The long-term vision of AAOKH is to create a future where Arctic research and policy are strengthened through respectful, collaborative partnerships with Indigenous People, placing Indigenous leadership, knowledge systems, and the voices of Elders, youth, and community members at the heart of understanding and responding to environmental change.

 

The Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub (AAOKH, pronounced A-OK) provides tools, resources and scientific information to share local expertise and observations of environmental change. We are a collaboration between coastal Arctic Alaska communities and researchers at the International Arctic Research Center (IARC) at University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).  Observations are regularly shared by community-based Indigenous observers to tell their community’s story of environmental conditions and what it means - from their own perspectives. Observations are holistic, often encompassing ocean, ice, fish and wildlife.

Steven Patkotak, Wainwright observer

Big ocean shows itself with so much ice gone. Huge lead and waves makes for snap, crackle, and pop. Landfast [ice] keeps breaking away.

Qaiyaan Harcharek, Utqiaġvik steering group

Now we’re lucky to start ice fishing in October. By the time the river is safe the fish have already spawned.

Billy Adams, Utqiaġvik observer

There was a large bearded seal with hair loss, discolored blubber, did not smell right, and hard bumps throughout the seal. Many harvested seals have been reported in [coastal Alaska]. It is a concern that we should discuss more.

Noah Naylor, Kotzebue steering group

Ice is important for Ugruk [bearded seal] hunting. The ice was a lot thinner this past year, so it is necessary to hunt earlier and earlier.

Guy Omnik, Point Hope observer

The Kukpuk river is finally getting low. We've had so much rain this fall, the river was way above normal. The fish are on the move now the water’s getting low. I had one net under the ice but I took it out (melting too much). The ice got a little thinner, too warm lately.

Carla SimsKayotuk, Kaktovik observer

One section [of the snow fence] collapsed due to erosion of the ground. At the other end the fence looks like it was placed in the water. Over the past 3 or so years the water level has gotten high and eroded the sand beach and ground [where] we used to be able to drive or walk. It has pretty much become an island of its own.

Funding Support

AAOKH has primarily been funded through Community Service Payments made by a corporate defendant that was convicted of federal environmental and maritime crimes in 2014. As this funding wraps up, AAOKH is increasingly relying on alternative funding opportunities, including through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Alaska Ocean Observing System, National Science Foundation, Alaska Sea Grant, North Pacific Research Board, Office of Naval Research and National Aeronautic & Space Administration, and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. Additional support for AAOKH activities are provided by the Exchange for the Local Observation and Observing of the Arctic, Native Village of Kotzebue and other Tribal partners, Tamamta, Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation Science, Ice Seal Co-management Committee, Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy, and others.