The Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has restricted fishing within 500 yards of the McLees Lake river mouth July 1-9.

While blue mussels are a traditional source of subsistence food in Unalaska, in recent years, reduced numbers and concerns about paralytic shellfish poisoning, or PSP, have limited the amount locals can safely harvest.

In this episode of "Island Interviews," Ingrid Goodyear, Alaska's MMIP Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney's Office, discusses the federal government's involvement in addressing MMIP in the state and what actions Unalaskans can take to help.

Unalaska is still pursuing the Makushin Geothermal Project, even after a rocky four years to try to get the project off the ground. Today, the Ounalashka Corp. board of directors plans to meet to discuss ways to move forward, which could include dissolving its partnership with Chena Power, essentially buying them out.

In this episode of “Island Interview,” the Qawalangin Tribe’s Environmental Director Mandy Salminen and Resilience Coordinator Shayla Shaishnikoff discuss the multifaceted impacts of warmer winters in the Aleutian Islands and how the community can contribute to climate change research.

The United States military left many contaminated areas around Unalaska when they pulled out after World War II, like oil tanks and chemicals that polluted streams and soils. Now, the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska is teaming up with scientists from universities in Arizona, Nevada and Alaska to address the contamination.

The City of Unalaska held a community ceremony at Memorial Park during the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force visit to the Aleutian Island. Many spoke at the ceremony, like Unalaska’s Mayor Vince Tutiakoff. He said this recent visit is a historic moment for everyone.

Unalaska’s local tribe is working to stop the spread of a concerning strain of avian flu that could be killing birds in the Aleutian region. The tribe's biggest concern is the virus making the leap from animals to humans.

The Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska will be holding a series of classes Monday on environmental monitoring at old U.S. defense sites. According to the Tribe, these sites from World War II have persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which are harmful if consumed at high levels.

The Unalaska City Council has approved the Qawalangin Tribe’s full funding request for its annual summer culture camp.