Overview
The Alaska Youth Stewards is a summer work program run by the Hoonah Indian Association that provides youth with paid, hands-on experience in natural resource management, scientific data collection, community service, and cultural stewardship. It’s been running in Hoonah since 2018 (formerly known as TRAYLS) and we’re very proud of our 2025 crew’s work!
This year’s crew consisted of Hayden Wright, Will Dalton, Cayenne Boe, Chloe Lane, and Isaiah Budke. It was led by HIA’s Environmental Education Coordinator, Julian Narvaez, and Environmental Education Specialist, Thomas Mills. Projects for the 10-week season (running from June 2nd to August 8th, 2025) were developed alongside HIA, IGAP, the Hoonah Native Forest Partnership, the Forest Service, Huna Heritage Foundation, the National Park Service, Oregon State University, and Tlingit and Haida (CCTHITA). Thanks to all our partners!
Pre-season Training:
Training took place in two places: at the HIA office during the first two days of the work season (June 2-3), and in Glacier Bay National Park during the week of June 9.
The 2025 all-crew training was hosted by Hoonah and brought together crews from POW, Kake, and Angoon at Glacier Bay National Park. Training was divided into two components:
Cultural and Professional Program:
The crews engaged in career shadowing, working with the Archaeology, Trails/Facilities, Law Enforcement, Visitor Services, Interpretation/Media, and Biology teams. Park Service staff went above and beyond to provide meaningful activities for the crews to give them a taste of what a day on the job looked like. Staff also stressed how much they hoped to see future positions at the park filled by AYS alumni and others from Southeast Alaska!
The crews also spent time at Xunaa Shuká Hít and learned about the complex history between the National Park Service and the people of Hoonah. This experience was very reflective and allowed the Hoonah crew to serve as cultural and professional leaders, sharing Tlingit history and traditions with other crews.
We are very grateful for the support from Megan Graham, Melissa Senac, Mary Beth Moss, and all the park staff that participated. They, along with Darlene See, Michael Mausbach, Haley Armstrong, Jackie Kookesh, and others, helped make the week amazing and left a lasting impression on the youth. We were also blown away by the delicious food prepared by Danaye Northup!
Wilderness First Aid and CPR Training:
The second part of the training week consisted of an intensive multi-day Wilderness First Aid and CPR course. Crew members gained confidence in stabilizing patients and providing critical care in field conditions thanks to the knowledgeable instructors from GEMS. We want to thank the Tidelines Institute for joining us in the training and opening their campus up to us.
Work with the Forest Service
Fish Ladders
The Hoonah AYS crew collaborated with US Forest Service Fisheries Biologist Neal Schoenfelder to clean the Suntaheen Fish Ladder. Annually, accumulated rocks and sediment from winter and spring block salmon migration, making this maintenance essential. Following the cleanup, the crew learned about various US Forest Service field projects and reviewed site maps of both completed and planned initiatives. This experience provided the crew with insight into the diversity of Forest Service work and potential future career paths.
Trail Maintenance and Recreation Site Cleanup:
The AYS crew took on trail maintenance and recreation site clean-up at locations such as Whitestone Harbor, Suntaheen, and Freshwater Bay. For trail maintenance, the crew cleared intrusive branches and other vegetation encroaching on the trails. Recreation site clean-up included cleaning fire pits, picking up trash, removing small alders growing near cabins, and thoroughly cleaning the cabins, both inside and out. Thank you to Geno Cisneros for his support.
Invasive Species Removal:
At the end of the season, the AYS crew participated in the annual invasive oxeye daisy removal at Freshwater Bay. The crew meticulously removed daisies by hand, taking care not to spread seeds.
Stream Restoration
Thanks to the partnership between the US Forest Service and the Hoonah Native Forest Partnership, the crew participated in salmon habitat stream restoration. The crew helped move trees into the river to help make the flow more natural and create shelter for salmon. This project reinforced the crew’s role as stewards of natural resources, highlighting the importance of teamwork, physical effort, and environmental responsibility.
Thank you to Terry Fiske, Nikki Olsen, Alexandria Kohler, and the rest of the Hoonah Ranger District for the support on all AYS endeavors.
Youth Camps
Hoonah Culture Camp
Following the Glacier Bay trip, the crew participated in the annual Haa Tóo Yéi Yatee Culture Camp. Elders and community members shared knowledge and skills with youth, including carving, dancing, Native Youth Olympics, knot tying, spruce root weaving, and adze making. The AYS crew served as a bridge between generations, demonstrating the importance of listening, teaching, and preserving cultural traditions. Thank you to Lgeik’i Heather Powell, and her amazing culture camp crew for organizing every year!
