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Opinion Policy

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When you go to the polls to vote, be prepared

9-4-08

by Yolonda Jorgensen

Dear Bethel Community & City Council,
I write this letter with mixed emotions as I have lived in Bethel almost 30 years now and served as your Council Member for the past few years. I would like to thank you, my community, for the confidence you put in me. I not only served as a voice for you as a Council member, but as a friend in a community where I was raised and have raised my own family. It has been my Honor to do my Civic Duty to help make “Bethel a Better, Safer and Greener Place to Live”!!
I would like my community to know that I truly loved representing their voice as a Council Member. I have learned so much from this experience. One of the biggest issues I feel I have been able to help resolve and implement is the necessity and importance of, “The Community Recreation Center w/Swimming Pool”, in Bethel, which I would not of been able to do without the help of the ADHOC committee and you, the Community. It has been a long hard road and now finally after 30 years we have a plan in action. You, the Community, reached out in faith by voting on a tax increase that has a “Sunset Clause”. The money from the tax increase is to go to the construction, operation and maintenance of our “New Community Center”. Sometimes you might have to remind the Council! You now have the money to start the next step which is for the Architectural Firm to do their part. You have the ADHOC committee in place to help lead the process along, the city Grant writer who is working on grants to help with the construction, you the city have the land designated and you have the backing of the community and its businesses. Remember, “We the Community believe this will help make Bethel a better place for our families to visit, work & live in”.
Remember who’s in charge, you, the citizens of Bethel. You are the ones that elect the city council members and if they are not doing what you elected them to do and what’s in the best interest of Bethel, then you have to do what’s right and remove them from office.
Remember, when you go to the polls to vote, be prepared. Study the candidates and make sure you know what their agenda is. Are they trying to do what’s best for Bethel or “are they trying to do what’s best for them”. You as the voter have the power, don’t let the council try to bully their way around. They are there to represent you the Community, not their personal interest. It takes 20% of the last election to petition the removal of a Council Member. Remember, there is a chain of command and proper protocol that must be followed. Your City Clerk is the one that can help you through this process. Check your “Bethel Municipal Code & Alaska Statues Title 29”, your city clerk will have a copy of these in her office and you can also go online and find it on the city web site and the State of Alaska web site. These are the required community and states rules for running a municipality.
Many of you already know that recently I made a trip to Oregon to see my family while my husband would be checking out a job offer. Unfortunately, I had to leave earlier than expected due to a family medical emergency. During this visit I found my family truly needs me at this time due to the seriousness of these medical conditions. After much consideration, I feel I have no other option available but to submit my Resignation as your “City of Bethel Council Member”, to you the Community and the City Council, effective Oct. 1, 2008. This will allow me to complete this Council year and attend the remaining two meetings by teleconference. This will also allow the community of Bethel, the necessary time needed to “elect a qualified replacement” to fill my position.
Sincerely Your Council Rep, Yolonda L. JorgensenJ
You can call Yolonda Jorgensen at her phone number (541) 459-9785 or send her an email at tweetybird_1967_99@yahoo.com if you wish to get a hold of her.

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The Hezekiah Syndrome

8-29-08

by Will Updegrove

Does history repeat itself or is it just that basic human nature remains unchanged through the ages? Are we witnessing in Alaska a renewed outbreak of the “Hezekiah Syndrome” from the Old Testament times?
The Bible records the history of Hezekiah, king of Israel during the time of Isaiah the prophet. Hezekiah tried his best to be a good king and rule in faithfulness to God. When the Assyrians attacked Jerusalem, Hezekiah went to God in prayer and God delivered Jerusalem from the large army which had besieged the city. God also granted Hezekiah’s prayer for healing and longer life when he was gravely ill. Although the Bible counts Hezekiah as one of the “good” kings in Israel, he also proved to be very self-serving and lacking in concern for anyone except himself.
After Hezekiah’s sickness, ambassadors from Babylon came to visit him to extend their concern over his illness and their wishes for his full recovery. He didn’t have a clue where Babylon was or what the true motives of these foreigners were. With great pride, Hezekiah showed these visitors all the wealth and treasures of his palace.
The prophet Isaiah asked Hezekiah what he had shown the Babylonians, and when he heard Hezekiah’s response he said: “Hear the word of the Lord Almighty. The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord. And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” (Isaiah 39:5-7)
Hezekiah had a chance to repent, to plead with God to spare his kingdom and his family, but his actual response to Isaiah’s prophecy is chilling: “The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my lifetime.” (Isaiah 39:8)
Has this “Hezekiah Syndrome” taken root and is it spreading among the people of Alaska? Is our main concern “peace and security in my lifetime?” Or maybe it should be phrased “jobs and income for me and my family.” There is nothing wrong with peace and security or jobs and prosperity, but we need to consider whether they are gained only at great cost to future generations.
The proposed mines in western Alaska promise jobs and income for no more than one or two generations. The inheritance that we will pass to the next generations, however, will not be money saved and invested, but the lasting residue of polluted water and decimated fish stocks. The foreigners will have come and taken away all the riches and robbed our great grandchildren of the inheritance of annual salmon runs which we have received as a gift from God through the stewardship of our elders.
The politicians in Washington “borrow and spend” to pay for legislation to please their constituents (and keep themselves in office). They seem unconcerned over the future generations which will have to “pay the bill” for our 21st century equivalent of “peace and security in my lifetime.” Unfortunately, many Alaskan leaders have followed this same pattern and have bought the lie of corporate greed and worship the idol of the annual report’s bottom line. The people of Alaska deserve better spokesmen.
Yup’ik culture reveres the wisdom of the elders and respects sacrifice for the good of future generations. The deception that in our lifetime everything will be good cannot outweigh our responsibility to future generations. We can’t afford to ignore the “prophecy” of catastrophic mining consequences. We need to honor the heritage of our ancestors and care for the future of our descendants. Buying into the “Hezekiah Syndrome” is far too high a price to pay for only temporary “peace and security.”
Will Updegrove is a resident of Bethel, AK.

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Ballot Measure 4 could have dire consequences for the YK Delta

8-24-08

by Mary Nelson

For years now, I’ve spoken to you as your legislator, but as I transition from that job to the private sector, my commitment to our region remains strong and causes me to write you now, as a private citizen, regarding Ballot Measure 4.
Ballot Measure 4 is set to appear on the August 26th primary election ballot and if it passes, it could have dire consequences for the YK Delta. We all know the importance of jobs to our community, our people and our way of life. If Donlin Creek receives all its permits and moves forward, it would mean hundreds of jobs for our region. Those are high paying, long-term, dependable jobs that we need for our communities. Further, Donlin has over 90% shareholder hire rate, and this is not by accident – it is a commitment that Donlin made to our region. I don’t know of any other company that is so strongly dedicated to shareholder (and shareholder descendent) hire.
A NO vote on Ballot Measure 4 is a vote to protect those jobs and strengthen and diversify the economy of our region. There are a number of reasons to vote no on the measure. First, I believe that Ballot Measure 4 is deceptive to voters. The proponents continue to say it is about the Pebble Mine. If you read the initiative, no where is the Pebble Mine mentioned. And by law, the initiative will impact every major metallic mine in our state. I know that a lot of you might have concerns about the Pebble Mine, but I don’t believe this is the proper way to address those concerns. If the Pebble Mine can’t be done safely, it won’t be done. Furthermore, I believe that Alaskan and federal agencies listen to the regions affected by projects and therefore the Bristol Bay region should decide whether or not the project goes forward.
In addition to the jobs and economic impact that mining has on our region, there is a statewide impact as well. Rural Alaska benefits greatly from mining activity in both jobs and tax revenue. There is also tax revenue paid to the state government. If Ballot Measure 4 passes, all these jobs and revenue are threatened.
Proponents of Ballot Measure 4 claim that it is needed to protect salmon and human health. I can assure you that Alaska has a world-class regulatory process already in place that does both of those things. Mines must adhere to both state and federal laws regarding clean water and providing for healthy aquatic life. Red Dog Mine is proof that fish and mining can coexist, and I would never want to see one industry thrive at the expense of another, but that is not happening here in Alaska.
Finally, I believe that this initiative is deceptive and designed to confuse voters. If this initiative passes, entirely new regulations will be written as a result. This would leave decisions in the hands of bureaucrats, lawyers and judges, not the hands of Alaskans citizens. And I believe we are the best stewards of our environment. Alaska’s current science-based approach to mining regulations is not only the envy of the world, but is constantly being improved upon as new technologies come about. We shouldn’t throw out that system, based on emotion, and replace it with the unknown. That is irresponsible and could have devastating consequences to an industry that I believe is extremely important to our state and local region.
Alaskan voters deserve better than what Ballot Measure 4 provides. For that reason, I urge you to go to the polls on Election Day, or participate in early voting. Regardless, vote NO on Ballot Measure 4 – Vote NO to protect jobs in our region.

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Middlebrook addresses Bethel Chamber of Commerce

8-14-08

by Eric Middlebrook

Thank you for inviting me and giving me this opportunity to speak. I’ll start with a brief bio. I was born in San Francisco and lived in Berkeley until I was twelve. I have four brothers and two sisters. When I was twelve I moved with my family to the foothills of the Sierra Mountains in Northern California. In March of 1981 I came to Alaska. I lived in Kenai for a few months and then in Aug 1981 I moved to Bethel. Originally I was only going to be here for two weeks. It’s been a long two weeks. I’m one of those people who instantly fell in love with the area and stayed.
The Delta is my community. It is where I have chosen to live for the majority of my life, 27 years. My neighbors, my friends, many of the people who are closest to me are all part of my community.
With that in mind I want to do all I can to speak for and represent my community. I have a people first approach. Business is an important part of prosperity, but business’s first priority is profit. The government’s role is to act for the people. So sometimes the interest of business and government are not the same.
There is no single label that describes my political philosophy; I am liberal, conservative and libertarian.
I am liberal in that I believe in everyday people first, not special interests first. I strongly believe that people who are working hard to support themselves and their families, are who a good government needs to be concerned with the most.
I am conservative when it comes to spending money. I have fought for balanced budgets for the City of Bethel and believe public borrowing should be avoided.
I am libertarian when it comes to issues of individual rights. In subtle ways our individual rights are being eroded. I am very sensitive to this and am quick to point out anything that could affect these rights and take a stand to defend them.
There are many issues that concern the people of this district. Two of the biggest are subsistence and energy.
I strongly support subsistence rights. Subsistence is part of who we are! To take subsistence rights strikes deep and I will fight to maintain these rights.
The energy crises is being felt by most of the world right now. We here in rural Alaska have been particularly hard hit. There are things I as representative can do to help. Promoting fair regulations is one. The state and communities need to work together to make sure communities are being treated fairly and are not the victims of greed. The nature of the markets here in Western Alaska are different than other places, because we have limited markets with a limited number of participants; the classic ideas of competition and free market don’t work here. Here any investor must spend a large amount of money to get a percentage of a finite market. Under these conditions prices tend to be set by what a market will bear.
Increasing energy efficiency is another way to help reduce costs. The state has already initiated programs to make homes more efficient. The state could also work with the federal and local governments to promote energy efficient vehicles and appliances. I support the Bethel bus system, and development of the doughnut hole in Bethel. Public transportation and higher density development both reduce energy usage. The decisions we make today will affect our future ten years and beyond.
I applaud the resources the state is now pumping into alternative energies. Our state has large resources in hydro and wind geothermal and tidal energy. I will work to ensure that the funds spent on increasing energy efficiency and developing alternatives are spent wisely and in a manner that gives the maximum benefit to Alaskans.
I support a return to the PERS/TERS defined benefit plan. I see the changes proposed for the Social Security system nationwide made to Alaska’s retirement system. And it’s been disastrous. The defined contribution plan has removed the security offered by the old system. It has made it more difficult to recruit and keep teachers and other state workers. And Alaskan communities have received notices saying they owe millions of dollars to the state retirement system, after they have dutifully paid their PERS/TERS obligations for years. Nationally investment banks were drooling over the prospect of the fees they could charge if the proposed changes were made to the Social Security system. I think that much of the deficit in the state’s retirement system now comes from the fact that monies from current workers are now being diverted to investment accounts instead going to current retirees. Medical costs are a huge part of the burden on the state’s retirement system. And these will be an issue no matter what plan the state uses.
I am disappointed that the legislature has not put more funds into community revenue sharing. Last I heard, the legislature put over 3 billion into reserves last session. Less then 10% of this amount dedicated to Alaska’s communities would have been enough to float every community in Alaska, not just bush communities, all communities. The legislature could have been heroes to every single community in Alaska.
People who know me from my business and my work on the city council know that I am a very hard worker and have dedicated myself to both of these jobs.
As you think about who you will to vote for on Aug 26th. Please consider who will represent you the best. When companies that have influence in the legislature come looking for sweet deals at the cost of everyday people and small businesses, think of who will consider you first. When you call representative Eric Middlebrook, in Juneau or in Bethel it won’t be to work out a deal with me, it will be to discuss how we can work together to make life on the delta and in the state of Alaska better for all of us. Thank You.

