1. Overview of the Northwest Arctic Borough
Subsistence Mapping Project
Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly
Work Session Presentation
June 23, 2014
Zach Stevenson
Project Coordinator
Damian Satterthwaite-Phillips, Ph.D.
Anthropologist
Photo by Zach Stevenson.

2. Overview
 Why Document Subsistence
Information
 Promote Food Security
 Promote Economic Development
 Geographic Scope
 Goals and Primary Objectives
 Team Structure
 Data Components
 Protecting Traditional Knowledge
 Documenting Traditional
Knowledge
 Youth Education
 Benefits to Communities
 Reporting Measures
 Accountability Measures
 Accomplishments
 Next Steps
 Overview of Methods from
Damian-Satterthwaite-Phillips,
Ph.D., Anthropologist
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3. Why Document Subsistence Information?
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Living Proof by Terry Tobias is a tool for Indigenous peoples who are looking for ways to assert their ongoing ties to the
land or indeed for anyone working with resources on Indigenous territories.

4. Why Document Subsistence Information?
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To Be in the Driver’s Seat When Decisions Are Made

5. Why Document Subsistence Information?
5
To Inform Regional Decisions Impacting Food Security and Economic Development
www.telegraph.co.uk
www.alaska-in-pictures.com

6. Why Document Subsistence Information?
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To Inform State and Federal Decisions Impacting Food Security and Economic Development
http://gomex.erma.noaa.gov/erma.html#x=-88.25810&y=27.03211&z=6&layers=17770+5723+19038+19041

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8. Promote Food Security
“Protection of
subsistence uses
and resources shall
be given the
highest priority.”
Northwest Arctic Borough
Code 9.25.020 Areawide Standards
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9. Promote Economic Development
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“The Northwest Arctic
Borough Subsistence
Mapping Project
is about Getting to Yes
when considering new
development.”
Northwest Arctic Borough
Mayor Reggie Joule
Noorvik Community Meeting
October 29, 2012
www.nwabor.org

10. Geographic Scope: Northwest Arctic Borough
Zach Stevenson, Project Coordinator
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 The Northwest Arctic Borough is located 40
miles above the Arctic Circle in Northwest
Alaska.
 The Northwest Arctic Borough is one of the most
sparsely populated regions in Alaska.
 The region is the size of Ohio and has 11
communities including Kivalina, Noatak,
Selawik, Noorvik, Buckland, Deering, Kotzebue,
Kiana, Ambler, Shungnak, and Kobuk.*
 The region’s estimated 2013 population is 7,685
people of which 80.2% are Alaska Native or
Native American (United States Census Bureau).
 The mining industry’s payroll is the largest in the
region, contributing 27% of the earnings in 1997
(Alaska Department of Labor, 1999).
 The Alaska Department of Fish and Game
documented annual subsistence harvests
ranging from 347 lb per capita in Kiana (2006) to
940 lb of wild foods per capita in Kivalina (1983).
Harvesting a beluga whale. Photo from NAB.
Red Dog Mine. Image from www.nana-dev.com. *The current project includes the 7 underlined communities.

11. Project Goals and Primary Objectives
Zach Stevenson, Project Coordinator
 Advance Northwest Arctic Borough Code Area
Wide Standards 9.25.020 and Comprehensive
Plan Goals (1993) to maintain the Iñupiaq
culture, promote subsistence and
development, and protect the environment.
 Compile existing subsistence related literature
for Northwest Alaska.
 Document traditional knowledge and science
regarding subsistence use (where people look
for food by season, by species, and by taxa).
 Document traditional knowledge and science
regarding important ecological areas (where
species reproduce, raise young, feed, and
migrate).
 Identify resource development areas and
begin planning process to reduce
environmental impacts and balance
development and subsistence.
 Four year-project. By May 2015 produce
updated atlas showing subsistence use and
IEAs to support Borough permitting and
zoning and aid in implementing federal plans.
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Fish and seal meat drying. Photo by Zach Stevenson.
John Chase hauling in a net. Photo by Zach Stevenson.