HHF Berry Camp
The crew assisted with the second Huna Heritage Foundation Youth Camp, which focused on berry identification, practical knowledge, and Tlingit language skills. Crew members acted as instructors and mentors, strengthening intergenerational bonds and supporting cultural education. Thank you to Amelia Wilson, Rebekah Sawers, and Jeff Skafflestad at HHF!
Collaboration within HIA
Hoonah Greenhouse
Hoonah faces ongoing challenges with food insecurity. Through the initiative of the Hoonah Indian Association, the Áa Kawduwahaa yé Greenhouse was successfully opened, providing fresh vegetables to the community in a sustainable and cost-effective manner. The AYS crew helped with some of the final setup and the grand opening, gaining a firsthand understanding of the project’s significance and its positive impact on the community. We’re grateful for Ryan Smith’s leadership with the greenhouse, and for always being open to youth participation!
Trail Building
The crew contributed to the construction of a section of a new trail near town in collaboration with the Hoonah Native Forest Partnership. This project demanded teamwork, cooperation, and perseverance, fostering pride and a sense of accomplishment among crew members.
Hunter Safety Course
The Hoonah AYS crew completed a training program covering proper handling, transport, and use of firearms, along with a couple members of the community. Firearms remain integral to life in Hoonah, from bear protection to subsistence hunting. This training cultivated respect, responsibility, and leadership among crew members, preparing them to serve as future role models. Thank you to Jeromy Grant for bringing this course to Hoonah, and to our instructors for the course.
Fish Surveys
The crew assisted the Hoonah Native Forest Partnership (HNFP) with fish surveys along local rivers. Traps were deployed and if more than two coho were found, the stream could be added to the “Anadromous Waters Catalog,” designating stronger protection. The AYS crew participated in one of these surveys, gaining a deeper understanding of salmon habitat. This experience highlighted potential career opportunities beyond the AYS program, as four HNFP team members are AYS alumni.
Blueberry Habitat Improvement
In order to maintain accessible patches of blueberry bushes near town, the crew grabbed their handsaws and loppers/pruners to cut back alders and Rusty Menziesia in areas where abundant blueberries were growing. Spots chosen were within a mile of Hoonah.
Water + Shellfish Sampling/Monitoring
IGAP is funded by the EPA and monitors environmental factors that impact community health, such as the presence of phytoplankton containing paralytic shellfish toxins. The AYS crew enjoyed assisting Jeromy Grant with the collection of stream monitoring equipment, of water samples to look for phytoplankton, and of shellfish to assess population health.
Black Seaweed
A few of the crew were offered the opportunity to harvest black seaweed to be given away at the Food Fair, cultural program events, and for the families that went to harvest. Youth joined community members on the Vagabond Queen for a trip to George’s Island and brought back over 20 mesh bags of seaweed. They also harvested gumboots and took the time to visit a historical cannon that “served as a symbol for the defense of our nation and a landmark for Hoonah fisherman.” – Hayden Wright
Thank you to Darlene See for organizing the trip, Bill Veler for captaining the Vagabond Queen and the National Park Service for making it possible.
Halibut
Toward the end of the season, the Hoonah AYS crew partnered with Jackson Combs, HIA’s Fisheries Biologist, to pull a halibut skate. The crew worked efficiently and successfully harvested several halibut. Upon returning to shore, they received instruction in filleting and vacuum-sealing the fish for preservation. For many, it was their first time processing halibut—an essential local subsistence food. The halibut was used to feed the community at this year’s annual Food Fair. This experience ensured that vital traditional knowledge and practical skills will be passed on to the next generation.
Excursion Inlet
One of the season’s most impactful projects was the annual trip to Excursion Inlet, a site with deep historical significance to the Hoonah Tlingit people. Over the course of a week, the crew, with guidance from the US Forest Service and Hoonah Indian Association Environmental Department, learned traditional and modern methods of harvesting and processing Sockeye salmon, including gaffing and beach seining. Crew members also helped maintain the Neva Fish Weir and remove beaver dams that restrict salmon migration upstream.
This immersive experience strengthened the crew’s connection to ancestral practices, provided sustenance for the community via the Hoonah Food Fair, and allowed members to share salmon with their families.
Harvesting with Huna Heritage
Since the youth crew’s inception, HIA and Huna Heritage Foundation have been partnering to harvest and process traditional food for Hoonah’s annual Food Fair. This year, the crew helped harvest and process 97 snack bags of Hudson Bay tea, 44 snack bags of devils club, 300 half pints and 60 quarter pints of smoked sockeye, and 120 half pints of pickled beach asparagus.
