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1-29-10
Alcoholism in the YK Delta
There have been suggestions when it comes to the issue and concern of alcoholism in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta to ‘educate’ people how to drink responsibly. The person used for example when educating, to teach it like it’s taught in schools. I don’t want to express into words envisioning how the teacher would have control when his/her students don’t behave. Quite obviously in this kind of class, would there be little sweethearts and nice little boys behaving themselves?
Along with some personal experience and evaluation by witnessing the negative effects that alcohol does to a person, especially an indigenous person, because these peoples do not use alcoholic beverages when eating or during social events as do other cultures who use it when dining or for relaxing. As for the Europeans, alcohol has been commonly used for the past 5000 yrs., for the Alaska Native, a hundred years or so?
If someone feels so adamant about teaching people how to drink responsibly, I would suggest that those who want to teach it first get accreditation in order to become the ‘professors/educators’ and offer the course through and accredited educational institution such as KuC, UAF, or UAA.
Just imagine, graduating with HONORS! Getting an A+ on your report card! Receiving a Certificate of Completion hanging in your living room! The certificate would have the inscription: This certifies that John/Jane Doe successfully completed phase one of How to Drink Alcohol Responsibly. And maybe in small print a notation: In case you fall of the wagon or you get into a fight with someone while doing your homework, PLEASE discard this document immediately and register again (in person) for a follow-up class. I’m not trying to be funny . . . but the irony of this makes me smile!
Finally, if just cats and dogs inhabited this world, and then the dominant dogs suggest that the lowly cats learn how to eat dog food, yelp when they’re hurt, and bark when they’re hungry and if they can’t learn suggest that they get educated, would the cats learn?
Frank Chingliak
Akiachak, AK
Community conclusions
Edward Lackey of Ed’s Auto, I am a 22 year resident of Bethel. My shop is like the big barbershop for talk, gossip, facts, and opinions. I am very fortunate to have a lot of customers. Talking with each individual, we have come up with some conclusion about what is going on in our community.
#1: Alcohol orders have increased some but not a whole lot.
#2: Ambulance calls have gone down from this time last year.
#3: So have protective custodies (PCs) – police department.
#4: Most of the inmates in the jail are from the villages. Keep your trouble-makers at home. You’re making Bethel look bad.
#5: The price of a jug of a bootlegged jug has gone down.
#6: There’s a lot of well-organized bootlegging operations going on here.
#7: A lot of the people in #6 are backing the petition to opt back in. They have no sympathy for human life. They just want to fatten their wallets.
My personal opinion, I have a lot of Eskimo, Indian, and village customers and they’re really tired of your control, treating them as a lesser race.
Edward Lackey
Bethel, AK
K300 Kalskag Thank Yous
I’d like to thank all the entities that donated food items for the Kusko 300 this year. We’re always grateful to whoever donates for the mushers and guests who participate. Of course, I always have fun volunteering yearly and always look forward to the next coming year. Every year seems different, but fun. Thanks again to all of you who took the time to help out.
•Anica Store – one large turkey •Fern Parent’s store – one large turkey •Upper Kalskag Tribe – plates, cups, sugar, creamer, coffee •City of Upper Kalskag - $100 worth of groceries •Lorraine Pico – sliced dehydrated potatoes, cookie mix, bakery mix, and all her hours of volunteering to help cook and clean the school •Karen Ward – freshly made cakes, cookies, brownies and 2 loaves of bread •Loreen Steeves & Andrew Maud – moosemeat, salmon, salmon strips, etc. etc., and all the cooking and cleaning •Lower school (ZLES) for sleeping areas, spices, kitchen use, and water for the dogfood.
Thank you very much. See you next year.
Loreen Steeves, Kusko300 Volunteer
Kalskag, AK
Thank you during our time of loss
The family of the late Victor Tonuchuk, Sr. would like to extend our deepest gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to the following people who have helped in many ways during our time of loss of our beloved Husband, Dad, and Papa: Marcia Coffey, YKHC Social Services for the help of getting the very nice casket; Mary Lucy Andrews, Diana Prince, Nora Westlock, Bernie Hunt, and all the people who go prayed for Victor while he was at the YKHC Morgue; Al & Maggie Wasuli for your prayers, support, and much help; St. Michael Native Corporation for their very generous donation for the family; Yukon Delta Fisheries Development Association for support of the airfare expense for family members; Kotlik Traditional Council; Bill Moore’s Slough Corporation; Kotlik City Council; for their donations and support for airfare for family members as well; Jim Tweto of Hageland Aviation for the support and donation of airfare for family members; Bethel Fire Department/Paramedics for their effort in trying to revive Victor; A.C. Company and Kotlik Laufkak for the food donations and support of the family.
A very heartfelt Thanks and Quyana to all who expressed their sympathy, offered condolences, remembered Victor and the family in prayers, and offered support in every way imaginable: Josephine Murphy, Jimmie & Maggie Okitkun, Dominic & Lala Hunt, Michael & Winnie Hunt, Leslie Hunter, Lavina and Morris Teeluk, Mary Trader, Oscar & Frannie Leopold, Emily Kobuk, Mathew & Helen Kitsick, Emmanuel & Mary Keyes, Thecla Goodwin, Benedict Aparezuk, Sally Aparezuk, Myron Naneng, Jim Akaran & Rose Kameroff, Jimmy Kameroff, Nick Tucker, Chevak classmates, and many who traveled and called from afar. We cannot thank you enough for the kind words, the remembrance of Victor Sr., and we’re especially thankful for your prayers. Thank you to Joe Aparezuk for always speaking with Victor with your wisdom, he had a great deal of respect for you. Thank you for reminding the Community of Kotlik of the teachings and respect, the ways of our ancestors. We hope that everyone will follow Joe’s teachings and respect the ways of our ancestors.
A very big thank you for all the hard working men of Kotlik who took the time and energy to dig an area to lay Victor to rest, the skilled carpenters who made the wonderful cross and box for Victor, all the women who cooked, baked, and fried many foods. If we have missed anyone, we certainly apologize as this was a very unexpected loss. We do want to express our gratitude to everyone who helped. Again, thank you! May our Merciful and Loving Lord grant you all Peace, Love, and Happiness for the new coming year.
From the Tonuchuk family: Hilma, John Albert, Luciann, Darry, Ella, Anthony, and Victor Jr.,
and grandchildren
