1998 Regional Conference Summary

by Michelle Davis

This year’s conference of the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society was outstanding. This year’s theme, Tribal Stewardship: Our Connection to Mother Earth, spoke to our deep sense of the interconnectedness of things. For those attending, the Venetie decision’s impact was still fresh. The challenge before us, as native peoples who seek to retain and strengthen traditional management of natural resources, is to select areas to effectively exercise tribal authority over natural resources. Our keynote speaker, Haudenosaunee Faithkeeper, Chief Oren Lyons, set the tone for this year’s conference. He spoke eloquently to tribal sovereignty through independence and following traditional practices. He told us “our leaders were instructed to be men of vision and to make every decision on behalf of the seventh generation to come; to have compassion and love for those generations yet unborn.” We were instructed to give thanks for “All That Sustains Us.

“ The following excerpt from Mr. Lyon’s 1992 United Nations address for the year of the Indigenous Peoples, may carry his message to those unable to attend.

It seems to me that we are living in a time of prophecy, a time of definitions and decisions. We are the generation with the responsibilities and the option to choose the Path of Life for the future of our children, or, the life and path which defies the Laws of Regeneration.

Even though you and I are in different boats, you in your boat and we in our canoe, we share the same River of Life — what befalls me, befalls you. And downstream, downstream in this River of Life, our children will pay for our selfishness, for our greed, and for our lack of vision. 500 years ago, you came to our pristine lands of great forests, rolling plains, crystal clear lakes and streams and rivers. And we have suffered in your quest for God, for Glory, for Gold. But, we have survived. . . . We need the courage to change our values to the regeneration of our families, the life that surrounds us. Given this opportunity, we can raise ourselves. We must join hands with the rest of Creation and speak of Common Sense, Responsibility, Brotherhood, and PEACE. We must understand that The Law is the Seed and only as True Partners can we survive.

Adelheid Herrmann, NAFWS Regional Director, commented that this conference was uplifting because here “we don't have to fight.” She continued, “In other meetings, other forums, we have to work so hard to get our point of view across. Here, we can be with other people who understand our work and our goals.” At the conference, Ms. Herrmann was reelected for a two-year term. Her goals are to continue to represent the Alaska region in the in the Society’s continued growth and development and to continue to focus on the inclusion of traditional knowledge in formal educational curricula. Congratulations Adelheid!

Thanks to everyone. It was a great conference. We look forward to seeing you next year. Best wishes, Michelle Davis