The identity of the Chugach Region is shaped around our subsistence resources. We have learned the animal?s behaviors, how to hunt successfully, how to gather effectively, skinning, butchering, cleaning, rendering oil, proper hide preparation, weaving, skin sewing, utilizing our resources to their full extent. These skills are handed down from generation to generation and are vital to our culture, food sustainability, and economic well-being. It is important to the identity of our people that this Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) continues to be shared.

Our ancestors provide a living legacy and a direct connection with the lands we come from. Since our ancestors have lived in this region, our primary food sources have changed dramatically. Our people have great potential in shaping a food system that feeds the future in a way that strengthens our relationships with all living things and promotes cultural continuity. This can be done by becoming more than just consumers of foods but advocating for our ancient foods. This means promising to always practice good stewardship, experience reciprocity, promote collaboration, and celebrate the spirit of generosity through acknowledging the wealth of knowledge our traditional foods offer.

The Chugach Regional Resources Commission is the primary federal contractor for the Chugach Region on natural resources, environment, and economic and community development projects. We,

• ensure the participation of the Chugach Tribes in decision-making processes that affect the lives of Chugach tribal members;
• provide formal advocacy to assure that private, State, and federal land and resource management agencies will manage natural resources in ways consistent with the cultural traditions of the Chugach Alutiiq people, until such time as the Tribal Governments can take on the management activities themselves;
• enhance and provides educational opportunities for Chugach Natives in natural resource management and development in the Chugach Region;
• promote environmentally sound economic development that improves the well being of the Chugach Native people; and
• assure and promote the protection, preservation, conservation, and prudent use and stewardship of fish and wildlife resources in the Tribal traditional use areas of the Chugach Region.