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Calista improves

8-6-08

by Shelee M. Panruk Chamberlain

In the past, I’ve publicly spoken my mind regarding Calista and through my and many other shareholders’ published letters, I’ve seen Calista make efforts in being responsive and compliant. I commend Calista for trying to start an elder’s benefit program, however, the elders still have yet to see the results of it. I’m confident, though, Calista will progress with it in a timely manner as our elders are living on borrowed time.
I’m pleased to see the success of Calista’s annual shareholder picnics at a location that is large enough to accommodate shareholders wishing to attend (as opposed to previous “pavement picnics” in the Calista parking lot). Literally hundreds of shareholders attend that event and it grows each year. It’d be nice to have artist tables available for our shareholders to sell their arts and crafts. Let’s hope that will be available in the years to come. I don’t think ChangePoint would object if they’re aware that the income made from those sales goes to sustain artists’ families. Incidentally, it’d be improper for Calista to select which artists can participate. It’d be seen as playing favoritism and harboring discrimination. Other Native corporations provide artist tables to their shareholders free of charge and accommodate all artists interested in setting up. Why not us?
On another note, I’ve mentioned to Matthew Nicolai years before, there should be more than one or two food lines to serve shareholders, especially since the event turnout has grown exponentially. If the event is catered by one of Calista’s subsidiaries, it’d be profitable for the business to set up additional serving tables so shareholders won’t stand in line for long – thus scheduled events, guest speakers and performers alike can have the utmost attention they deserve, especially if guests and performers are compensated for services rendered.
I’d also like to thank Calista for finally distributing our first dividends. Although they were small, it’s headed in the right direction. The villages truly needed that extra boost of income especially in these hard economic times and every little bit helps. In the event that a check is trailing a shareholder, perhaps shareholders can pre-opt for direct deposit to their bank accounts to avoid a “re-issue fee.”
It’s great to hear that Donlin Creek is doing so well and that there hasn’t been a single incident of a hazardous nature. *knock on wood* It’s wonderful that our very own Mary Nelson has joined the team. I have much faith in her abilities to contribute to Donlin’s efforts of limiting a negative impact on our environment and subsistence resources. I’m beginning to see that it may, in fact, be a positive venture for our people.
One of a few of my remaining concerns is that the annual shareholder meetings should be held in Bethel. There’s overwhelming support that those meetings need to be in the hub of our region. If Calista would comply, there’d be less suspicion and concern about how business is conducted behind closed doors. We realize there are some issues that are case sensitive, however, no shareholder should feel left out of the loop. I see how Calista is finally trying to make those much needed changes that are pulling our people in the right direction. Yet, I know that there are still active frustrations among many of our shareholders. It will subside as Calista continues to make those much needed improvements. Contact me at ravens_backbone1@yahoo.com. Quyana cakneq.
Shelee M. Panruk Chamberlain is a resident of Anchorage, AK.

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Thoughts on the jail expansion project

7-30-08

by Eric Middlebrook

I applaud the State of Alaska’s goal of bringing inmates closer to their families by expanding the Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center. I feel that one of the most important things we can do for people who are incarcerated is to help them keep their ties to family and community. I am also concerned with the phone system that is in use in the state prisons. It allows free local calls but a long distance call can cost $6.00 or more for only ten minutes. Before inmates can call home, they or their family must first send a payment to an out of state company which is a particularly discriminatory requirement for people who live in outlying villages.
The Bethel jail expansion proposal is made by the State Department of Corrections and this is a state facility we are discussing. I still marvel at the way many are implying that the people of Bethel have a responsibility to finance $12,000,000 (twelve million dollars) for a state facility. No matter how risk free we are assured this is, we must remember how many times the city has looked at proposals such as this one thinking that we could benefit the community at no risk or cost and have wound up instead losing financially. Three things that immediately come to mind are the DMV office, the State courthouse and Kasayuli subdivision.
I have a philosophical problem with the idea that the people of Bethel should borrow millions of dollars and give it to the state to pay for a state project. Normally money for projects comes from the state and goes to cities and other entities. The idea here is that the money going to the cash rich state for a state project will come from the cash poor City of Bethel. This is backwards. Even the person who would oversee the selling of the bonds has said that it is a “weird” and “convoluted” way of financing a project.
I have been told by Department of Corrections officials that if the city does not approve the MOA (and ultimately the bond sale) that the project will not be abandoned. The state would simply go back to the legislature and request the funding. This might take a couple of years longer, but could have some tremendous advantages. The project could be a better facility, perhaps the 120 bed facility the Department of Corrections needs, instead of the 48-60 beds that would be added by the current proposal. In my estimation, it would save the state about $800,000 to $900,000 a year in debt service---a nice addition to any operating budget. And the city wouldn’t be caught up in a weird and convoluted financing scheme. In the long run, this appears to be a better deal for everyone concerned.
As a result of not approving the MOA at the July 8th council meeting, the Department of Corrections has let the City know they plan to present to the city a new MOA “as similar as possible to the one with Seward.”
Some people have tried to tie this issue to my candidacy for the State House. It might have been more expedient for my campaign to go along with the original MOA the state offered to the city, but as long as I’m a member of the city council, my first duty is to the City of Bethel.
Looking forward, we must decide if it is better for the community to take the forthcoming offer, which is still backwards financing and would improve our existing facility, but not adequately. Or work with the Department of Corrections and the legislature to build a better facility, that in the long term, will serve our needs and benefit the state, our community and the inmates even more.
Eric Middlebrook is the Mayor of the City of Bethel.

Middlebrook provides effective leadership with the right priorities

by the Campaign for Middlebrook08

Bethel Mayor Eric Middlebrook will work for all of the people of District 38 as Representative in the Alaska State House. He is asking for your consideration in the election on August 26th. Eric pledges to work as hard for the entire district as he has as mayor and as a businessman.
Eric is proud of the fact that since starting his campaign and with still a month left before the election he has already traveled to every village in the district including Oscarville and Akiuk. During his campaign travels he has talked with people everywhere about the issues facing them.
Over the last 23 years Eric has flown his plane throughout the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta assisting and supporting over 80 local businesses and institutions by providing refrigeration service for restaurants, stores, fisheries, native corporations, schools and municipal buildings. Eric has dedicated his business, to being there when needed, helping many small businesses stay afloat and kept fishery equipment going assuring fishermen a place to sell their fish. Eric’s reliability has helped retain jobs and maintain our local economy.
As a Bethel City Council member, Middlebrook has worked hard for
• a balanced budget
• accountable contracts for city services--like calcium chloride
• a much-needed and fairer payment system for providing water and sewer services to local families and businesses.
• Water and sewer project that are affordable to operate and maintain.
When Eric saw the people’s rights under attack by special interests, he fought back against the statewide proposal limiting the citizen initiative process (Proposition 1) and pushed for local voters’ input on issues like the control of alcohol.
Eric stands apart from the other candidates for State house on an issue that is critical to the health and subsistence culture of the Kuskokwim Delta: Eric strongly opposes the development of the Donlin Creek gold mine, which is currently in the midst of the permitting process. Eric has studied the practices of mining companies around the world and found a history of environmental devastation. He has also studied the history of Barrick Gold in Chile, Argentina, Peru, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, the United States, Australia, the Philippines, and Canada. Eric does not feel the economic benefits the region might gain from this mine are worth the costs and risks to the Delta’s way of life.
Another big concern of Middlebrook’s is that the people of the YK Delta have continued access to all the subsistence resources of the delta with the least amount of interference from the state government. He wants protection for all subsistence activities.
In the last 27 years Eric has observed that tribal organizations work very well for people in communities. He will encourage improving the relationships between the State and Tribal Governments and believes that both can benefit from greater cooperation.
The State is flush with cash. More of it needs to be used wisely to develop proven alternative energy resources in the Delta, like the wind turbines that are saving communities money. In addition to wind, Eric thinks our region needs to consider other sources such as hydroelectric, geothermal and tidal energy. Funds need to be properly directed with good planning so they actually benefit the people of the Delta. Middlebrook also thinks that if the legislature put only ten percent of the money appropriated to the budget reserves last session into community revenue sharing, it could float every community in Alaska and the legislature would be heroes to everyone.
Some of the other important issues that Eric Middlebrook supports are:
1. Protecting our fishing industry
2. Developing a multi-pronged energy policy for our region
3. Maintaining funding for Medicare and Medicaid so people can travel to Bethel and Anchorage for health care
4. Making Power Cost Equalization more equitable so we can afford to live in rural areas
5. Reinstating the Defined Benefit Plan for PERS and TERS retirement
Support for Eric Middlebrook’s candidacy comes from people all over the Delta as well as Bethel residents Helen and Jack Lilienthal, Elias Venes, Maro and Cariopolis Kargas, Tom Hawkins and Irv Kreider. Eric has asked for support and donations from people who know his abilities and trust him personally rather than look for money from special interests and political deal-makers outside District 38. Eric is aware that cooperation and compromise are part of the legislative and governmental process, but does not want to owe favors to people who may not have the interests of the people of District 38 as their first priority.
Eric is anxious to hear what you think about issues that are important to you. He welcomes your questions about his stand on issues that affect the Delta and the State. Eric is dedicated to helping families afford to stay in the Delta and believes that can happen when government listens to the people. Eric Middlebrook is the local leader you can count on.
You can call Eric at 543-4075 to talk, or you can email him at middlebrook08@gmail.com or write to: Campaign for Middlebrook08, P. O. Box 1466, Bethel, AK 99559.

