Alaska Native Harbor Seal  
     Commission
               Yakutat Seal Camp 2009


The Village of Yakutat invited the ANHSC to host a seal camp in Yakutat.
The camp involved full utilization of the harbor seal.

Beginning in April hunters were trained on gun safety and proper hunting protocol and
began hunting; after the hunt seal meat was smoked and canned, seal oil was also made.

Assemblies were held at the school, The Youth and Elders along with community members
were encouraged to attend the seal camp activities, April 24th Monica Riedel and John
Boone instructed two skin sewing classes.

Several projects were available to learn. The ANHSC also celebrated the 10 year
anniversary of a Co-Management agreement between the National Marine Fisheries
Service and The Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission April 28th 1999 in Yakutat,
Alaska. A community potlatch was held; special guests, seal camp participants and hunters
were recognized and honored.

The Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission would like to thank the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe ,
Community Leaders,The Yakutat School District, and the Yakutat Community members for
the warm welcome the ANHSC commissioners, staff and ANHSC partners, as well as,
camp participants received.

The positive attitudes of The Yakutat community really made this a great event, and made
our visit so special, we all had a wonderful time and look forward to the next visit.

Thank you for sharing your traditions and the proudly showing the relationship to the seal
remains strong in Yakutat!
Quyana!