RIT Orville Huntington discusses waterfowl regulations with Henry Beetus

I often look at the weather outside first.  I take into account what I’ve learned from the Native elders of Huslia on looking for cues in nature to decide what type of weather will be coming, for the day, the next three days, the week, and finally the month.  As I embrace all my traditional teachings, I then log on and use the Internet to look at the latest satellite pictures and weather forecast from the National Weather Service. Thus I use both Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and western science to make my plans.

On January 23, I started my day like so many others, long and short term planning over a hot steaming cup of coffee.  With all my planning I attend to the most important item first, trail safety conditions.  As I enjoy the last sip of coffee I remember my discussions with Native elders and the younger hunters over the weekend and plan on how best to document their concerns on fish and wildlife proposals.

Modern Science by mid morning

At the office I exchange greetings with the City administrator Elsie Vent.  I then try to contact Refuge researcher and University of Minnesota PhD candidate, Annette Watson, about her subsistence moose and goose management study in the Koyukon area.  The deal we have is that I provide feedback and technical assistance to her National Science Foundation project here in Huslia, in exchange for assistance with the annual Refuge narrative.  After that, it’s on to emailing another Refuge researcher Shannon McNeeley, a PhD candidate from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, for her assistance on a summary of our work on her ‘Circle of Knowledge’ project involving TEK and climate change science in 2004-05 for the annual narrative.

Telling the climate change story before lunch

As lunch time approaches I am busily trying to finish working on a request from the Alaska Native Science Commission and Huslia Tribe for a power point presentation on climate change related to subsistence and sustainability in Huslia.  Luckily, I have a presentation handy that I can adapt for their use.  It’s the same one I’ve given at countless conferences and provided to the Refuge office for their fire presentation at the Refuge Information Technician workshop in Bethel.  The presentation is to be given at the Alaska Forum on the Environment by Huslia First Chief Bill Derendoff.  We work together to make it a traditional story from the Koyukuk that generates a discussion on why the impacts of climate change need to be addressed sooner rather than later.

Saving the best for last

The latter part of the day goes by quickly as I hurry to complete the most important item today - compiling the Federal and State wildlife regulation proposal comments from ten randomly chosen Huslia Native elders and hunters.  It is very important that I make sure that both the Federal and State Boards hear what villagers have to say about fish and wildlife regulations.  Before departing for home I hammer out a short summary for my supervisor to send to the Boards. 

Calling it a day

On the way home I look at some alternative projects I’m considering doing before going on a winter vacation.  Today, I had to draw upon my traditional knowledge and wisdom, my close relations with scientists, and my ability to communicate with numerous people and cultures.  Today was varied and challenging but it was just another day in my life as a Refuge Information Technician.