Tribal Stewardship Office (TSO), The Nature Conservancy, APU, and others, with an initial focus on subregional capacity in the Lake Iliamna and Lake Clark Region.

Inspired by successful Indigenous Guardians programs in Canada, the initiative empowers Indigenous communities to guide and shape stewardship efforts, blending traditional knowledge with contemporary approaches to caring for the land and waters. This is the homeland of the Yup’ik, Dena’ina, and Sugpiaq peoples, who are some of the last intact, sustainable salmon-based cultures on Earth. Here, land and water are inseparable from Alaska Native lifeways, shaped by millennia of stewardship and cultural wisdom. It is not merely a region; it is a living relationship between nature and people.

Alaska Pacific University’s Role

As a key partner, APU will support:

Building the network’s governance structure and operational frameworkStrengthening partnerships with Tribal organizations, agencies, and conservation groupsIncreasing community engagement through workshops, conferences, and trainingEnhancing administrative systems to support long-term sustainability

APU’s efforts will be led by Analouise Hoseth, Community Engagement and Stewardship Coordinator. Analouise, whose Yup’ik name is Tutgarayaq, grew up in Dillingham and brings a personal connection to the region. “I’m most excited about advocating for our plant and animal relatives and those that have no voice,” she shares. “And I’m thankful to create uplifting opportunities for youth in my community—opportunities I didn’t have growing up.”

What Will the Indigenous Guardians Do?

The Guardians will fill critical gaps in climate adaptation and environmental monitoring, revive dormant activities, and amplify existing environmental monitoring initiatives. They’ll be trained in technical skills like water quality monitoring and data collection, while also learning traditional knowledge from community members, thereby blending science and culture in powerful ways.

Pilot projects include:

Regional wildfire resilience planningAtsalugpiat (salmonberry) monitoringAerial surveys of salmon spawning habitatStreamgage reestablishmentIncorporating place names and Alaska Native languages into environmental data collection applications

More than a conservation effort, this initiative is about self-determination, resilience, and opportunity. By empowering Alaska Native communities to lead stewardship efforts, it supports not only ecological health but also economic and cultural well-being, creating a more sustainable future for all.

Alaska Pacific University

Alaska Pacific University, located in Anchorage, provides a distinctive education that blends Western academics with Indigenous knowledge and values. As a fully accredited, four-year Alaska Native–serving and tribally governed university, APU offers programs ranging from certificates to doctoral degrees, emphasizing hands-on, purpose-driven learning. APU honors and gives thanks to the Dena’ina people, the original stewards of the land where the university stands. Guided by Alaska Native knowledge and community, APU serves as a gathering place where all students belong and where culture and innovation come together to grow courageous leaders for the next seven generations. APU’s graduation rate is 1.4 times the state average, with its Alaska Native graduation rate rank among the state’s highest three years running—proof of our commitment to student success. Learn more at alaskapacific.edu.