How KRITFC is Governed

KRITFC is an inter-Tribal agency with 638 Tribal Compact Status that represents 33 federally recognized tribal governments interests in sustainable fisheries management on the Kuskokwim River. It consists of 33 Fish Commissioners, one from each authorizing Member Tribe. Each Fish Commissioner is a voting member of KRITFC and elects the Executive Council.

KRITFC Units 1-7

The seven-member Executive Council represents seven different geographic units in the 724-mile Kuskokwim River watershed. It is designed to fairly represent all portions of the river to ensure shared power and decision-making across the watershed. Like most large river systems, approximately 80 percent of fish harvests take place in the lower river sections, yet fish need to make it upriver to their spawning grounds. For this reason, it is important that KRITFC represents the upper, middle, and lower river sections equally and equitably.

The chairmanship revolves between the upper, middle and lower portions of the river every two years. KRITFC’s governance model of revolving chairmanship and different geographic units is unique. Below is a list of current and former Chairs of KRITFC:

  1. Mike Williams Sr. of Akiak (2015 to 2016)

  2. Nick Kameroff Jr. of Aniak (2017 to 2018)

  3. Charlene Erik of Chefornak (2019 and 2020)

  4. Mike Williams Sr. of Akiak (2021 and 2022)

  5. Jonathan Samuelson of Georgetown (2023 and 2024)

  6. Martin Andrew of Kwethluk (CURRENT- 2025 and 2026)

At the heart of our work are our Yup’ik and Athabascan values, wisdom from our Elders, and unity as one fishing people of the Kuskokwim. Our Executive Council, In-Season Managers, and staff do this work for the benefit of the 33 subsistence fishing communities along our river.

kritfc governing documents

The KRITFC Constitution and By-Laws are the governing rules for the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. The Constitution became effective on an interim basis pursuant at the August 30, 2017 KRITFC annual meeting. The Constitution will be fully ratified upon the receipt of resolutions from a majority of the Tribes in the Kuskokwim River watershed.

Preamble to the kritfc constitution

We, the Tribes of the Kuskokwim River and its tributaries, proclaim that our fisheries are essential to our cultural, nutritional, economic and spiritual well-being and our way of life. We recognize our responsibility and authority to exercise our inter-tribal treaty rights to act as stewards to our common traditional territories and resources. Since time immemorial, we have properly cared for the fishery resources of the Kuskokwim River Drainage. We commit to conserve, restore, and provide for tribal use of fisheries based on indigenous knowledge systems and scientific principles. Founded on tribal unity, and striving for consensus, we form the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fisheries Commission for the health and well-being of our tribal members, our future generations, and all Alaskans who rely upon the health of the fisheries. 

Read the full text of the KRITFC Constitution.

guiding principles and values

We hold the values of:

  • Unity: Consensus driven discourse and decision making

  • Sharing in abundance and scarcity: With families, community members, and people in need

  • Respect for all life: Respect for fish, ecosystems, and users

  • Stewardship for our ancestors and our future generations: Honoring our spiritual connection and responsibilities to past and future generations

Notes from KRITFC’s 2018 Annual Meeting outlining some of the shared values and principles that guide commissioners in their decision-making process.

Notes from KRITFC’s 2018 Annual Meeting outlining some of the shared values and principles that guide commissioners in their decision-making process.