3-26-08

Friday, March 28th
5:00 p.m. Doors Open
5:30 Lighting the Cama-i Flame
Welcome – Cingliaq Paul Gregory, Sr.
5:40-6:10 Bethel Traditional Dancers
6:10- 6:40 Mt. Edgecumbe Dancers
6:40-7:10 Pilot Station Dancers
7:10 Cama-i 2008 Dedication: Kumkaq Noel Polty, Pilot Station
7:15-7:45 Dallas Chief Eagle, Sioux Hoop Dancer
7:45-8:05 Bethel Contemporary Dancers
8:05-8:35 Scammon Bay Dancers
8:35-9:05 Hooper Bay Dancers
9:05 Cama-i 2008 Dedication: Akagayuk James Gump, Hooper Bay
9:10-9:40 Te Wananga Maori Dancers
9:40-10:10 Upallret Dancers
10:10-10:40 Stebbins Dancers
10:45 Honoring Our Living Treasures:
Taglangaq RosAnn Dan Waghiyi and Paugyuk Viriginia Tom, Stebbins
10:45-11:15 Pamyua
11:15-11:45 Nuniaq Alutiiq Dancers, Old Harbor
11:45-12:00 Fusion Motion

Saturday, March 29th
11:30 a.m. Doors Open
12:00 Relighting the Flame
12:05-12:40 Mikelnguut Elitnaurviat School Kaukaq Ruth Evon and Uyaq Emma Wright
12:40-12:55 Nukalpiaqs Dancers
12:55-1:25 Kuskokwim Campus Dancers
1:25-2:00 Ayaprun Elitnaurvik K - 2nd
Ayaprun Loddie Jones &
Angass’aq Sally Samson - K
Naniruar Carol Oulton & Qirvan Abby Augustine -1st
Inuqa’ar Carrie Dahl - 2nd
2:00-2:30 Chevak Dancer
2:30-3:00 Ayaprun Elitnaurvik 3rd - 6th
Atan Veronica Michaels – 3rd
Caqigaq Georgianna Starr - 4th
Apaqutaq Brandon Young - 5th
Alaq’aq Elena Pavilla - 6th
3:00-3:30 Kaluiarmute Kinguliarit
3:30-4:00 Akiuk, Kasigluk Dancers
4:00-4:15 Bethel Shotokan Karate

Saturday Evening, March 29th
4:00 * Native Foods Dinner starts for Elders at Cafeteria *
5:00 * Dinner starts for Dancers at Cafeteria *
6:00-7:00 * Dinner served for the General Audience ‘til the food runs out *
4:15-4:45 Mt. Edgecumbe Dancers
4:45-5:10 On Your Marx Dancers
5:10-5:40 Yuraret Dancers
5:40-5:55 Kilbuck 6th grade
5:55-6:25 Pilot Station Dancers
6:25-6:55 Hooper Bay Dancers
6:55-7:15 Fusion Motion
7:15-7:55 Steven Alvarez – Native Storyteller and Singer
7:55-8:25 Stebbins Dancers
8:25- Heart of the Drums
8:45- Y-K Delta Memoriam
8:55-9:25 Nuniaq Alutiiq Dancers, Old Harbor
9:25-9:55 Scammon Bay Dancers
9:55-10:25 Pamyua
10:25 Mr. and Miss Cama-i Winners Announced
10:30-11:00 Te Wananga Maori
11:00-11:30 Dallas Chief Eagle, Sioux Hoop Dancer
11:30-12:00 Chevak Dancers

Sunday, March 30th
12:30 p.m. Doors Open
12:55 Relighting the Flame
1:00-1:10 Hooper Bay Dancers
1:10-1:35 On Your Marx Dancers
1:35-1:55 Hooper Bay Dancers
1:55-2:10 Nukalpiaqs Dancers
2:10-2:40 Chevak Dancers
2:40-3:20 Steven Alvarez – Native Storyteller and Singer
3:20-3:50 Kuskokwim Campus Dancers
3:50-4:20 Pilot Station Dancers
4:20-4:40 Fusion Motion
4:40-5:10 Stebbins Dancers
5:10-5:40 Dallas Chief Eagle, Sioux Hoop Dancer
5:40- Cama-i ~ Quyana Cakneq
5:45-6:15 Bethel Traditional Dancers
6:15-6:45 Upallret Dancers
6:45-7:00 Bethel Contemporary Dancers
7:00-7:30 Nuniaq Alutiiq Dancers, Old Harbor
7:30-8:00 Yuraret Dancers
8:00-8:30 Te Wananga Maori
8:30-9:00 Closing: Kaluiarmute Kinguliarit

This schedule may change due to unforeseen events.

UAF’s Krauss awarded $1.2 million
to document endangered languages

3-6-08

by The Delta Discovery staff

On Feb. 25, 2008, the University of Alaska-Fairbanks announced that during the next three years, Michael Krauss, professor emeritus of linguistics at the college, would lead a team of veteran linguists in documenting endangered languages in and near Alaska.
The project, funded by a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation, will include researchers from Canada, Japan and Russia, as well as the United States. The researchers will document some of Alaska’s most endangered indigenous and historical languages.
As one example, the preservation of an important record of the Atuuan dialect of the Aleut language rests on the shoulders of an 80-year-old man and his ability to recognize the language of his childhood on a dozen 100-year-old phonograph cylinders.
Southern Tsimshian is nearly as close to the edge. A 94-year-old woman is the only known living speaker of the language.
Eyak is another example, but the last remaining speaker, Marie Smith Jones, died Jan. 21, an event that marks the extinction of her language.
“The NSF never lost track of the importance of documenting these devalued languages, which were disappearing before our very eyes,” Krauss said. “They always maintained a high priority for making a record of our endangered American languages.”
If it’s ever going to be done, it has got to be done now, Krauss said, noting that some of the languages are on the brink of extinction. “Making a record, as much as we can, of a language while it is still there is vital to the future of the language and the people.”
Collaborators on the project include Willem de Reuse, Andrej Kibrik, Jeff Leer, Edna Ahgeak MacLean, Osahito Miyaoka, Steven Jacobson, Evgenii Golovko, Moses Dirks and John Ritter. All are veteran researchers, Krauss said. “This work is also meant to be the culmination of professional lifetimes of work by experts in these languages.”
The project will rely heavily on researchers’ collaboration with language speakers in communities across the state and will culminate in a variety of finished works, including several new and expanded dictionaries and grammars.
The project will focus on 11 languages: Han Athabascan, Upper Kuskokwim Athabascan, Eyak, Tlingit, Southern Tsimshian, North Slope Inupiaq, Central Alaskan Yup’ik, Central Siberian Yupik, Alutiiq, Atuuan Aleut and Kodiak Russian Creole.
Krauss said the grant is an example of the NSF’s ongoing support of one of the most fundamental aspects of linguistics: language documentation. Over time, he said, the field has sometimes become more focused on theory and less on the diversity of human language.
“These languages are the essence of the thinking of uniquely Alaskan people, who have the right to help to retain their language,” said Krauss. “(They are) the result of millennia of experience in these environments, the wisdom of the ages, you could call it. Not only that, they represent different ways of seeing – of understanding – our common human experience.”
The project will be housed within UAF’s College of Liberal Arts as part of the Alaska Native Language Archive.

St. Mary’s man caught stealing

On Feb. 13, 2008, a St. Mary’s couple contacted the Alaska State Troop reporting that $5,950 had been withdrawn from a bank account that they controlled.
Subsequent investigation revealed that Michael Beans, 18, of St. Mary’s, had intentionally transferred the monies on ten different occasions into an account he could access.
The investigation revealed that Beans obtained the identification documents illegally and transferred the funds by deceiving bank employees. The cash was then spent on numerous items in the village.
Beans is facing felony counts of Theft in the Second Degree, Fraudulent Use Of An Access Device, Obtaining and Access Device or Identification Document by Fraudulent Means. He is also facing a charge of Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree, a misdemeanor.
Beans was issued a summons on Feb. 23, 2008, for a court appearance in the matter.

Troopers arrest Emmonak
man with marijuana

On Feb. 27, 2008, the Bethel WAANT (Western Alaska Alcohol & Narcotic Team) contacted Randell J. Agathluk Sr., 40, of Emmonak, at a local air carrier in Bethel.
During the course of the investigation, Bethel WAANT located four ounces of marijuana on Agathluk’s person.
Further investigation revealed that Agathluk was checked in to travel to Emmonak with four bottles of beer inside his luggage.
Agathluk was arrested on one charge of Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance IV and one charge of Importation. He was transported to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Correctional Center and is awaiting arraignment.

2008 Bethel Dog Show

2-28-08

The annual Bethel Dog Show was held on Sunday, February 24, 2008 at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center. There were 8 traditional categories and 10 fun categories that dogs could enter two win. A Best of Show winner was chosen from both sets.
Traditional Category Winners - Sporting Group: “Nolan” a Red & White Setter, owned by Tom Doolittle; Hound Group: “Bess” a Dachshund, owned by Ben Kuntz & Sarah Angstman; Working Group: “Orange” a Leonberger, owned by Kim Sheldon; Terrier Group: “Onery” a Schnauzer, owned by Valerie Roswell; Delta Mix: “Scotty” a Village Terrier, owned by Maryssa Soots; Non-Sporting Group: ;Herding Group: “Chena” an Australian Shepherd, owned by Dorothya Johnson; Toy Group: “Jack” a Yorkshire Terrier, owned by Sharon Sigmon; Best of Show: “Nolan” the Red & White Setter owned by Tom Doolittle.
Non-Traditional Category Winners - Most Independent: “Coda” Mix, owned by Lisa Cronk; Most Unusual Markings: “Mr. Snoop” an American Pit Bull, owned by Nate David; Best Tail Wagger: “Evie” a Mix, owned by Jim Samson; Most Mysterious Heritage: “Bear” a Tibetian Bull Mastiff, owned by Nyle Harrison; Best Vocal Performance: “Madrox” a Miniature Pinscher, owned by Kristina Maloy; Most Obedient: “Sam” a German Shepherd, owned by Kim; Old Timer: “Chumas” a Mix, owned by Roberta Aloysius; Most Original Costume: “Onery” a Schnauzer, owned by Valerie Boswell; Best Trick: “Kiska”, a Miniature Schnauzer, owned by Cindy Andrecheck; Most Adorable: “Mr. Snoop” an American Pit Bull, owned by Nate David; Best in Show: “Sam” the German Shepherd, owned by
The Bethel Dog Show was sponsored by Dr. Bob Sept of the Bering Sea Animal Clinic, the Old Friendly Dog Farm, and the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center HUD Grant.

Homebrewed Liquor:
The Enemy that Lies Within

2-5-08

by the Ohogamiut Traditional Council

The Ohogamiut Traditional Council, as a federally recognized tribe, is taking action as a tribal governing body with jurisdiction in Marshall, Alaska to address the Homebrew problem in our village.
Be advised that The State of Alaska Local Option Law that many of our communities voted-in also bans the manufacture of alcohol. AS 04.11.020, a person may not manufacture, sell, offer for sale, possess for sale or barter, traffic in, or barter an alcoholic beverage under license or permit issued under this title. Anyone found guilty and charged with manufacturing alcohol, i.e., homebrew faces a Class C Felony Charge.
Homebrew is easily made with simple, inexpensive ingredients along with yeast, which is used to bake homemade bread. With illegally imported commercially brewed alcohol running upwards of $150.00 a bottle, many villagers are making homebrew that is also the choice intoxicating beverage for the young adult population under the age of 21.
We, as responsible leaders, must rethink our battle tactics against the fight against alcohol to include homebrew in our endeavors. Measures must be taken by all area communities and tribes and governments to expose this hidden enemy that lies within.
The Community of Marshall in the recent past implemented a yeast restriction policy and, has taken al yeast products off the shelves to be sold only to responsible adults in the community.
However, that effort alone has not entirely eradicated homebrew for local private distillers. Brew makers are mail ordering their yeast supplies from urban centers, and/or simply traveling to an area villages to buy yeast where no yeast sales restrictions exist.
The Ohogamiut Traditional Council is encouraging all AVCP/Calista Region villages to implement a plan of action to address homebrew and yeast products for the continued health, safety, and welfare of our people.
According to Alaska’s criminal justice professionals, alcohol is the primary substance of abuse in Alaska and is the leading cause of violence and accidental death, especially in rural areas (2002 Annual Drug Report, Alaska Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, at 4.).
Alcohol, by the way of homebrew, is a major part of the scourge of alcohol abuse in our villages.
As unified tribal governments, we have the authority and means to take control and to disclose this plague. It is also advisable that the AVCP and the YKHC considers this concern as an agenda item for unified action; and it is advisable to inform the state legislators to make amendments on existing local option laws to keep yeast out of the wrong hands.
-Jason S. Isaac, President; Nick P. Andrew, Jr., Administrator

Master artist teaches traditional toy making

1-29-08

by K.J. Lincoln

Bobby Johnson of Mountain Village is a master at woodcarving. Last week, he taught a weeklong class “Traditional Toy Making” through the sponsorship of the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center, a grant from HUD, and Kuskokwim Campus Continuing Education.
The classes were held at the well-equipped Yuut Elitnaurviat Learning Center Shop.
During the class, he was impressed with the quality of the workmanship of his students, including several ladies.
“I was really glad and surprised that the ladies in my class did pretty good. I was surprised in how much work they did,” he said. The things his students made were of a wide variety – bows and arrows, boats, storyknives, a gun, an inuguaq (doll), a sled, and a birdhouse.
When a couple of his young students wanted to make tanks, military artillery tanks, he didn’t say no.
“It’s good for their interest and their ability,” he said. “I used to do the same thing when I was their age.”
As a child, he observed his dad Tom Sr. carve toys for him and his siblings.
“My dad did a lot of carving in the evenings,” he said. “We had no TV, only radio.”
When his dad was too busy to make him wooden boats, slingshots, bow and arrows, and other toys, his older brothers would make things for him to play with.
Johnson is the second to the youngest child of the six children of Tom and Cleo Johnson of Mtn. Village. His dad gave him his first pocketknife when he was a small child. He used that pocketknife to make his own toys.
“I still have that pocketknife,” he said.
When making slingshots, they would use alder branches and cut strips from old hip boots or rubber gloves for the rubber band part.
Bobby Johnson, whose Yup’ik names are Ap’aurluq, Ciutailnguq, Qayaruaq, and Av’ayaq, attended Chemawa High School before transferring to St. Mary’s. When the school in Mtn. Village opened, he transferred back to his home and graduated on May 14, 1978.
“I never forget that day,” he said.
Johnson, who also carves ivory, says he enjoys teaching and passing on his skills and knowledge to others. He previously taught through the HUD Grant last fall on how to make a carving knife (mellgar), uluaqs and ipuuns (wooden spoons). He is looking forward to coming again this spring.
When he became a parent, he gave his son many gifts of homemade toys lovingly made with his own hands.
“I made all his toys for him. For Christmas, when there was no money to buy toys, I would make some for him,” he said. “He still has them and cherishes them.”
One of the toys he made is a miniature snowmachine with a windshield and mechanical skis – it is a work of art.
“That stuff is a good skill to know. Nowadays I don’t see homemade toys like that no more. It is good to learn,” said Johnson. “God gave us two hands and the ability to use them. I really like teaching kids and adults, to pass on knowledge to other people.”

