Village Telegraph

Olivia Guest of Quinhagak enjoys the beautiful coastal weather while picking it’garalget beach greens near the ocean.

by Eric Alstrom I would like to say a very big “Thank you!” to our youth litter patrollers (40), youth supervisors (7), and adult volunteers (9) that put in their own time to clean up […]

The Akiak Native Community IGAP sponsored their village’s 2018 Clean Up Green Up project this year. They sent this photo of the participants in front of the community building before they started picking up litter […]

It was a great day for fishing for Logan Charles of Toksook Bay who went dipnetting for smelt on the Tununak River last Saturday, June 2nd. He dipped his net in and pulled out this […]

by K.J. Lincoln A kindergarten student and two 1st graders from Marshall are winners in the Chemists Celebrate Earth Week Illustrated Poetry Contest Alaska division. Winning first place in the K-4th category was Kacy Peteroff […]

by ADFG Staff Subsistence fishing will be allowed on the Kuskokwim River mainstem within the Yukon Delta Refuge boundaries with 4-inch or less mesh size set gillnets from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Wednesday, May […]

by USFWS Staff The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) met May 16-17, 2018, in Anchorage, to address agenda items that were not completed during their April 2018 meeting and consider multiple fisheries temporary special action requests. […]

David Anaver of Quinhagak caught his first king salmon of the summer on May 23rd, 2018. Photo courtesy of Eric Brown.

by Samantha Thornton Nunapitchuk, AK – After a long wait for a clear, calm day, the students and staff of Anna Tobeluk Memorial School in Nunapitchuk were treated to a model rocket launch on Friday, […]

by the ADFG This is an announcement from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) for salmon fishermen in the Kuskokwim River Drainage. REVISED Chinook Salmon Forecast The 2018 Kuskokwim River Chinook salmon forecast […]

Four year old Travis Carl Jr. of Tuntutuliak caught his first seal on Monday, May 14th, 2018. He caught it with a .22 pistol at the mouth of the Tunt River. His dad Travis Sr. […]

by CVRF Staff Each winter for the past 10 years, Coastal Villages Region Fund (CVRF) has provided energy assistance to families in its 20 member communities through CVRF’s heating oil program. The program helps residents […]

by K.J. Lincoln Kuskokwim Learning Academy Principal Lori Stafford could not be prouder of her 14 graduates. “As a group they represent Team KLA,” she said. Each one of them delivered speeches at their milestone […]

by LKSD Staff The Lower Kuskokwim School District (LKSD) is pleased to announce that 16 Seniors will be awarded the Seal of Biliteracy during their graduation ceremonies in May. The Seal of Biliteracy is a […]

by Lonny Cruff Nunaptichuk, AK – While sitting around talking a few months ago, I heard a story about a resident of Nunapitchuk who had been in a photograph in National Geographic magazine several years […]

by Lonny Cruff Nunapitchuk, AK – Students and staff of Anna Tobeluk Memorial School in Nunapitchuk welcomed community members as volunteers and mentors for several days of cultural activities at the school over two weeks […]

by Paul “George” Guy The Calista Corporation Board of Directors has voted to publicly censure Director Wayne Don. This followed an extensive investigation by the Corporate Governance, Employee, and Compensation Committee (Governance Committee), which unanimously […]

The Lower Kuskokwim All Star NYO Team took first place at the Senior Native Youth Olympics games in Anchorage last weekend. The All Stars took home six gold medals. Student athletes from all over Alaska […]

by the Denali Commission On April 19, Joel Neimeyer, federal co-chair of the Denali Commission, was in Washington, D.C., to sign the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Mertarvik Infrastructure Development project, marking the end […]

by Wayne Don Calista Corporation Shareholders: In the coming days you will see a press release endorsed by a slim majority of the Calista board of directors who initiated action to remove me as the […]

by CVRF Staff Coastal Villages Region Fund has commissioned and released a report examining economic need among the areas served by each of the six Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) groups. Coastal Villages is […]

