The U.S. Departments of the Interior and Agriculture are hosting a series of talking circles around the state to connect Tribal leaders and federal land managers. The purpose of the Talking Circle Series and other co-stewardship conversations is to improve stewardship of public lands, waters, and wildlife. A Talking Circle will take place in Kotzebue, AK on May 22, 2023 at the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center from 5:00-8:00 pm.

“By acknowledging and empowering Tribes as partners in co-stewardship of our country’s land and waters, every American will benefit from strengthened management of our federal land and resources.” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.

What will we do at the Talking Circles?

Share, Listen, and Plan:

• What Tribal leaders have to say and what federal partners have heard about co-stewardship.
• Examples of how co-stewardship is happening in AK today.
• How Tribal leaders and communities would like co-stewardship to happen in their places.
• Tribal leader and community capacity to engage in these conversations and related actions.

Tribal Council Members, Tribal Administrators, ANCSA Regional and Village Corporation Land Managers, Alaska Native Regional Non-Profit Natural Resources Staff, Alaska Native Elders and Leaders, and local federal land managers are encouraged to attend. The Talking Circle will be a public meeting.

For more information contact Shelly Wade, Talking Circles Coordinator, at 907-242-5326; shelly@agnewbeck.com

Original source can be found here.