2008 Meet the K-300 Mushers

1-15-08

by Tommy Wells

Jackie Larson: Larson will be one of the local favorites as he hails from nearby Napaskiak. A member of the Bethel Sprint Mushing organization, Larson will be making his first-ever run up the river as part of the K-300 race. Larson opened the 2007 sprint season on a high note, winning the Holiday Classic title on Dec. 29. Larson earned entry into the 2007 event by winning the Bogus Creek 150 a year ago.
Kyle Belleque*
Mike Williams, Sr.: One of the most-experienced Kuskokwim 300 mushers, Mike Williams will be competing in his 18th run up the river. The 55-year-old Akiak standout had produced top 15 finishes in four of the last five years. His best finish came in 1996 when he placed sixth overall. A proponent of Native sobriety, Williams won one of the K-300’s top honors in 2002 when he was awarded the “Walter Williams Best in the West” title after finishing the race as the top Y-K-based musher. The award, which is given by Alaska Airlines, is named after his late brother. Williams is also a perennial force in the Iditarod race.
Mike Williams, Jr.: No stranger to a sled dog race, Mike Williams, Jr. is making his second appearance in the Kuskokwim 300 race. Last season, he finished 15th overall – one spot ahead of his father. Williams exploded onto the K-300 scene two years ago by winning the Bogus Creek 150.
Myron Angstman: One of the founding fathers of the Kuskokwim 300, Alaska’s premier mid-distance sled dog race, Bethel resident Myron Angstman will be racing the K300 this year. He won the race twice in the 1980’s and is currently the Chairman for the Kuskokwim 300 Board.
Paul Gebhardt: An Iditarod veteran, Paul Gebhardt will be making his seventh appearance in the Kiskokwim 300 race. The Kasilof musher has competed well in the event over the years, finishing in the top 10 every year he has participated except for last year when he placed 11th.
Gebhardt is a familiar face on the sled-dog racing scene. In the past he has competed in events such as the Copper Basin 300, the Tustemena 200 and the Nushagak Classic. He was second in the Iditarod standings last year.
Hugh Neff: A native of Tennessee, Neff is making his second appearance in the K3—race. He finished sixth in his first run in 2007, completing the race in 48 hours, 2 minutes and 16 seconds. Neff grew up in Illinois but moved to Alaska in 1995 and began mushing shortly afterward. The 40-year-old resident of Skagway has competed in the Iditarod race several times. Neff is an avid canoer. He and fellow musher Tamra Reynolds own Laughing Eyes Kennels.
Sebastian Schnuelle: Originally born in Wuppertal, Germany, Schnuelle moved to Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory in 1997 “in search of adventure.” The 37-year-old musher, who owns his own kennel (Blue Kennel), has competed in many major races since moving to western Canada, including the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod. He competed in both races from 2005 through 2007. He was received the Veterinarian’s and Sportsmanship awards while competing in the Yukon Quest last year. He is making his first attempt at the Kuskokwim River.
Jessica Klejka: The eldest of the Klejka children, Jessica Klejka of Bethel will be running her first K300 race ever. The BRHS senior ran the Junior Iditarod three times, finishing third in 2007. She placed 2nd in the Holiday Classic last December.
Melissa Owens*
A 17-year-old resident of Nome, Owens will be one of the youngest mushers to ever make their debuts in the K-300 tis year. A four-time Junior Iditarod competitor (winning in 2005), she is the daughter of former musher Michael Owens. During her young career, she has competed in the Junior Quest and the Don Bowers 200 and numerous Nome Kennel Club events.
Mitch Seavey: Veteran musher Mitch Seavey will be making his fourth appearance in the Kuskokwim 300 race this year. The 14-time Iditarod participant has won several mid-distance sled dog races during his 29 years on the trail, including the 2005 Kuskokwim 300 race in which he edged out Ed Iten and Martin Buser for the crown. Seavey has also won numerous other races, including the Grand Portage 200, the Klondike 300 and the Copper Basin 300. In 2004, Seavey used a fifth-place performance in the Kuskokwim 300 to prepare his team for an Iditarod victory.
Ed Iten: Kotzebue musher Ed Iten is no stranger to the Kuskokwim 300 race. The 54-year-old standout will be competing in his 13th K-300 race this season. Iten has consistently been one of the top teams in the race, finishing in the top 10 in all of his previous races. His best finish came in 2004 when he ended Jeff’ King’s three-year stranglehold on the crown. In 2005, he finished second and has placed fifth in each of the last two years. Iten has also starred in several other races throughout his career, including the Kobuk 440 – a race he has won seven times -- and the Iditarod.
He was second in the Iditarod in 2005 to Norway’s Robert Sorlie.
Jeff King: The all-time winningest musher in the Kuskokwim 300, Jeff King will be returning to Bethel to make his 17th appearance in the race. The 27-year mushing veteran has won the K-300 a record eight times – winning it three years in a row on two different occasions. A former Iditarod champion, King owns the second-fastest time ever in the Kuskokwim 300 , completing the 1992 race in a blistering time of 27 hours, 39 minutes. The 51-year-old musher owns another part to K-300 history as he his daughter, Cali, and son, Rohn, have all competed in the race.
Dave Decaro*
Jim Lanier: Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in North Dakota, Lanier will be making his rookie appearance at the K-300 this year. The 67-year-old musher came to Alaska in 1967 after accepting a position with the United States Public Health Service. He began his mushing career in 1977. During his career, he has competed in the Idiatrod and races in Russia. He is married to former Iditarod musher Anna Bondarenko.
Dee Dee Jonrowe: A 28-year veteran of sled-dog racing, Dee Dee Jonrowe will be returning to her former hometown for the first time since 2006 – and the 11th time overall – to compete in the Kuskokwim 300. A cancer survivor, Jonrowe’s best finish in the race came in 2002 when she placed third. Overall, she has finished in the K-300 top 10 a total of three times. The state’s most-decorated female musher, the 54-year-old has competed in the Iditarod race more than 20 times – finishing second on two different accessions. She has also won the Copper Basin 300 and Bear Grease 300 titles.
Gerald Riley: A former Iditarod champion, Jerry Riley is one of the best-known mushers in the state. The Nenana-based musher has been competing in the sled dog racing circuit for more than a decade. Riley is also one of the more familiar faces in the K-300 race, having finished in the top 10 in eight of his previous nine attempts. His best finish came in 1999 when he finished second to Jeff King. He also placed second in 1995. In 2006, he placed 16th overall, and placed 17th last year.
David Tresino*
Martin Buser: Martin Buser looks to add to his reputation as one of the top mushers in the world by staging yet another solid performance in the K-300 this year. The 49-year-old musher has placed in the top 10 in all but one of his 11 his previous runs up the river. A three-time Iditarod champion, Buser has won the Kusko twice, in 1994 again last year when he posted a time of 43 hours, 52 minutes and 9 seconds – eight minutes faster than Jeff King. Buser has finished second three times in his career, including in 1992, 1993 and 1994 and placed third in 2005. Buser was born in Winterthur, Switzerland in 1958, but became a naturalized American citizen in 2002 following his Iditarod victory.
Rohn Buser: The son of Martin Buser, Rohn will be making his second appearance in the Kuskokwim 300 race after making an amazing effort last year. In 2007, Buser completed the race in 47 hours and 1 second and placed fourth in the overall standings. For his efforts, he was awarded the race’s 2007 Kuskokwim 300 Rookie of the Year honors. A senior at Wasilla High School, he was the 2007 Junior Iditarod champion.
Ramy Smyth: Ramy Smyth will be making his first appearance on the Kusko in a decade this year. A former K-300 champion, the 32-year-old Willow resident last competed in the K-300 in 1997 and finished third overall. He won the Kusko 300 in 1995 with a memorable effort. He beat out Gerald Riley for the top spot that year by 5 minutes. He placed 25th in his first try at the race in 1994. Smyth and his wife, Rebecca, have one daughter, Ava.
*We apologize that we do not have musher profiles for these entrants at this time!

Inerquutet/Alerquutet (Morals) Ayaprun Elitnaurvik’s
Winter Pageant

12-25-07

We had our annual winter pageant on December 10th. Our school would like to thank everyone that made our annual winter pageant a success. Quyana to the K-6 grade students for presenting a fun play about inerquutet/alerquutet- morals. Quyana to our Future Teacher of Alaska Club with Ayaprun Jones for doing an excellent job announcing in both Yup’ik and English throughout the whole program. Quyana to our parent volunteer band, Hubert Angaiak, Willie John and Paul Chimiugak for playing Christmas music before and after the program. We would also like to thank Paul Fisher for helping the band when we sang our whole group song Ciuliamta Qanruyutait written by Ayaprun Loddie Jones. We also like to thank BRHS administration for sharing their gym with us. Quyana to Tommy Bayayok for video taping and taking pictures. This would not be possible if it was not for the parents and the supporters putting their children into our Yup’ik Immersion program of choice.
The items below are what each grade presented-Piunguallrit
Enemi Nacartuqsaunak (No hats/caps in the house or you’ll lose your hair), Kindergarten Classes: Ayaprun Jones and Angass’aq Samson; Negaiq Tuquskuvgu Ivsingciquq (If you kill spiders, it’ll rain), 1st grade classes: Naniruar Oulton; Ella Assiirutesqumavkenaku (Bad weather prevention), 1st/2nd grade Qirvan Augustine; Uguguaq Ullelluku (Turn caterpillar inside out), 2nd grade class: Inuqaar Carrie Dahl; Akerciisqekuvgu, Negairmek Kegginan Mingugluku (If you want sunshine, wipe your face with a spider), 3rd grade class: Atan’aq Michael; Qiugyatangqeraqan Kukumyaraarciigatelput (Not whistling at the northern lights), 4th grade class: Caqigaq Starr; Cingssiiget Pugkatgen (If little people should appear), 4th grade class: Maklak Liu; Enemi Angun Ciumek Neqliutuuq, Arnat Kingumek Nerlartut, Mermek Mess’iyaagyunaitellranek, Can’get Qaill’ Anirtuutnguyugngaciatnek, Arnat Angutet-llu Nallunritnarquciat Cayaraitnek (Women eat last, how drinking too much water may lead to weakness, how grass can save your life, and men and women need to learn each other’s roles), 5th grade class: Cucuaq Phillip; Iirutaaquvet Iirayulim Teguciqaaten (hide and seek Master will take you), 6th grade class: Alaq’aq Pavilla; Song: Ciuliamta Qanruyutait (Voice of Our Ancestors), Tamarmeng-Whole school
Ciulamta Qanruyutait
Tune: Oh, let the sun shine in
Words by: Ayaprun Jones
Ak’a wangkuta ciuliamta yut’eng qanruquratulqait. Qaill’ yuullerkaitnek, elluatutmun-llu ayallerkait. Ciunerput assiisqekumteggu niicucaarniartukut, Yuuluaqallerkaput tamamta umyuaqluki. (2X) Ilaci kenekluki. Arivteksaunaki. Kia yuum pingraaten. Elpet nallunguarluku. Naklekuraulluci. Ilakuyulluci. Tuaten elpet yuukuvet, Ircaqun tan’qigmek imirciqan.
Quyana to Ayaprun Elitnaurvik Support Staff: Kukucaq Tinker, Kaligtuq Amik, Uluk’aq Carlson, Maqaruaq Carl, Yugg’aq Mute, Aalika’ar Wintersteen, Arnayagaq Dyment, Pacungiar Jones, Uyaquq Neth, Paista Nanalook, Paugyuk Tommy Bayayok, Uisngaq Paul Gregory, Nurse Marty and Nurse Grace, Shared staff at Kilbuck and Mikelnguut Elitnaurviat, Our valuable substitutes, Parents/Guardians and grandparents, Supporters of Ayaprun Elitnaurvik, Department of Academics Program, LKSD Board, and administrative staff: Panigkaq Shields, Qaskilnguar Charlie, Pasrata’ar Owens
Alussistuaqegcikici-Happy Holidays, from Panigkaq Agatha John-Shields, Administrator; Ayaprun Elitnaurvik staff

Shishmaref students band
together to save village

We, the students of the Bering Strait School District in Shishmaref, Alaska have joined together to generate funds that are needed to relocate our village. Our native island of Sarichef is slowly eroding into the Chukchi Sea. Our village of Shishmaref needs enormous funds in order to match any state and federal money before the village can be moved to a site on the mainland.
Shishmaref, Alaska is a village of about 600 people. it is located on Sarichef Island in the Chukchi Sea just north of the Bering Strait, five miles from the Alaskan mainland. We are a traditional Inupiaq Eskimo village and our residents are proud of and rely heavily on a subsistence lifestyle. For more than two thousand years we have been hunting and gathering most of our food from this ancestral region.
Our island has experienced erosion of its north shoreline at an average loss of 3-5 feet per year except during the storms of 1973, 1997, and 2001 where erosion was as much as 125 feet of horizontal distance.
Many buildings were lost while others needed to be relocated to the farther end of the island. Our community has determined that it is unacceptable to continue to face the ever-present threat from ocean-based storms.
We voted on the only viable solution; to relocate the village to a nearby mainland location that is accessible to the sea, suitable for the subsistence lifestyle of our community, yet is still a part of our ancestral hunting grounds. We must preserve our Shishmaref Inupiat Eskimo people and our unique and precious culture.
No more money will be invested and all infrastructure building plans and grants for the current village have been canceled due to the eminent demise of our island. Subsequently, our village is without running water and there is no sewage system. We’ve run out of room and are unable to move homes that are in peril. Funds have been spent to build seawalls that may only postpone further erosion by fifteen years at the maximum to protect our community while plans are developed for the safe relocation of our town and its people.
We cannot successfully relocate on our own. “Igazaunoqtuut,” Inupiaq Eskimo for “We need help.” Advocates are needed to help with generating awareness, initiating fundraising activities, organizing benefits, and providing personal donations to our cause. For further information you may visit http://shismaref.bssd.org/sos. Donations for relocation should be made out to Shishmaref School for the SOS Project. Donations can also be made toward relocation at the Coalition website http:www.shishmarefrelocation.com. Quyaana, thank you.
-Students of Shishmaref School

Denali Commission offers
grants for energy projects

The Denali Commission and Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) have released two Requests for Proposals for Alternative/Renewable Energy and Energy Cost Reduction projects.
The Commission is offering up to $4.0 million in grant funds for alternative energy projects that serve rural Alaska. In addition, the Alaska Energy Authority is offering up to $1.0 million in grant funds for alternative energy project anywhere in Alaska.
Grants are available for pre-construction or construction tasks:
• Grants equal to 80% of approved pre-construction costs may be awarded to successful applicants
• Grants equal to 50% of approved construction costs may be awarded to successful applicants
AEA and its contractors will calculate a benefit-cost ratio for each project that meets the threshold criteria and will rank projects according to their benefit-cost ratio. No project with a benefit-cost ratio less than 1.0 will be offered grant funding under this RFP.
Complete application instructions can be found at the Commission’s website, www.denali.gov, including all eligibility and information requirements. Please download all attachments to the notice: Alternative Energy Solicitation; AES Construction Application; and AES Preconstruction Application.
Applications must be received by the Alaska Energy Authority at 813 West Northern Lights Boulevard, Anchorage, AK 99503, no later than 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008.
The Commission and AEA will consider providing additional grant funds depending on the quantity and quality of proposals received and funding available.
Please contact Rebecca Garrett at 907-771-3000 or toll free (Alaska only) at 888-3000-8534 with questions.

