Specialization in Subsistence Food Production: Understanding the "Super-Household Phenomenon" in Alaska Native Communities

Robert J. Wolfe And Associates, San Marcos CA

Investigators

Abstract

The proposed research by Robert Wolfe, in partnership with Mary Pete, William Simeone, and Cheryl Scott, is designed to examine Alaska Native household specialization of subsistence production. Through an analysis of over 3,500 household surveys in 76 communities, representing seven cultural groups, Aleut, Alutiiq, Athabascan, Inupiat, Tlingit-Haida, Yup'ik, and Euroamerican the research team will test the validity of the "30-70" rule a standard of social science analyses of subsistence among these groups. In addition, the research team hopes to uncover the how and why of subsistence specialization in the late 20th century among Alaska Natives.