Tlingit & Haida tribal citizens from the Chilkat Valley will be able to pick up salmon from the Haines ANB/ANS Hall on Friday. In Klukwan, Friday’s fish distribution will take place at the ANS Hall.
The tribal government represents more than 37,000 Tlingít and Haida Alaska Native people worldwide, but this distribution applies to the 500 tribal citizens who are registered in the Haines area.
Both local distributions begin at 12:30 p.m. and run through 2:30 p.m.
Vice President of the Deishú Tlingit & Haida Community Council Cindy Price-Hagwood said Tlingit & Haida has been distributing herring eggs in Haines through its traditional food security department. She said this is the first time they’ve distributed salmon in the Chilkat Valley.
Each tribal citizen household can get two coho and three sockeye salmon, fully dressed, frozen, and vacuum sealed. They’ll need to bring their Tlingit & Haida ID card and the distribution is first-come, first serve.
Price-Hagwood said any elders or others who cannot make it to the hall or who have questions about the distribution can reach out to her directly at 907-229-2772 with questions.
While this may be the first time Tlingit & Haida has distributed salmon, Karen Taug said it’s the second time Klukwan residents have gotten a salmon distribution in recent years – Sealaska distributed salmon through a partnership with the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association in 2020.
She said both programs are a good opportunity for citizens to follow their tribal values and enjoy fish firsthand.
“We live off our fish,” Taug said. “That’s how we’ve lived for hundreds of years and not everybody can get out and catch a fish, especially our elders.”