Our History

A Reflection of Our People’s Ability to Overcome and Survive

From Chairman Randy Mayo

The Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments embodies a reflection of our people’s ability to overcome and survive throughout the many thousands of years of existence.

The Journey of CATG

For generations, the Yukon Flats population was traditionally self-sufficient, living off the land through hunting, fishing, and gathering. The communities maintained their traditional economic practices and cultural ways of life.

Following a devastating flood in Fort Yukon in 1949, significant changes came to the region. Government intervention and welfare programs began to replace traditional economic practices. By the mid-1980s, these changes had brought unfamiliar health crises and social challenges to the communities.

The organization’s founding traces to a meaningful conversation between Chief Clarence Alexander and Paul Williams, Sr. What began as a discussion about memorializing Chief Esias Loola evolved into plans for addressing local economic development across the entire region.

From this vision, the Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments was born—an organization dedicated to serving the Gwich’in Athabascan communities of the Yukon Flats.

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Our History in Depth

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