KOTZEBUE, Alaska — Leaders from the Cherokee Nation visited Alaska recently, meeting with Alaska Wildlife Troopers and the NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. (NANA). During the visit, the Cherokee Nation returned animals native to the NANA region, a 38,000-square-mile area traditional to the Iñupiaq people. This aligns with the Cherokee Nation’s mission of wildlife conservation, protection, and public safety.
Cherokee Nation marshals assisted Alaska Wildlife Troopers in an investigation that began in 2019, focusing on the illegal hunting and harvesting of musk ox, caribou, moose, and bear in the NANA region by a Cherokee man residing in Oklahoma at the time. A search warrant of the man’s home in Delaware County, Oklahoma, by Cherokee Nation marshals resulted in the recovery of 25 taxidermy and animal hides from the illegally hunted game animals.
The Cherokee citizen defendant in the case entered a plea agreement and paid tens of thousands in fines and loss of his hunting license for three years in the Alaska court case.
The Cherokee Nation felt it appropriate to return the animals to their homeland in Alaska.
“We had in our possession these animals that belonged back in their homeland in the rightful hands of the Iñupiaq people of the NANA region. Over the last several months, we worked closely with Alaska Wildlife Troopers and NANA to repatriate the animals and be respectful of our creator and the wildlife which sustains us,” Chief Hoskin said. “We take the protection of our lands and wildlife seriously and share that mission with our fellow Native leaders at NANA, which hosted us so warmly and welcomed the animals’ return.”
James Hoelscher, Yup’ik, is the Division Director for Village Public Safety Operations at the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Hoelscher emphasized the deep spiritual connection between the land, animals, and Alaska Native communities.
“Cherokee Nation is returning something of great value to the Iñupiaq people of the region from which it was taken. Illegally hunted animals are often not returned, but this is one of those instances where doing the right thing is not only crucial, but also a significant sign of respect for our cultures," Hoelscher said.
In addition to meeting with leaders from NANA and the Regional Elders Council, the Maniilaq Association, Aqqaluk Trust, and students at the students at the Iñupiaq language immersion school, Nikaitchuat Iḷisaġviat, the Cherokee Nation joined local leaders for a celebration ceremony focused on uplifting and celebrating ways of life as Indigenous peoples.
NANA is owned by more than 15,000 Iñupiaq shareholders who live in or have roots in Northwest Alaska. NANA formed as a result of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, enacted by Congress in 1971. NANA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for its people by maximizing growth, protecting and enhancing its lands, and promoting healthy communities with decisions, actions and behaviors inspired by cultural values.
“Quyana - thank you - to Chief Hoskin and the Cherokee Nation for demonstrating our mutual respect to our traditional wildlife, lands, and ways of life as Indigenous people,” said John Lincoln, NANA’s President and CEO. “The Cherokee Nation’s commitment to returning these animals is a reflection of the respect and reverence both our peoples hold for the land and all it provides. We were deeply honored to host Chief Hoskin and his team in Kotzebue this week and look forward to continuing to build the bond between NANA and the Cherokee Nation.”
While in Alaska, the Cherokee Nation delegation also spent time in Anchorage, where Chief Hoskin met with the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) President Ben Mallott and board members to discuss shared policy interests including health care, connectivity, and the protection of language, art, and culture. AFN remains a leading voice in addressing critical issues affecting Alaska Natives.
Chief Hoskin also toured the Alaska Native Heritage Center and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium to learn more about Alaska’s tribal health system with the Indian Health Service.
Additional photos of the Cherokee Nation’s visit to Anchorage and Kotzebue, Alaska, will be available on the official Cherokee Nation Facebook page.