Wolf attacks on Marshall cause
concern for possible rabies outbreak

11-6-07

by Nick Andrew Jr.

People in Marshall are very concerned about the likelihood of a widespread rabies outbreak based on the fact that approximately 25 or dogs were directly and indirectly affected by the wolf attacks.
Be advised that dog mushers and other pet owners are not negligent, nor do they purposely overlook immunizing their dogs. All dogs and cats were regularly vaccinated in the past when Marshall had the presence of a Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO).
People here are on alert status, parents or guardians are escorting their children to and from school, and all children are ordered to be home before dark for their safety.
As recently as October 29, 2007, wolves were reported near the village, and people are concern that others in the wolf pack have rabies and may attack again targeting more dogs and even humans.
Three sled dog yards were attacked by wolves on October 25, 2007. Alex Evan who lives in close proximity to all three kennels began hearing the dogs barking wildly and fighting for their lives at about 7:30 P.M.
Clem Kameroff whose dogs were also attacked mentioned hearing all the commotion during the same timeframe. It was later that evening that it was confirmed that wolves had attacked the dogs when Tony Boliver, whose dogs were also attacked, found a female dog and all the pups dead along with 11 or more bloodied dogs.
Following Boliver, Kameroff later found two of his sled dogs injured from the wolf attack. By approximately 8:30 P.M., Gordon Coffee’s dogs were also attacked by wolves some 400 yards north of the Boliver and Kameroff kennels.
The area of town where the kennels are located is a wooded area on the lower outskirts of the village near the sewage lagoon which provided cover for the marauding wolves.
Later into the night local men armed themselves to protect the sled dogs and the community. During the hours to follow the men noticed the wolves had no real fear of them and at times ran within a few feet of them near Boliver’s kennel.
It is speculated that 5 or more wolves of the pack came into the village that night, one of which was shot and killed that later tested positive for rabies.
Within the next few days wolves were sighted around the village wandering on the roads and near homes. People were basically baffled about this odd behavior of the wolves and many expected the worst.
Local Yup’ik Eskimo Elder Paul Boots informed me that wolves are highly intelligent.
“They send a few pack members out to scout out hunting areas, and later come as a pack,” he said.
During the days to follow, four other wolves were shot and wounded near the village. Please be also advised that these wolves were targeted to only protect life and property.
Dog owners in Marshall do not have direct access to the required immunization shots and many dogs go immunized for rabies though not by choice, rather on availability.
It is a fact of life here in rural Alaska that responsible dog mushers keep their dogs chained which has offended many urban animal rights activists who dubbed the chaining of sled dogs as “bait” and “inhumane.”
This matter is very serious and there is a real possibility of a rabies outbreak in the village. It is not known how many dogs have been affected and only time will tell once the incubation period manifests those affected by the disease.
Effective November 1, 2007, the City of Marshall began destroying all loose and stray dogs, or dogs that have been suspected of being in contact with infected wolf.
Uncertainty is our biggest fear, at this time we don’t know the extent of the spread of rabies because rabies is spread through bites and saliva.
Ohogamiut Traditional Council (OTC)
Nick P. Andrew, Jr., Tribal Administrator
Marshall, AK

Marshall wolf tests positive for rabies

A wolf from a pack that killed six dogs in Marshall last week has tested positive for rabies.
Tests performed by the Alaska State Virology Laboratory (ASVL) confirmed the 17 month old female wolf was positive for rabies virus.
The pack entered Marshall last Thursday, October 25 and killed three adult dogs and three pups in one dog yard. One wolf was killed and several others may have been wounded by residents of the village. Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Wildlife Veterinarian Kimberlee Beckmen said it is possible other wolves in the pack have the disease as well.
“Rabies virus is present in saliva, and when several animals eat from the same source, the virus can be quickly spread to other members of the pack,” Dr. Beckmen said. “However, rabies is extremely rare in wolves in Alaska.”
No humans were injured by the wolves in Marshall. The people who came in contact with the rabid wolf when it was killed, skinned, and necropsied are being evaluated to determine if they were exposed to rabies virus.
Several dogs were bitten by wolves from the same pack. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Division of Public Health (DPH) advises dog owners in Marshall that if their dogs were previously vaccinated to have them revaccinated immediately, and then confine and observe them for 45 days to make sure they don’t come down with the disease.
Unvaccinated dogs that were exposed to the wolves run a very high risk of developing rabies in the next few weeks and can expose other animals and people. The DPH strongly recommends that unvaccinated dogs be euthanized to prevent the risk of spreading the rabies virus to people or other animals.
Dog owners in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta with questions or concerns should contact the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation Office of Environmental Health (OEH) at (907) 543-6420. OEH personnel are identifying and locating all dogs known to have been exposed to the wolves. State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Gerlach has contacted veterinarians in the region to enlist their assistance as well.
Only 18 wolves have tested positive for the disease in Alaska since 1977. The last confirmed case occurred in 1998 in a wolf from the Dillingham area. The disease is more commonly found in foxes in coastal areas, and some 35 animals have tested positive for rabies since 2006, along the west coast and North Slope of Alaska. As a result, efforts were made to vaccinate dogs in several Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta villages in 2007.
Rabies is spread when saliva from an infected animal comes into contact with another person or animal. Trappers are not normally exposed to the disease when skinning infected animals, but should be careful not to allow saliva or salivary glands to come in contact with open wounds.
For more information: Greg Wilkinson, DHSS Public Information Officer: 269-7285, cell: 382-7032

Future nurses of the Delta

10-2-07

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month & TWC is inviting community members to participate in various events throughout the upcoming weeks. These events are designed to promote education about family violence and honor those people who have been harmed by family violence.
Whether we realize it or not, most of us know someone who has been affected by family violence. In 2007 TWC has already provided more than 4,000 nights of shelter for victims of abuse. Last year, TWC received more than 600 crisis calls on the 24-hour hotline. While it is a positive sign that some victims choose to reach out and utilize services, the volume of need is very troubling. Working together, each of us can help keep victims safe and send the message that family violence will not be accepted in our communities.
Please join the staff of TWC in making this statement during October by joining one of the following activities:
•Peacewalk this Friday at noon, starting at the cultural center and walking to TWC where there will be sandwiches sponsored by Subway & soup sponsored by the shelter.
•Bring a dish to share at the Interfaith Luncheon at the Covenant Church at noon on the 13th.
•Join the Candlelight Ceremony at 7 p.m. on the 25th at TWC, honoring victims of domestic violence.
•Wear a purple ribbon or put a bumper sticker or magnet on your car showing your commitment to nonviolence - and watch for one of several displays that will go up during the month.
•Listen for PSAs and a new song about domestic violence, which was written by Brian McCaffery and recorded by Brian with Allison Broerman on KYUK.
Staying silent about family violence is what allows this problem to continue, hidden in secrecy - so please take the opportunity this awareness month to speak out or show your support.

Heather Johnson aces
Private Pilot written test

9-18-07

Heather Johnson took her Private Pilot written test on September 14, 2007. She is the first student with Yuut Yaqungviat who has received a perfect score with a written test.
Heather started her training with Yuut Yaqungviat on August 25, 2006, and took her first solo flight on June 2, 2007. She will pursue her instrument rating once she receives her Private Pilot certificate, which she is scheduling a check ride for in October 2007.
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a Professional Pilot, please contact Thad Tikiun, Student Services Manager at Yuut Yaqungviat, LLC at 907-543-7209 or on our Toll Free number 1-888-543-7209 to request a student pilot application or visit our website at www.yuutyaqungviat.org.

Cloud funnel spotted in Bethel

photos by Ashley Crace

8-28-07

This natural phenomenon, which may be a cold air funnel, occurred on Monday last week between 6:00 and 6:15pm and was observed by many residents of Bethel. Cold air funnels develop in cool air masses along with moist air and rarely impact the earth's surface.

Two Bethel planes go down

8-14-07

by The Delta Discovery staff

On Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plane on floats, while being moved to Hangar Lake from H-Marker Lake, crashed about a mile north of the Bethel Landfill site.
The FAA report on the incident said the plane experienced an in-flight engine failure. The pilot then attempted an emergency landing on a small lake but the plane flipped over after it hit the shoreline.
The pilot, who was slightly injured and alone in the incident, was able to call for assistance and his location to the authorities.
Two Bethel fire department and several Bethel Search and Rescue personnel on ATVs and a snowmachine were able to respond and assisted the pilot to a waiting ambulance on the Haroldsen Subdivision road.
On Friday, the plane, which did not appear to be damaged at first glance, was removed from its crash site to a location in Bethel to be examined.
On Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007, it was reported that a Ptarmigan Air Beaver on floats also flipped over while landing on the Kisaralik Lake.
A pilot and two passengers were aboard the Beaver.
Sources with knowledge of the incident said the expansive Kisaralik Lake was calm during the landing, which could make it difficult to judge distance between the water and the plane.
In these conditions, it was said the plane landed hard on the water, bounced and flipped over after hitting the water with one of its floats.
There were no fatalities in either of the floatplane incidents.

Emmonak receives
solid waste grant

Chad Padgett, acting Director of USDA Alaska Rural Development, announced that the City of Emmonak has been approved to receive a $41,000 grant from Alaska USDA to help the community’s effort to close the current local landfill and develop a new landfill in an environmentally suitable location.
Closure of the old landfill and relocation of solid waste to a new landfill will help relieve a significant health issue caused by leaching of the existing landfill into the Yukon River, which provides drinking water for Emmonak and several villages downstream.
“Moving the landfill has been the number one priority of the Elders of Emmonak,” said Emmonak City Manager Martin B. Moore. “The Elders said that we must move the landfill away from the water intake to protect the health of the community,” said Moore.
The Rural Development funds will be supplemented by a $13,000 local contribution. The funds will be used to develop cost projections and analysis associated with the preparation of Preliminary Engineering and an Environmental Reports required for the project.

2007-2008 Caribou
Season in the YK area

7-31-07

Caribou season on state managed land will be opening soon and everyone on the Yukon-Kuskokwim area is anxious to fill their freezers. Before heading out for caribou this fall and winter please be aware of the NEW bag limit and season dates.
In March 2007, the Alaska Board of Game passed a new regulation affecting the resident bag limit for the Mulchatna Caribou herd in Units 9, 17, 18, and 19. The bag limit for Alaska residents is now 2 caribou instead of 3. However, no more than one bull may be taken, and only one caribou may be taken from August 1 to January 31. The season dates remain the same for Alaska residents with the hunt opening August 1 and closing March 15. Also, meat-on-the-bone requirements apply to caribou taken prior to October 1 in Units 9B, 18, 19A, 19B.
Non residents may only harvest one caribou and the season has been shortened to September 1- September 15. Nonresident orientation is required in Unit 19B.
There are also changes affecting caribou hunting on federal public lands in Unit 18. An individual may only harvest 3 caribou; and no more than 1 caribou may be taken from August 1-November 30. The new federal season dates are August 1 through March 15.
Please contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Bethel with any questions you may have. 907-543-2433 or 1-800-425-2979.

Early fall moose hunt on Lower Yukon opened by Federal Subsistence Board

In response to local concerns, the Federal Subsistence Board has approved an early fall moose hunt on Federal lands in Unit 18 downriver and west of the Kuskokwim moratorium area. The open area includes, but is not limited to, all drainages downriver from Mountain Village on the Yukon River. This special early season is limited to Federal lands only, will run from August 10 to August 31, and is open only to Federally qualified subsistence users (rural Alaska residents qualified to harvest wildlife on Federal public lands). The harvest limit is one antlered bull per qualified user.
The Federal Subsistence Board approved this hunt in response to a proposal from local residents requesting an early hunt so that subsistence users could harvest moose 1) during their traditional berry-picking season, and 2) before local schools start the fall semester.
Because this hunt is restricted to Federal lands only in Unit 18 along the Lower Yukon River and in Unit 18 remainder, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be providing high quality land ownership maps to the tribal councils in each affected village. These maps should allow local subsistence users to determine where they can legally hunt during this early fall season. As always, harvest tags and a state hunting license are required. For additional information, contact a refuge officer at (907) 543-3151 or (800) 621-5804.

