|
The Resource Department of the Ninilchik Tribe is dedicated to the development and preservation of the resources that are associated and have supported the tribe for centuries. Our goals are dedicated to meeting the needs of the people and to conserve resources for future generations as good stewards. The Ninilchik Traditional Council (NTC), the federally recognized governing body of the Ninilchik Village Tribe, has a long-standing commitment to assisting our Ninilchik Village Tribal Members and the Ninilchik Community through the various services and programs. Our curriculum focuses on using effective technical programs to evaluate our local areas conditions and resources and identify the traditional and cultural needs of the Ninilchik Village Tribe and to preserve those resources for future generations. This consists of both internal issues, such as best practices and management, and external issues that include issues associated with ANILCA and management performed through our neighboring agencies that affect the local people. The Program has Geographic Information System (GIS) capability that is constantly updated to monitor, identify, and document changing conditions associated with the tribe. This database is also used to document and monitor areas of concern, field work, and the relative conditions in the environment and community.
The subsistence management program was initiated in 2004-2005 and funded through a grant awarded from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The scope of this work is to enhance subsistence harvest and resources through active management and habitat enhancement. The 2004-05 funding consists of an instream and terrestrial habitat enhancement project site at mile 17 of Deep Creek River. The increase of the amount of productive habitat will increase the future returns of wild stock. This project has enabled NTC to be an active participant in the enhancement of the wildlife populations that are key to sustaining wild stocks associated with the traditional needs of the tribe. This program also consisted of field investigations, mapping resources, and planning to meet the needs of the tribe.Other parts of the project consisted of the placement and evaluation of test plots for terrestrial habitat evaluation. This is done specifically to target moose habitat and to evaluate the seed bed. The documentation of the most effective techniques will be used to design future habitat projects that are cost effective and successful. Prior to the Caribou Hills fire in 2007 that burned ~55,000 acres of lands adjacent to Ninilchik the department has been active in addressing fuel loads in the local area. Many of these sites are loaded with both standing and downed beetle kill spruce. The reduction and reclamation of these fuels reduce the risk, and spread, of wildfire. After the fire there has been a renewed interest in the fuel reduction activities. The department plans to continue addressing fuel loads in the local community to reduce risk and protect people.
The department is also active in the IRR program that addresses transportation needs and development associated with the area. This program is intended to help tribes with their transportation needs through planning and development |