12. Project Team Structure
Dr. Damian
Satterthwaite-
Phillips,
Anthropologist
Lance Kramer,
Traditional
Knowledge
Specialist
Raymond Lee, Jr.
Village
Coordinator
Buckland/Deering Ellenore Sunii
Jackson
Coordinator
Selawik/NoorvikAlvin Ashby, Sr.
Village
Coordinator
Noatak/Kivalina
49 Advisors
(7 communities
with 7 Advisors
each)
Zach Stevenson,
Project
Coordinator
Glenn Gray ,
Project
Evaluator
Noah Naylor,
Planning
Director
Reggie Joule,
Mayor
Oceana,
Dr. Chris Krenz
Alaska Dept. of
Fish and Game,
Nicole Bream

13. Data Components
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Library
Electronic copies of source and project
generated materials (maps, photos, video,
and audio
Bibliography
Searchable guide to information in the
Library and GIS Data (includes description
of each piece of information)
GIS Data
Geographic information (points, lines,
polygons, images, and descriptive
information)
Northwest Alaska
Subsistence Literature
Collection
Identifies existing formal science on
subsistence and traditional knowledge in
the Borough
Database

14. Protecting Local Traditional Knowledge
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 All information collected from villages is confidential. Permission to share information from
villages must approved in writing.
 Interviewees provided with an informed consent document explaining how local traditional
knowledge will be used in the project, by whom, for what purpose, compensation, risk
associated with participation, and measures to protect confidentiality.
 Advisory Group Members and Interviewees receive compensation for providing local
traditional knowledge.
 Draft maps reviewed by village-based Advisory Groups.
 All draft maps containing traditional knowledge stored on a password protected computer.
 Once approved, maps will be used to support decision making and be available in a final report
to be shared with the Tribal Councils, City Governments, Northwest Arctic Borough, NANA,
industry, state and federal agencies, and organizations.
 The goal is for an approved final report to be featured on a website.

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16. Documenting Traditional Knowledge
Lance Kramer, Traditional Knowledge Specialist
 Local Iñupiat People of the NWAB have been relying
on TK (where to look for food by season, how to
harvest, process, and prepare it) for hundreds of
years in order to survive and thrive.
 Each current TK holder has not only his/her
knowledge, but the wisdom of their ancestors’
countless generations of careful observations,
testing, and refining.
 TK is a qualitative science. It’s litmus test isn’t a
paper put out in a journal to be reviewed by peers,
but instead it’s the mass, quality, and variety of
foods put away.
 We’ve tapped into this vast knowledge bank by
interviewing 150 TK holders from 7 coastal
communities of where they look for food by
season.
 The TK data is gathered in a scientifically defensible
way and subject to peer-review.
 Another example of TK marrying Western Science is
the Kotzebue IRA’s Seal Tagging project where local
hunters used TK to help scientists capture live seals
and install remote satellite tags.
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Photo from Lance Kramer.
Photo from Lance Kramer.

17. Promoting Youth Outreach and Education
Lance Kramer, Traditional Knowledge Specialist
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 The younger generation of local Iñupiat
(ages 18-34) subsist LESS in both mass
and variety, than the mid and upper
generations (based on our interview
data).
 To curb this trend, we developed
quarterly YOE activities in each of the 7
villages to teach the youth what’s
available at certain places at certain
times, how to harvest, how to process,
and how to prepare their catch for food.
 We’ve budgeted about $1800/activity.
Lesson plans will be added to the project.
Photos from Lance Kramer.

