Before the Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference began, organizer Katie Basile asked attendees to reflect on the abundance and resilience in Western Alaska. She prompted them to consider the available foods, spoken languages, and sights and sounds in the villages or towns of the region. Basile, representing Alaska Sea Grant, acknowledged the challenges faced by the area, such as declining salmon fisheries, permafrost erosion, and the aftermath of Typhoon Halong. Despite these difficulties, Basile emphasized the importance of envisioning a brighter future during the conference.
The conference, initiated by University of Alaska Fairbanks professor Todd Radenbaugh in Dillingham, is now in its 18th year. It moves between various Western Alaska communities, focusing on issues relevant to the host location each year. The latest conference, titled “Narratives from a Resilient Coast,” was held in Bethel and featured speakers from both outside researchers and local community members.
One of the key themes of the conference was the integration of Indigenous knowledge, particularly through oral histories, with Western scientific approaches. Speakers like Napakiak Mayor Joann Slats shared personal stories about adapting to environmental changes, such as shoreline erosion and extreme weather events like typhoons. Researchers like Matthew Lohrstorfer and Nicole Herman-Mercer highlighted the importance of engaging with local communities when studying issues like salmon decline and climate change effects in Y-K Delta.
The event attracted a record-breaking 160 participants this year, showcasing a growing interest in collaborative, community-driven research and solutions for the challenges faced in Western Alaska.
