Comment from AlexAnna Salmon, President - Igiugig Village Council

The Igiugig Village Council, the governing body of the community of Igiugig, Alaska, formally submits the attached Resolution 2026-08 to the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture. This resolution expresses the Tribe’s unwavering commitment to protecting rural subsistence rights and the current integrity of the Federal Subsistence Management Program. Amidst a growing food insecurity crisis and declining salmon runs, the Igiugig Village Council takes the following stances: Maintain FSB Composition: We urge the Secretaries to maintain the current composition of the Federal Subsistence Board (FSB), including the three public and three tribal seats. These seats ensure that Alaskans with direct subsistence knowledge have a voice in management. Oppose Safari Club International Petition: We strongly oppose the May 2025 petition seeking to remove public and tribal representation and force the FSB to defer to the State of Alaska. Such actions would effectively dismantle the rural subsistence priority established by Congress. Uphold ANILCA Title VIII: We demand that the Departments uphold the intent of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) to protect rural Alaskan subsistence ways of life and ensure no lessening of these protections. Support OSM Structure: We support Secretary’s Order 3413, which moved the Office of Subsistence Management (OSM) to the Office of Policy, Management, and Budget, ensuring better service to rural subsistence priorities. Require Consultation & RAC Engagement: We call for an all-Regional Advisory Council (RAC) meeting and formal Tribal Consultation with the Igiugig Village Council before any regulatory changes are proposed. Subsistence is not merely a preference; it is the economic and cultural foundation of our Tribe. We expect the Departments to honor their trust responsibility and protect our sovereign rights. Respectfully submitted, AlexAnna Salmon, Igiugig Village Council President