California couple assumes reins of
Shogun Restaurant

7-25-07

by Tommy Wells

Tom Valadez wasn’t at all sure what he had gotten himself into when he walked off the plane last fall to find snow swirling around and temperatures well below freezing.
Maybe the hour-long commute to and from work weren’t that bad.
Fortunately for Bethel, his mother – nor his wife – would let the cooking school phenom walk away.
A little over a year later, Tom and Melissa Valadez find themselves the new owners of one of Bethel’s finest restaurants – Shoguns. The couple assumed control of the business on July 1, taking over for Valadez’s mother, Anna Kim.
“This has been so much fun,” said Valadez. “I can see me doing this in Bethel for a long, long time. You can’t imagine how much we enjoy it here. My mother had been trying for years to get me to come up here. I’m so happy I did.”
So was Kim, who started out as a waitress at the original Shoguns restaurant that was located above the Alaska Commercial store before eventually buying the business.
“It’s time for me to retire,” she laughed. “It’s their time now.”
For Valadez, taking over Shoguns was a dream come true. Prior to coming to Bethel, he had attended cooking school at Grossmont College in California and helped cater several events with Hollywood stars in and around California and Mexico.
“Tom has always wanted to open a restaurant,” said Melissa Valadez. “When his mother offered us the chance to come here, we jumped on it.”
After he convinced her to try western Alaska.
“At first, I was like ‘no way. I’m not going to Alaska. I’m a southern California girl,’” laughed Valadez, the mother of twin boys, Kevin and Kyle and 2-year old daughter, Leah. “But his job (as a shipping coordinator at a computer facility) was killing him. He was tired of it. I saw how miserable he was so I told him to come up here and check out … and then we would talk about it.”
Valadez arrived for a week visit to Bethel that fall – arriving during a storm in which snow was blowing sideways.
“When I first came here, the snow was blowing so hard,” he said. “I remember looking out and saying ‘Oh my God!’”
Kim reassured her son, however. Things would get better, she said.
Sure enough, things did get better. During his visit, Valadez grew fond of Bethel and became convinced this was the place he wanted to be.
“It (Bethel) kind of grows on you,” he said. “The people here are so nice, it’s amazing.”
“We’ve made a lot of friends,” said Melissa. “The people have really taken us in with open arms.”
After taking over, the couple, with the help of their brother-in-law, Joey, closed the restaurant for five days to make some needed repairs and re-paint the interior. Local contractor Dan Billings helped with some of the repairs and created a separate area that will eventually be turned in a beauty salon.
Melissa Valadez is a licensed beautician, having managed a Super Cuts store in California.
The couple plans to make several additions to Shogun’s appeal in the near future, including expanding the menu’s salad bar and creating a menu of healthier foods featuring locally-grown organic vegetables when available. They are also adding a line of Mexican food to the menu – all made from scratch.
They also plan to create a “Date Night” format on Fridays in the coming months. The “Date Night” approach will allow couples to enjoy a Prime Rib meal while dining out.
“We want to make this a place where everyone enjoys coming,” she said.
Much like Tom, Melissa and Joey Valadez have.
“All in all, we’re very happy with our decision to come here,” she said.
Shoguns is open from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. from Sunday through Friday. The restaurant is closed on Saturdays.

Napaimute Traditional Council Takes First Hand Look at an Operating Alaskan Open Pit Gold Mine

6-19-07

“10 Seconds!” the radio warned. Seven visitors peered expectantly into largest man-made hole in the earth any of them had ever seen. The seconds ticked off in their heads until 300 under ground explosions went off in rapid succession like a string of giant firecrackers.

The patch of solid rock the people had been watching several hundred feet below lifted up a few feet and settled back down reminiscent of an isolated swell out in the Bering Sea. The small cloud of dust quickly settled revealing a new area of broken rock ready to be scooped up and carried away by colossal trucks to the mill where it would be further reduced and processed to get to the tiny particles that humans have been hungrily seeking through out the centuries – gold.

This was the Fort Knox Gold Mine near Fairbanks and the Napaimute Traditional Council, Administration, and Environmental Department had just witnessed the daily blasting of gold producing ore in the open pit.

For the past 11 years the Napaimute Traditional had been observing, learning about, and participating in the development of the Donlin Creek Project, 40 miles northeast of the village. The leadership and administration of Napaimute have attended countless meetings here in the region and across the State regarding the Project and the overall issue of large- scale natural resource development.

“We have been pulled this way and that way by the various opponents and proponents of Donlin Creek. We have endured an endless stream of misinformation propagated by biased radio talk shows, suspiciously-financed environmental groups, vocal individuals with the personal resources to shape public opinion, and the corporate mining industry itself,” says Napaimute’s Administrator.

In 2005 the Native Village of Napaimute began developing an Environmental Department under the EPA IGAP Program. “One of the main goals of this program is to understand the impacts of the development of Donlin Creek on this region,” explains Napaimute’s Environmental Coordinator, Mitchell Dammeyer. “ We need to focus on facts.”

Late in 2006 at their annual end-of-the year work session, the Napaimute Traditional Council set its priorities for 2007. One of the main directives given to Administration and the Environmental Department by the Council was: “Help us to the be the most informed Tribal Council in the Region on large-scale gold mining with a concentration on Donlin Creek”. Napaimute’s Environmental Coordinator, Mitchell Dammeyer, readily accepted this challenging task.

Arranging for the tour to the Ft Knox Gold Mine was just one of the many steps Mitchell has taken to fulfill this critical goal. It was time and expense well spent.

The Council wanted to see first hand what an operating open pit gold mine in the Alaskan Environment looks like, not one in the Lower 48 and not one operated by a company that wants to develop one here in our region. Napaimute’s leadership needed something to identify Donlin Creek with and against. The tour of Ft Knox was informative and a true eye-opener with regards to size and impact to the land.

The Council went to Ft Knox with three specific issues they wanted to learn about:

1.     The transportation & use of cyanide in the mining process
2.     Waste rock management as it relates to acid rock drainage
3.     The tailings impoundment

It became apparent during preliminary planning for the trip that the value of seeing Ft Knox would be for comparison and contrast to Donlin Creek only. Mines are very site-specific and even though Ft Knox and Donlin are located in very similar climates and topography (low hills drained by small creeks) there are great differences. As an operating mine, Donlin Creek will be very different in many ways.

The most obvious difference is in size. Donlin Creek will be much larger. The pit at Donlin potentially will be another 3 times larger than the pit at Ft Knox.

Also related to size is infrastructure. Because Ft Knox is located near a major Alaskan city (Fairbanks) with well developed energy and transportation systems it was much easier to develop and has a smaller footprint than Donlin Creek will have.

Ft Knox receives power from an electrical line that ties directly into the Rail Belt grid. The power line running to the Mine is hardly even noticeable as one drives towards the Site. Powering Donlin Creek is a major hurdle that has to be solved.

Perhaps the most surprising infrastructure component was fuel storage – there is none (at least very little). Napaimute has as much or more fuel storage than the Fort Knox Mine. Fuel is trucked daily from area suppliers to the mine to meet the needs of operations. Donlin Creek will need multi-million fuel storage capacities.

Also, there are no living quarters at the Ft Knox Mine. Because the mine is connected to the road system, employees commute daily from Fairbanks and other outlying communities.  Donlin Creek will need room and board facilities as well as recreational facilities on site. A 6,000’ paved runway is planned for Donlin Creek.

One important similarity between Ft Knox and Donlin is their location on important watersheds:

Ft. Knox is located on a tributary of the Little Chena River, which runs into the main Chena River, which runs through DOWNTOWN FAIRBANKS into the Tanana River and eventually into the Yukon.

Donlin is located on a tributary of Crooked Creek, which runs into the Kuskokwim. (No, it doesn’t flow into the Yukon as some people have said)

After observing these external differences and similarities between Ft Knox and Donlin Creek, the Council turned their attention to addressing the three critical environmental issues they came to learn about.

 According to Ft. Knox Mine Operators, the issue of waste rock and acid rock drainage isn’t a problem at Ft Knox. The geology there is very different than that of the Donlin Creek area. The ore body (the rocks that the gold is taken from) at Ft Knox is granite with very low sulfur and low heavy metal content. One can see from the picture above the gray rock in the pit. This is the ore body. Because of these characteristics, the waste rock needs little or no special treatment. Acid rock drainage won’t be an issue at Ft Knox. At closure, Ft Knox will be monitored for seven years. After that period, no additional monitoring will be required and the Mine Operators will basically walk away from it.

 Acid Rock Drainage will be an issue at Donlin. The level is still being determined and the project managers are working hard to address this. THIS IS ONE OF THE KEY ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES THAT WE WILL ALL NEED TO CONCENTRATE ON.

The next issue that the Napaimute Traditional Council looked at was the transportation & use of cyanide in the mining process at Ft. Knox. This is what was learned:

·      Ft Knox has been operating for 12 years.

·      Through out those 12 years cyanide has been safely transported on a monthly basis to the Mine. It is shipped in specialized containers (double/triple lined) that come in to Alaska by ship, and then railroad to Fairbanks then trucked to the Mine. (That’s a lot of handling without incident). It is trucked to the site with regular semi-trucks in the normal flow of traffic on the highway – no flashing lights, no pilot cars, and no big hazardous material signs. The transportation is all very routine.

·      During transportation, Cyanide is in a dry, pellet form.

·      Cyanide is a poison – not a toxin. It will kill you if in a high enough concentration, but it does not build up in human or animal systems and slowly kill like mercury or other toxic elements.

·      Cyanide is quickly broken down by sunlight. The small amount of cyanide that is in the tailings impoundment is below State Standards. In the summer it is very low due to the long hours of sunlight in Interior Alaska. Ducks were observed swimming in the tailings pond. The level is higher in winter due to ice cover and low sunlight, but is still low below the permitted level. The Ft. Knox tailings pond is permitted to a maximum of 10 parts per million (10 drops of cyanide to 1,000,000 drops of water).

·      They had a “cyanide leak” at Ft Knox this winter, which was reported on the news. In actuality, this was a leak of water from the tailings impoundment that had a few parts per million of cyanide in it – not pure cyanide as people were led to believe by the media.

·      Ft Knox has taken extensive measures to remediate and to try to ensure this doesn’t reoccur. But there are no guarantees that it can’t happen again.

·      The danger from cyanide in the tailings pond comes from it reaction with other chemical elements in the waste rock, which forms new harmful compounds that are not so easily broken down. Because Ft Knox has “clean” waste rock, this is not an issue at this mine. This potentially could be an issue at Donlin. It is not known yet. This will be another area for the people of the Kuskokwim to focus on regarding the development of Donlin Creek.

After learning about the use of cyanide in the mining process and observing the mill operations, the Council turned its attention to the tailings impoundment, which has been another area of big concern regarding the development of Donlin Creek.

The tailings (left over water and ground up rock from the mill) impoundment was impressive and, at first sight – alarming. The two valleys where Ft Knox is located are gradually being filled with the tailings. It looks like the mud flats around Cook Inlet or the outwash plain at the end of a glacier. The trees on the slopes of the valley are gradually being drowned as the level of the tailings rises over the years. It wasn’t clear how deep the valley originally was, but Ft Knox’s Public Relations Representative revealed that the water level was 40 feet deep with an undetermined depth of tailings underneath.

All of this is held back by a massive 300-foot high earthen dam made from blasted waste rock. Donlin Creek’s containment dam is proposed to be 900 feet high by the end of the life of the Mine.

As Napaimute’s Group was driven across the top of the dam and later to the bottom on the downstream side they tried to imagine the proposed dam at Donlin being three times higher, but it takes time to absorb the enormity of open pit mining and to accept that this very thing may occur right in their own region – on an even larger scale.

The tailings impoundment will be a crucial component of Donlin Creek if it is determined that the rock there produces high levels of acid, heavy metals, and other potentially harmful compounds. The people of the region will need every reassurance that nothing harmful can get past the dam and into the Kuskokwim watershed.

Below the dam, Ft Knox has reclaimed the valley that had been devastated by early 20^th century placer mining. The natural growth has come back providing good moose habitat (evidence of heavy moose browse on the willows was noted), there are live beaver houses in the creek, many ducks, and the mining company restocked the watershed w/ grayling which are now thriving. It’s important to remember that this same little creek eventually flows through downtown Fairbanks.

It was reassuring for the Council to see so much life so close to an operating open pit mine, but again, Napaimute’s leadership was reminded that Donlin Creek will not be the same as Ft Knox.

By the time the study of the tailings impoundment was finished, it was late. Through their many in depth questions, the Napaimute Traditional Council had stretched the standard 2 hour Ft Knox tour into 5 hours and everyone was tired.

The Napaimute Group left the Mine with a much better understanding of Open Pit Gold Mining Operations in the Alaska setting. And now have some thing to gauge the development of Donlin Creek by. All the Napaimute representatives participating in the tour agreed that the use and transportation of cyanide is not the issue to focus on. Cyanide is commonly transported safely across Alaska and the levels occurring in the tailings pond are very low. There are many other more toxic chemicals being transported and used throughout Alaska every day (petroleum products, explosives, etc.). The fact that it is transported in dry, pellet form was good to hear.

The main area of concern for our region regarding the development of Donlin Creek is the level of acid and heavy metals that will be produced in the waste rock if the Mine goes into operation and how this be addressed in both the short and long term by the Mine’s operators. The people will also need to know how the small amounts of cyanide in the tailings impoundment will react with these.

The short and long-term management of the tailings impoundment is an issue that the concerned people of the region must be involved in. Nobody wants to see a tailings impoundment like the one at Red Dog Mine (a lead & zinc mine in Northwest Alaska). It has to be treated in perpetuity – FOREVER! How can anything be treated forever?

As the tour of Ft Knox progressed from one component to another The Council tried to imagine the future and their own people back home doing the various jobs that were observed. There is a huge array of employment opportunities in a large-scale open pit mine. Many appear to be dirty, repetitious jobs while many others require high levels of training and occur in comfortable settings. A young person in the region thinking about working at Donlin Creek should be preparing him or herself for the level of employment most appealing to them.

Driving back down the highway towards Fairbanks in the early evening, Napaimute’s Council and Administration discussed all that they had seen at Ft Knox and what they had not seen. Napaimute’s Leadership understood that while this was not a tour sponsored by Barrick, it was still a “company tour” and as such were only shown the best sides of the Mining operation. They felt confident, though; that many questions were asked and answered that hadn’t been put forth before to the Company. This was evident by the additional mining personnel that were brought in by the tour guide to provide the answers being sought – especially regarding cyanide and other environmental concerns.