Crystal Savok caught this giant pike inside Kialiq River a few miles from Tuntutuliak on April 7, 2018. “It was so big it couldn’t fit out of the fishing hole,” wrote Minnie McIntyre. “We had […]

by Amy O’Brien Robert Aloysius, better known as Bob, was born July 29, 1935 in Iinruq, which is located between Russian Mission and Holy Cross. On the map it is known as Paimiut. Paimiut was […]

Book shares collection of Cup’ig people’s names, their relationships dating back to early 1800s. Nussaalar Muriel M Amos wanted to find out the ancestry of the Cup’ig people of Nunivak Island. This objective prompted her […]

by Dolly Faulkner Wilderness Retreats For Vets is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation. Our mission is the enhance the lives of veterans who served our country. In 2017 we provided home cooked meals, clothing, household items […]

The Kuskokwim Ice Classic deadline of April 16th at 5pm is quickly approaching, so make sure to get your tickets! The jackpot is set at $12,500- the largest jackpot in recent history! Phone sales to […]

by Ned Rozell In a packed university conference room, biologist Randy Brown spoke of chinook, the fatty king of far-north salmon. “It’s more than just a fish, it’s a culture,” Brown said to the Fairbanks […]

The final rule for the annual spring/summer federal subsistence migratory bird harvest season, opening on April 2, 2018, has published in the Federal Register (RIN 1018-BC70). The rule allows for the continuation of customary and […]

Photos by Lonny Cruff After hitting 101″ in the 1-Foot Hick Kick Eric Tinker narrowly misses 102″ in his final most thrilling jump.   Pauline Roberts from Quinhagak concentrates on winning in the Stick Pull […]

by Sharon Wegner The LKSD District JR high speech contest was held in Bethel March 20-21, 2018. There were 52 students (7 students less than last year) from 11 schools (Akiuk, Akula, Chefornak, Gladys Jung, […]

The fifth and sixth grades here at Marshall School are building benches to set out around town for the elders. Each grade was asked to decorate a board. The kindergarten decided to do handprints.

The Aniak Lady Halfbreeds are bringing home the State 1A Girls Basketball trophy back to the Kuskokwim. They beat the Selawik Wolves last Saturday in Anchorage for the win, making it their second state championship […]

Congressional candidate Alyse Galvin, challenging Don Young this fall, will be visiting Bethel during CAMA-I weekend to meet people from across the Delta and hear their concerns. Armed with energy and a committed team, Alyse […]

by Nick P. Andrew, Jr. The Native Village of Marshall is one of approximately 75 communities statewide totally without law enforcement reliant on the Alaska State Troopers for public safety. Marshall is located in the […]

The Napaskiak Tribal Council is requesting Governor Bill Walker to declare a disaster of emergency and to close the liquor store in Bethel due to numerous alcohol-related deaths in and around the surrounding villages near […]

by House District 38 Staff March 2, 2018 Regular Session Reaches Halfway Mark Dear Friends, At day 45, we are halfway through the regular legislative session and the House Finance committee has taken up HB […]

by AVCP Staff The Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) submitted comments yesterday (Feb. 27th) on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)’s Proposed National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2019-2024. Within, AVCP […]

by Thom Leonard Calista (cha-LIS-tuh) Corporation’s Board of Directors recently approved a 2018 spring dividend. Calista’s first dividend of the year totals $6.17 Million, up from $5.95 million the previous year. Calista estimates there will […]

by Sgt. Seth LaCount His hands trembled with anticipation, soaked in a mixture of anxiety and excitement. The room was quiet as the mushers of the Kuskokwim 300 waited to pick a bib number which […]

Coastal Villages Region Fund (CVRF) has partnered again this year with the Alaska Business Development Center (ABDC) to provide free tax return assistance to residents of the CVRF region through ABDC’s volunteer tax and loan […]

