Honoring Our Elders

Honoring Our Elders. . , We thank four Elders for working tirelessly and passionately for the return of our tribal lands. Some of the Elders who helped to close a very painful chapter in the lives of our people passed on before witnessing the final resolution. Elders past and present restored an important connection to the history of our village. Your work is complete, and our people can heal., HONOR and RESPECT THE LANDS OF OUR PEOPLE , LIVE IN HARMONY WITH THE LAND, KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Make a plan, check conditions and confirm land ownership before setting out., PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT Properly dispose of waste. There are few restroom facilities or trash receptacles available in the vicinity., LEAVE NO TRACE Dispose of fish waste by chopping carcasses into pieces and tossing into fast flowing water. Leave rocks, plants, and artifacts where you found them for the enjoyment of others., SHOW RESPECT Keep distant from cultural, historical, and spiritual sites Burial grounds are resting places of our ancestors and should be left untouched,, RESPECT WILDLIFE Quietly observe wildlife from a safe distance. Keep wildlife wild and healthy, do not feed them., BE FIRE SAFE Campfires are subject to seasonal Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulations and landowner policy., PROTECT THE SOURCE Gulkona Village's drinking water is taken from the Gulkona River. Help protect the water source by disposing of waste properly to prevent pollution., Please respect private property and avoid posted No Trespassing areas The disturbance of remains, groves or monuments without authorization is a punishable offense under Alaska State law. The maximum penalty/fine for defiling archaeological, cultural and historic sites and for the trespass, damage or theft of resources is up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $100,000., Help protect and preserve Alaska Native lands by using them responsibly and ethically. This area is of great cultural and spiritual importance to the Ahtna Athabascan people, who have called it home for over 10,000 years., PURCHASE A LAND USE PERMIT , A LAND USE PERMIT IS REQUIRED TO ACCESS AHTNA'S PRIVATE LANDS , We ask that you respect this land as it is our home. The purchase of a land use permit, and compliance with its terms, helps support important programs to maintain these lands for current and future generations. Ahtna, Inc. land use permits can be purchased online (ahtna.com/permits) or by telephone: (907-822-3476)., DOWNLOAD THE AHTNA LAND APP , The Ahtna Land app is designed to provide users with the ability to check land ownership while hunting, fishing, or recreating in the Ahtna region. Using the app will help you be an informed land user. See your current location in relation to property boundaries, landmarks, major roads and mileposts.