Another aspect of Native land rights was the traditional use of natural resources such as fisheries. Many Alaskan Natives groups depended on fish for a large portion of their diet. Access to fishing streams was traditionally clearly defined by Alaskan Natives. Each fishing site belonged to a Native group, such as clan, village, or family.
As the canned salmon industry in Alaska grew, it came into conflict with Alaskan Native subsistence harvesting. Native catches of salmon had been based upon their need for immediate use and for drying or smoking for the winter months. Some additional quantities were taken to be used in trade.
The interest of the commercial salmon packers, however, was to catch as many fish as could be processed and sold. The emphasis was on maximizing short-term profits, with little regard for long-term sustainability. Using a variety of methods—seines, nets, and traps as appropriate—the packers and their fishermen took millions of fish from the creeks and streams.
The letter below was written by Alutiiq leaders from Afognak regarding the encroachment of canned salmon companies into the traditional fishing streams they depended on for subsistence.
Afognak, Alaska, June 22, 1899.
His excellency Hon. John G. Brady, Governor of Alaska.
Sir: We, the natives and all the Russian population of Afognak, appeal to your excellency to help us to retain possession of the fish streams where we are dependent upon getting our winter's supply of food for ourselves and families. We can not get any chance of fishing in the streams, as the cannery fishermen of all the companies operating here have taken possession of the mouths of the rivers. They stretch a rope across the water, and as the rope vibrates from the force of the current, they frighten the fish. In the meantime they seine fish directly at the mouth of the stream.
We tried to remonstrate with them and they threatened to smash our skulls. We lay these facts before your excellency so that you may give us some assistance. We can not allow our families to starve, and if the canneries are allowed to carry away all our fish—the main food—we will be obliged to starve.
Hoping you will look kindly upon our petition,
We are, very respectfully, your obedient servants,
Vasili Alexandroff,
Radion Shangen,
Radion X. Malutin,
Chiefs for the Afognak Population.