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Born into an era of Cancer

7-23-08

by Cody Ferguson

Upon graduating from High school with high hopes of becoming an engineer, I was eager and anxious to attend the University of Alaska Anchorage the upcoming semester. With all that I had going for me, I used my resources and took full advantage for my freshman year at UAA. Once I left for school, I never knew how much I would miss my family, especially when one of them was struck down by the bitter hands of Cancer.
The spring semester of my senior year, my mother was diagnosed with Lung Cancer.
As hard as this was for me to take, I slowly coped with. It wasn’t until when I came home from college to be with her that I realized my crying and worrying wasn’t going to heal her.
Arriving back home from college, I came home to a skinny bald woman, who seemed to never get enough rest. What scared me the most was every time she ate she ended up puking her food out. My mind was boggled with so much emotion that I didn’t go back for my second semester. I was on hold with my life until I knew she was going to get better, if it was going to even happen. This was the smartest decision I ever made.
Going through such an experience, I really hoped that my presence helped her on her way to recovery.
In 2006, Alaska’s top three causes of death were: Cancer, Lung Cancer, and Breast Cancer. This has been the same since 1994! Let me rephrase this, Alaska’s top three causes of death since 1994 were Cancer, Lung Cancer, and Breast Cancer! This bothers me because Alaska’s top three causes of death can be one hundred percent preventable in most cases. And in other cases, it just happens. Take my Mother, she lives a very healthy lifestyle eating healthy native foods and is very active physically, comes to find she was diagnosed with lung cancer. But in many cases, cancer is caused by tobacco use.
This is horrible because tobacco was somewhat adapted into our culture and has been a part of it for quite some time now. While this stuff was first introduced to natives when white people first stormed over our lands, cancer wasn’t as abundant as it is today. Now that people have been using tobacco for a while, it is really hitting us hard now and our generations and future generations are deeply affected by this.
Although there isn’t a real cure for cancer, luckily there are cancer survivors with good advice to give. There are basically two ways to help defeat cancer: the medical approach, and the mental approach. With these two side by side, there will be a long hard fight til’ the end.
One medical treatment for cancer is Chemotherapy. This can be given in a pill or injected through the blood veins, and what this does is it goes throughout the whole body to stop the cancer from growing any further. This is very hard on the body, causing patients to lose weight and feel very ill.
Just recently, doctors and scientist along with engineers have created a robotic arm to assist doctors in surgery for kidney, bladder and prostate cancers. This robotic arm provides outstanding surgical precision at ten times the magnification of the surgical field. This is just a glimpse of what we wait in for with technology in the 21st century.
I want to use my mother as an example for the mental approach.
When my mother first learned she had Cancer, her reaction was “Really?” along with a shock. But my mother is strong, it was harder for her family and friends then it was for her because she has faith in God. Her weapon of choice was her mind. She is using her mind to overcome her lung cancer. Although she was undergoing treatment, I don’t believe that is what is healing her. I truly believe it is her positive approach towards this new experience that has enabled her to come as far as she is right now. You would think her loved ones and doctor would be the ones who are there for her, but it is, in fact, the other way around. She is giving advice to all of us in her life that we totally have to consider because she is proof that what she is doing is working!
This roller coaster ride that my family and I are still on is a bumpy one, but one that we all are taking together. One person who has helped her out tremendously is her husband, my dad. He is the one that is there for her very step of the way reminding her what she should be doing and keeping her chin up. Cancer can not be defeated alone. Many people young and old have came up to me and said they are praying for my mom, and this really helps her. She knows that people are praying for her and she tells me that it helps her a great deal. After months of chemotherapy, the drastic change in her appearance is starting to show. This tells me she will get better soon. Cancer is surely not going away anytime soon, but with the right attitude and medical approach, anyone with cancer can overcome it.
Cody Ferguson is a resident of Chevak, AK.

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Save the Bering Sea from bottom trawlers

7-16-08

by Harold Napoleon

In your most recent edition, Myron P. Naneng, Sr., president of AVCP pleads with fishery regulatory agencies to control the trawler fleets scraping the bottom of the Bering Sea for pollock and other bottom fish. I believe that all of us who live off the Bering Sea agrees with the need to control, if not completely halt, these fleets as they are harming not only the subsistence and commercial salmon fisheries in Western Alaska, but other fish stocks and marine mammals that we rely on for subsistence as well. However, we have to do more than plead, we are not helpless - and furthermore, we have Western and traditional science and “right” on our side.
There is no doubt, none whatsoever, that the people who had four nations ditch, then replace, the inhumane 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act (which had criminalized the spring and summer waterfowl hunt of our people) can also muster the moral, political, scientific and legal arguments necessary to stop the rape of the Bering Sea by domestic and foreign fishing fleets that are literally scraping the sea bottom for short term monetary gain while ignoring the irreparable damage they are doing to the whole Bering ecosystem which we, the walrus, the whales, the seals, and thousands of sea ducks (including the endangered Spectacled and Stellar sea eiders) rely on for our very existence.
It is not enough to plead. As we had confronted the US Fish and Wildlife Service in the early 1970’s for criminalizing our Way of Life, so we must now confront the foreign and domestic fishing fleets and the federal and international councils that allow them to rape the Bering Sea. The seriousness of the dangers posed by the scraping of the Bering Sea by trawlers is not overstated, but pleading before regulatory agencies is not the answer - AVCP must act to halt the rape of the Bering sea before irreparable damage is done to it and to our subsistence Way of Life.
In 1973, Yupiktak Bista published a book, “Does One Way of Life have Die so Another Can Live?” and thus opened the fight to advance and protect our Subsistence Way of Life from being regulated out of existence by Federal and state governments. Our efforts resulted in the inclusion of Title 8 to ANILCA (protecting subsistence for all Alaska Natives) in 1981 and in the signing of the Hooper Bay Agreement in 1984 making us co-managers of the Clarence Rhodes National Wildlife Refuge (Now the Yukon Delta NWR). We were also ultimately successful in amending the inhumane 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act legalizing the spring and summer hunting of waterfowl by our people. We need that type of determined, sustained, multilateral effort again to save the Bering Sea, and pleading before federal and state agencies is not the way to accomplish it.
The issue must be on the October agenda of the Association of Village Council Presidents…and there we must decide what course of action we are going to take to save the Bering Sea and by extension our very lives and cultures as well.
Harold Napoleon is from the Native Village Paimiut - Hooper Bay, AK.

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Waste of resources is threatening Yukon salmon stocks

7-9-08

by Myron Naneng Sr.

Does our subsistence way of life have to end so that the Bering Sea trawl fishery can continue? In the eyes and hearts of many of the Indigenous Yup'ik people who reside in the Yukon River communities and depend on salmon to meet their needs, Absolutely not!
The Yukon River has once again experienced a significant decline in the return of the king salmon. The subsistence salmon fishery, customarily and traditionally 80 percent of the fish harvested, is to feed thousands of people who depend on the Yukon River chinook salmon.
According to Dr. Kate Myers, a significant recognized scholar in salmon genetics, 56 percent of the trawl chinook by-catch originates from Western Alaska. Of the 56 percent, 40 percent are Yukon River stocks, 26 percent are Kuskokwim River stocks and 34 percent are from the Bristol Bay river stocks. According to the National Marine Fisheries Service, over 122,000 chinook salmon were harvested as by-catch in 2007, of which 27,328 were bound to return to the Yukon River.
This year’s subsistence salmon fishery opened with two 36-hour openings per week with unrestricted gear. In the most recent news release, the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, in cooperation with the Office of Subsistence Management, announced further restrictions on the Yukon River subsistence salmon fishery from two 36-hour openings to two 18-hour openings along with gear reductions to no greater than six inch gillnets.
Meanwhile, the Bering Sea Trawl Fishery continues without restrictions. This is a crime against humanity!!
Many of our families have not achieved their subsistence needs for the coming winter. Our commercial fishermen have not, and will not, meet their cash needs to pay for the bills that have accumulated over the winter. Compounded by high gasoline and home heating fuel costs, this makes for dire situation in most of our villages.
The atrocity of the situation is the continuation of the wasteful practices of the trawl fishery whose primary target is the pollock. In the years past, we have pleaded with North Pacific Fisheries Management Council to put an end to the large scale waste of our precious salmon resources, but always lost to the large Seattle-based fishery. The Council and National Marine Fisheries Service have not only failed to protect our subsistence fishery, but the failure in management is also a conservation disaster which is threatening the very continued existence of the Yukon chinook salmon stocks.
We once again plead with the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Federal Subsistence Management system in Alaska to exert their authority and ask the State of Alaska to join us in preserving our way of life by putting an end to this harmful waste of our precious resources.

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A disappointing decision

6-24-08

by Mark Leary

It was disappointing to wake up and hear on the radio that a decision had been made to schedule a commercial fishing period on the Lower River for June 20, 2008.
I try not to talk too much, but if we had a reliable phone here in Napaimute, I would have made some noise about this one.
I’ve been to many meetings where our regions leaders stand up and speech about “One River – One People”.
But it is decisions like this one – to open a commercial fish period before all of the people along the River have met their subsistence needs that make those speeches hard to believe.
Earlier this week my family and I were down in Bethel. For the first time in many, many years I went drifting down there to get some freezer fish. I was quickly reminded of the tremendous demand/dependency of the Lower River on Fish – as everyone along the Kuskokwim is. It’s just that there are so many more people in the Lower River trying to meet their subsistence needs.
But the fish & the fishing are good down there.
In one early morning drift I caught as much as we get fishing all day up here in Napaimute. And they were all big and bright. I haven’t seen fish that shiny in a long time.
A few days later as we traveled back up by boat, the further we went the less fish there were hanging on the racks until we arrived at Napaimute where there are no fish hanging yet.
Today, as I worked in the office with my window overlooking the River, there were two elders out making drifts all afternoon. When they came in, Shelly went over to get the fishing report from them: One small jack king for all that gas & effort.
Tonight, I’ll start fishing for our family. I’ll wait until after sunset and fish until sunrise so that we can do a little better, but it is with low expectations knowing that there still hundreds of families below us out there trying to get their food and on top of it a hole has been blown in the run through the opening of a commercial fish period!
How can THAT have been justified?
How could a commercial fishing period even be discussed when the majority of people along the River are not done subsistence fishing and the strength of the run isn’t even clear?
And at a lousy 75 cents a pound for KING SALMON, our most prized fish, and gas ranging from close to $6 to $7 a gallon at different communities along the River NOBODY will make any money – except for maybe the processor (the same old story).
The food value of the fish far outweighs the monetary value. With the price of gas we need to be able to subsistence fish with as little effort as possible. Not having to waste time and expense fishing on gaps put into the run through commercial fish periods.
In a few days we will feel this June 20th commercial opening in the Middle River. The fishing will drop off to almost nothing for a while but people will still be out trying to get their food burning up time and gas.
People in the Middle and Upper Kuskokwim have long been criticized for closing Corporation Lands to non-shareholders to hunting (which was mostly Lower River People) and for supporting the development of mineral resources (Donlin Creek).
They have been called greedy and selfish.
Yet, fishing for money is being allowed while there is barely a fish in the Middle and Upper River.
Now, I hope those critics can understand.
I also hope that no additional commercial fish periods will be allowed until ALL of the people along the River have met their subsistence King Salmon fishing needs.
Mark Leary is a resident of Napaimute, AK.

