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The left panel shows local lands where federally qualified subsistence users currently have hunting priority, in yellow. The right panel shows those lands with the lands set to be withdrawn from federal management overlaid in purple and green.

AFN Delegation Seeks Guidance on Subsistence Goals

On October 1, a delegation from the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) came to Kluti-Kaah for a listening session on subsistence, the last of a series held in Native communities around the state. …
Kenny Lake School

Urgent Sprinkler Repair Needed at CRSD Schools

At this month’s October School Board meeting at the Kenny Lake School, superintendent Theresa Laville informed the board a routine sprinkler inspection revealed a critical infrastructure issue for …
Nature Journal by Kristin Link

Sgulak, bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus

October on the Nizina River brings the late run of silver salmon, and with it comes sgulak, the bald eagle. Most of the eagles we see here are young, and I wonder whether they are out exploring a less ideal habitat than the coast. This one is probably in its third year, since its head is pale with a dark line through the eye, its bill and eye are turning yellow, and its brown body is still mottled with white. Bald eagles do not reach full adult plumage until about age five. What I enjoyed most was watching how it handled the fish. It drove the talons of its left foot through the salmon’s head, which left the fish impaled and easy to carry off. In Ahtna: Sgulak, bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus. In Ahtna, sgulak means bald eagle.

Obituaries
Supplied
Donna R. Gifford, 1947 - 2026
Donna R Gifford July 1947 – August 2026 Obituary Donna Gifford, 79, of Valdez, Alaska passed away at her home in Valdez Alaska with family by her side. Born in Fairbanks Alaska to Florence and Robert Ditman, Donna was a lifelong Alaskan and …
Bonnie Jean McLeod (1938-2026)
Bonnie Jean McLeod of Glennallen, Alaska, passed away on June 6, 2026, at the age of 88. She will be sorely missed by many, but especially by her …
Robert Day Browner (1947-2025)
Our beloved Robert Day Browner passed away peacefully at the age of 77. He is survived by his family. He was born in southern Oregon in 1947. In elementary school, Robert met the love of his …
Harriet Alberta Willa Kohlmann (1951-2026)
With heavy hearts we say farewell to our beloved Harriet Alberta Willa Kohlmann.  Born in 1951, the youngest child of three daughters, Harriet has always been inquisitive, quick witted, …
Calvin Lee Datta (1940 - 2025)
Calvin Lee Datta (Cal) went to his heavenly home on November 30 in Paducah, Kentucky. Cal was born and raised in Montana. In 1958 he joined the Navy and served for four years. Cal met and married the love of his life, Doris Saeman in 1962. In 1970, …

Our Mission Statement

The Copper River Record is a weekly newspaper that connects the far-flung communities within the Copper Basin, highlights people and places that make our region unique, and informs our readers about developments that could impact their lives. We serve trusted information to readers with varied cultures, beliefs, and values. While we have grown, we strive to remain true to our roots as a community newsletter.
Arts

Book News

The Copper Spike by Lone E. Janson

Many folks now read e-books, such as the free ones on  the Alaska Digital Library (“Libby”), an app available through Kenny Lake Public Library. Yet there are some books that cannot be …

Hunting, Fishing & Subsistence

Division of Wildlife Conservation Seeks Input on Proposed Nelchina Tier Hunt

(Glennallen) – The 2026 Nelchina caribou herd population survey has revealed continued encouraging numbers, with over 17,800 caribou counted—more than 13,400 of which are adults. This represents …
A male moose takes a rest after a rainshower

Federal Subsistence Board Rejects Wildlife Emergency Special Action Request WSA26-12 (Unit 13 Moose)

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) rejected Emergency Wildlife Special Action Request WSA26-12, concerning moose hunting in Unit 13. Due to the urgent nature of the request, …
Weekly vocabulary produced in partnership with Copper River Native Association

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