Washington

November 14, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Today, the Department of Commerce and NOAA announced it will award $1 million for seven recommended multi-year projects supporting remote Alaska communities through the Alaska Fisheries Science Center Indigenous Engagement Program. This investment is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a crucial part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda.

The recommended projects will advance NOAA Fisheries’ ability to support climate resilience and food security in remote Alaska communities, engage Indigenous Knowledge holder voices in NOAA Fisheries’ science and management and strengthen collaborations with tribal governments and Indigenous communities. The first year of funding will be distributed in 2025 and totals approximately $500,000.

“Just treatment, respect for tribal sovereignty and climate resiliency benefits all people and communities,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The Department of Commerce and NOAA will continue to incorporate Indigenous Knowledge into our existing science and form partnerships, internships and educational opportunities that create equitable exchanges and help communities take action against climate change.”

NOAA Fisheries is recommending funding for the following projects:

• The University of Alaska Fairbanks plans to support the Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub’s development of new education, outreach and communication strategies and products—such as a multimedia StoryMap—around Indigenous Knowledge and marine resources in a rapidly-changing Arctic. The project aims to facilitate knowledge-sharing workshops with Hub observers to incorporate Indigenous Knowledge in NOAA Fisheries’ management of marine resources. The University is expected to receive approximately $89,000 for the first year of this project.
• The University of Alaska Fairbanks also plans to elevate Indigenous Knowledge and perspectives from underserved Alaska Native communities in ice seal co-management and recovery planning for ringed and bearded seals through the Ice Seal Committee and Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub. The project will leverage existing Indigenous Knowledge networks and build partnerships to guide NOAA Fisheries in the equitable engagement of Indigenous partners, and advance understanding of the climate resilience of ice seals. The University is expected to receive approximately $99,000 for the first year of this project.
• Sealaska plans to use Indigenous Knowledge to document changes in the oceanographic processes and marine ecosystems from human and climate-related impacts, in order to understand their effects on subsistence resource systems in Native communities in Southeast Alaska. This knowledge could be used to develop a mapping and monitoring methodology and form a cohort of Indigenous Knowledge experts for future collaborations. Sealaska is expected to receive approximately $110,000 for the first year of this project.
• The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska intends to add a relationship building and knowledge sharing component to their Southeast Tribal Environmental Forum and will be using funding to address several common barriers faced by tribal environmental professionals across Southeast Alaska. This will help encourage tribal support and representation in the Forum and work towards the goal of collectively addressing marine and coastal concerns and priorities. The Council is expected to receive approximately $67,000 for the first year of this project.
• The Yukon Delta Fisheries Development Association plans to implement a network of river water monitoring stations along the lower Yukon River to collect data important to the management of Pacific salmon and for the health and well-being of people in lower river communities. This research will document the winter habitat use of juvenile Chinook salmon. The Association is expected to receive approximately $54,000 for the first year of this project.
• The University of Alaska Fairbanks plans to work with Indigenous partners to build their use of environmental DNA as a resource management tool. This will strengthen the existing research partnership in the Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim region, support autonomy for Indigenous communities engaging with NOAA Fisheries and help with salmon research. The University is expected to receive approximately $47,000 for the first year of this project.
• Kawerak, Inc and the Caleb Scholars Program intends to support an annual gathering so program participants can share insights related to conservation advocacy and facilitate engagement with peers, mentors, guest speakers and members of the community. The advocacy work of Caleb Scholars helps ensure Indigenous input is part of creating policy, management practices, climate-informed studies and research in the Arctic. This gathering is an opportunity for participants to strengthen and rejuvenate vital connections to their families, community and land. The program is expected to receive approximately $34,000 for the first year of this project.

“We are excited to support these important research projects, which advance equity and environmental justice while enabling NOAA Fisheries to meet our research mission,” said Janet Coit, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “NOAA Fisheries is dedicated to building climate resilience in communities on the front lines of climate change in the Arctic, and Indigenous Knowledge is essential to this effort.”  

Allocation of this funding is planned for fiscal year 2025. NOAA Fisheries first announced this funding opportunity in February 2024, stating there would be funding initially available and the remaining funding could potentially be available in future years for continuing work. This funding is part of the historic $3.3 billion in Inflation Reduction Act investments first announced in June 2023, which is focused on ensuring America’s communities and economies are ready for and resilient to climate change. 

Visit the Inflation Reduction Act website to learn about current and future funding opportunities.