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The Alaska Native TERO Program
Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance

6-18-08

Like Indians in the lower 48, Alaska Natives have a critical need and unique rights to employment and business opportunities on and near their lands and communities. However, although Native people have special entitlements to such opportunities, many barriers continue to block their access to them.
Development has undermined the subsistence economy and the cost of living in Native villages has skyrocketed. While Native people have felt the full negative impact of development, they have shared in few of its benefits. Unemployment in Native Villages is staggering and the social consequences associated with it are well known. Additionally, Native businesses development has progressed too slowly to establish a tribal business infrastructure necessary for both job creation and tribal economic self-sufficiency.
Congress has confirmed that Native Villages have the right to self-government. This right is of little value if it is not accompanied by Native access to job opportunities and tribal economic self-sufficiency. Thus there is a need for aggressive implementation of Native employment rights.
Tribes in the lower 48 use a variety of tools to implement their employment rights. Their most powerful tool, and in many ways, the least complex, is the status of their sovereign authority. Congress and the courts have made it clear that this authority enables them to establish the terms and conditions under which employers can conduct business within the exterior boundaries of their governmental jurisdiction. While it is recognized that Native Villages are tribes, the question of their sovereign status and powers remains a problem in the state of Alaska. Unlike the tribes in the lower 48, there is no solid body of law upholding and delineating the scope of their governmental powers. Further complicating the issue of an Alaskan tribe’s ability to control the employment practices of employers on their lands is that with the exception of Metlakatla, there are no reservations located in the state. Although a reservation is not a precondition to the assertion of tribal sovereign powers, its absence makes such assertions difficult.
Thus, while tribes in the lower 48 build their employment rights programs on a solid body of existing law, Native Village governments in Alaska will have to create that body of law while at the same time building their employment rights programs. This means that creating an effective TERO will be a much more delicate endeavor and one that must be approached more carefully than TERO’s in the lower 48 states.
The TERO area provides an excellent arena for tribes to both strengthen their sovereignty and at the same time exercise their powers by using the variety of tools available to them.
In addition to tribally imposed Indian/Native preference employment law, there are a great many federal and state laws that provide for preference, affirmative action and/or protect against unlawful discrimination. There is also the potential for Native Shareholder preference and possibly for even municipality enacted local preference. By weaving tribal laws around these other laws and by working together with the federal and state agencies to ensure enforcement of these laws, Alaska Native governments can establish the accouterments of self-government, without making themselves vulnerable to challenges against their TERO.
In sum, Native governments should assert their sovereign powers to set the terms and conditions under which employers will be required to conduct a business within their jurisdiction. But, at least for the near future, they should make certain to use, when possible, federal, state or contract laws that impose similar requirements on employers.
THE NEED FOR TRIBAL ACTION
There are many compelling reasons why Alaska Native Governments must take vigorous actions to protect the employment rights of their people. Here are such reasons:
1. EMPLOYMENT IS A RESOURCE: Like land, water, subsistence, mineral, and other resources—employment and other economic opportunities are vitally important and desperately needed tribal resources which must be protected for the use of and benefit of Native people with the same vigor that is used to protect other resources.
2. NATIVE UNEMPLOYMENT: While America is in one of the best economic periods of our history, the incidence of unemployment, poverty, and dependence remain among the greatest challenges and concerns facing tribal governments. Today, though the national unemployment rate is averaging slightly over 5% and for State of Alaska at 7.1%, unemployment among Native people continues at a staggering rates ranging from 25-85%. The impact of Native unemployment, in terms of human suffering, are reflected in the following facts. Native People experience the highest rates of suicides, alcoholism & other drug related problems, child abuse, homelessness, and others just to name a few factors we face today.
3. STATE & FEDERAL FAILURES RELATIVE TO NATIVE EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS & NEEDS ISSUES: The failure of the U.S. Government and many states to meet their legal and moral obligations to Native people is a matter of historical fact. As this issue relates to employment, unkept promises, broken treaties, breached contracts, non-usage of and resistance of Indian preference (where applicable), and the lack of enforcement of equal employment protection, affirmative action and other employment laws have acted to exclude Indian/native people from jobs and other economic opportunities.
4. RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION: Racial, cultural and religious discrimination, ethnocentrism and many other mind set biases held by many employers working on and near native villages and reservations also create insurmountable barriers to native employment.
5. FEDERAL CUT-BACKS: Both the President Bush and the U.S. Congress have expressed their commitment to reduce federal spending. This could result in the reduction or elimination of many social programs which are desperately needed (given the state of Native/Indian unemployment) by tribal communities.
6. FUTURE OF SUBSISTENCE: Where do we stand today in regards to our way of life that revolves around the economy in our villages and region. Without a cash economy to buy gas, hunting & fishing supplies, and other needed equipment, will we still continue to gather subsistence food as we use to today, tomorrow?
THE NEW REALITIES
1. EEO/INDIAN PREFERENCE (Where applicable) IS THE LAW!
2. NATIVES/INDIANS ARE AN UNTAPPED RESOURCE!
3. TRIBES ARE GROWING POLITICAL/ECONOMIC FORCES!
4. TRIBES & STATES ARE INTERDEPENDANT!
WHAT IS TRIBAL EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ORDINANCE (TERO)?
Defining TERO is like the story of the blind men who were asked to touch different parts of an elephant and describe what they were touching. TERO means different things to different people. In order to understand TERO it is important to look at the following two definitions:
1.The Conceptual Definition: The TERO concept is a tribal self-determination, self-help and sovereignty based Indian and Native employment rights initiative.
2.The Program Definition: The TERO program is a tribally established and operated Indian/Native preference enforcement and compliance program.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE TERO PROGRAM?
The primary purpose of the TERO program is to insure that Indian/Native people gain their rightful share to employment, training, business and all other economic opportunities on and near reservations or Native villages.
WHAT IS THE LEGAL BASIS FOR TERO?
A Tribes authority to enact and enforce an Indian/Native employment preference law is grounded in its inherent sovereign status. This legal doctrine is the most basic principle of Indian law and is supported by a host of Supreme Court decisions. Inherent sovereign powers derive from the principle that certain powers do not necessarily come from delegated powers granted by express acts of Congress, but are inherent powers of a limited sovereign that have never been taken away. Tribes have a basic relationship with the federal government as sovereign powers. This is recognized in both treaties and federal statues. The sovereignty of tribes has been limited from time to time by treaties and federal legislation, however, what has not been expressly limited remains within tribal sovereignty.
In one important area in which the inherent powers of tribes/village governments should clearly apply is in the right of tribes to regulate and tax all commerce activity within the jurisdictional boundaries of their reservations/villages. A full and accurate explanation of Tribal sovereignty is found in Felix S. Cohen’s Handbook of Federal Indian Law.
THE TERO ORDINANCE
Introduction:
Indian/Native preference is the law on most Tribal/Native reservations and villages in America today. Tribal Employment Rights Ordinances (TERO’s) enacted by Tribal governments are designed to ensure that tribal members, receive their rightful share of employment, business and other economic opportunities that exist on reservations and villages. TERO employment protection ordinances also seek to eliminate or reduce unlawful discrimination that occurs both on and near reservations.
In order to ensure full compliance of tribal employment law, Tribal Councils established and empowered TERO programs to enforce all provisions of the law. The TERO Ordinance is the core of a comprehensive legal framework that is utilized by the TERO program to maximize its effectiveness.
The TERO legal framework is comprised of and utilizes three major bodies of law including:
•Tribal Law (TERO)
•Federal Employment Law (Indian Preference/EEO/Affirmative Action)
•Contract Law
The TERO Requirements:
All covered employers operating within the jurisdiction of Tribal Council governments are required to give preference to qualified Indians in all aspects of the following:
*Employment, *Overtime, *Training, *, Transfers, *Promotions, *Summer Youth Work, *Last in layoffs, *1st in Employee Recalls, *Contracting, *Subcontracting
The purchase of materials, products and services is also covered under the TERO preference provisions.
Covered Employers:
All employers operating within the exterior boundaries of the reservation that have two or more employees or have construction or service contracts of $5,000.00 dollars or more are covered by most TERO ordinances.
Exemptions:
There are several exemptions to the TERO ordinance. These exemptions include the following:
•Federal Agencies
•State and Local Governments
IS TRIBAL/VILLAGE PREFERENCE LEGAL?
Many tribes have tribal/village provisions in their TERO ordinances which are not consistent federal law and are therefore not allowed on any federally funded or assisted contracts. Tribes can however, apply tribal preference on all their own businesses and construction projects. Tribal preference is also allowed on tribal P.L. 93-638 contracts.
During the 2003 AVCP Convention, the delegates passed the Resolution 03-10-16 in support of “Promoting the Self-Sufficiency of Tribes by Encouraging the Adoption of Tribal Employment Rights Ordinances (TERO)”. This resolution was passed at the 39th Annual AVCP Convention.
For further information in regards to Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance, please contact Mr. Jobe Weston, Employment Specialist / TERO Officer for AVCP Workforce Development Division at our toll free phone number 1-800-478-3521 ext. 7483 or 1-907-543-7483.
The information above was presented by the Council for Tribal Employment Rights and the Association of Village Council Presidents.

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Support for Governor’s
Proposed Energy Relief Proposal

6-11-08

by Meera Kohler

An AVEC Fuel Emergency letter to Governor Palin.
Alaska Village Electric Cooperative is very pleased to see that you are clearly determined to assist your fellow citizens who are struggling to keep their heads above the rapidly rising waters of energy costs and we would like to respectfully suggest an alternative approach.
Attached is a resolution passed last week by the AVEC board of directors. This resolution expresses the strident concern that our members are already struggling with today’s extremely steep electricity prices brought about by last year’s leap in fuel prices, and AVEC is struggling with the inability to pay for the fuel we must buy today for next year’s electricity production. Today’s fuel prices are 85% higher than a year ago.
AVEC wishes to propose that fuel stock purchased prospectively by electric utilities be price capped at some number and we suggest $10.00 per million BTU. This would translate to a price of about $1.30 - $1.45 a gallon for various fuels, depending upon their BTU content. The fuel supplier would be the entity that would deliver the fuel, charge the utility the State mandated price and bill the State for the balance.
Utilities would not have to contend with issues such as tax implications for revenues from non-customers and the State would have to deal with a relatively small number of vendors. This would impact future electric bills, typically several months out. Assuming that some 100 million gallons of petroleum fuels are purchased annually by electric utilities, this would have an impact to the State of about $320 million at today’s prices.
Utilities receiving this subsidized fuel should be required to immediately file for revised Fuel Cost Adjustment rates with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, who should be directed to take immediate action on such filings so that relief can start flowing immediately to the utilities’ customers.
If this action occurs in the near future, it will provide immediate relief to the thousands of electric consumers in the state who are suffering tremendously from the extraordinary costs of electricity.
We recognize that consumers in Anchorage, the Matanuska Valley and some Southeast communities will receive no direct benefit from this approach, as the fuel stock cost to their electric utility is below $10 per MMBTU. We suggest that these consumers would benefit greatly from a parallel program limiting the retail cost of transportation and heating fuels to $12.50 per MMBTU.
Rather than a fuel debit card, which will be an administrative nightmare for the State, a cap on retail fuel rates will once again narrow the number of individuals that the State must deal with to a few major suppliers.
I am sure there are many other creative approaches by which the State can use some of its excess oil earnings to alleviate some of the miseries that Alaskans are suffering due to the high cost of fuel. AVEC would be very happy to participate in any process that leads to realistic and viable solutions but, in the meantime, we have a very serious problem purchasing next year’s fuel and we need your help.
Yours very sincerely,
Meera Kohler
President and CEO of AVEC.