The Mining Companies want to show the best sides of their operations. The Environmental Groups want to show the worst.

The Napaimute Traditional Council, and hopefully, the people of the region continue to look for the truth.

They want their people to have steady, full-time employment if it can be accomplished with maximum protection of the environment so that everyone can continue the time-honored traditions of eating and sharing the food gathered from it.

As the evening thunderclouds gathered in hills to the north of Fairbanks, like the storms of controversy building over the development of Donlin Creek, the Council wondered to themselves, “Can this be done?”

In closing, while traveling to Anchorage and Fairbanks and driving the highway in between, Napaimute’s leadership observed two coal-fired power plants in the middle of Fairbanks (didn’t see any black soot or things dying) and preparations being made for another in the Mat-Su Valley. They noticed the power lines running between Alaska’s two largest cities that provide cheap electricity to the residents along its route. They also enjoyed the convenience and economics of traveling by car along the highway through miles and miles of unspoiled wilderness. “It’s no wonder so many of our people are moving to the “Valley”, was a comment made.

As Rural Alaska continues to be strangled by increasing energy costs (gas & diesel), maybe the people of the region need to seriously start exploring these options. 

Donlin Creek / Fort Knox Comparison

Category                                            Fort Knox                              Donlin Creek (P.A.*)

Daily through put (ore milled)             40,000 tones/day                     60,000 tones/day

Annual Gold Production                     330,000 oz                              up to 1,300,000 oz

Gold recovery method                         cyanide vat leach                     cyanide vat leach

Start Date                                            1996                                        2011 (est)

Ore “type”                                           low sulfur, high bismuth         moderate sulfur/metals

Expected mine life (years)                   initially:12 , currently: 18        22

Pit size                                                 1/2 1 mile                       2 miles X 1 mile

Pit dewatering                                     required                                   required

Stripping ratio (Waste : ore)                2 : 1                                         2 – 10 : 1  average 4 : 1

Tailings impoundment              1177 acres                               Aprox. 2000 acres (2.7 sq mi)

Final size of tailings dam                     350 vertical feet                       900 vertical feet

Pit reclamation                          fill with water                          fill with water

Tailings pond reclamation                   constructed wetland                 constructed wetland

Interesting comparisons to look for at Fort Knox

Donlin Creek

Electrical consumption                                    120 – 140 MW

Mill employees                                                175 people

Mine employees                                              275 people

Capitol costs                                                    $ 2.1 Billion

* From SRK Preliminary Assessment

In Kuwait Desert, Alaska Soldiers teach civilians
how to shoot

6-19-07

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – In Kuwait, a few miles south of the Iraq border, a squad of Alaska Army National Guardsmen recently met up with a group of American civilians for marksmanship training.
The squad’s mission was to teach the civilians how to fire the M-4 rifle, the standard U.S. infantry weapon used in Iraq and Afghanistan. The weapons training is part of a U.S. Department of Defense program, Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, to increase public understanding of military personnel, equipment and missions.
In selecting civilians for the program, the department looks for “opinion makers” with nationally recognized backgrounds in areas such as entrepreneurship, academics and politics. Another selection criteria is lack of knowledge about and professional connections with the military. The idea being that participants will return home and share their new found knowledge and experiences with colleagues and friends.
The Soldiers were selected in part because of their unusual marksmanship skills. Eight of the nine squad members are Yup’ik Eskimos and they grew up with rifles in their hands. As subsistence hunters back home, they provide most of their families’ food by hunting game such as waterfowl, seals, caribou, and moose.
“This is a very high level event, and we are honored and proud to be part of it,” said 1st Lt. Christopher Raabe, a platoon leader for Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry, Alaska Army National Guard. Raabe and Staff Sgt. Raul Luevano handpicked the members of the squad from their platoon.
“You can’t ask for better Soldiers,” said Luevano, a veteran of Desert Storm, the 1991 war with Iraq and the war in Afghanistan. “They’re nicknamed the super squad,” Raabe added.
Spc. Joseph Lowe from Bethel, Alaska, found instructing civilians a good break from his normal day-to-day duties. “It was different. We talked about how to shoot and what we do over here. I worked with the vice president of a company that runs the Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trail Blazers,” Lowe said.
“Instructing civilians was pretty good. I worked with two women and they fired better than some of the guys,” said Spc. Jacob Olson of Hooper Bay, Alaska, who worked with Susan Savage, the Oklahoma secretary of state.
In addition to marksmanship training, the squad also provided the civilians with a demonstration on Close Quarters Marksmanship, firing live ammunition as they moved towards targets. The squad trained for days orchestrating their movements as they fired from standing, kneeling and prone positions.
Training in Kuwait doesn’t always take place under ideal conditions. Temperatures are now reaching 100 degrees and strong desert winds blow sand obstructing vision and stinging the face. Camels and goats commonly graze next to the firing ranges and have to be herded away before weapons training can begin.
“As infantry, you can never get enough range time, so the training has been great,” said Luevano about the event.
“The civilians asked us how our life was over here,” said Spc. Michael Glore from Bethel, Alaska. “I told them about how our discipline and teamwork has gotten stronger – how we have to take care of each other. So, when they go back stateside, they will let their people know how we work together. For us it’s like a big family,” said Glore, whose family in Kuwait also includes two brothers who are also members of the 3rd Battalion.
Sgt. Michael Wassilie, the squad leader, was proud of how his men performed. “It was pretty much what we always do except for the teaching,” he said.
Later, all participating 3rd Battalion Soldiers met with Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb, commanding general of the Third Army, and received the general’s coin. Commanders’ coins are awarded to Soldiers providing outstanding service.

Revenue sharing
to be funded for one year

5-23-07

by Rep. Mary Nelson

Some good news: The 2007 legislative session ended with funding for one year of revenue sharing for local governments—for both municipalities and unincorporated communities.
That’s the headline story in my mind because the battle getting there was especially difficult. For most of the session leaders in the House resisted funding for local governments beyond what they planned to spend to help bail out local debt for the retirement cost obligations. Throughout the session we heard speeches in opposition to revenue sharing plans from House Republicans, who argued that PERS/TRS money, capital projects, grants for programs, etc., are all forms of revenue sharing.
The Senate, through the newly formed bi-partisan coalition armed with Senator Hoffman’s proposal, stood their ground until the closing hours of negotiation. On the House side, I’m proud to say members of my Democratic Caucus stood with those of us in the Bush Caucus working hard through negotiations to the closing hours.
We’ll have the revenue sharing battle again next year, but that’s probably a good thing. The closing night stand-off tipped the funding scale toward the big urban cities. The plan we ultimately put back into law for annual payments should be balanced and fair to communities across the state.
The legislature also increased funding for education, again with one-year funding. We spend about 1/3 of state general fund dollars on education each year so education funding is always a major debate. Since the last major re-write of the funding formula that shifted dollars to favor urban schools (SB 36 in 1998), a major part of my legislative capital has been spent on trying to influence a more equitable distribution in the state.
This year we set aside $1 billion in the public school fund, a step toward having money available to early or forward fund education. We doubled the amount funded last year for area cost differential deficits for rural schools. We helped every district in the state by directly paying retirement cost obligations. We continued funding for school improvement grants. In total, the legislature appropriated $112 million (13%) above the Governor’s original request.
But we didn’t get the real, long term rewrite needed. Instead, the legislature approved another last minute resolution (SCR 11) creating a task force to review the foundation formula and make recommendations by September 1 of this year. Those appointed to this task force (five senators, five representatives and one public member) will have a short window of time for their work and there are many expectations that they will emerge with plan that will have broad support for a new funding formula. I will be following the work closely, along with others who carry the torch for quality education for our children.
One major disappointment of this session was the failure to pass either Senior Assistance or Longevity Bonus. Major work went into two bills in the (HB 198 and SB 4) to improve the senior assistance program. The net is much wider in terms of eligibility and benefits under the proposed senior assistance program than the one cast by the longevity bonus recipient list, so many of us came to support those bills.
The statutory authority and funds for the current senior assistance program runs out on June 30 of this year. More than 6600 seniors (age 65 and over) who earn less than 127% of the federal poverty guideline currently receive $120 month. Both HB 198 and SB 4 proposed raising the income guideline to 175% of the poverty level, bringing in more seniors. Unfortunately, neither made it to the House floor for a final vote.
There are members of the legislature who believe other programs we have in place now for seniors are sufficient. But there are many of us who understand that Senior Assistance is not simply an extension of welfare. With the support of the Governor and a renewed lobby effort next session I’m hopeful we can get a different result on the next go-around. This is a priority for me and for many of my colleagues.
On the heels of adjournment came the news that we can expect to be called back for a special session this fall. The Governor is suggesting we revisit PPT (the petroleum production tax) law, passed in special session last year and which now is under a cloud since the FBI indictments of VECO officials and certain legislators. Another possible topic for special session is SB 80, a bill that dealt with allowable deductions in determining the production tax value of oil and gas. That senate bill made it through the Senate but was held in committee at the end of session.

2007 Kuskokwim River Breakup

5-9-07

This year the Kuskokwim River broke up in front of Bethel on May 3, 2007 at 8:28pm. This is the first time in the written history of Bethel that the river went out on May 3rd.
Luzvahinda Hepner of Bethel is this year’s Ice Classic winner. Her guess of May 3, 2007 8:28pm was “right on the money” said Ice Classic Manager Zach Brown.
For her winning guess, Hepner took home half of the $17,355.00 ticket sales pot raised by Bethel Community Services and the Bethel Regional High School volunteers. The money raised for the students will go towards the BRHS activities fund.
Brown said that there were quite a few guesses for April 31st, which does not exist. There are only 30 days in April.
The annual Break-up Bash was also held last week with performances by the band “Soft & Clear” and Terryl Miller.
Zach Brown would like to thank hot dog chefs Ross Boring and Thor Williams who grilled and served 1200 tasty hot dogs, and to his “right hand man” Kevin Morgan for their help at the Bash.

Kuskokwim Ice Classic 2007

4-10-07

by K.J. Lincoln

Last week we spoke with Zach Brown, the Kuskokwim Ice Classic Manager about this year’s Kuskokwim Ice Classic.
DD: How many years has it been for the Kuskokwim Ice Classic?
ZB: I’m not sure which year it is. It’s the 3rd year I’ve been doing it, but it’s been going on since the beginning of the 80’s, maybe longer. There’s a poster in the booth from 1988 so I know for sure that far.
DD: Any expert predictions as to when the ice will go out?
ZB: Nobody has any predictions. Everybody’s talking about how there’s a lot of sand on the river and it’s making it degrade faster than usual so that’s going to play a factor, but I haven’t heard any expert predictions. Probably beginning of May at this rate.
DD: When’s the last day to buy tickets?
ZB: The 16th of April is the last day. There’s drop boxes at Q2, Wells Fargo, Hagelands, Grant, AC and Swanson’s, those are the main sponsor drop boxes. That will be it for that and when the river breaks we will have the big Break Up Bash.
DD: Who organizes the Ice Classic?
ZB: BSC Foundation is the one who organizes it and puts it on and BRHS sells all the tickets and does all the marketing. The BRHS activities fund gets half and the winner gets half of the money and it’s been $5000 to the winner the past two years.
DD: How thick is the ice now?
ZB: When we put in the tripod, it was over 4 feet thick. It’s pretty thick.
DD: When the ice goes out what happens to the clocks?
ZB: The timing mechanism is kind of a neat deal. When the ice breaks it brings the tripod down and it has to go 200 feet and then it pulls the mechanism out and stops all three clocks, and there’s a battery backup in case the power goes out.
DD: Have you had any trouble with vandals?
ZB: Never… Well, we have. I went down and marked the whole area with K300 trail markers and somebody came and stole them all. So now if snowmachines go in the dark they’re not going to be able to see it. Its not like they ran them over with a snowmachine, they stole all the markers, the stakes.
DD: What will people see at the Break Up Bash?
ZB: We should have a bunch of local musicians and hopefully Jacques Longpre will come down from Aniak to play. The Break Up Bash was something that my class did in high school every year, we’d have music at the end of every year. When I started doing this three years ago Jacques and I had the idea to do a show kind of thing instead of just hotdogs on the river, so maybe he’ll come down and play.
DD: Can Eskimo Dance groups perform?
ZB: Yeah, it’s totally open. I always put it out on Talkline for groups who want to perform and we have 3-4 hours of time. It’s always hard to get people to perform so if there’s a dance group or fiddle band who want to come up for 20 minutes, yeah, anything.
DD: Thank you very much!
ZB: Groovy!

3rd Annual Bethel Dog Show

2-13-07

The 3rd Annual Bethel Dog Show was held at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center on February 11, 2007. There were 26 entrants at the popular event, which was sponsored by the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center, The Old Friendly Dog Farm, Dr. Bob Sept., and Reyne Athanas (announcer and MC).
Traditional Category Winners:
Hound Group: “Dog Bones” - Sophie Richardson
Non-Sporting: “Bear” - Kristie Harrison
Terrier Group: “Duchess” - Andrea Wade
Toy Group: “Blackie” - Jon, Marlissa, and William Springer
Working Group: “Obie” - Ryan Burke
Best Delta Mix: “Baxter” - Matt Greenburg
Best in Show: “Baxter” – Matt Greenburg
Non-Traditional Category Winners:
Most Independent: “Sage” - John, Naomi, and Cole Cashion
Best Trick: “Tui” - Stephanie Murat
Most Unusual Markings: “Macy” - Erin Kavanaugh
Most Original Costume: “Lucy” – Ann Grover (2nd Yr. Winner)
Best Tail Wagger: “Pepper” – Nina
Most Mysterious Heritage: “Rosie” – Mary and Andrew Ward
Best Vocal Performance: “Scottie”
Most Adorable: “Noelle” – Lily Reichard
Best in Show: “Tui” – Stephanie Murat
“Thank you for participating and for coming,” said Athanas.

