
Edward Kinegak grew up in the Akiachak community of the Kuskokwim region. From an early age, he began practicing subsistence living. For the last 30 + years Edward has lived in Chefornak, and still participates in subsistence living. He has 6 children who he was able to pass his knowledge and experience down to, they now are all adults and continue to practice Edwards teachings of subsistence living. Chefornak is a coastal town where his community and his family depend on the ocean. Over his 30 plus years in the community he has watched as his homeland has become more and more affected by climate change. With unprecedented heatwaves in the past and the continuation of climate change impacts, the community and area are experiencing shifts in the ecosystem that are creating barriers and difficulties that were not present during Edwards time as a child. These shifts and negative repercussions directly affect the community and their livelihood based on subsistence. The prevalent areas in which Chefornak and Edward are facing difficulties include the dying of permafrost and ocean subsistence gathering shortages.
Edward Kinegak