Devils Club
The 2025 Hoonah AYS kicked off with an outing to harvest Devils Club. Crew members joined representatives from HHF, HIA, and local expert Lisa Anderson, to learn about and ethically harvest Devils Club, a plant with both physical and spiritual healing properties. The crew gained hands-on experience in sustainable harvesting methods, emphasizing respect for traditional knowledge and ecological conservation. The bark of the plant was stripped and dried for tea to give away at the Good Fair.
Hudson Bay Tea
The Hoonah AYS crew joined community members in the annual harvest of Hudson Bay Tea. The collected tea is distributed to community members during the Hoonah Food Fair, where it is cherished for its medicinal properties, particularly its effectiveness in alleviating respiratory conditions and more. In addition to gathering tea for community use, each crew member was able to bring some home to share with their families. This annual harvest continues to strengthen the connection between traditional knowledge, community health, and stewardship of local resources.
Beach Asparagus
The crew also took part in the community’s annual harvest of Beach Asparagus, a succulent sea vegetable highly valued for its rich mineral content and health benefits. Beach Asparagus is an excellent source of vitamins , antioxidants, iodine (which supports thyroid function), and dietary fiber, as well as calcium, magnesium, and iron. This activity has become a much-loved tradition for the Hoonah AYS crew, combining cultural continuity with hands-on experience in sustainable gathering practices.
Weather Chimes
The crew collaborated with researchers from the University of Oregon and the Sitka Sound Science Center to install upgraded weather chimes. These devices monitor soil moisture, rainfall, humidity, stream temperature, and water depth, providing valuable environmental data. Such information has potential applications as an early warning system for landslides, a concern in Southeast Alaska. The crew gained technical knowledge and appreciation for these critical monitoring tools. The data collected will be used for future management decisions by HIA and the City of Hoonah.
Postseason Opportunities
For AYS crew members that go to school in Hoonah, dual-enrollment college courses were offered. Courses offered for the 2025-2026 school year were Oceanography 101 (through the UAS Fisheries Tech Department), and BIOL101: Introduction to Biological Research Techniques (through RASOR).
Opportunities were given for two crew members to attend the national AISES conference. Another two members were able to travel to the Elders and Youth Conference.
Two crew members will also be attending Whalefest through the RASOR program and chaperoned by Julian Narvaez.
There are plans to offer BIOL194: Policy & Procedure Practicum, which will involve a trip to Anchorage for the Federal Subsistence Board Meetings in April 2026.
Season Debrief & Future Changes for Program
The 2025 season was one of continued success and sustained excellence for the Hoonah AYS program. Over the years, Hoonah has distinguished itself as a leader and role model—demonstrating how traditional Tlingit knowledge and modern ecological science can work hand in hand to create a powerful model of stewardship.
Two of the season’s most significant achievements were the Hoonah-hosted All-Crew Training in Glacier Bay and the weeklong subsistence and education trip to Excursion Inlet. Both areas hold deep historical and cultural significance, as they were once part of the traditional Hoonah Tlingit homeland. For the crew, these experiences were more than fieldwork—they were acts of cultural reconnection. By walking the same lands and waters their grandparents once did, the youth gained a deeper understanding of what has been lost, and more importantly, what must be preserved.
This understanding is at the heart of stewardship. The crew came to see that caring for the land is not simply environmental work—it is a sacred trust passed down from their ancestors. As young Tlingit people, they carry the responsibility to protect and nurture the ecosystems that sustain both culture and community.
Through every project—whether restoring salmon habitat, maintaining trails, or harvesting traditional foods—the Hoonah AYS crew demonstrated professionalism, discipline, and pride in their work. They developed critical skills in teamwork, leadership, and environmental science while embodying traditional values of respect, reciprocity, and balance with nature.
Importantly, the crew’s perception of their work has evolved. For many, AYS has transformed from a summer job into a professional calling—a stepping stone toward meaningful careers in conservation, environmental education, and tribal leadership. The program has become a training ground for the next generation of land and cultural stewards, instilling in its participants both technical expertise and moral responsibility.
Looking ahead, the Hoonah AYS program will continue to build upon the successes of 2025. The coming 2026 season promises to set an even higher standard—not only for Hoonah, but for AYS programs across Southeast Alaska. All projects listed in this report will be on the table for next year. New projects will include the construction of picnic tables and FS recreation sites, commercial fishing skills workshop, and possible collaboration with See stories. With continued collaboration among tribal, federal, and community partners, the Hoonah AYS crew will remain a beacon of what can be achieved when traditional wisdom, youthful energy, and modern science work together in service of the land and the people.
Be the first to comment