‘The salmon people’: How Alaska’s only Native reservation saved its fishing culture

By: Nathaniel Herz, Northern Journal

Outlets: Alaska Beacon

Published: April 9, 2026

Words: 2,482

Last Updated: 3 months, 3 weeks ago

Body Text Preview

This story was produced as part of the Pulitzer Center’s StoryReach U.S. Fellowship. It’s the third in a series about access to commercial fisheries in rural Alaska; read Part Oneand Part Two.

METLAKATLA, ALASKA — Across Alaska’s coastline, from the Indigenous communities of Bristol Bay to the Tlingit and Haida villages of the panhandle, rural harbors that once bustled with commercial fishing boats now sit unused and empty.

Abandoned boats covered with mold …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us