Tazlina Moves Forward with Vision for Reclaimed Ancestral Lands
Confluence of Tazlina and Copper Rivers. Photo by Greg Engebretson/Native Village of Tazlina
August 14, 2025
Lakota McRoberts – CRR Staff
After repatriating 462 acres of ancestral land, the Native Village of Tazlina (NVT) is steadily advancing plans for how the land will serve current and future generations. What began as a campaign to protect traditional fishing rights and preserve cultural heritage has evolved into a long-term vision grounded in self-determination, food security, and community sustainability.
The land, located at the confluence of the Tazlina and Copper Rivers, has long held significance for the Tribe. Tribal members and their ancestors have fished, camped, and gathered there since time immemorial. It was also the original site of the Village of Tazlina, with archeological evidence of habitation dating back hundreds of years. Though ownership legally transferred hands in 1954—when the U.S. government sold the land to the Anchorage Archdiocese for $10 to build the Copper Valley School—NVT’s connection to the land never waned.
In 2023, NVT successfully finalized the purchase of the property after years of strategic planning, community engagement, and partnerships with organizations like the Great Land Trust. Now, the Tribe is beginning to lay the groundwork for responsible development while honoring traditional use.
Moving Forward: Land Use and Access
While the Village now owns the land, access remains regulated. All individuals wishing to use the property—primarily for fishing—must obtain an access permit from the Village and agree to basic terms of use.
“As new landowners, we're still developing a formal land policy,” said Tribal Administrator Marce Simeon. “But we already have basic requirements in place to protect the property and align access with the Council’s long-term strategic plan.”
To date, the Council has updated signage on the property to reflect NVT’s ownership and drilled a well to access water. A portion of the property is protected under a conservation easement with the Great Land Trust, which permanently prohibits development along the river to ensure future generations have access to fish-wheel subsistence sites.
The Vision: A New Village Hall and Beyond
NVT is currently in the early planning stages of building a new Village Hall on the property. The project, supported by initial infrastructure funding, would replace aging buildings from the 1970s and position the community for future growth.
“Constructing a new hall is a comprehensive process,” Simeon said. “It’s going to take time, but it’s a priority. Our current facilities have served their purpose, and it’s time to invest in something that meets today’s needs and tomorrow’s opportunities.”
The Council is working with the organization CCLR to guide planning for the new building and has also enlisted a grant writer to help identify and secure funding. Still, as a federally recognized tribe, NVT must navigate a constantly shifting funding landscape.
“We can’t plan around funding with certainty,” Simeon said. “Opportunities shift depending on the political and economic climate. We have to remain flexible and strategic.”
Balancing Tradition with Future Development
Though development is a key focus, Simeon emphasized that cultural preservation remains at the heart of every decision.
“The primary reason NVT purchased the land was to secure fishing rights,” she said. “We have other properties available to us, but this one has been used for generations—it holds meaning.”
Indeed, tribal members regularly reference family fish camps and stories tied to the land. A small gravesite remains on the property, visited annually by the alumni association of the former Copper Valley School.
Beyond the new hall, the Council is exploring food security initiatives, including community gardens and high tunnels to support traditional harvesting and reduce dependence on external food systems. However, no jobs or new positions have been created specifically for the site at this time. All operations continue to be managed through existing tribal government channels.
Fishwheel. Photo by Nathaniel Wilder
Community Involvement and Leadership
While final decisions rest with the Tazlina Village Council, input from tribal members remains a guiding force. The Tribe regularly hosts land planning meetings and solicits feedback at its annual gathering.
“Our Council incorporates the perspectives of all tribal members,” Simeon said. “It’s not about what one person envisions. It’s about honoring the voices of the people of Tazlina—with specific consideration to the elders and youth.”
Environmental education and land stewardship training are among the long-term goals being considered, but no formal programs have been launched yet. What is certain is that every decision is made with care and consideration.
“We’re being very intentional with every step we take,” Simeon said. “Everything we do reflects decades of visioning and the guidance of our past leaders.”
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
In 2022, the Copper River Record published an article highlighting the urgency and emotional weight behind the effort to buy back the land. Now, that vision is becoming reality.
“We’re still in the early stages,” Simeon said. “But this land has always been special. Our job now is to carry forward what our ancestors began, while making sure we’re building something that lasts for future generations.”
And while no additional calls to action are being issued at this time, NVT continues to welcome community support, awareness, and understanding as the Council moves forward—step by intentional step.
Note: This article is a follow-up to our May 2022 story on the Native Village of Tazlina’s effort to reclaim ancestral land article by Amanda Swinehart . We remain committed to covering this important story as it evolves.
