Shareholder Cabin & Portage Trail

Resting near the Karluk River and at the base of the newly improved Portage Trail; a cabin reserved exclusively for Koniag Shareholders is being constructed. The new facility is one of five cabins Koniag is allowed in the Karluk River Conservation Easement Agreement between the United States Fish & Wildlife Service and the State of Alaska involving approximately 57,897 acres of vital habitat which were directly affected from the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. The partnership forged between the three entities enables Koniag to manage commercial use, allows public access, and ensures expert ecological oversight.

The Karluk River offers an exceptional habitat for local wildlife: silver salmon, king salmon, sockeye salmon, steelhead, migratory birds, the infamous Kodiak brown bear, and Sitka black tailed deer. Not only does the river have strong ties to the Alutiiq people, it also plays a key role in the multi-million dollar commercial salmon fishery which relies heavily on the salmon produced in the Karluk and Sturgeon Rivers.

The Shareholder Cabin is a direct result of a recommendation from the Karluk River Advisory Committee. Through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Larsen Bay Tribal Council, community members are volunteering to help erect the 700 square foot Pan Abode Cabin which will feature incredible views of the river, drip fired oil heat, comfortable quarters and a bear fenced perimeter. With strong enthusiasm from the community of Larsen Bay, the construction project launched off to a tremendous start, thus paving the way for an efficient completion.

The construction crew consists of staff members, shareholders and volunteers from the village of Larsen Bay. Working hand in hand in the thick lush terrain the crew members not only are experiencing the joys of fruitful and physical labor but are also fully surrounded by ancestral dwelling areas and historic hunting and gathering places of their people.

Soon shareholders will have the ability to journey out to the new cabin and experience firsthand the synergy of Koniag and Larsen Bay Tribal Council’s efforts of merging the present with our past. The Shareholder Cabin will provide a glimpse into the true beauty of one of Kodiak’s extraordinary locations, providing the opportunity to observe nature while developing a sense of being Alutiiq. Connecting with their surroundings and absorbing the essence of our rich culture will hopefully inspire the Alutiiq people to embrace their heritage and achieve pride in whom they are and where they have come from.

Portage Trail

Portage Trail connects the Karluk River to the city of Larsen Bay, allowing residents access to the river. Due to excessive use over the years by motorized vehicles combined with Kodiak’s unique weather conditions, the trail has suffered severe degradation. Koniag, the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge and the Natural Resources Conservation Service spearheaded an improvement project beginning in 2005 to harden 8,550 linear feet of trail.

Geoblock 2, a pavement system, is being used to harden the historic trail from the Karluk River toward Larsen Bay. The mats are placed onto the marshy trail by a combination of Koniag staff, shareholders, and volunteers and prevent further damage to the trail. Koniag and its partners have received statewide recognition for their near completion of the Portage Trail. The efforts were made possible through myriad partnerships, including those with the NRCS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Island Trails Network, Kodiak Soil and Water Conservation District and Kodiak Island Borough. Remember to check back with Koniag’s website frequently to receive updates regarding the construction of the Shareholder Cabin and many more exhilarating projects.