Amiq Institute

Amiq seeks to protect and enhance the biological and cultural diversity of the Bering Sea region. Amiq recognizes the bioregional partnership of Russia and America in the Bering Sea and works to foster small, self-sustaining economies at the local level while preserving the environment at the regional and national levels. The Pribilof Islands, Alaska, and the Commander Islands, Kamchatka, have been the focus of the institute's work since 1981. Both island groups were settled by Aleut populations in conjunction with the Russian-American fur trade and are marine sanctuaries for globally significant wildlife populations.

Swibold and Corbett have worked extensively with Bering Sea Aleut communities over the past 18 years on "participatory research projects" focusing on conservation, human ecology, and community development. They produced four award-winning films on the Pribilof culture and environment, and set up the framework for five conservation programs. Their activities led to the creation of the Amiq Institute in 1993.

Amiq is currently working with the local community of the Commander Islands on three levels:

• Informal science education that focuses on conservation and biodiversity of the Bering Sea
• Development of cottage industries appropriate to Bering Sea island communities (kelp, educational tourism, and alternative energy)
• Biodiversity protection through cooperative partnerships between the local nature reserve and native population

Amiq is a registered NGO in Kamchatka and also works with the Arctic Institute of North America, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada.

Last updated:    June 1999

A print version of much of the information contained in this NIS Third Sector Organizations section can be found in the The Post-Soviet Handbook (Seattle and London: University of Washington Press, 1999).