Each winter, Coastal Villages Region Fund (CVRF) distributes benefits to the region as part of its longstanding Elder Program. Last year, the Elder Program distributed approximately $325,000 in benefits to 667 elders across the CVRF […]

George Manutoli of Akiachak is the 2018 Akiak Dash champion. He finished the race last Saturday with the winning time of 6 hrs. 42 mins. His team of seven from the Simon Family Kennel of […]

Today (Jan. 19, 2018) the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program held its 23rd annual Celebration, uniting a crowd of more than 1,300 to honor past successes and set a tone for the year ahead. […]

by Tommy Wells Bethel musher Pete Kaiser has done it again! He has finished this year’s Kuskokwim 300 race in first place, which makes it his 4th victory in a row. Glare ice and snowless […]

by K.J. Lincoln Congratulations to Maurice Andrews, age 34, of Alakanuk who is this year’s Bogus Creek 150 champion! Andrews, wearing bib #4, pulled into the finish chute with 9 dogs on Saturday morning with […]

by Sharon Wegner The LKSD Sr. High Speech contest was held in Bethel December 12 – 13, 2017. There were 28 students from 10 schools: BRHS, Chefornak, Kipnuk, Kongiganak, Napaskiak, Nightmute, Quinhagak, Toksook Bay, Tuntutuliak […]

by Dave Bonnano The 2017 Upriver Science Fair was held in Chuathbaluk this year on November 30th and December 1st. Participants flew from Sleetmute and Crooked Creek to participate and were involved in 2 action […]

by Tommy Wells Justin Ward turned more than a few heads this past weekend at the ASAA/First National Bank Division II State Wrestling Championships by turning in a stellar performance. The Aniak High School standout […]

by Lt. Col. Candis Olmstead The Alaska National Guard has a tradition of serving communities throughout Alaska during the holiday season, delivering Christmas gifts and a variety of delights to the children. In its 61st […]

Lianna Peterson of Russian Mission caught this huge lush fish while manaqing on the Yukon River three miles downriver from her village. The manignaq measured at least 3 feet in length. “It was a good […]

by Thom Leonard Calista Corporation’s biggest contest made three Shareholders very happy. Sammy Andreanoff won a 2017 Arctic Cat Alterra 700XT all-terrain vehicle (ATV), Sandra Nicori won 50,000 Alaska Airlines miles, and Emma Tamang won […]

2 year old Mallory Nanugaq Andrew of Kipnuk is having lots of fun ice fishing for sweet tasty smelt on the Qukaqliq River. She went with her dad Patrick last Saturday. Photo by Patrick Andrew

Evan and Courtney Tobeluk caught their first beaver in the trap that they set on November 21st. They are the children of Gregory Tobeluk of Nunapitchuk.  Photo by Qunun Tobeluk

7-year old Taylor Nicholai of Napaskiak got his first caribou last weekend. He is the grandson of James Nicholai. His fresh catch was shared with elders in his community. photo by James Nicholai

After their historical first-time activation for duty outside of Alaska, four Alaska State Defense Force Soldiers have returned from a Puerto Rico deployment where they assisted with relief efforts on the hurricane-ravaged island. On the […]

November 13th, 2017: The Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program is hosting 29 students from the Lower Yukon School District and St. Mary’s City School District at its joint Middle School Academy. Aimed at developing […]

by Leona Long The quiet students sitting in the back row remind Col. Wayne Don of himself the most. They’re why he returns every summer to speak with students at the University of Alaska Fairbanks […]

by Misty Circle I like doing lots of hands-on, standards based projects with my kindies, it gives them the confidence to experiment and to try new things, to problem solve, and to be innovative. These are […]

by Azara Mohammadi A career in welding means opportunities to work outside – a major draw for young workers like Sharla Gunlik, 24. “I was never interested in an office job,” Gunlik says. Recently, she worked […]