Resolution 08-27
Declaring Fuel Emergency

WHEREAS, AVEC serves 53 villages in rural Alaska; communities that have the lowest per capita income in the state of Alaska and in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Because of the historically very high cost of power, residents and businesses in AVEC’s communities have been conserving power for many years, resulting in extremely low electricity consumption per capita and very poor economies of scale; and
WHEREAS, Recent activity in world oil markets has resulted in delivered fuel cost reaching unprecendented levels; and
WHEREAS, AVEC purchased fuel for its power plants at an average cost of $1.29 per gallon in 2002, escalating to $2.93 per gallon in 2007; and
WHEREAS, AVEC’S fuel price for 2008 deliveries will be at least $4.60 per gallon based upon the L.A. Platt’s Fuel Price Index as of May 13, 2008; and
WHEREAS, Crude oil prices closed on May 21, 2008 at $132.57, which is a further increase of 6.7% over May 13, including that delivered fuel could cost as much as $4.87 per gallon; and
WHEREAS, AVEC has issued purchase orders for fuel totaling 5,400,000 gallons that will likely cost at least $26,300,000; and
WHEREAS, AVEC does not have the financial ability to make such an outlay, nor do its members have the financial ability to pay the electric bills that will ensue following incorporation of current fuel costs into rates - $0.25 non-fuel costs + $0.39 fuel cost = $0.64; and
WHEREAS, Less than 50% of electricity sold by AVEC is eligible for PCE and that benefit is capped at costs below $0.525 per kWh.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the AVEC Board of Directors declares a current and ongoing financial emergency; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that AVEC exhorts the State of Alaska to take proactive steps to reduce the delivered cost of fuel to AVEC to a reasonable level of $10.00 per million BTU and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that AVEC petitions the State of Alaska to develop a relief program for its citizens such that the delivered retail cost of petroleum, propane and natural gas be capped at $12.50 per million BTU.
CERTIFICATION
I, Phyllis Clough, Secretary, do hereby certify that the above is a true and correct excerpt from the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Inc., 4831 Eagle Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99503, on the 23rd day of May 2008, at which meeting a quorum was present.
-Phyllis Clough, Secretary, Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Inc.

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Capital improvement projects funded through the
State for schools cannot provide a local hire preference

6-4-08

by David Herbert

As you probably know, the School District received a letter dated May 16, 2008, from Yupiit of Andreafski expressing strong concerns with the local hire status of the ongoing St. Mary’s School Renovation Project.
First and foremost, the School Board and the Administration are strongly and actively promoting local hire on this project. We are actively letting the construction contractor know and understand that we and the community expect to achieve the maximum percentage of local hire possible to the benefit of all the residents of our community.
Secondly, we want to clarify and explain to the community that the District could not legally require the construction contractor to agree to a local hire provision in the construction contract or as a condition of the bid award. To do so would be a violation of state law and the Alaska Constitution. I am attaching a copy of a letter that I received from Sam Kito, Jr. at the State of Alaska, Department of Education and Early Development which confirms what I have stated above – that the District could not legally require a local hire provision in the construction contract or as a condition of the bid award.
Thirdly, the District has made other efforts through this project to benefit the community. As you know, we are salvaging as much as we can from the renovation of the school – from roofing material to cabinetry – and happily making those items available to the community free of charge. We have also encouraged and assisted the construction contractor in entering into a lease with Ciunerkiurvik Corporation for the use of the Mission to house/feed construction workers. This additional revenue to the Corporation helps ensure the continued economic and programmatic success of the Mission. The District’s hiring of student workers has been a positive to the community both in terms of economic benefit and work experience for the youth of the community.
I hope that this letter provides you with additional information on the local hire issue and the District’s role and responsibility in that regard.
David Herbert is the Superintendent for the St. Mary’s School District.

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Misrepresentations in personal biographical information on Calista proxies

5-28-08

by Showalter Smith, Sr.

An open letter to Mr. Terry Lutz, Director for the State of Alaska Division of Banking, Securities & Corporations:
I’m writing to you about Calista Corporation’s 2007 and 2008 Proxy Statements. I’m concerned about misrepresentations in the personal biographies information of the Board members. The misrepresentations follow the names of the following five Board members in both Proxy Statements. Two of them are candidates for election at this year’s annual meeting. They are Margaret P. Pohjola (current candidate), Willie Kasayulie (current candidate), Mike D. Akerelrea, Harley J. Sundown, and Paul George Guy (2007 candidate).
The misleading passages are similar in each case. “Mr./Ms._____ is not directly related to any Director, nominee or executive officer of Calista or any of its subsidiaries.” This passage is used to describe each of the other candidates as well. I am not familiar enough with their personal history to comment on their situation.
As I will demonstrate, this is clearly a false and misleading statement as it relates to the five candidates above. It is my understanding that Mike Akerelrea and Harley Sundown are cousins. It is also my understanding that Willie Kasayulie, Margaret Pohjola and George Guy are cousins of Matthew Nicolai, the president of Calista. Furthermore, it is my understanding that Margaret Pohjola is a cousin of Sue Gamache, V.P. Administrative Services of Calista. Additionally, George Guy is the cousin of Andrew Guy, EVP and General Counsel for Calista.
I realize your regulations don’t require the disclosure of family relationships other than spouses, parents, children, or siblings by blood or adoption. The kinship bond of cousin does not require disclosure. However, being one’s cousin does make one “directly related” to his/her cousin, a blood relative. The passage above can only be read to mean that no kinship bonds exist between the candidates, directors or officers. While there is no requirement to disclose these kinship bonds, one cannot misrepresent them if they are discussed in a Proxy Solicitation. Your regulations do prohibit false and misleading statements.
Your regulation’s definitions of “family” establishes an arbitrary boundary that does not exist in Yup’ik culture. The Board members identified are “directly related” as well as closely related. It’s unfortunate that the state regulations that apply to ANCSA Corporations do not reflect our culture and do not extend to these family relationships since all Alaska Natives recognize these relationships as close family relationships.
Be that as it may, my complaint is not based on a regulatory requirement that Calista disclose these defined relationships since no requirement exists. It is instead based on the fact that they have overly denied family relationships that do exist and they have materially misrepresented these close family relationships in their Proxy solicitation. Their misrepresentations are more significant for Calista shareholders since these are close family relationships in our culture.
For example, Matthew Nicolai and George Guy as well as Andrew Guy and George Guy are first cousins but in our culture they are brothers. Calista made the same “not directly related” misrepresentation in the 2007 Proxy Statement when George Guy was a candidate for re-election. These misrepresentations are violations of 3AAC08.315(a) prohibiting false and misleading statements.
Last year, the Calista Board gave Calista’s president a $400,000 bonus. The overriding sentiment in the region, as could well be expected, was not favorable. This year, according to the recently released Proxy Statement, the Board has given the president another $400,000 bonus. I suspect it will not be well received by shareholders once again.
The misrepresentations appear to be an attempt to keep them untarnished in the two elections when the president’s cousins are candidates for re-election. It is noteworthy that similar passages are absent in Calista’s Proxy Statements prior to 2007.
I agree there was no technical violation in failing to disclose family relationships per 3AAC08.345(b)(1)(E) even though the shareholders of Calista do not recognize the arbitrary kinship boundaries in that regulation. It is clear though, that Calista’s self-serving denial that five Board members are “not directly related” is a false and misleading statement. Using any definition of family kinship, these individuals are “directly related”. This is particularly true for our culture. Any shareholder that reads these passages will take them to mean that “NO” family relationships exist. The authors of these passages are fully cognizant of this fact. This was a material misrepresentation to protect Board members up for re-election. The passages disclaiming direct relationship are false and misleading and a violation of 3AAC08.315(a).
I ask you to investigate this violation and impose an appropriate penalty and remedy. I leave the issue of penalty to you. As far as a remedy goes I can think of only one that will give shareholders the fair election to which they are entitled at least for 2008. I suggest you require Calista to reissue a new Proxy Statement and require them to remove their misrepresentations. Furthermore, shareholders should have the opportunity to vote on the basis of accurate proxy information so I suggest you require Calista to issue new proxies to accompany the corrected Proxy Statement so shareholder votes, at least in 2008, can reflect the real facts.
Showalter Smith, Sr. is a resident of Eagle River, AK.

