Daak Ḵusteeyí 2024: A Celebration of Indigenous Knowledge in Aquaculture

The University of Guam Sea Grant program brought knowledge and gained knowledge as they participated in the recent Daak Ḵusteeyí Indigenous Aquaculture convening in Sitka, Alaska.  

The event organized by the Cross-Pacific Indigenous Aquaculture Network, brought together a unique community – Indigenous peoples, Pacific Sea Grant programs, universities, and organizations – all united by their commitment to advancing Indigenous aquaculture.  

Washington Sea Grant Assistant Director for Outreach and the coordinator of the network, Mellissa Po, Ph.D, was excited for the progress made during the event. 

“At Daak Ḵusteeyí we strengthened our community-to-community linkages and shared multigenerational knowledge about coastal cultural-ecosystems and Indigenous food systems in the region,” said Po in an emailed address.  “These are some of the primary reasons that the Cross-Pacific Indigenous Aquaculture Collaborative Network exists, and Daak Ḵusteeyí helped us

fulfill these goals. We look forward to what lies ahead!”

Associate director for operations and development of UOG Sea Grant Fran Castro believes collaboration will continue to help the aquaculture practices on Guam and through the region. 

“Participating in the Indigenous Aquaculture Communities Network (IACN) provides networking opportunities, resources, learning, exchanging and sharing of ideas, and it helps to elevate our work in the Pacific Region,” explained Castro. “Guam participants were sponsored by Washington Sea Grant to attend the Daak Kusteeyi gathering in Sitka.”

UOG Sea Grant aquaculture specialist David Crisostomo also attended the gathering and looks forward to implementing some of the new strategies and processes here on Guam.  

Crisostomo and his team are currently conducting research and community aquaponics training out of the UOG College of Natural and Applied Sciences Aquapark on the Mangilao campus. 

According to Po the event welcomed 150 people from at least 18 different Tribes and First Nations, 18 different Native-led organizations, 4 non-Native organizations and representatives from 7 different universities, and 4 Sea Grant programs.

Overall, Daak Ḵusteeyí 2024 served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration between Indigenous communities and organizations working in aquaculture. By combining traditional wisdom with scientific advancements, this approach holds promise for a more sustainable and culturally-rich future for seafood production.