Provide logistical, expertise, relationship, and functional support in the planning and execution of the FWS alaska native relations training courses

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded a $163,000 Cooperative Agreement to the Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments, Inc. (CATG) under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination and Assistance program (CFDA 15.664). The purpose of this award is to provide logistical, expertise, relationship, and functional support to the FWS for planning and executing the Alaska Native Relations Training Courses. These 32-hour in-person training sessions are designed to enhance attendees' knowledge of the federal government's trust responsibility to tribes and the FWS' working relationship with Alaska Native peoples. The training will feature guest speakers, a panel of Alaska Native elders, educational videos, and supplemental reading materials covering these topics. CATG will work with the FWS and other Department of the Interior agencies to refine the curriculum and deliver this training program over the one-year award period from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024.

The training sessions will enhance attendees' knowledge pertaining to the federal government's trust responsibility to tribes, and the FWS' working relationship with alaska native peoples. The course is a 32-hour in-person training event, with numerous guest speakers and a panel of alaska native elders who will be present and speak on various topics throughout the class. Topics will be covered by experts in their respective fields, with supplemental teaching by alaska native elders and a qualified agency coordination team. Catg will work with the U.S. Fish and wildlife service, and representatives from other department of lnterior agencies to refine the curriculum of topic-focused sections and should include components such as interactions through question-answer periods with the instructors and elders, educational videos, and reading materials relevant to each topic.