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Our changing culture

5-20-08

by Lorrena Prince

I am saddened by the fact our Yup’ik culture is diminishing rapidly. I left my village of Kotlik back in 1982 to attend college. I would return every summer to work and commercial fish and occasionally visit during the winter.
A year and a half ago I moved back home. This is my first full year staying in Kotlik since 1982. I noticed my culture and people have changed. I understand everything constantly changes around the world, but I wish we would maintain our culture like it used to be. How growing up people were so kind, friendly and helpful to one another. How they would share the catching of subsistence. I have seen seals being wasted by families. One Sunday a person prayed for people who are wasting food, throwing them at the dump. To think about the poor who are going hungry. I silently cried for the children, who are immensely suffering from hunger in other countries.
My daughter once asked me, “Mom let’s move across the river.” I asked her why. “So we could have running water.” I turned around and told her, “Be thankful for what we have, a roof over our heads and food to eat. There are many people who are starving and have no homes to live in.”
The luxury of having running water and flush toilets doesn’t bother me much because we grew up working hard, packing water and dumping honey buckets. I also learned from my dad to chop wood, collect willows, set traps, and helped him with his net under the ice. He taught me a few survival skills in his quiet ways. Not speaking much, but by demonstrating. I would watch and learn. I remember running home after school in my parka excited to go with him to check his traps.
I wish people wouldn’t hate each other, sometimes going against each other for apparently no reason. Sometimes for a foolish reason, being jealous of each other. Although at times it’s hard to be nice to someone who has extremely hurt us, but we could pray and ask God to forgive them.
Money is making people change. These days we need money to survive. Gas, oil, and food is so expensive. It seems when we ask for help, even from relatives, they want to get paid. I often wonder what it would be like if the Russians didn’t come to Alaska, or the Missionaries from the lower 48. Our Native people didn’t rely on currency, only subsistence for survival until the foreigners came. How they abused our people - punishing them for speaking our language.
We didn’t have bilingual programs when I was growing up. Most of our elders are the only ones who speak Yupik fluently. Why didn’t the Lower Yukon School District have a bilingual program like the Kuskokwim School District? This I do not know to this day. But now they teach the Yup’ik language at school as a second language.
My uncle who passed on years ago once told me as I was lining up at the store to purchase my groceries, “My own nephew kicked me out of his land and told me to move my camp.” I asked him why, he couldn’t give me answers. Then I asked him why he didn’t apply for a Native Allotment. He said at that time he was living in another village. I had questioned my mom why my dad also didn’t apply for a Native Allotment. She said because he didn’t believe in fighting over land, and the land is for all people to share and use for subsistence, so I finally understood why he didn’t apply.
As a little girl one summer day, my relatives and I were making fun of a man. I guess my dad saw and heard us and he pulled me away from the girls and sat me on a stump (log), after he chopped wood. He said, “You know that man, he was an orphan.” I remember asking what was an orphan. He said he had no mom and dad and no brothers and sisters. “Is that why you let him eat in the house?” I asked. He said, “Put yourself in his shoes and see how you would feel”.
To this day when I see him I’ll shake his hands and say hello. No matter who we are, what culture we come from, we are all equal as human beings in every way. No matter how much money you have, rich or poor, we are still equal. I’ve heard of celebrities being wealthy and are not happy. So money isn’t everything.
I’m also saddened by the fact, which I believe we learned from the White culture, “What do you do for a living?” People often praise others who are doing so well with their jobs and from being wealthy and they have a tendency to look down to others who aren’t.
I learned from the Maori people from New Zealand they believe they are the people of the earth. Their bodies will return back to earth when their time comes to an end. They take their children to school soon after they are brought home from the hospital to began to learn their language.
Now earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods are happening drastically. We never know what can happen in Alaska like the 1964 earthquake. I want to encourage people to treat everyone equally with respect, no matter who you are. And try not to be judgmental towards others for we will be judged when our time ends. We will have no one to turn to, except God, when disasters happen.
I’ve been reading a book about Barack Obama. I hope he’ll be our next president. He seems to understand both sides of the White and Black culture. He grew up being teased just like I did. I can’t recall if it was my dad who told me, “Think before you speak, you can never take your words back.” Harsh words can hurt more than being physically hurt. Name calling also hurts. John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. were so similar in so many ways. Maybe our country would have been different. I know we are not all perfect, we all make mistakes, but we could learn from our mistakes. I express my sadness silently in my heart, but in written words, seeking God’s guidance to help my people. Thank you for your time.
Lorrena Prince is a resident of Kotlik, AK.

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MESSAGE TO BETHEL’S YOUTH: “Nothing to Do” No Longer an Excuse

5-13-08

by Hector Teran

I work for the Kuskokwim Consortium Library, as well as being a concerned member of the community. I recently heard on a morning call-in show an interesting discussion about teens and what Bethel has to offer them. I will use this time to let you know what we have to offer from YOUR Kuskokwim Consortium Library. That is not a typo; this is a public library/business run and operated by employees, in a respectable building who take pride in their work. Some people think that we are only here to boss, bother, and punk people around, but that is simply false, we are here to help you. That being said what we will not tolerate is disruptive public behavior, and you will be asked to leave, regardless of age. They will be applied and enforced consistently to ALL.
We have a great program and here are the details to the 2008 Summer Reading Program in three parts:
A) Preschool- 6th grade (6th graders this is optional): It is simply to read or read to 3 books of appropriate reading level and receive a category patch, and a prize from our prize box. A majority of the prizes were picked by local children from Wednesday’s Bethel Youth Center reading visits, where they receive a prize for reading aloud. I believe this exercise helps the students with their reading, material content, and hopefully their public speaking in the future. This is by far my favorite part of the job and probably which I’m most proud of, so I would also like to thank Janet, Mark, John, Rhonda, Erin, and Donna for their help.
In addition, this year we have a very special opportunity this summer graciously given to us by U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Doug Staller and Christine McCaffery. There are 6 backpacks filled with activities and books to help the children on their journey and they are: Birds, Insects/Bugs, Animal Tracks/Winter (the winter portion is still in test mode), Weather, and a Jr. pack; available for a maximum period of 2 weeks, because they are limited for many children. CHILDREN AND PARENTS/GUARDIANS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL ITEMS IN THE BACKPACKS. They will attempt to get the official “Wildlife Adventurer” patch and decorate it as the verification of accomplishment.
B) 6th grade-9th grade (Optional for both 6th and 9th graders):  The Read-A-Thon sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank and the generous Lisa Wimmer, where readers will compete in a contest to see who can read the most appropriate level books.  The top 5 or 10 readers (still undetermined at this time) will be awarded Visa Gift Certificates that can be used for new/present savings and/or checking accounts.  They would be eligible to receive interest and grow over time, as a seed for future savings. 
 
C) 9th grade-12th grade (Optional for 9th graders): Also a Read-A-Thon but this prize is for Alaska Airline miles, so this also gives the students an excellent opportunity to add some Alaska Airline miles in their mileage account. Special thanks to Deborah Bramstedt and Uli Wito for their contribution. Also BIG thanks to AC, namely David Hicks and Terry Dillon for their generosity, hard work, and support over the years in prior programs.
All of this will be explained in detail on Saturday, May 31 at 2PM at the KUC Library as part of the Ice Cream Social Sign-Up, come for the ice cream and stay for the program. On Wednesday, May 21st I will go over the B & C programs mentioned above at 7:15PM and both parents and students are encouraged to attend. This is by far the biggest and best summer reading program that I have put together and it is for YOU, the youth of the community. Here are some other things that you can do over the summer:
Volunteer your services within the community such as the library, hospital, radio station, Big Brother/Sister, senior center, or other non-profit organizations. The work done goes a long way and chances are high that you could also get a letter of recommendation that makes you stick out when competing for scholarships, schools, jobs, etc. Please give these offers and activities heavy consideration. Thank you for your time and I hope to see you and if not please have a safe and happy summer. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to contact the library at 4516.
Hector Teran is a Library Technician at the Kuskokwim Consortium Library.

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Committee to elect Bob Herron to State House

5-6-08

After talking with his family who carefully considered this challenging opportunity, 30 year Bethel resident Bob Herron filed his letter of intent, on April 30th, to run for Representative Mary Nelson’s House seat in the Democratic primary slated for August 26th.
Herron said, “Even with the encouragement of many friends and my family, it was not an easy decision.” Bob added, “The residents of our region for many years have enjoyed solid and responsive representation from Mary and Senator Hoffman. And that is a high standard that I will strive for in representing the voters of House District 38.”
Eight individuals, including Gene Peltola, Bev Hoffman, Ana Hoffman, Agatha and Sam Shields, Reyne Athanas, Mark Leary and Robert Nick have voiced their support for Bob with the following comments.
“I am supporting Bob Herron because of his work history and experience with eight years as a legislative aide in the Alaska Legislature, seven years as the Bethel City Manager, his two years of service working for the Alaska Congressional Delegation and our joint successful efforts on the Yuut Elitnaurviat project” remarked Gene Peltola.
Bev Hoffman commented, “I have known Bob Herron for about 30 years and he has my support and vote for the State House because he wants to help our people and children to have the best future.”
“Mr. Herron, a long-time resident, is well aware of the unique challenges facing Western Alaska. I know Bob will work to represent the best interests for the constituents from this region,” stated Ana Hoffman.
“Bob has always been supportive of our Immersion program at the Ayaprun Elitnaurvik Yup’ik Immersion School and though he is mono-linguistic himself, he understands how important the advantages of a young child learning their own language first. I respectfully request that you join me in voting for Bob Herron,” shared Agatha John-Shields.
Sam Shields added, “I have had three opportunities to work along side with Herron on veterans’ events in Bethel including ‘The Moving Wall’, the Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, and the ‘Welcome Home Celebration for our Troops’. I know he can help all of us in Juneau.”
“You know what you are getting with Bob Herron”, explained Reyne Athanas. “He wants to problem-solve with all sides benefiting.”
“Raising a family on the Kuskokwim River is probably the best thing a father can do. I enjoy and appreciate Bob Herron and I believe he is the right choice to represent us”, expressed Mark Leary.
Robert Nick reflected, “When I considered the region’s options for a successor for our veteran legislator, Mary Nelson, I thought back to individuals who I have worked with that tried to do the best for our people in the villages. My support for Bob Herron is clear and complete, let’s send him to Juneau.”

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Impacts of salmon bycatch

by John Lamont

4-30-08

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Council:
My name is John Lamont and I am a salmon fisherman on the mighty Yukon River, I also serve on the US/CANADA PANEL as an alternate from the lower river. I would like to thank the panel in trusting that I will bring a message to the body that regulates our Bering Sea fisheries. It will be a simple message.
I would like to take this time to explain in my own terms the impacts that salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea Pollock Fishery has on the people of Western Alaska and the Yukon River in Alaska and Canada.
Traditional commercial and subsistence fishermen on the Lower Yukon River have depended on salmon, especially Chinook for the past 900+ years (this history is from my immediately family only). There is no money value that can be placed on it, every early summer I take my family to Bugumowick our fish camp, mile 17.7 on the south mouth of the Yukon River. Money cannot express the looks on all my children’s faces when they see the first king salmon that is pulled into the boat each summer, money can’t explain the feelings I have within myself when I head and gut that first king salmon and begin cutting it into strips, splitting the head and boning the back bone. Money can’t explain the feeling of soaking the strips in a salt brine nor can it explain as the strips hang on drying racks next to our cold smoke smoke house, the silver skinned and red meat strips that reflects the evening sun, not even the glazed dark brownish orange as they are hanging amidst light blue smoke in our smoke house and finally the rich taste of those strips in the middle of winter with a piece of sailor boy pilot bread and a hot cup of Labrador tea. How much is that worth? Imagine over 40,000 of our aboriginal people from the Bristol Bay Drainage, Kuskokwim River Drainage, Norton Sound, Kotzebue Sound, Canada and Alaska Yukon River Drainages go through this ritual on an annual basis. There is no money value that can account for all the annual traditions, sustenance’s, cultural and spiritual activities that all our people take into account when the salmon return at that cycle in our seasonal rotation of this spacecraft we call Earth.
Now let me ask you, you have scientists that understand the biomasses of many species of fish out in the Bering Sea. You can regulate that fishery with simple rules, you can stop it when the stellar sea lion is at risk, but, can you stop it when hundreds and thousands of people are at risk of losing their main food source (salmon), money nor anything else can replace that salmon in the spawning grounds or all the traditional and cultural processes that go along with its harvest for the survival of our people.
You can stop a fishery when the spectacled Eider is at risk, you can also close that fishery when one or two short-tailed albatross are accidentally caught in the hooks of a long line, why can’t you put severe enough caps on the Pollock fishery when Western Alaska Salmon especially the Yukon River King Salmon are at risk?
I know you can put a stop to the bycatch of salmon, but what would it do for the Pollock fleet and fishermen? Well, simply put they will learn how not to catch Chinook and chum salmon in their trawls or other fishing gear. You can implement sector and fleet hard caps on individual fishing vessels and areas. You can regulate the amount of salmon bycatch the total fleet is allowed to harvest in their Pollock fishery, you can also do nothing and let the fleet continue to impact the salmon bound for Western Alaska and the Yukon River Alaska/Canada drainages. I don’t think that would be a popular choice but you have the authority to do that through regulation as it stands now. It is time to take a different look at how our Pollock fishing fleet can be regulated to harvest the highest amount of Pollock with the least amount of salmon bycatch bound for Western Alaska and Yukon River Alaska/Canada drainages, it can happen and sooner than we all think.
I would like to thank you for allowing me this time to make my plea on behalf of all the users of salmon in all the Western Alaska and Yukon River drainages both in Alaska and in Canada. I would like to relay a message from a member of the Selkirk First Nation People in Canada; it is… the importance of salmon management at the head waters of the Yukon River is what maintains their (salmon, especially King) returning on a yearly basis and the impacts of intercepting them in the Bering Sea Pollock fishery can kill off a whole spawning area with an A or B season incidental bycatch.
Working together we (fishers, managers, regulators, and predators) must figure out how best to stop the incidental bycatch of salmon bound for western Alaska and other drainages. Thank you Chairman Olson and Council Members, are there any questions?
John Lamont is a resident of Mt. Village.

