1. Subsistence in Rural Alaska: A Mixed Economy Prepared by: Division of Subsistence, Alaska Department of Fish and Game April 2000; updated June 2003

2. DEFINITION Subsistence consists of the “customary and traditional uses” of wild resources for food, clothing, art, crafts, fuel, transportation, construction, sharing, and customary trade.

3. Subsistence hunting provides clothing, Nikolai  Liz Williams ADF& G Division of Subsistence

4. Smokehouse, Interior Alaska  Bill Simeone ADF& G Division of Subsistence

5. Elders at a feast, Nikolai  Liz Williams ADF& G Division of Subsistence

6. Alaska’s Rural and Urban Population, 1995

7. How are Alaska’s fish and wildlife harvested?

8. Where do subsistence harvests occur?

9. What resources make up the subsistence harvest?

10. Berry picking in Nikolai  Liz Williams ADF& G Division of Subsistence

11. Moose meat drying, Nikolai  Davin Holen ADF& G Division of Subsistence

12. Composition of Subsistence Harvests Across the State

13. Diversity of Subsistence Harvests

14. Getting fish from a fish wheel, Tyonek  Bill Simeone ADF& G Division of Subsistence

15. Patterned Seasonal Round

16. Cracking herring for the eggs, Prince William Sound  Bill Simeone ADF& G Division of Subsistence

17. How many households in rural Alaska participate in subsistence?

18. Moosehide drying, Nikolai  Davin Holen ADF& G Division of Subsistence

19. Nutritional Values of Subsistence Foods Annual Wild Food Production, Lbs/person Total Annual Wild Food Production, Lbs Percent of Population’s Required Protein @ 49 grams per day Percent of Population’s Required Calories @ 2400 calories per day Replacement Value @ $5 per pound Rural Areas Urban Areas 375 22 43,714,6069,740,12 242% 15% 35%2% $218,573,030$48,700,080

20. Smoking fish in a tent, Interior Alaska  Bill Simeone ADF& G Division of Subsistence

21. Subsistence is a Family Affair An Extended Family at Port Graham that Cooperated in Subsistence Salmon Fishing and Processing, 1980s

22. Munyuk: barbecuing salmon, Prince William Sound  Bill Simeone ADF& G Division of Subsistence

23. Subsistence in rural Alaska is part of a mixed economy; cash is used to support subsistence activities.

24. Fishing boat used for subsistence; crab pot on deck  Bill Simeone ADF& G Division of Subsistence

25. How does income relate to subsistence? Subsistence Harvests by Income, Six Lower Yukon River Communities Household’s Major Income Mean Household Mean Household SourcesIncomeHarvests Wage Employment and $23,3625,274lbs Commercial Fishing Wage Employment Only$19,0254,608lbs Commercial Fishing Only$19,9263,920lbs Transfer Payments (e.g. ADC)$6,468435lbs

26. How do rural and urban incomes compare? Mean Income per Income Tax Return, 1981-1985, Grouped by Rural and Urban Areas Urban Juneau$24,250 Rural southeast$15,402 Urban Anchorage$24,457 Rural Southcentral$15,238 Urban Fairbanks$24,677 Rural Interior$12,275 Rural Southwest$15,147 Rural Alaska$15,025 Rural Western$9,366

27. Distribution of Subsistence Foods within a Family

28. An Orthodox Nameday party in Chignik Lake ©Patricia Partnow

29. Elder receiving bear meat, Nikolai  Liz Williams ADF& G Division of Subsistence

30. Subsistence Harvesters Use Their Home Territories Subsistence Harvesters Use Their Home Territories 93% 6% 1% Copper Basin Moose Harvests, 1992-97

31. Fish weir at Salcha, 1915 Photo courtesy of ADF&G

32. Pulling up a fish trap, Salcha, 1915 Photo courtesy of ADF&G

33. Fishing at Salcha, 1915 Photo courtesy of ADF&G

34. A fish from the fish trap, Salcha 1915 Photo courtesy of ADF&G

35. In Comparison: The Urban Economy and Food Corporations and non-family businesses control land, resources, and capital. Food is produced for the market. Labor is bought by businesses and sold by the workers.

36. Urban Economy, cont. Work schedules are determined by industrial and business schedules, not natural cycles. Each step of food production and distribution is managed by a different specialist. Some jobs in the food production and distribution cycle pay more than others.

37. Urban Economy, cont. Fishing and hunting are viewed as either: 1) money-making activities (commercial fishing, guiding) or 2) recreational/sport activities (breaks from work for fun).  The state and/or federal governments control access and regulation of fishing and hunting.

38. For more information : Division of Subsistence Alaska Department of Fish & Game PO Box 25526 Juneau, Alaska 99802-5526 907-465-4147 (Voice); 465-2066 (FAX ) Web Address: www.state.ak.us/local/akpages/FISH.GAME/ subsist/subhome.htm