Kusko to enjoy
21 musher field in 2007

1-17-07

by Tommy Wells

The Kuskokwim 300 sled dog race is all about old faces, new places … and, of course, the $20,000 first-place prize.
As of Sunday, Jan. 14, 21 mushers had signed up to compete in the state's premier mid-distance sled dog race, a 300-mile race from Bethel to Pike Lake above Aniak and back. The number of entrants could be the most to start a race. 27 signed up for the event in 2004. In all, 23 signed up for last years event, but five were forced to withdraw due to weather delays.
Among the big-name races making his return is eight-time K300 winner Jeff King. The 2006 Kuskokwim and Iditarod Trail champion, the Denali musher is off to a hot start to the 2007 season. He won the recent Knik 200 title.
King is also one of 16 Iditarod veterans scheduled to compete in the 27th annual running of the Kuskokwim race.
Sled dog racing veterans scheduled to join King on the trail are former Iditarod champions Martin Buser and Gerald Riley. Three former Yukon Quest winners are among the field, including Lance Mackey, Aliy Zirkle and Ramy Brooks.
The Kuskokwim 300 is scheduled to get under way on Jan. 19 - along with the start of the K300 Race Committee's other event, the Bogus Creek 150 - when mushers slide out onto the river beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Race fans will notice several differences in this year's course, including having teams mush their way through Kwethluk instead of the traditional route through Akiachak. Mushers will also visit the village of Aniak twice, returning to the village from Pike Lake before beginning their trip back to Bethel.
The changes were made in an effort to improve the conditions of the course, said race officials. The trail, due to weather, has been tough in spots over the past years.
After leaving Bethel, the mushers and their teams will travel up the river through the villages of Kwethluk, Akiak, Tuluksak and Kalskag before reaching Aniak. Once in Aniak, the teams will leave the river and travel north to the Pike Lake checkpoint before returning to Aniak and beginning the final run to the finish line. The Pike Lake portion of the race was scratched a year ago due to weather conditions.
King won his record eighth K300 title a year ago. He completed the 2006 race in a time of 35 hours, 49 minutes and 56 seconds - less than two minutes of defending K3-00 champion Mitch Seavey.
The win was King's first K300 title since 2003. He rode the momentum created by the victory to a win in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in March.

Carriers bring in the
goods for the 2007 K300

This year the K300 is relying on the good folks from Northern Air Cargo and Lynden Air Cargo to transport nearly two tons of race supplies to Bethel and Aniak.
By the time the race starts, NAC will have hauled over 3000 lbs of straw, fireworks, and trail supplies to Bethel and Aniak. Lynden will also contribute nearly 1/4 ton to the effort.
"NAC is a relative newcomer to our family of sponsors, and they are coming through in a big way. Lynden has always been generous and reliable, and this year is no exception," says Co-Race Manager Gabe Gomes. "These big carriers will put in plenty of hours helping out the mushers with their gear and dogs, and we are grateful that they can help out the K300 as well."

2006 K300 Results

Place MUSHER Finish Time Elapsed Time
1 Jeff King 11:49:56 PM 35:49:56
2 Mitch Seavey 11:51:31 PM 35:51:31
3 Ramy Brooks 1:19:25 AM 37:19:25
4 Jon Little 1:21:35 AM 37:21:35
5 Ed Iten 2:21:41 AM 38:21:41
6 Jake Lysyshyn 2:45:00 AM 38:45:00
7 John Baker 3:34:23 AM 39:34:23
8 Mike Williams 5:42:55 AM 41:42:55
9 Andy Angstman 6:13:13 AM 42:13:13
10 Aaron Burmeister 7:20:03 AM 19:20:03
11 Aliy Zirkle 7:56:05 AM 43:56:05
12 J.T. Hessert 8:50:04 AM 44:50:04
13 Paul Gebhart 9:15:51 AM 45:15:51
14 Darin Nelson 10:24:10 AM 46:24:10
15 Mike Jayne 10:41:03 AM 46:41:03
16 Jerry Riley 11:32:25 AM 47:32:25
17 Martin Buser 12:32:54 PM 48:32:54
18 Bill Pinkham 4:47:00 PM 52:47:00
S Linwood Fiedler Aniak
S Dalton Fiedler Aniak
S Mark May Aniak
S Nathan Underwood Aniak
S Matthias Blum Kalskag

2006 Bogus Creek
150 Race Results

Place MUSHER Finish Time
1 Michael Williams Jr. 16:46:38
2 Jim George 17:13:00
3 John Simon 17:13:30
4 Sam Jackson 17:18:00
5 Schouviller Wassilie 17:33:58
6 Walter George 18:08:30
7 Ron Kaiser 18:08:35
8 Carl Andrew 18:32:00
9 Peter Jackson 18:43:00
10 Jessica Klejka 18:52:15
11 Robert Tikiun 19:17:34
12 Glen Demientieff 19:43:15
S Ryan Evans Scratch
S Peter Gilila Scratch

2006 Akiak
Dash Results

Finish Musher
1 Housler
2 Larson
3 George, J
4 Nose
5 Evan
6 Riley, Sr.
7 Hoffman
8 Alexie
9 Egoak
10 Black
11 Cooke
12 Hamblin
S Goosen

Bethel Police Report

1-10-07

Assault in the 2nd Degree: On December 30, 2006, at approximately 3:26am, the Bethel Police Department received a 911 call from John Paul Pitka (age 35, of Toksook Bay). Pitka requested medics and an officer, because his ear had been bitten off in a fight. Pitka identified his assailant as Deric Andrew (age 22, of Bethel). After further investigation Deric Andrew was later located and interviewed at his residence. Deric Andrew was subsequently arrested and remanded to YKCC on the charge of Assault in the 2nd degree. Pitka was later transported to Anchorage due to the nature and severity of his injuries. Alcohol was a factor in this incident.

2006 AVCP Children of Subsistence Photo Contest results

1-4-07

The Association of Village Council Presidents, Division of Realty/Natural Resources announced the winners of the 2006 AVCP Children of Subsistence Photo Contest on December 21, 2006.
The winners are:
Grand Prize: Lorraine Brown, Eek $500
1st Prize: Leroy Friendly, Tuntutuliak $400
2nd Prize: Ann Marie Tinker, Kasigluk $300
3rd Prize: Ida Charlie, Bethel $200
Honorable Mention: Nellie Abraham, Chefornak $100
The contest began during the month of October and concluded on December 1, 2006. AVCP received a total of 229 entries from most of the villages and the community of Bethel. 98 photos were selected as the finalists from voters to choose from.
"All the entries were of excellent quality and it was extremely hard to narrow it down to 98 photos," said Teresa Jacobsson, Division Administrator. "In reviewing the photos, it does something to you."
Many of the photos depict the smallest of children participating in various activities of the subsistence way of life.
Although the advertised deadline for awards was December 15, 2006, AVCP extended the deadline to December 20, 2006 to allow voters time to select their favorites.
The photos collected will be used in a 2008 Children of Subsistence calendar. The proceeds of the calendar will be used to fund the AVCP Natural Resources program whose primary purpose is to protect the subsistence way of life.
AVCP would like to extend their appreciation to all the people who participated in the contest and voters who selected the winning entries. You are invited to please stop by the Lomack Building at 101 A Main Street to view the winning photos and the others that were entered.
If anyone has questions regarding this press release, please contact Teresa Jacobssen at 543-7351 or Timothy Andrew at 543-7340. People in the villages can call 1-800-478-3521 and ask for Teresa or Tim. Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!

Moonlight Mushing Dog Rescue

9-27-06

by Ben Bruce

Moonlight Mushing Dog Rescue LLC., a Bethel dog rescue and adoption service, is announcing a new program designed to make the experience of running a dog team available to the general public.
Have you always wanted to experience the thrill of riding a dog sled or driving a dog team? Now you can, and support the continued rescue of unwanted dogs. Moonlight Mushing Dog Rescue LLC. will have a variety of services available to the general public this winter including dog sled rides, dog handling workshops, basic mushing workshops, fun runs and overnight trips and tours.
Since the summer of 2003, Moonlight Mushing has been rescuing and adopting unwanted dogs, sled dogs and even entire teams. These dogs have either been adopted by community members, become part of the working team, or have been humanely put down. The recently created Moonlight Mushing Dog Rescue LLC. was originated to improve awareness, promote dog sports and generate funds to expand and maintain a rescue kennel in the Kuskokwim River Delta.
Ben and Michelle Bruce, the founders, have been given or have adopted 16 dogs in the past six weeks alone. Many more have been turned away. Hopefully, the creation of this self-supporting program will generate enough funds to expand the rescue effort. All revenue will be put back into the program.
In extreme rescues of non working breeds such as lab puppies thrown in a dumpster just after being born and injured animals that the Bethel Police officers bring to the kennel are also part of the program.
Moonlight Mushing Dog Rescue LLC. usually has dogs available for adoption. After the dogs are wormed, given all current vaccinations and evaluated they are either trained and placed in the working teams, adopted or humanely put down. Not all rescue dogs are suitable for the working team or adoption. The evaluation process takes time and a tremendous amount of effort, resources and patience.
If you would like more information on available dogs, all of the upcoming rides, workshops, trips and services available this winter, give Moonlight Mushing Dog Rescue LLC. a call in Bethel at 543-3388 or e-mail us at moonlightmushingkennel@hotmail.com.

Legislature passes new petroleum production tax

Ocean moose

Hunters from the village of Emmonak encountered two young bull Bering Sea Moose while out seal and whale hunting in late July on the Bering Sea off the mouth of the Yukon River. The moose were five miles from land just standing in water when they were first spotted. The moose were herded inland through shallow waters and across ocean channels until they came safely to land. Although it is unusual to see moose so far out in the ocean, it is not unheard of especially in the past several years at the mouth of the Yukon River.

Y-K soldiers begin year-long tour in Afghanistan

6/27/06

by Tommy Wells

Karla Moses wakes up every day to a smell she would just as soon not have to endure, and a heat that bakes her skin and forces her to drink enough water to fill the Kuskokwim River.
To be sure, the semi-arid Middle Eastern country of Afghanistan isn't anything to close to the 22-year-old's home in Akiachak. But, it is home to someone, and that makes it worth her time - and the time of several Yukon-Kuskokwim residents as they begin a year-long tour of duty with a multi-national security force helping the newly established democratic nation grow as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Afghanistan is hot, it smells bad, and there is dust flying about everyday," said Moses, a supply truck driver with the Army National Guard's 207th Infantry brigade from Bethel. "But I'm getting used to the heat very slowly."
Moses, along Y-K residents Maj. William (Bill) Luce and Maj. Allen Alirkar, are among a large contingent of soldiers from several countries who began a tour of duty in Afghanistan on June 2. The group – consisting of soldiers from Canada, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Denmark, Australia, Romania, Estonia, France, Afghanistan and the U.S. – will oversee the movement and storage of all supplies in the southern half of the country for the Multi-National Brigade before returning home next summer.
"I believe the heat and consuming large quantities of water to keep from getting dehydrated (is the toughest thing to become accustomed to)," said Luce, a longtime resident of the Y-K Delta. "It was 118 degrees in the shade two days ago, but it has been a good experience being here with my fellow Alaskans as well as soldiers from many other states that came with us."
Luce, who has been in 2nd Battalion based in Bethel since 1996, is a familiar face throughout the Y-K. Prior to departing for Afghanistan, the 25-year veteran of the Alaska Army National Guard and the U.S. Army served as a teacher at Kilbuck and Newtok, and worked as a therapist with the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation. He began serving full-time in the Alaska Army National Guard in 2000, serving as the Battalion Executive Officer for the 2-297th Infantry (Scout) Battalion before being deployed to Afghanistan.
Moses, the daughter of the late George Moses Sr., and Luce say their efforts in Afghanistan are helping make a difference in the future of the unstable Middle East. The multi-national forces' presence is helping the country's newly-elected government get established, while also helping prevent interference from Afghanistan's volatile neighbors Pakistan and Iran and remnants of the Taliban and al-Qaida terrorist cells.
"Listening to other dedicated soldiers from all over the world, there is progress being made here," said Luce, whose wife Julianne was the Kilbuck Elementary librarian/teacher for seven years. "I have not been here long enough to know the details first-hand, but everyone says we are making strides here."
Even while the three Y-K residents begin their mission in Afghanistan, their minds are with relatives and friends at home – and with 297th Infantry Scout Battalion which is scheduled to be deployed later this year.
"I just wanted to say hi to my friends and family, and thank you to everyone for your prayers and support for the troops that are serving our great country," said Luce, adding his thoughts were with his former unit. "Good luck to the 297Th Infantry Scouts. They will be in my prayers, too."
Alirkar, a 19-year veteran of the Alaska Army National Guard from Toksook Bay, said his thoughts were with his family and friends at home.
"I would like to say to the residents of Kuskokwim Delta that we are proud to represent our area and best of all, we miss our families and friends," said Alirkar, who works as the Multi-National Brigade J6 Information Management Officer in Afghanistan. "I also would like to wish the soldiers who are also deploying next month the best of luck. Be safe and catch as much subsistence food before your departure for your families and/or relatives."
Prior to deployment to Afghanistan, Alirkar worked for Unicom, Inc. as an internet/computer technician in Bethel. Having spent much of his career with the 2nd Battalion (Scout) 297th Infantry, he was mobilized for training at Fort Richardson in April.
Local residents wishing to send donations or care packages to Y-K soldiers serving in Afghanistan can do so by sending items to:
First Name Last Name (no rank)
207th Inf Bde - TF Aegis
APO AE 09355

Cigarette Tax

will go up on July 1

5/23/06

The Alaska Department of Revenue will begin collecting a higher rate of tax on cigarettes beginning July 1. The tax will go up by 20 cents on a pack of cigarettes, or from the current rate of eight cents per cigarette to nine cents. The increase is one of a series of phased-in increases authorized by the Legislature in 2004.

The tax increase legislation did not include a floor stack tax. Therefore, cigarettes physically in the state on or before June 30 will be taxed at the old rate of $.08 per cigarette. Cigarettes imported into the state after June 30 will be taxed at the new rate of $.09 per cigarette. These rates apply only to certain cigarettes manufactured by companies that are signatories of the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA), a 1998 agreement between 46 states and several major tobacco companies.

The tax on cigarettes manufactured by nonparticipating manufacturers, those who did not sign the MSA, will be taxed at the rate of $.1025 per cigarette ($2.05 per pack of twenty).

?This increase is the second of three increases passed by the legislature during a special legislative session called by Governor Murkowski in July 2004,? said Johanna Bales, the supervisor of the excise tax group of the Tax Division. ?The final increase will take place on July 1, 2007, when the tax on a pack of cigarettes will be $2.00.?

