The dramatic decline in salmon: Alaska's natives fight for survival!

The dramatic decline in salmon: Alaska's natives fight for survival!

in the heart of Alaska, on the Yukon River, people face a dramatic challenge: the number of salmon has been falling for years, especially those of the coveted royal salmon. This has triggered a wave of changes that extend to the communities of the Athabask and Eskimos. A current feature by Dirk Rohrbach shows how the residents dared to take a brave step by deciding on a fishing ban for salmon for seven years. The salmon is not only a elixir of life for the residents, but also plays a central role in their culture and tradition. His absence could endanger the entire ecosystem structure, which the Athabaskans have shaped for generations. As reported [WDR 5] (https://www1.wdr.de/mediathek/audio/wdr5-dok5-das-feate/audio-fischenbann-the-kampf-um-die- von-alaska-100.html), the Athabaskans, also known as dena, have a close connection to this fish. It is also the basis of its subsistence -oriented lifestyle, which is strongly based on the resources of nature.

The Athabaskans traditionally live in an area characterized by extreme climatic conditions. From the cold, long winters to the hot summers, their home areas extend from Brooks Mountain Range to the Kenai Peninsula, shaped by forests from spruce, pasture and birch as well as numerous river systems. Their nomadic lifestyle, adapted to the conditions of nature, allowed them to use resources along the five main flow runs - including Yukon, Tanana and Susitna. Together, the Dena communities roam their country in order to continue to maintain their traditional lifestyle and the associated values.

cultural heritage in change

The life of the Athabaskans is characterized by respect for all living things and a strong community spirit. The social structures in which kinship networks play a central role play an important role in their daily life. Each hunter is part of such a network, which not only makes shares in resources important, but also makes the norm. If you look at the traditions, it becomes clear that the topic of community life and the role of every person in the group are a central element of their existence.

A particularly distinctive feature of her culture is the variety of languages. With eleven different Athabascan languages ​​in Alaska and many others in Canada, the cultural diversity of the DENA, which has been established in the region for centuries. So that's not all, the Athabaskans were described as animistic people who have a faith that all living things and some objects inherit ghosts. These beliefs require special rules in dealing with animals and nature.

heart of the challenges

The current fishing ban presents the Athabaskans with new challenges. The decline in salmon numbers is not only perceived as an ecological problem, but also as a direct threat to an ancient lifestyle. It is a struggle that is not only about maintaining the salmon, but also to maintain traditional practices and culture itself. In view of the threatening situation, reports [WDR 5] (https://www1.wdr.de/mediathek/audio/wdr5-dok5-das-feate/audio-fischenbann-the-kampf-um--lachs- von-alaska-100.html), the salmon increasingly becomes an indicator of a healthy ecosystem in the Region.

The Athabaskans, who often live in groups of 20 to 40 people in their traditional communities, have faced numerous challenges over time and had to constantly prove their adaptability. With their return to the home areas for harvesting traditional resources, the hope that they can not only maintain the highly threatened laughing populations, but can also preserve the connection to nature and their traditions. Traditional techniques and values ​​remain of essential importance.