Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council

The Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council (YRITWC) is an advisory, advocacy, monitoring, and lobbying group dedicated to protecting and restoring the Yukon River. Comprising 66 First Nations and tribes from Alaska, Yukon, and British Columbia, its vision is for people to drink directly from the river. Funding comes from government agencies, private initiatives, and public donations.

Founded in 1997 through the Yukon River Watershed Inter-Tribal Accord, YRITWC aims to protect the watershed's environmental integrity and preserve the cultural vitality of indigenous communities dependent on it. The council focuses on five key areas: mining, water quality, brownfields, solid waste, and science. It integrates indigenous traditional knowledge with scientific research to address climate change and environmental degradation.

A study led by the USGS over 30 years found that melting permafrost alters the river's chemistry. This results in higher levels of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sulfates, which are not currently harmful but could pose health risks over time. Mercury, a neurotoxin, is also being monitored for its potential health impacts.