APIA Food Sovereignty Program
Subsistence is sustenance for the life.
Qaqamiiĝux̂ qalgadax̂ anĝaĝix̂ ngiin ax̂tanaa akux̂ (Western/Niiĝuĝim Tunuu)
Qaqamiiĝux̂ qalgadam ukulganaa ngiin ugutaasakun (Eastern/Qagaadan Tunuu)
The Food Security Program at APIA supports efforts to increase knowledge, access, and the use of traditional and local foods in the Aleutian and Pribilof Region. This has been accomplished through sharing knowledge with individuals and communities about the nutritional, sociocultural, spiritual, and economic benefits of traditional foods while working to develop resources that preserve Unangax̂ knowledge region-wide. For more information, contact Kiana Holland.
Food Sovereignty News and Announcements
Featured Article
Raising Chickens in Nikolski: Interview with Lily Stamm
Background & Farm Overview
Can you tell me a bit about your farm and how you got started with raising chickens?
I am originally from Arizona and was raised on a family farm with many types of animals, including chickens. I actually really disliked them as a child and never wanted to get them. My husband and I started with ducks after I moved to Alaska and have enjoyed them a lot for many years now. It was just in the last 3 or so years that I finally decided we could give the chickens a try, as a project for food security in our village. Our village “farm” includes geodesic dome greenhouses and currently 1 chicken coop. We also have wild cattle and reindeer on the island.
Read more
Marisa, UAF Tribal Extension Agent, will be in Sand Point and Unalaska in April 2025 to teach workshops on Gardening 101, Starting a Community Garden, and varied food preservation topics. If your community is interested in having a fun, hands-on, research-based workshop in the community (or virtually), fill out the Request a Workshop form below.
Email mnmmckasson@alaska.edu with any questions.
The Alaska Marine Policy Forum, sponsored by Alaska Sea Grant and Alaska Ocean Observing System hosts a one-hour meeting with participants across the state interested in marine policy in Alaska. Hear the latest about state and federal marine funding, legislation and policy issues.
Next call: Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 1 pm AK time (5 pm Eastern, 2 pm Pacific)
Registration for Alaska Marine Policy Forum
The 2025 Alaska Food Festival and Conference is being held in Kodiak, Alaska from March 28-29th. This is the state’s largest convening of food experts, producers, advocates, educators, entrepreneurs, and more from around Alaska and beyond! Expect a diversity of speakers, workshops, and panels from all food systems sectors, who are working collaboratively for stronger, more resilient food systems. Come ready to learn, share your knowledge, and build your network.
There are both virtual and in-person options.
2025 Alaska Food Festival and Conference
Marisa, UAF Tribal Extension Agent, has started a Geodesic Dome Greenhouses Working Group. If your community has a greenhouse, or is interested in greenhouse gardening, reach out to Marisa at: mnmckasson@alaska.edu
Check out this recording about kelp farming from February 13, 2025:
Mariculture 101 by Nick Mangini, Mariculture Director, Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference; and Jason Lessard, Alaska Mariculture Alliance
Do you have a garden or livestock in the Aleutian Pribilof Islands region? Do you fish, harvest, or hunt, or have any nutrition-related questions? We would love to hear from you! Send an email to Kiana Holland at kianah@apiai.org.
Private: Recipes
Nutrition Fact Labels
Nutrient Information Graphics
APIA Food Sovereignty Program
Glossary/ Vocabulary
Videos
Resources/ Links
Reports
Reports summarizing the findings from a research project looking at the benefits and risks of traditional foods in the Aleutian and Pribilof islands can be found here. These reports were developed for the communities of Atka and St. Paul as part of a National Institute of Health grant from 2001-2006.