Who lives in the Lake Clark area today?
Residents of communities around the Park and Preserve have hunted, fished and gathered berries and other materials from the land for many generations. Six Resident Zone Communities are identified for Lake Clark National Park and Preserve: Lime Village, Port Alsworth, Nondalton, Iliamna, Newhalen, and Pedro Bay. Dena’ina Athabascans are the most prevalent Alaska Natives in the areas of Lime Village, Nondalton and Pedro Bay. The southern portions of the Lake Iliamna area and Newhalen are occupied by people of primarily Yup’ik descent.
Who studies modern cultures in the park?
Cultural anthropologists in the Applied Anthropology program promote the identification, evaluation, documentation, and interpretation of ethnographic resources in the National Park System. Long-term cultural associations to what are now federal park and preserve lands are recognized and honored through studies, reports, development of interpretive materials and more. Cultural anthropologists provide leadership, coordination, and guidance for federal and other public programs consulting with park resource stakeholders.
Can people still practice traditional subsistence?
The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), the enabling legislation for Lake Clark National Park and Preserve and other Alaska public lands, stipulates that all rural people may continue subsistence practices on federal lands, including the park and preserve. Subsistence Resource Councils made up of local residents advise National Park Service staff on policy development and implementation. The National Park Service coordinates with other agencies and Regional Advisory Councils from across the state in federal subsistence management.
What studies have been done? Are they available?
Ethnographic studies document the ties that rural Native and non-Native people have to park lands. The Applied Anthropology Program, through a partnership with the Subsistence Division of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, is currently documenting Native place names for various features of the land and waters in and around Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. To date, rural residents have assisted project staff in identifying more than 1600 names for rivers, mountains, fish and hunting camps, and many other natural features. Project plans include development of a Cultural Atlas featuring stories, essays, maps, photographs and other illustrations that demonstrate cultural ties to the land.