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Celebrating positive role models

4-22-08

by Leah Walsh

Come help the Tundra Women’s Coalition celebrate two incredible role models who take pride in being a part of our Y-K Delta community. TWC’s 7th Annual Yukegtaaraak Celebration will be held on Saturday, April 26th at the Cultural Center. Yukegtaaraak, translated as ‘People of the Year,’ is an annual event that honors two people from our region whose lives have impacted our community in positive ways. Looking at the people who have received this award over the last 7 years, one can easily realize that these men and women are ripple makers. They are people who, because of their love, commitment and strong example, allow others to find the courage to follow boldly in their footsteps.
We are proud to announce that this year’s 2008 Yukegtaaraak award recipients are Blanche Jacobs and Rep. Mary Nelson!
Blanche Jacobs Blanche Jacobs initially came to the Y-K Delta as a VISTA Volunteer in the early 1960’s. Moving from Philadelphia, she was placed in the village of Kongiganak. Some might imagine that she felt out of her element after moving from a big city, but it was here that Blanche obtained a deep respect and love for the old ways of Yup’ik village life. When commenting on her time in Kong, Blanche stated, “It was the best place on earth that they could have put me.” She was disappointed that there was no encouragement from the VISTA program for the volunteers to learn Yup’ik, but she did her best to learn as much as she could. “The kids were my teachers,” she said. “I carried around a piece of paper with me and I wrote down all of the sounds that I heard.” Blanche still holds the desire to learn Yup’ik. Since her time in Kong, Blanche has raised three sons of whom she is very proud.
Currently Blanche works as a victim-witness paralegal in the Bethel District Attorney’s Office. She has been serving in this position since 1989. In his Yukegtaaraak nomination form, Lance Joanis described Blanche’s dedication to her community as “transparent and immediately evident whenever you speak to her about either the problems faced or the good things in the Y-K Delta. … Blanche works daily to ensure every person, particularly victims of crime, know they have worth, and they matter.”
In concluding his recommendation, Joanis states, “I believe Blanche exemplifies the character and qualities the TWC Annual Yukegtaaq- Person of the Year should exemplify.” Here at TWC we strongly agree.
Representative Mary Nelson: Mary Nelson spent her childhood growing-up in Kwethluk, Tuntutuliak, Platinum and Bethel. Living off the river, she spent a lot of time with her family fishing for subsistence and commercial salmon. In 1998, after Mary worked as a legislative intern for one session in Juneau, she was elected as the representative for the Y-K Delta (District 38) at the age of 24. In this position she dedicates herself to giving a voice to rural Alaskans- helping others to understand the complexity of our region, its cultural diversity, and the political interests of its residents. In large legislative halls where many of us would be scared to raise our voices, Mary’s voice is heard.
For Mary, it is her family that sustains her and gives her life. Mary and her husband, Joe Nelson, have three sons and have just welcomed a new baby girl into the world, Nora Shine Ikamtuk. As a mother, she believes that the core Yup’ik values are very important to pass on to future generations.
Mary Pete shone a bright light on Nelson’s work though the words she shared on her Yukegtaaraak nomination form. Rep. Mary Nelson “has effectively served and represented the Y-K Delta (District 38) for 10 years, continually puts Yup’ik culture and society in a positive light and celebrates all Alaska Native cultures,” Pete wrote. Mary Nelson will be stepping down from her representative position at the end of her term. Here at TWC we know we will miss her strong voice advocating for our region. We are honored to have her as a Yukegtaaq- Person of the Year.
Yukegtaaraak is your chance to come hear these amazing women speak, share a delicious meal with other community members and support the Tundra Women’s Coalition!

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Daylight Savings Time

4-15-08

by Franklin A. Cook

People are mostly diurnal biological creatures. That means that most of us will feel natural activity cycles of being sleepy or alert depending on the sunlight. People can overcome this and fight against it in order to be active during the time of their own choice by will power and/or by use of drugs (like caffeine).
It can be difficult, but because of our location in the world this is even more difficult for us. If you go by solar time then in the winter solar time and clock time are pretty much the same for people in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. During the summer, solar time for them is just one hour earlier than clock time (clock says noon, but it is really about 11 AM). One hour is not a very difficult adjustment. For us it is different.
We are 400+ miles to the West. During the winter we are already an hour and 50 minutes earlier than clock time (clock says noon, but it is really about 10:10 AM). Now we are participating in daylight savings time and there is a two hour and 50 minute difference between what the clock says and the biological signals we get from our environment (the sun). Now when the clock says noon the actual solar time is about 9:10 AM. That is almost three hours earlier! If you ever felt like you should be having breakfast at noon instead of lunch now you know why.
If a parent is finding it hard to get their child to school on time at 8:30 government time when their biological clock is telling them that it is really closer to 5:30 in the morning it begins to make more sense. Think about it.
Would we still be participating in daylight savings time if there were a three hour difference in Anchorage and Juneau? I would like to see them all set their clocks to spring forward two additional hours and see how well they adjust.
Franklin A. Cook is the site administrator at LAM School in Tuntutuliak.

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Barking about NCLB
Why Pavlov’s dog drools while Johnny drops out

4-8-08

by Walt Betz

I read a lot of books and talked to a lot of people about training my dog. I had to make sure I did it right. He was going to grow up to be big and I wanted to make sure he wasn’t one of those dogs that made noise all night or attacked the neighbor’s cat. It took time. It took effort. I had to show him who was boss and couldn’t let him get away with chewing my slippers or decorating the kitchen floor with works of dog art.
It all had to do with basic training. When he did something wrong, I would punish him and when he did something good, I would reward him with a doggy treat. It was the scientific way to train my dog and it worked!
By the time he was 6 months old, I had a decent dog. He wasn’t perfect, but he was well trained and good to have around. I was pretty proud of myself and my dog training. Other people’s dogs dug holes in the yard and growled at the mailman. My dog didn’t yank the chain and he obeyed what I told him. Everything was great in our house.
And then my wife and I had a child. In time, we ended up with four, and they did all the bad things that the dog did only we eventually learned that the things that worked with dogs don’t work with kids.
It didn’t make sense, so I just kept on trying the “reward the good and extinguish the bad” method. It should have worked. It should have followed the same scientific pattern as the training with the dog, but with kids it just didn’t work. There was something different about kids…
But I don’t feel so bad about my months and years of ignorant parenting, because the federal government has done the same thing with NCLB for eight years. No Child Left Behind every year makes the same mistake I did. They figure if they measure kids and find out what they don’t have, then all we have to do is have schools improve how they teach the weak areas and the kids will do better. Like dog training, it is scientific and follows the laws of cause and effect. Reward the schools with high scores and punish the schools with low scores. Find out what the students are low in and teach that. If we have extra time we re-teach what the tests say they were low in. If we don’t have extra time, the Feds tell us to extend the day.
But, again, kids are not dogs. Some children and some schools improve… but others don’t, so they test more, evaluate more, give consequences… the end of the line was supposed to be level 5… five years of failure, but they had to invent 5.1, 5.2. 5.3, and some schools and some kids are still failing. Sit child, sit. Now beg for the biscuit…
Perhaps NCLB has failed for 8 years in not recognizing that schools and children do not follow scientific patterns. Schools need to be more than places of measurement and marching. Schools need to open the human mind to art and music and meaning. Teachers need to share bits of themselves as well as their textbooks and curriculum. We need to make room for community service and recess and expressing opinions and developing ideas: developing persons. These are things that NCLB doesn’t measure. These are things that NCLB stifles - which are crucial to kids staying in school …and staying in life. I am all for scientific improvement of our schools, but we mustn’t neglect the things that separate us from the animals in the process.
Walt Betz is an educator and Site Administrator in Kwigillingok, Alaska.

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ASAA age rule deems 19 yr. olds ineligible