18. Benefits to Communities
 Employs six village personnel.
 Provides $573,643 for village personnel, per diems, honorariums,
travel, and lodging with CIAP funding.
 Provides $382,316 for village personnel with Shell funding.
 Provides $61,950 for village quarterly youth activities with Shell
funding.
 Provides $39,159 for documentation of sites important to hunting,
fishing, and gathering with ConocoPhillips funding.
 Provides $36,677 for U.S. Coast Guard Six-Pack Captain’s License
training and certification with ConocoPhillips funding.
 Provides $50,396 for village personnel and travel with Oak
Foundation funding.
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19. Reporting Measures
 Quarterly evaluations.
 Quarterly reports.
 Twice-monthly updates to the Project Evaluator, Project Team, and
Planning Director.
 Regular updates to the participating communities.
 Updates to the NAB Planning Commission.
 Project overview and update at a meeting of village representatives in
Kotzebue for the CIAP Marine Debris initiative. Strong interest expressed
by Upper Kobuk delegates for expanding the mapping project to Ambler,
Kiana, Kobuk, and Shungnak (June 6, 2014).
 Project overview and update provided during a National Science
Foundation webinar involving scientists working on food security and other
issues in the Arctic (June 3, 2014). See https://arctichub.net/.
 Conferences (2011, 2012, and upcoming October 29-30, 2014).
 Community Meeting in Noorvik (October 2012).
 Updates on the KOTZ AM 720 Kikaa radio program.
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20. Reporting Measures
 Supported development to the film “Weather and Climate” produced by Sarah
Betcher. Featured in the film are Cyrus Harris, John Gallahorn, Lorena and Wit
Williams, Siikauraq Whiting, Ross Schaeffer, Seth Kantner, Tracy Gregg and many
more. The activities of subsistence hunters, fishers and gathers are dramatically
affected every day by weather and changing climate conditions. Having accurate
information to gauge ice thickness, wind, temperature can make the difference
between success and failure, safety and danger. “Weather and Climate” takes us to
seven communities (Kotzebue, Kivalina, Point Hope, Noatak, Ambler, Buckland and
Deering) to find out how people there deal with and adapt to ever changing and
less predictable environmental conditions. Running Time: 35 minutes. The film was
made possible with support provided by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and a small donation
from the Northwest Arctic Borough Subsistence Mapping Project thanks to a
contribution from ConocoPhillips. See: http://www.farthestnorthfilms.com/.
 Project overview and status update to Tribal IGAP Program representatives and
other stakeholders at the at the 2014 Alaska Forum on the Environment
(Anchorage, Alaska).
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21. Reporting Measures
 Project overview and update to Dr. Erika Key, Arctic Observing
Network Program Manager, National Science Foundation –
August 2013 (Kotzebue, Alaska).
 Project overview and status to Dr. Anna M. Kerttula de
Echave, Arctic Social Sciences Program Director, National
Science Foundation - August 2012 (Arlington, Virginia).
 Project overview and status to the scientific community at the
2013 and 2012 Alaska Marine Science Symposiums
(Anchorage, Alaska).
 Coverage in the Aug. 2013 CIAP Surge Newsletter
“Iñuuniałiqput Iḷiḷugu Nunaŋŋuanun (Documenting Our Way
of Life with Mapping): Improving Subsistence Information to
Implement Federal Plans.”
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22. Reporting Measures
 Coverage in the U.S. Department Interior of Report to the President addressing
Promising Approaches to Managing for the Future in a Rapidly Changing Arctic
(April, 2013). See: See: Brendan. P. Kelly, White House Office of Science and
Technology Policy, John P. Clement, Department of the Interior, and John L.
Bengston, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Managing for the
Future in a Rapidly Changing Arctic: Report to the President.” Interagency
Working Group on Coordination of Domestic Energy Development and
Permitting in Alaska. Department of the Interior. April 3, 2013. Chapter 4.2:
Promising Approaches. Page 41. Online:
http://www.doi.gov/news/upload/ArcticReport-03April2013PMsm.pdf
 Coverage in the Arctic Sounder “Subsistence mapping project brings expert to
Arctic.” Zach Stevenson. March 2, 2012.
 Coverage in the Arctic Sounder “Subsistence mapping project strengthens
traditional knowledge for future generations.” Zach Stevenson. Feb. 7, 2011.
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23. Accountability Measures
 Implements the measurable goals and objectives outlined in the CIAP-funded
grant “Improving Subsistence Information to Implement Federal Plans.”
 Follows the terms outlined in 43 CFR Subtitle A (10–1–07 Edition), Subpart C—
Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements
to State and Local Governments.
 Follows a project work plan.
 Follows a project budget. No funds have been returned.
 Participated in the Aug. 7, 2013 NAB Strategic Planning Meeting. The Project
Coordinator provided three recommendations for inclusion in the Borough’s
strategic plan, including:
o Successful completion of the project by May 2015.
o Securing funds to include Kiana, Shungnak, Kobuk, and Amber to
provide for Upper Kobuk subsistence mapping after May 2015.
o Formation of a NAB Science Department to provide traditional
knowledge and science to help inform Borough decisions impacting
food security and development.
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24. Accomplishments
Image: ESRI and Architect Magazine, 2011.
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Selawik Comprehensive Subsistence
Harvest Survey
o Household survey completed
October 2011.
o Final report received in Jan. 2014.
o A final report, a short findings
summary provided to all
households in the study
communities, and community data
set added to the ADF&G
Community Subsistence
Information System. See:
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sb/CSI
S/index.cfm?ADFG=commInfo.sum
mary.

