ANILCA and the Ocean
ANILCA protected more than 104 million acres of federal land in Alaska when it was passed in 1980. While ANILCA mostly impacts the land, it can have implications for the ocean as well. This film explores the relationship between ANILCA and Alaska’s oceans; highlighting commercial fishing, Alaska Native subsistence fishing rights, and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge which was established through ANILCA.
This film was produced during the 2025-2026 “ANILCA Storytelling Series”, made possible by generous support from Audubon Alaska and the Alaska Conservation Foundation Jeanna S. Williams Fund.
Workshop Info
Teaching about the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) of 1980 can be challenging. While ANILCA is complex, it is also landmark legislation, crucial for students to learn about in order to fully understand land rights, subsistence management, and federal lands in Alaska. During the 2025-2026 school year, See Stories youth interns worked to highlight key parts of ANILCA through interviews with tribal, federal, and state leaders. These films, alongside their lesson plans, serve as teaching tools for Alaska teachers to effectively engage learning opportunities for students about a variety of perspectives on ANILCA and its impacts on modern Alaska.
More videos from this workshop:
Sentinels of the Island
“Sentinels of the Island” refers to a group of Elders from the small Tlingit village of Angoon, who travelled to […]
Perspectives on ANILCA
When ANILCA was passed in 1980, not everyone agreed about the efficacy of the law. This film showcases Native and […]
ANILCA in the Age of Climate Change
In youth filmmaker Iqlas’ words, “As climate change threatens Alaska, ANILCA stands as both environmental protection and a cultural safeguard.” […]
ANILCA: Protecting our Resources Sustaining our Way of Life
One of the most important aspects of ANILCA is “Title 8” which outlines a priority to subsistence resources for rural […]
Land Acknowledgement
This video was filmed on Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) Land. Learn more about land acknowledgements at native-land.ca.