4-1-08

Preface
A few years ago, ASAA (Alaska Schools Activities Association – they govern all inter-school athletics except NYO) lowered the maximum age allowed for high school competition. Under the current rule, anyone who is 19 years old on August 1st is ineligible for all interscholastic competition that year (under the former rule, it was 20). This is a big deal for us, and all LKSD schools, because many of our students will enter their senior year of high school having already turned 19, and so they will not be eligible for any sports during their senior year. No basketball, even if they are the best student in the school. Unfortunately, many of our students and parents are unaware of this change in policy, and are in for a rude surprise in the not-too-distant future.
My writing class has been discussing this rule, and how it will affect some of our own high school students in just a year or two. Each of the students in my class has written a letter to the editor in response to the rule (fulfilling a phase requirement!).
Here at Akiuk, we have great students, and we are thankful for that! These kids are good writers and good athletes, and hopefully their words here can lead to some fruitful discussion. -Tammy Schneidler, Teacher, Akiuk Memorial School
ASAA rule is unfair
I’ m a student here at Akiuk Memorial School. In class we’ve been discussing the ASAA age rule that says kids at the age of 19 when school starts cannot play sports in school that year.
I think this rule is not fair, because some students are learning at their own pace. It’s not their fault for learning slower than others. A number of students are behind because of the phase system and have taken 3T class for longer than one year (to get ready to learn in English). Several of our high school students won’t be able to play ball their senior year because of turning 19 before August first. Maybe it’s not their fault that they’re a little older, and they will feel left out, sitting on the benches, watching others play. Maybe they’ll drop out and give up on school.
To prevent injuries, ASAA could allow 19 year olds to play, but split the teams up by age in each school. Or they could let 19 year olds play, not 20 year olds. Some 19 year olds are playing because they turned 19 in September or after August, so 19 year olds are already playing. We shouldn’t penalize kids just because their birthdays are in the summer.
I think this rule should be revoked or changed. It would be better if 19 year olds could still have their senior year of high school ball like the rest of us. -Nicole Twitchell, Akiuk Memorial School
ASAA should change age rule
I am a senior at Akiuk Memorial School. In class, we’ve been talking about the ASAA age rule and how the kids who turn 19 before or on August 1st will not be eligible to play ball in their senior year. Watching from the benches will hurt their feeling and those kids might not come back to school to get their diplomas.
Some people say the younger kids might get hurt if they’re playing a kid who’s nineteen or twenty years old. Here at Akiuk, we have one player who is 14 years old, and he has no problem playing ball with the older kids like me.
But I’m here to talk about the ASAA age rule. Three or four kids from Akiuk will not be able to play basketball in their senior year because of this rule. I think ASAA should change the age rule so our seniors will play ball in their last year of school, even if they’re a little older. Some students were in transition classes for a long time after finishing the YFL program, and were older when they hit high school. The ASAA age rule should change because many of the students from the YK Delta might be nineteen in their senior year.
Some say it’s the teachers’ fault, some say it’s the students’ fault, some blame it on phases, and others blame transition or YFL (Yup’ik Language Program). But whoever’s fault it is, the kids will not be able to play in their senior year. I think ASAA should change the age limit to twenty so that people who are in their freshman years will play all four years, even if they’re a little older as seniors.
Let’s not let our seniors sit on the benches in their last year of school. -Harry Slim, Akiuk Memorial School
Change the rules, ASAA
I am a freshman at Akiuk Memorial School and I’m 16 years old and I like to play basketball. In class, we’ve been talking about the ASAA age rule that says kids who turn 19 before August 1st can’t play sports in school that year.
I think ASAA should let students play ball even when they’re older because they might slack off and not be good students if they are not allowed to play ball. Also, it’s not fair that some students won’t be able to play in their senior year. My friend that I’ve been with since kindergarten can’t play ball with me when we’re seniors, even though he’s just 6 months older than me, and has had the same classes and same work as me since we were young.
I think the rule should change so that students can play ball even if they’re older in their senior year. If ASAA changes the rule, then the students who are seniors won’t slack off and won’t have to be in the bleachers watching us play ball. -Alexie Brink, Kasigluk, AK
It isn’t their fault
I am a Student at Akiuk Memorial School. In my writing class we have been talking about the age rule for basketball that the ASAA has made that says if students turn 19 years old before or on August 1st, they can’t play sports.
I think this rule isn’t fair to the nineteen-year-old senior students because most seniors are nineteen years old. It wouldn’t be fair to them if they can’t play during their senior year. Some of those students were in other grades (like 3T or transition) that students from other schools didn’t have; this might be why the senior is nineteen years old, and that isn’t their fault for being nineteen in their senior year.
I think the rule should be: “A twenty-year-old student can’t play high school basketball.” That would be fair, so the younger ones won’t feel scared, and most of the senior students would be able to play basketball their last year of high school. The ASAA rule makers should change this rule to be fair to the nineteen-year-old senior students. I hope they get to play basketball instead of sit on the bench and miss all the fun. -Deana Berlin, Akiuk Memorial School

ASAA Rule change is needed
I am a freshman at Akiuk Memorial School and I’m 16 years old and like to play basketball. In class, we’ve been talking about the ASAA age rule that says kids who turn 19 before August 1st can’t play sports in school that year.
Because my birthday is in April, I’ll start my senior year when I’m 19. That means if they keep the rule I won’t get to play on my senior year. I don’t really know why I started high school a little older than some other freshmen. Maybe I started kindergarten late. Maybe I was in transition too long. Maybe I had absences when I was young. Maybe it’s because of the phases. Maybe some of it is my fault but probably not all of it is.
Now I’m in high school, though, and I worked my butt off to get there. I even worked very hard on the last day of school, taking tests when others didn’t have anything to do and were doing fun activities.
I think they should change the rule so we can play basketball for 4 years, not 3, even if we enter HS when we’re older. Most of the students like to play basketball and I know they won’t like it if they don’t get to play during their senior year.
I think the rule should change so we can get to play our last year of basketball instead of watching our team from the bench. -Michael Andrew, Kasigluk, AK

ASAA age rule unfair
I am a student at Akiuk Memorial School. In class, we’ve been talking about the basketball age rule for high school seniors that says they shouldn’t play if they’re nineteen on or before August 1st.
I think that ASAA shouldn’t have this rule because it’s not fair for some of the high school students. Most of the students who are affected by the age rule were behind in transition classes back when they were 10 years old. That might have affected their basketball season.
I’m going to be a freshman in high school next year, but my sixteenth birthday is in May, so that means I won’t be able to play when I’m a senior. I would like for ASAA to change the age rule, letting the older students play. Some older students might have caused their own problems by slacking off in school. However it’s not always just the student’s fault for being older when they are in high school.
When I was about 10 years old, I missed lots of school days because I was sick. In addition, I moved twice between Akiuk Mem. School and Akula Elitnaurvik and I spent 2 years in my transition classes. I had many different problems then, and to be honest I started to slack off during my transition classes. Now, I am 15, however, and a lot has changed. For the last 3 years, I have passed 5 years worth of reading as well as 4 years of writing. I think that I worked harder after I got older and moved to Akiuk Memorial School. My work has improved throughout the years. After the many phases I passed, I would like be able to play ball during my senior year.
I think ASAA should allow these seniors to play instead of watching from the bleachers. -Jonathan Twitchell, Kasigluk, AK

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Convening of Indigenous Peoples for the healing of Mother Earth

3-26-08

by Mike Williams

It was a huge honor for me to attend the convening of Indigenous Peoples for the healing of mother earth at the sacred site of Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico, to heed the call of mother Earth and honor the sacred elements of water, air, earth and fire. We were gathered on the traditional territory of the Mayan People March 10-13, 2008.
The Indigenous nations, Peoples, tribes, pueblos, communities, and villages situated within the boundaries claimed by the nation-states of Mexico, United States, and Canada made a declaration and urgent message to the world on the basis of our spirituality and the natural biological Laws of Life on Earth Mother, the Sacred Life-Giver. It is our inherent sovereign birthright and responsibility to care for Mother Earth in keeping our Original Instructions from Creation.
These natural laws are inclusive of Honor, Respect, Love, Compassion, Peace, and Friendship. It is in keeping with these natural laws and Indigenous values that the traditional knowledge and wisdom bequeathed to us by our ancestors, and carried by our Elders, teaches us how to live in balance with the Four Sacred Elements of Life: Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. We are guardians of these elements of life.
Fire is meant to ignite and unite the spirit of humanity. Water is the lifeblood of all living things. Air is the sacred breath of life. Earth is the Mother that nurtures us all. Beyond the tangible aspect of our relationships with all the sacred elements, there is intangible interaction. The role of the sacred elements is central in our customs, traditions, stories, songs, and dances.
The Indigenous prophecies foretell the urgent environmental crisis we face today. The Indigenous Peoples have the responsibility to provide our traditional knowledge to the world. The ancestral ways of Indigenous peoples have the power to heal our Mother Earth. We demand that the nation-state and state governments stop the destruction and violations against the four elements of life.
Western legal and religious histories, philosophies and laws have totally disrupted our ways of life. Our traditional spiritual ways and knowledge systems honor the interconnections and interrelationships of the Web of Life, and sustain, not destroy Mother Earth.
I will present these four elements, water, earth, air and water declarations to begin the healing of our communities throughout our traditional lands.
The convening of 150 Indigenous leaders and hearing their stories was a great learning experience that I had. If we do not take care of these elements and protect them, then we will become very sick and die. This is how sensitive our land, air, and waters are. We need to continue to have forums to discuss these important areas.
Mike Williams, Delegate at the Convening of Indigenous Peoples, is a resident of Akiak, AK.

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Donlin Meeting

3-20-08

by Evelyn Thomas

This is in response to an article in your paper dated 3/5/8.
I, personally was at that meeting at Donlin Creek, as all the upper and middle Kuskokwim tribal councils were invited to, we toured the camp and got updates.
I was the one who first mentioned “The Clean Water Act”. I will swear to that in court if necessary. No one from the Donlin Creek brought it up. I was asked about it because this was the first time all upriver and middle Kuskokwim tribal officials were together.
Everyone began talking about it and what it could do to us. Donlin personnel did not try in any way to influence this discussion. In fact, one employee of Donlin remarked that the meeting had become the tribes’ meeting. The exact words were, “This has become your meeting.”
1) Donlin Creek did not give “short notice”. Some villages and tribes were either not in their offices or not returning phone calls.
2) Officials from Donlin told us what is going on with their mine development, which is what they invited us to Donlin to discuss.
3) Donlin officials said the intertie from Nenana was again being looked at because of the increased cost associated with energy to operate the mine. NO ONE said that this was going to happen! They only said it was being looked at as an OPTION.
4) Since there are accusations of “misinformation” printed, by an unsigned article, let’s keep to what really was said at this meeting.
5) Let’s talk of real omissions. I did not know that there were 3 versions of the “Clean Water Act”. It is misleading that there were 3 submitted and only one was put out and discussed in the media. If this is such “open” information by the pushers of this act, then all 3 versions should have been put out there for public scrutiny.
6) This “Clean Water Act” is not supported by the Crooked Creek Council and we have passed a resolution to that effect. Why? Because we have seen other laws passed that we were told would not “affect” us and they did!
7) If I were a Montana Indian, I would be highly offended to be called a “Walmart Indian”. Is this an accurate portrayal of Montana Indians or is it “misinformation”?
8) We were lucky enough to have an Alaskan Native at the meeting who had served in the legislature to explain about wording of such things as the “Clean Water Act”, and he made it clear that this act can and will have far reaching effects. Make no mistake, this river will feel the direct effects of this act.
9) The accusations that this is being taken to “an emotional level” is also misleading, as special interest groups are advertising daily on television using native people, and when those of us who are trying to see the whole picture make any public statements, it is immediately called “emotional”? And Matthew Nicolai had nothing to do with this meeting at Donlin Mine, why was he brought into it? No one from Calista attended this meeting and I sincerely doubt they even knew about it! Which is as it should be as Middle and Upriver Kuskokwim must decide our future, which we are doing without “special interest” being involved.
10) If anyone was interested in coming here, they would see the Kuskokwim River in front of Crooked Creek dotted with water holes that we all drink, “Clean Water Act” would definitely “affect” that!
11) All the Native people I saw back at Donlin working in all capacities are from this entire region and they go home to their villages and each and every one of them have the same interest at heart about our way of life. I trust our people who work there to make sure our waters and land are protected in every way possible. Or will they too be accused of being “emotional”?
This village of Crooked Creek is very close to this development and we have had to find our own information on all aspects of it. No one is providing us with anything that shapes our opinions. As the closest village, all “special interest” should find out what we are doing instead of pretending to speak for us, as they do not. We speak for ourselves and are very capable of making up our own minds, without the “special interest” scare tactics.
This village decided to get information from existing State and Federal organizations, such DNR and EPA. If the information we get from these organizations is wrong, then “special interests” should pass a law throwing out those government organizations because we would not need them. We would only need “special interests” who have never talked to us, but instead have pretended to speak for us.
This community is practicing “self-determination” without “emotionalism”.
This statement from me as a tribal official of the Crooked Creek Traditional with the full backing of our council members and we were at that meeting at Donlin Creek in person! We heard it all firsthand. And we stand by this public statement and are not afraid of “special interest” and could put our name to this document.
Evelyn Thomas is President of the Crooked Creek Traditional Council.

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Incorrect info given out at Donlin meeting

3-13-08

by Dave Cannon

There was a meeting attended by the middle riv