Calista (cha-LIS-tuh) Corporation’s Board of Directors approved the Akilista dividend for 2017. This fall dividend which totals $2.4 million, marks an increase of over seven percent from the previous year. Calista has declared both a […]

by Lisa Feyereisen, Native Village of Napaimute From the salmon running up our rivers, the moose foraging in our lands and the berries bursting from the tundra, people in the Middle Kuskokwim have long recognized […]

“My dad Billy Teeluk is 68 years old and he finally caught a bearded seal in years,” said Sarah Peterson. “My mom Sally also had fun picking qerqaat. Mice usually dig these up and bring […]

Celebrate our Native identity, our relationship with our homelands, and living our Ways of Life. Our identity as indigenous peoples is informed by our deep connection to our lands and waters, no matter where we […]

The beautiful fall-colored trees line the river as Warren and Jeannette Jones of Kuinerraq come home from a boat ride last week.

by First Alaskans Institue First Alaskans Institute (FAI) is pleased to announce the selection of our 7th annual First Nations Futures Program (FNFP) Fellows cohort: Barbara ‘Wáahlaal Gidáak Blake (Haida/Tlingit/Ahtna), Marleah Makpiaq Labelle (Sugpiaq/Iñupiaq), Alissa […]

by Vanessa Lynn Hunter John was born in Cuukvagtuliq, Alaska to George and Sophie Jacob. John shares his story of being adopted twice after birth and during his early childhood years. How Mamterilleq was formed […]

Coastal Villages Region Fund (CVRF) recently completed the summer 2017 CVRF Internship Program, with participating Western Alaska youth gaining valuable work experience in locations across the region, Anchorage, and Seattle. This year, the CVRF Internship […]

by Danielle Craven Community service is an important value at KLA. On August 23rd-25th, 86 students participated in various service projects around Bethel, from recording sound clips at KYUK, picking up trash at the Moravian […]

by Vanessa Lynn Hunter Ruth was born in Bethel Alaska to Paul P. Jenkins and Eileen Elena Shepherd. Ruth shares her story of her childhood memories growing up in different villages; the excitement of flying […]

The Alaska Military Youth Academy celebrated more than 23 years of service to the State of Alaska and a milestone of almost 5,300 graduates during the graduation of 180 cadets of Class 2017-2 from its […]

by Bethel Council on the Arts Bethel Council on the Arts is pleased to bring to Bethel the theatrical production, ALAXSXA | ALASKA, created by the internationally acclaimed Ping Chong + Company from New York, […]

by BLM Alaska Fire Service A mixture of young and veteran Alaska firefighters left BLM Alaska Fire Service facilities at Fort Wainwright Friday morning to help with the busy fire season in the Lower 48. Three […]

Samantha Olrun, who is originally of Mekoryuk writes, “This photo was taken off-the-grid on the southern part of Nunivak Island at fish camp of my 5-year-old daughter, Vanessa Carl. She is proudly looking at the […]

Aubrey Mariam, age 5, of Quinhagak happily picked 2 pint sized bags of ripened salmonberries from up the Kusquqvaar River on July 19th, 2017. Photo by Jessica Simon

The Native Village of Mekoryuk IGAP Department would like to thank everyone for the generous donations and prizes for the 2017 Clean Up Green Up held on May 24-25, 2017. We had a total of […]

by K.J. Lincoln Back in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, a young couple named Paul and Eloise Forrer taught in the village of Eek at the BIA School. Mr. Forrer began an arts program […]

These fun kids from Napaskiak were so proud of their older brother Quentin’s rod-n-reel whitefish catches, they wanted to cut them. With the help of their parents Steven and Denise Riley-Alexie, twin boys Chance and […]

The newly crowned Miss World Eskimo Indian Olympics is Olivia Piiyuuk Shields of Anchorage. She was awarded her title on Saturday night during WEIO in front a large crowd at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks. […]

Miss Cama-i Regina Pingayak-Simon (at right) and Olivia Piiyuuk Shields participated in the Miss WEIO Pageant last week in Fairbanks. Shields is the newly crowned Miss WEIO 2017.