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Address

Kenaitze Indian Tribe
P.O. Box 988
Kenai, AK 99611
Phone: (907) 283-3633
Fax: (907) 283-3052

Introduction • Policies • Plan • Curriculum • Forms

Educational Fishery Plan

ADMINISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION:

Kenaitze Indian Tribal members and their families as well as Salamatof Tribal Members and their families will participate in the fishery. Each year the fishery has grown in terms of numbers of participants. This number includes Tribal Elders and youth from every family enrolled in the Kenaitze Indian Tribe and Salamatof Tribal Council. In addition, the Tribe will share net harvest with other Alaska Natives, service agencies, and individuals in need.

The Traditional Educational Fishery is accomplished through a permit issued by the State of Alaska, as directed by the 9th Circuit Court, and shall be administered by the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, IRA Executive Committee/Tribal Council.

A Tribal Fishery Commission appointed by the Council will implement the day-to-day operation of the Fishery. The Commission will consist of three (3) members appointed by the Tribal Councils of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, IRA and Salamatof Tribal Council.

The Fishing Commission will direct the use of the Net, and will answer directly to the Tribal Council. (Please see Commission regulations). The Commission will be responsible for enforcement of policy and regulations for the Net, and has the authority to discipline fishers who abuse or break the rules. The stipulations set forth in the Tribe's fishery permit shall be observed at all times.

Kenaitze Tribal and Salamatof Tribal members and participating fishers are expected to carry out the fishery in observance of rules and regulations. This behavior insures that our natural resources receive respect, the hallmark of the Kenaitze Dena'ina culture and heritage.

WHERE:

Kenaitze traditional fishing sites include Birch Island, Waterfront (modern name is Cannery Road) and "...in the Kenai River 1/4 mile upstream from the Warren Ames Bridge, including Birch Island downstream to the mouth, and including those waters normally closed to commercial salmon fishing adjacent to the mouth.", the drainages of the Kenai, Kasilof, and Swanson Rivers.

WHEN:

Season extends from May 1, 2009 to November 30, 2009. Traditionally Kenaitze fished Silvers on into late fall until the start of winter. Smelt and hooligan may also be taken from May 1, 2009 through November 30, 2009.

HOW:

Rules and Regulations of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe's 2008 Educational Fishery as set forth by the Executive Committee/Tribal Council are as follows:

The Educational Fishery will be administered by a Fishing Commission of three (3) Tribal Members appointed by the Tribal Councils of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, IRA and Salamatof Tribal Council. This Commission will oversee the day-to-clay operation of the Fishery and report directly to the Tribal Councils.
The Permit Holder must be an enrolled member of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, IRA or Salamatof Tribal Council, must be 18 years of age or older.
The Permit will be issued by the Fishery Coordinator only, to ensure close monitoring of the Permit.
No alcohol or drugs will be permitted at the Fishery site. While we use a public beach, permit holders and participants in the Tribal fishery can be denied permit privileges for using alcohol and/or drugs. This rule will be strictly enforced.
Respect for this land and its resources was a part of the spirituality of our Kenaitze ancestors as it is for the Kenaitze today. Continuing this tradition will be an important part of this fishery.
This fishery permit is issued in accordance with 5AAC 93.200. Therefore it is an Educational Fishery. While providing families with salmon is part of our Tribal goal, the other vitally important part is learning about our Tribe. The Tribe's tradition and culture is the reason for getting and having this permit. During the 2008 season the Tribe will be hosting camps for our youth and teaching Kenaitze traditions in conjunction with this fishery.

Tribal Elders and other tribal members of the Tribe's will be sharing their knowledge of our culture with our Tribal youth and families. This sharing of knowledge will ensure that the Kenaitze Indian Tribe's culture and traditions will not be forgotten.

Customarily we fished in May. This was the season the Kenaitze dried thin strips of King Salmon called "K'nut", on drying racks. The early spring air was cool, and the salmon did not spoil. This was also a time of celebration, visiting, and sharing for Tribal families. The Tribal Members will begin fishing on May 1, 2008. The Tribe will gather to set the net and celebrate the coming of spring, and share the first Kings caught with the Tribal Elder's and families. After a long winter, this was and still is a time to be grateful for spring, and for fresh fish.

The Kenaitze Indian Tribe's Yaghanen Program, as well as Salamatof Summer Youth Program has scheduled summer camps each year which are coordinated with the Tribal fishery. The campers will spend time at the Tribe's Educational Fishery learning about the customs and traditions of the Kenaitze/Salamatof. Classes will be taught during the camps by Kenaitze Elders and other Tribal Members. Some of these classes will be held at the Tribe's fishing sites and will be scheduled according to the tides. Other classes will be held at Tribal Headquarters where our Tribal smokehouse and net mending and hanging racks are located. (See Educational Curriculum).
Sharing was and still is an important part of Kenaitze life. The fish caught at the Tribal net will be shared among Tribal Members based on family size and need. Tribal Elders will receive the first Kings caught in the net, following Tribal tradition. We will also share fish with other service organizations and needy families.
Tribal Members and Commercial Fishermen donate the king net, red net, silver net, running lines, buoys and all other gear needed for the fishery.
Tribal Members historically have donated use of their vehicles, time and fuel to conduct this fishery.
Reporting numbers and species of fish caught to the State Department of Fish and Game will be done from Tribal Headquarters on a weekly basis, and a fmal report will be issued at the close of the 2008 Fishery. The Kenaitze Indian Tribe, IRA and Salamatof Tribal Council recognizes and accepts full responsibility for the integrity and accountability of the Educational Fishery.

Fish net in the water