Revenue generated by the cigarette tax is deposited into the School Fund and General Fund. The School Fund receives $.038 per cigarette. The remainder of the cigarette tax is deposited in the General Fund. In addition, beginning January 1, 2005, the legislature may appropriate 8.9% of the receipts deposited in the General Fund to the Tobacco Use Education and Cessation Fund for tobacco cessation programs.

The Alaska cigarette excise tax is paid through the use of tax stamps. ?Cigarette tax stamps reflecting the new tax rate will be available for sale beginning June 1st,? Ms. Bales said. Cigarettes sold or possessed in the state that do not bear a valid tax stamp are contraband and are subject to immediate seizure.

For more information concerning the cigarette tax increase, please contact either Janis Hales at (907) 269-6627 or Terri Doyle at (907) 269-6924 with the State of Alaska Tax Division.

Alaskans urged to get

ready now for 2006 PFD

12/13/05

The application period for the 2006 Permanent Fund Dividend does not begin until January 2, however, Alaskans can get ready now by setting up an account to electronically sign next year?s application through the state?s myAlaska program, PFD Division officials announced last week.

?Alaskans who already have a myAlaska account do not need to set up an account because their myAlaska account can be used year after year,? said PFD Division Director Sharon Barton. ?The division is promoting and urging Alaskans who do not have an account to take advantage of our ?myAlaska? registration drive in December.?

Division staff will be available in the Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau information offices to assist those who want help setting up an electronic signature account. The information offices will be equipped with computers for public use.

To set up an account, a person must have a valid Alaska driver?s license or identification card and been approved for a dividend in 2005. Alaskans outside of Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau can call the division?s toll-free number for assistance: 1-800-733-8813.

Alaskans can also go online to www.pfd.state.ak.us to set up a myAlaska account and learn more about the electronic signature program. Those who do not set up a myAlaska account can still apply online but are required to send a paper signature page to the division. Adults who have a myAlaska account can apply online and electronically sign their children?s dividend applications.

PFD Chief of Operations Paul Dick said the division received more than 211,000 online applications in 2005. About 130,000 of those were electronically signed. ?The number of Alaskans who electronically signed their online applications nearly doubled from 2004. We expect to receive 325,000 online applications next year and we would like to see all of those applications electronically signed,? he added.

Barton said the division has changed its payment schedule for 2006 to encourage more Alaskans to apply online and early because 2006 will feature two direct deposits in October. Alaskans who apply online in January and qualify for direct deposit will receive their dividend on October 4. Others who qualify for direct deposit will receive their dividend on October 19. Persons who choose to be paid by check will receive their checks in mid-November.

?Our records from last year indicate that internet access and direct deposit are available today in almost every community in Alaska,? Barton said. ?The online application process and direct deposit are more cost efficient and secure than paper applications and mailed checks.?

She added, ?We are hoping that the payment incentives will encourage Alaskans to make the change. Our staff will be available to assist Alaskans all around the state to apply online for their PFD next year.?

The 2006 application period runs from January 2 through March 31. The online application will be available at 12:01 am on January 2. The 2006 dividend amount will be announced next September.

K-300 Crowley Marine Campout Race Set

The K-300 will host its annual Campout Race on March 5th and 6th. Mushers and campers will start the race on Saturday at 11AM. The starting point will be announced on Thursday afternoon. Mushers will have a non-competitive run 50 miles up to the predetermined camping spot and will race back to Bethel on Sunday Morning. Campers are encouraged to come along. The race will have a $5,0000 purse with no entry fee for mushers. The annual event is sponsored this year by Crowley Marine. Call the K-300 Race Committee at 543-3300 for more information or check www.k300.org for updates.

TWC seeks Yukegtaaq nominations

The Tundra Women?s Coalition is seeking nominations for this year?s Yukegtaaq Person of the Year Award. TWC?s Fourth Annual Yukegtaaq Dinner will be held on April 23, 2005 to honor the chosen nominee. Previous recipients were Annie Lou Williams of Kalskag, Julia Brown of Kongiganak, and Joan Hamilton of Bethel. Nominations - including descriptions of the qualities that TWC is looking for in the candidate - are in the Tundra Drums, posted on bulletin boards, and can be faxed to you from TWC upon request.

Call TWC at 543-3444 for a faxed nomination form. The deadline is March 4 for nominations. The dinner is planned for April 23, location TBA. Thank you!

Bethel Lions Club Easter egg hunt

The Bethel Lions Club Annual Easter egg hunt will be held on Saturday, March 26th at Pinky?s Park. Instead of having a mass start, this year there will be a change. There will be 2 different starting times: ages 1-3 and 4-6 will start at 12 noon. Ages 7-9 and 10-12 will start at 12:30pm. There will be lots of eggs, prizes, and chances to win a bike, plus free hot dogs and hot chocolate. Come and join the fun!

Ferguson wins Tech-savvy Superintendent Award

The superintendent for the Lower Kuskokwim School District ? William Ferguson ? has been chosen as one of the ten superintendents in the nation to receive a 2005 Tech-savvy Superintendent Award. This award is sponsored by eSchool News.

The award is given based on leadership and vision in the area of educational technology.

?The growing influence of technology in the nation?s schools is changing our expectations of the superintendency,? said eSchool News. ?As schools come to rely on computers and the internet to engage students? interest, track their progress, and aid in decision making, an understanding of how technology works and how it can be used to transform teaching and learning is an increasingly essential characteristic for the 21st-century school executive.?

Ferguson believes technology is essential in helping his students, many of whom live in neighborhoods accessible only by boat or plane, realize their potential, said eSchool News. LKSD has infrastructure that supports the delivery of two-way video through satellite transmission, a stable of online classes for students and teachers including college credit courses, and interactive computer programs, among other services. District staff and School Board also have the opportunity to take college courses and workshops detailing district standards, student data tracking procedures, and new teaching strategies while striving to keep in line with federal standards.

eSchool News is a monthly print newspaper providing the news and information necessary to help K-20 decision-makers successfully use technology and the Internet to transform North America?s schools and colleges and achieve educational goals. This is the 5th year that they have sponsored the Tech-savvy Award.

Mikelnguut Elitnaurviat benefits from Community generosity

At Mikelnguut Elitnaurviat Primary School, word went out that there were children in need of socks, hats and gloves. That was all it took before the needed items started showing up for teachers to give to those students in need. Some M.E. Parents donated clean used socks and hats and coats. Mark & Shelly Leary donated 48 pairs of gloves and Orutsaramuit Native Council Board of Directors asked ONC staff to pick up $500 worth of hats, gloves and socks from Anchorage. Other Bethel residents donated coats.

Some will go directly to needy children and some will remain at the school to be used on a rotating basis. M.E. Site Administrator A.C. Woolnough said the community kindness and generosity towards M.E. students is greatly appreciated. ?Its is especially appreciated around the Holidays.?

Short Field so far for K-300

With less than one month to go before the 26th K-300, only ten mushers have signed up to claim a piece of the $100,000 race purse. The ten mushers in order of sign up are:

1. Dan Huttunen, Wassilla; 2. Jon Little, Kasilof; 3. Mitch Seavey, Sterling (2004 Iditarod Champion); 4. Erich Butcher, Fairbanks (no relation to Susan Butcher); 5. Paul Gebhardt, Kasilof; 6. Andrew Angstman, Bethel; 7. Diana Moroney, Chugiak; 8. Harmony Barron, Lincoln Montana; 9. Jason Barron, Lincoln Montana; 10. Jerome Longo, Talkeetna.

The race committee is also expecting entry fees from a core group mushers who run the race every year, those tentative sign ups include, Mike Williams, Nathan Underwood, Ed Iten, Ramy Brooks, Charlie Boulding, and Martin Buser. Seven time K-300 Champion Jeff King will not be returning to this year s K-300. King will be running a race in the French Alps this January. K-300 mushers have until January 1st, 2005 to get their entry fee to the K-300 Race Committee.

The 26th K-300 will start on Friday January 14th at 7PM.

K-300 Crowley Marine Holiday Classic Set

The K-300 Crowley Marine Holiday Classic sled dog race is set for Sunday December 26th . The 45 to 50 mile race will start at noon at the Bethel Small Boat Harbor. The eight dog limit race will have a $5,000 purse and no entry fee. Musher s interested in running the race are encouraged to call K-300 Race Manager Rich Gannon at 543-3300 for details.

Rural Students Honors Institute

High school juniors and seniors in rural Alaska are encouraged to apply for the upcoming Rural Alaska Honors Institute, a six-week college preparatory program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks designed to help students succeed in college by sharpening academic and coping skills. This summer students from around the state will experience college life by living on the UAF campus in a residence hall staffed by full-time tutor counselors. They'll earn college credit in courses such as writing for college, study skills, pre-calculus, Alaska Native psychology, biochemistry, geoscience, museum studies, introduction to computers, swimming and Alaska Native dance.

"The RAHI community experience is an important step for students from rural Alaska," said Denise Wartes, RAHI program coordinator. "In just six weeks students build a strong support system that helps them

succeed in college and beyond."

Over the years, RAHI alumni have earned 174 baccalaureate degrees, 64 associate degrees, 31 certificates, 32 master's degrees, 10 Ph.D.s

and one medical degree.

"Nearly 150 more students are currently in college working toward their degrees," said Wartes. "We're proud of their accomplishments."

The program, funded in 1983 at the request of the Alaska Federation of Natives, helps build a life-long community of scholars and supportive friendships to help students surmount social and academic challenges. Many RAHI alumni are now in Alaska's professional workforce, employed in public and private sectors.

If selected, the students travel expenses, tuition, room, board, books and supplies are paid for by RAHI. Interested students need at least a 3.0 grade point average. The application deadline is March 31, 2005. Program dates are May 28-July 9, 2005. Applications may be downloaded at http://www.uaf.edu/rahi/, obtained from school counselors, local Native tribal entities, or by contacting RAHI at (800) 478-6886 or e-mail fyrahi@uaf.edu. The program is structured under UAF's College of Rural Alaska.

M.E. Elementary School to present ?The Nutcracker?

Mikelnguut Elitnaurviat School will present ?The Nutcracker? on Thursday, December 16. The play will feature all of M.E. Kindergarten, first and second grade classes and will be dedicated to the memory of M.E. Teacher Terry Jennings who passed away in August after a long illness. Jennings taught Kindergarten at M.E. school from 1987 to 2004.

The M.E. Christmas program is always a town favorite, with children, Pat DeSmet and his lights and elaborate Christmas sets. This year will be no different according to director and M.E. P.E teacher Mike Lucas. ?The next two weeks will be a frenzy, the students are practicing their parts during every P.E. class and teachers & volunteers will be working on costumes and sets right up to December 16,? he said.

Lucas said they have been putting on these festive Christmas programs since the late 80?s. Some of the more popular included the Polar Express, the Marvelous toy and Charlie Brown?s Christmas. The Charlie Brown Christmas sets still hang on the walls of M.E. school.

The seating is always limited during the Christmas program as family & friends crowd the Bethel High School Gym to enjoy the annual Holiday spirit of M.E. Students. The Nutcracker will start at 7p.m. Thursday December 16. The ?Nutcracker? is a Happy Holiday presentation from Mikelnguut Elitnaurviat to the community of Bethel!

Law Firms to Sponsor Fireworks Display

The Kuskokwim 300 Race Committee is please to announce that this year s fireworks display, to be held immediately after the race start on January 14th, will be sponsored by two law firms - Angstman Law Office of Bethel and Winner and Associates of Anchorage. The $5,000 cash sponsorship will help the pay for the professional fireworks display that is choreographed by Rodney Clark of Alaska Pyrotechnics.

The four lawyers footing the bill are Michelle Power, Sean Brown, Myron Angstman and Russ Winner.

?We have all worked together on a couple of cases that settled this year,? Angstman stated. ?We thought the folks of the Bethel area would rather see a spectacular fireworks show instead of another rash of lawyer advertisements.?

The fireworks show is attend by thousands every year. It will once again be on the river in front of town, unless weather and ice conditions require a different start location for the race. The twenty-sixth run of the K-300 is scheduled to start on Friday January 14th at 7PM.

The K-300 is still seeking sponsors for other events. Interested parties should contact Race Manager Rich Gannon at 543-3300, or visit the race website at www.k300.org

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza

The 12th annual Christmas Cookie Extravaganza will be held Sunday December 12 from 1 to 3pm in the Bethel High School Lobby. The event is sponsored by the Y/K Delta Lifesavers. All proceeds go to the swimming pool fund at Wells Fargo Bank. The Fund is presently at $98,427. We are close to the $100,000 we wanted before actively pursuing funding for construction.

If you can help by baking 4-6 dozen of your favorite Christmas Cookie (include recipe) please let us know as soon as possible. Call Beverly Hoffman at 3239. Let your friends know too! We would like the cookies brought to the lobby between 11a.m. and 12:30 that day. Happy Holidays and Quyana cakneq.

Contacts: Beverly Hoffman, Kathy Baldwin, Nancy Elliott, or Sherry Libby

Aeromed International becomes K-300 Sponsor

The Kuskokwim 300 Race Committee is pleased to announce that Aeromed International, a critical care air ambulance service, will become a major race sponsor of the 2005 K-300. Aeromed will sponsor the K-300?s veterinary program. The K-300 race vets are responsible for the health and well being of sled dogs before, during, and after the three hundred mile race. Aeromed?s support of the K-300 veterinarian crew will insure that an excellent program will continue.

Aeromed International, a division of Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, is the largest fixed-wing air ambulance provider in Alaska. In operation since 1997, Aeromed performs over 1,500 medevacs each year and provides unrivaled response time, state-of-the-art technology and highly trained and experienced medical flight teams.

For more information on Aeromed, visit www.aeromed.com.

Delta residents receive AFN President?s Awards

This year the Parents of the Year Award was given to Allen and Becky Atchak of Stebbins and Mountain Village resident Eric Lawrence won the organization?s Public Service Award for his years as a village officer and rescue leader.

K-300 Race Committee Welcomes Returning Corporate Sponsor

Knik Construction will become a major sponsor of the K-300 Race Committee. The Seattle based construction company has once again pledged a cash sponsorship to the support the K-300 and its family of events.

?It?s great to see a large Seattle based company give back to the community where they do business,? said K-300 Race Chairman Myron Angstman.

