The Bush administration has removed the Alaska Native chairman of the federal Subsistence Board but officials say they plan to name another Native to the post.

Mitch Demientieff is from the village of Nenana. He served as chairman since the Clinton administration but was recently dismissed, The Kodiak Daily Mirror reports.

Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns already "have someone in mind" as a replacement, an Interior official said.

The Bush administration has been pressured to change the makeup of the board. Sport hunters and non-Natives have challenged the exclusive subsistence rights of Alaska Natives.

Get the Story:
Feds to replace Subsistence Board chairman (The Kodiak Daily Mirror 7/31)

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