25. Accomplishments
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In April 2013 the Northwest
Arctic Borough Subsistence
Mapping Project was featured
in this Department of Interior
Report to the President
addressing Promising
Approaches to Managing for
the Future in a Rapidly
Changing Arctic (Chapter 4.2).
Village Subsistence Mapping Advisory Group
Meetings
o All Advisory Group Members Appointed - 7
in each village (Noorvik, Selawik, Deering,
Buckland, Noatak, Kivalina, and Kotzebue) -
49 total.
o Completed 150 subsistence mapping
interviews.
o Completed village review of draft
subsistence maps.
o Completed documentation of local
traditional knowledge addressing the
mapping of important ecological areas in
the vicinity of Noorvik, Selawik, Deering,
Buckland, Noatak, Kivalina, and Kotzebue.

26. Accomplishments
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Documenting Local Traditional Knowledge
 Developed protocols for the protection of local traditional
knowledge.
 Developed methods for collection of subsistence
information (where people look for food by season,
age/sex, location, and species).
 Developed draft methods for documentation of important
ecological areas.
 Developed four-year work plan, timeline and project
calendar.
 Conducted peer review of project methods.

27. Accomplishments
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Community Participation
 Convened subsistence mapping conferences in 2011 and 2012 with
over 100 participants from villages and leaders of mapping projects
in Northern and Western Alaska. Next conference is scheduled for
June 2014.
 Helped organize and deliver project information at the Workshop on
Improving Local Participation in Research in Northwest Alaska
convened by the Northwest Arctic Borough and University of Alaska
Fairbanks Chukchi Campus funded by the National Science
Foundation (April 2014).
 Noorvik Community Meeting (Oct. 2012).
 Secured $100,000 from ConocoPhillips to document local traditional
knowledge of subsistence.
 Sponsored U.S. Coast Guard Captain License Training and
Certification.

28. Accomplishments
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Collected Existing Subsistence Information
 Developed annotated bibliography containing more
than 2,000 reports and publications on subsistence in
Northwest Alaska.
 Developed electronic mapping database using a
geographic information system (GIS). The database has
tens of thousands of records.
 Collected map data from various sources addressing
subsistence use areas, Iñupiaq place names, biological
information, and resource development information.

29. Accomplishments
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Maps
 Developed base maps in partnership with the Traditional
Knowledge Specialist, Village Coordinators, Advisory Group
Members, and Project Coordinator. Maps have also been used in
2013 and 2014 for search and rescue related purposes.
 Mapped subsistence areas in the seven participating villages.
 Mapped important ecological areas in the seven participating
villages.
 Developed Iñupiaq place name maps made for review in each of
the villages.
 Developed steps to confirm the correct name, spelling, and
location of the place names.
 Tested to check data are statistically representative and complete
for each village.

30. Next Steps (June 2014 – May 2015)
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 Provide youth education and outreach activities in 7
communities to share traditional knowledge with youth
addressing how harvest and process traditional foods.
 Conduct field work in seven communities using photos and
video to document traditional knowledge of hunting,
fishing, and gathering.
 Check draft maps reflecting traditional knowledge of
Important Ecological Areas (IEAs) defined as where animals
feed, breed, rear young, and migrate by season.
 Share draft atlas with Advisory Groups, Tribal Councils,
Cities, and Assembly.

31. Taikuu. Thank you.
For More Information Contact:
Zach Stevenson
Project Coordinator
Northwest Arctic Borough
Planning Department
163 Lagoon Street/P.O. Box 1110
Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
800-478-1110 x110 (Toll-free)
907-442-2500 x110 (Direct)
907-442-2930 (Fax)
Zstevenson@nwabor.org (Email)
www.nwabor.org (Web)
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Photo provided by Virgil Naylor.
Photo by Zach Stevenson.