Additionally two more companies associated with Knik Construction will be again involved in this year?s race. Alaska Hovercraft and Lynden Air Cargo will be doling out free hot dogs and refreshments at the K-300 start line this January.

The 26th K-300 will get underway on January 14th . Visit www.k300.org for more information on race start times and other events.

YKHC and the Delta Tobacco Control Alliance Celebrates the Great American Smokeout/Chewout and Lung Cancer Awareness Month

The Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation Nicotine Control and Research Program is encouraging community members who use tobacco to make an effort to quit using tobacco for a day in celebration of the Great American Smokeout, on Thursday, November 18, 2004.

?This one-day event is to let tobacco users know they can take an active role in protecting their health by quitting tobacco for one day,? said Carrie Enoch, Nicotine Dependence Counselor at YKHC. ?One day can turn into one year. People just need to make that first step.?

We will have a booth at A.C. Store on November 18th, giving away information about quitting and how to enroll in the Cessation Program. A host of other goodies will be given away including balloons and snacks. There will be raffle for a $25 gift certificate to A.C. Store as well.

YKHC?s Nicotine Control and Research Program will host a call in radio show with Senior Carrie Enoch fielding questions about the program, intervention and prevention efforts in the Delta as well as any other tobacco related questions the callers may have. The show will air on KYUK at 2:00 p.m Please call in and show your support for a tobacco-free Delta. Today more Americans understand the dangers associated with tobacco use and have successfully quit tobacco.

YKHC offers Nicotine Dependence Treatment Services to all tobacco users within the YK Delta, including those who use iqmik.

People can receive help quitting tobacco by calling the YKHC Nicotine Control Office at 1-800-478-3321 or 543-6312.

2004 Permanent Fund Dividend amount announced

The state Department of Revenue commissioner announced on Monday, Sept. 20th, that the 2004 Permanent Fund dividends will be $919.84.

The amount is based on the Permanent Fund?s average earnings over the past five years.

The dividends will go out to about 600,760 Alaskans. Those who requested direct deposit will get the payments on Oct. 13. The Permanent fund Dividend Division will begin mailing checks to all others on Oct. 20. The amount was revealed shortly after 9 p.m. Monday at the annual dinner meeting of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation in Fairbanks.

Native Youth Olympics update

Teams of students travel from across the state to participate in the three-day Native Youth Olympics in Anchorage each year. Next year preliminaries for the Statewide Anchorage NYO team are scheduled for April 1, 2005 at the UAA Sports Complex. The 2005 Statewide NYO will be held May 5-7 at the Sullivan Arena. Last year in April, NYO hosted 61 teams and a record 403 athletes.

The 2005 Junior NYO competition will be held on January 8th and 9th at the UAA Sports Complex. Junior NYO offers similar competitive opportunities to elementary school athletes that are available to their older counterparts through NYO. In January 2004, JNYO hosted 31 teams and a record 281 athletes.

Bootlegger receives 16-month sentence

Bethel resident Ronald Peltola was sentenced Monday to 16 months of jail, fined $5,000, and forfeited his truck after pleading to felony bootlegging. Peltola could serve an additional eighteen months in jail if he violates probation over the next three years. Peltola admitted selling vodka for $60 a bottle in the ?damp? community of Bethel. Superior Court Judge Richard Savell focused on deterrence of other would-be bootleggers, saying that these crimes are ?consciously undertaken and can be deterred? despite the ?proliferation common to the Delta.?

?These communities have voted to restrict access to alcohol to protect themselves from the rural epidemic of alcohol-related crimes,? said Attorney General Gregg Renkes. ?Bootleggers are motivated by the high profit margins and don?t care that every bottle sold may be the triggering factor in an assault, rape or murder. Sentences like this send a clear message that bootleggers will eventually be caught and will pay a high price.?

Alaska State Troopers in the WAANT Unit (Western Alaska Alcohol and Narcotics Team) made tape recordings of five separate transactions in which Peltola sold 750 ml bottles of vodka for $60 each, which Peltola described on the tapes as the going rate. When Peltola was arrested, he was found with the ?buy money? that was identified with recorded serial numbers. Another bootlegging charge was brought against Peltola when more than 15 liters of hard liquor was found at his home - more than enough under Alaska law to show an intent to sell the liquor. Peltola was on bail release in a Fish & Game criminal case at the time.

The charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant(s) is/are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Mt. Village to receive water/sewer improvement grant

The Asa?carsarmiut Tribal Council in the community of Mountain Village was one of the rural villages that was awarded a grant of $700,000 to help improve their water/wastewater infrastructure.

Nearly $80 million in loan and grant funds to assist 38 rural communities was approve by the Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman. The funds will be used by rural communities to provide clean, safe drinking water and sanitary wastewater disposal.

According to Alaska State Director Bill Allen, in Mountain Village, the tribal council will combine Rural Development loan funds with additional support from the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA). Old sewer and water service connections will be replaced, and connections will be made to ten new homes built at the edge of the existing water and sewer service area. The homes will be rented to tribal members.

Senate passes Native Allotment subdivision bill

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski today guided her bill to help resolve a problem affecting Alaska Natives who wish to subdivide their land holdings through the Senate. The Senate unanimously approved her Native Allotment Subdivision Act (S. 1421). The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for its review.

The bill solves a problem faced by Native landowners, who acquired lands under the Native Allotment Act of 1906. Those owners do not now have the ability to subdivide their lands or to dedicate rights-of-way across their lands for public access or for utility purposes. The issue threatens the ability of Natives, who own more than 11,000 Native allotment parcels in the state, to freely subdivide their private property like all other Alaskans.

Sen. Murkowski noted that the problem arose in 2000 when a new owner questioned the authority of the Bristol Bay Borough in Alaska to place a utility line across a subdivided Native allotment. The new owner?s concern brought to light the fact that there was no statute that allowed Native allotment owners to subdivide their lands, much less dedicate easements across them.

Under the measure, previous subdivisions would be retroactively approved and Native landowners will be able to create new subdivisions if they so choose.

Murkowski noted that the legislation is supported by the federal government, by the State of Alaska, by local governments in Alaska and by Native groups. Murkowski noted that without the bill?s passage, the titles to hundreds of parcels that have been subdivided and sold could be questioned in the future, as could the hundreds of utility easements and platted rights-of-way that have been placed across Native allotment tracts. She said she is very hopeful the House will approve the bill and send it to the President before the close of the 108th Congress this fall.

Government seeking to buy canned salmon

The federal government is seeking to buy nearly 18,000 cases of institutionally packed canned salmon for use in institutional (prison) food and nutrition programs, and Alaska sellers must act very fast.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced it is seeking bids for 17,940 cases of four-pound cans of pink salmon. Bids for the salmon, to be shipped between Oct. 16 and Nov. 30 to prisons such as Leavenworth, Kansas, and other federal facilities, must be submitted by means of the internet by 1:30 p.m. (CDT) Monday, Sept. 20. The internet address is:

http://pcsd.usda.gov:3077/mdbc1000.exe? Bids will be selected by midnight Monday. The bidding time is so short so that the sale can be completed before the close of the federal fiscal year on Sept. 30.

The Alaska Delegation has been encouraging the government all year to buy more Alaska salmon for food programs because it is nutritious and because its bulk purchases also will help to reduce inventories and raises prices for Alaska salmon fishermen, said Sen. Murkowski who was notified of the purchase by Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman.

The buy, which must come from salmon packed during the 2003 season, comes after a commitment made by the Administration earlier this summer to buy at least $15 million of salmon packed during the just concluding 2004 harvest season - an increase of nearly $3 million compared to purchases last year.

Yuut Elitnaurviat receives federal grant

Yuut Elitnaurviat People?s Learning Center, the new training center presently under construction adjacent to Pinky?s Park in Bethel, was recently awarded a grant for $2 million by the US Government. The money, issued by the USDA?s Rural Development agency, will fund part of Yuut?s $17 million construction cost.

?We are thrilled with the support that we have received from various state, federal and private funding sources,? Yuut Executive Director Carlotn Kuhns said. ?We are closing in on our goal of reaching $17 million.

Yuut is being built by nine partner organizations to provide training in career-oriented programs that focus on health, construction trades, education and early childhood, and aviation for the youth and adults of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region. Many of the training programs have already begun. Yuut?s nine partners include the Alaska National Guard, the Association of Village Council Presidents, the Association of Village Council Presidents ? Regional Housing Authority, Calista Corporation, the City of Bethel, the Coastal Villages Region Fund, the Lower Kuskokwim School District, the University of Alaska ? Kuskokwim Campus, and the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation.

Nicolai hunting violation

According to an Alaska State Troopers press release, on Aug. 21 on Mile 52.5 of the Denali Highway, Matthew Nicolai, 51, and David Nicolai, 20, both of Anchorage, were contacted after they had illegally harvested a cow caribou during a bull only caribou season. David Nicolai is charged with taking a cow caribou closed season, and Matthew Nicolai is charged with transferring a non-transferable Tier II permit. Charges have been forwarded to the District Attorney?s office for prosecution. The charges reported are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Alaska Observes World Suicide Prevention Day and Alaska Suicide Prevention Month

Governor Frank H. Murkowski issued a proclamation last week recognizing World Suicide Prevention Day and designating September 2004 as Alaska Suicide Prevention Month. The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO), first designated Sept. 10 as World Suicide Prevention Day last year as a way to begin focusing attention on the problem of suicide worldwide. Gov. Murkowski encouraged all citizens to acknowledge the pain those who have survived suicide experience, and to celebrate the joy and hope life offers with family and friends.

The Alaska Statewide Suicide Prevention Council commemorated World Suicide Prevention Day with the release of the Alaska Suicide Prevention Plan and its new theme ?Suicide Hurts. It doesn?t have to happen.? for an awareness campaign that will run throughout Alaska in the coming months.

The Alaska Suicide Prevention plan distributed by the Alaska Statewide Suicide Prevention Council is based on the strong belief that everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention and that individuals and groups that address the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs of individuals and communities in Alaska must work together if they are to be effective. The goal of the plan is clear: reduce the amount of suicide and non-lethal suicide behavior in Alaska.

Goodnews River Lodge to Sponsor K-300

The Goodnews River Lodge has announced that it will become a major sponsor of the K-300 Race Committee by making a $5,000 donation to the 2005 Race. Lodge owner Mike Gorton announced his intention to sponsor the annual community awards banquet, which will be held on Monday January 17th . In addition to the cash sponsorship, Gorton also donated a four-day guided fishing trip for two at the lodge. The trip will be auctioned off by the Race Committee at the banquet.

The K-300 Race Committee is extremely pleased to involve Goodnews River Lodge in the 2005 Race. The 26th annual K-300 gets underway on January 14th this year. Mushers may sign up starting November 1st. For more about the K-300 visit the K-300 website at www.k300.org or call Race Manager Rich Gannon at 543-3300.

Alaska seafood purity affirmed in study

Study results released by the State of Alaska last week show that fish from Alaska are remarkably free of contaminants. The study tested samples for a variety of contaminants, including heavy metals, and PCBs.

Randy Rice, Seafood Technical Director for Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute says that the study results reaffirm that Alaska seafood is pure and wholesome. Alaska?s medical authorities also continue to endorse unrestricted consumption of Alaska seafood citing its healthy benefits as a plus and that seafood lovers around the world can continue to enjoy this delicious and healthy protein knowing they are eating one of nature?s finest foods, he continued.

The State of Alaska?s report may be accessed via www.state.ak.us/dec/eh/vet/FMP2.htm. The results of the study pertaining to heavy metals were released last spring. The comprehensive results of this phase of the State of Alaska?s Fish Monitoring project were released to the public by the Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation.

Injured elder wins suit

The Alaska Supreme Court has upheld a judgment against the City of Bethel for local elder Cathy Peters. Peters was awarded $579,000 two years ago by a Bethel jury. Peters had broken her leg at the Bethel Senior Center. There were no guard rails where she fell.

The City appealed the verdict, arguing that errors during the trial should have caused a retrial, but the Supreme Court disagreed in a unanimous decision issued Sept. 3, 2004. One of the main points on appeal was whether the jury should have learned about a report prepared by the City after Ms. Peters broke her leg at the City?s senior center. That report suggested grab rails be placed near the shower and sauna for the safety of elders. In her case, Ms. Peters argued that grab rails would have prevented her fall. The Supreme Court ruled the evidence was properly admitted by Superior Court Judge Leonard Devaney.

Ms. Peters? attorney, Myron Angstman said his client was pleased with the outcome. ?She has waited for four years for this,? he said. The accident happened in July of 2000 and went to trial in August of 2002.

Subsistence Advisory Councils hold fall meetings statewide

The 10 Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Councils will meet during the next two months to review proposed changes to Federal subsistence fishing regulations for 2005-2006 and to call for proposals to change wildlife regulations for 2005-2006. The Federal Subsistence Board will consider the Councils? recommendations on fisheries proposals when the Board meets in January.

The Councils will also receive updates on this year?s fisheries resource monitoring plans and discuss current issues affecting subsistence in our regions. The Council meetings are open to the public. Teleconferencing is available with advance notice.

The meeting for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Advisory Council is set for Oct. 14-15 at the Long House Bethel Inn.

Alakanuk teen?s body recovered

On August 24, at 8:30, State Troopers in St. Mary's were notified that the body of Benjamin Troy George, 17, of Alakanuk, had been recovered several miles down river from where George was last seen. A search and rescue effort began on Aug. 7 after it was reported that George had dove into the Yukon River to help a juvenile female who had fallen out of the boat, but never resurfaced. The body was sent to the State Medical Examiners Office in Anchorage, AK. Alcohol was involved.

Bethel man found not guilty on importation of alcohol charges

A Bethel jury took one half hour last week to clear Ron Hoffman of charges that he illegally imported alcohol into Bethel. Hoffman, the head of the AVCP housing authority, was charged in January of 2003 with importing 5 bottles of alcohol from Anchorage in a blue container along with groceries and other household items, without properly labeling the outside of the container.

Hoffman?s attorney, Myron Angstman, argued that the labeling stature requires that the person sending the alcohol do so knowingly, and that Hoffman had simply forgot to label the box, even though he knew the rule. The jury agreed, and found Hoffman not guilty.

Alaska law requires that alcohol shipped to Bethel be labeled as alcohol on the outside of the box, along with a receipt showing the amount of alcohol and purchase price.