Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) is disappointed that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has decided to move forward with the release of Wood Bison in the Minto Flats State Game Refuge despite direct opposition from Tribal leadership in nearby villages that would be impacted.
While recognizing the importance of wildlife management initiatives, TCC has urged careful consideration and comprehensive planning in light of several critical issues. During the 2024 Full Board of Directors Meeting, TCC Tribes unanimously passed resolution 2024-27, which opposes the release of wood bison in the Lower Tanana area, and makes the following factual declarations:
- The Environmental Assessment utilized by the ADF&G in guiding the bison restoration project is over a decade old and lacks integration with current environmental impacts and consequences.
- A lack of proper government-to-government consultation with federally recognized Tribes, outlined by the ADF&G Tribal Consultation policy and recently passed state legislation recognizing Tribes.
- Tribes in the TCC region are already facing food security challenges due to the Yukon River salmon disaster. Introducing wood bison without addressing these issues could exacerbate food scarcity and trespass concerns.
- Wood bison are not part of the oral history or cultural narratives of local tribes, raising questions about their introduction into traditional lands.
- Introducing additional animals into the ecosystem without adequate management of current populations could further strain already limited resources.
Nonetheless, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has announced its decision to move forward with the release of Wood Bison in the Minto Flats State Game Refuge, beginning by transporting bison in the summer of 2024. Despite TCC’s emphasis on the need for transparent dialogue and collaborative decision-making to address these complex issues, TCC stakeholders and Tribes have not experienced meaningful engagement with ADF&G on this matter, which affects the land, wildlife habitat, and sustainability of subsistence living for residents of the lower Tanana region.
“It is disappointing that the State has moved forward with the implementation of Wood Bison in the Lower Tanana despite the consistent opposition voiced in numerous meetings by Tribal leaders,” says Chief Brian Ridley, “Interior Tribes are already confronting a critical food security crisis due to the declining Yukon River Salmon population. Introducing a new species when ADF&G has failed in its duty to responsibly manage the existing animal populations on our ancestral lands is deeply troubling. The State’s continuous attempts to replace dwindling salmon, moose, and caribou populations with other species like wood bison and hatchery fish is not the solution.”
The implementation of wood bison in the lower Innoko-Yukon area failed due to adverse weather conditions that caused ice layers in snowpack, making it difficult for Wood Bison to obtain food and reducing the herd by 70%. These same weather conditions occurred two years ago in the Minto Flats area, which means there is no guarantee that this herd will be successful and could meet the same fate of the Innoko herd.
“In a meeting between TCC and Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang, the Commissioner told TCC that if the bison go off of State land into our Tribal lands, we can just shoot them,” Chief Ridley adds, highlighting the dismissive and disrespectful attitude toward tribal concerns regarding the introduction of wood bison.
TCC urges ADF&G to hear Tribes and stop the implementation of wood bison in the Lower Tanana.