Support for Calista Corporation Director Wayne Don

To Whom It May Concern:
As a lifelong resident of the YK Delta and a Calista Corporation shareholder, I am writing to show my support for Director Wayne Don. I grew up with Wayne and have watched him mature into a highly respected leader. He is thoughtful, informed and articulate. Wayne holds himself to the highest standard of integrity and embodies Alaska Native values, both personally and professionally.
Wayne’s record speaks for itself. He has spent his life in the service of his country, his community, and the state of Alaska. He grew up on Nunivak Island and attended University of Alaska Fairbanks. After college, he rose through the ranks of the U.S. military, recently earning the promotion of Colonel. For over a decade, he has also served as the Chairman of NIMA village corporation for Mekoryuk.
Until recently, he served as the Chairman of the Calista Corporation Board of Directors, which I appreciated as a monumental step in the right direction for our Corporation. Wayne’s background and character provided him with the necessary tools to execute that position most effectively.
Wayne Don sets the standard for true leadership. Wayne understands how to follow policies, procedures, regulations and obligations. He applies the best of his abilities and has risen to the highest ranks through careful adherence to rules and structure. I fully support Wayne Don and I am thankful for his dedicated leadership and continued commitment to service. Quyana.
Ana Hoffman
Bethel, AK

Kuskokwim Consortium Library safety policies
The Kuskokwim Consortium Library is a wonderful community space where all ages are welcome. The library is a partnership between the University of Alaska Fairbanks Kuskokwim Campus and the City of Bethel, and serves the community and KuC campus.
We are fortunate to be able to provide regularly scheduled community programs, many of which are geared towards children. These include Toddler Time, Story Time, Lego Club, and adult programs such as computer classes and book clubs.
Due to some recent incidents and ongoing security concerns, library staff and UAF feel the need to clarify with the community our policies that are designed to keep everyone, especially kids, safe while using our space.
We provide programs for children, however the library does not have an after school program. What this means is that kids are not “checked in” and in our care while they use our space, which is an important difference between the library and other spaces for kids such as school or the 4-H Youth Center.
The library is a public building open to everyone, regardless of background or criminal history. We have policies in place to keep our space safe for everyone, and anyone who has violated our Patron Behavior Policy (such as entering the building after consuming alcohol) is asked to leave.
To keep kids safe, they must be at least 10 years old to be in the library unattended by an adult. If under the age of 10, kids must be accompanied and actively supervised by an adult or a babysitter at least 15 years or older. People of all ages must behave in a way that is not disruptive, offensive, or aggressive to other patrons. Our policies are in place to ensure that the space is welcoming and comfortable for everyone.
Library staff and UAF take safety seriously, and because of recent security issues we have revised our procedures, and are walking through the library every ten minutes to make sure we have eyes on the back corners of the library. UAF has invested in making the building safer by installing a gate to block off the back of the building when there are not events in the cultural center, and we are working with UAF to install more security cameras throughout the building this summer. We encourage parents to come to the library with their children, and to have a conversation with your kids about safety in public buildings. If you have questions, concerns, ideas, or compliments about the library please contact me at 543-4517 or at [email protected].
Theresa Quiner, Library Director
Kuskokwim Consortium Library
Bethel, AK

Quyana for search efforts
We the family of Tom John, would like to give our heartfelt Thanks to all those who participated during search efforts by land, air and waters. Search and Rescue from Chevak, Chefornak, Kipnuk, Tununak, Nightmute, Newtok and Toksook Bay, Coast Guard, Civil Air Patrol, National Guard, Alaska State Troopers, especially those who coordinated.
And all the donations received food, fuel, oil and materials needed. And those who came from surrounding villages, to give prayers and comfort to our family at our time in need.
John Family will be hosting a potluck on Memorial Day May 28, 2018, everyone is invited.
Rosemary John
Newtok, AK

HB 216
The Alaska Legislature just united 60 to 0 to strike a great blow for restitution for the victims of violent crime by passing HB 216. This bill allows the “Criminal Fund” which comes from the Permanent Fund Dividends of incarcerated felons to be used as “bridging monies” to reimburse victims when the perpetrator is unable to do so. It does NOT release the perpetrator from his/her responsibility to pay the victim or reimburse the “Criminal Fund”. HB 216 also provides dollars for child support and much needed treatment for both victims and perpetrators.
This legislation does not excuse the perpetrator from responsibility for the court ordered restitution but will provide some reimbursement for medical bills, losses, and income. Successive Governors could have fixed this, but did not. Now the legislature has sent a loud message that, in Alaska, victims come before monies for State institutions. Rep. Chuck Kopp, perhaps the most principled and bright legislator in Juneau, deserves great credit for pushing this bill over the finish line. It was a six-year battle. May his tribe increase.
Fred Dyson
Eagle River, AK

Working to Build a Safer Alaska
As Governor and Lieutenant Governor, we want to ensure that every Alaskan feels safe in their home, school, and community. We are working to build a Safer Alaska where children are supported, communities are resilient, and all Alaskans are treated with dignity and respect.
Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Rates of child abuse and sexual assault remain unacceptably high in all parts of our state, inflicting lifelong damage on thousands of Alaskans. Last year, our Office of Children’s Services fielded over 20,000 reports of child maltreatment, and a 2015 survey showed that one third of Alaskan women have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime. Those numbers are unacceptable.
April marks 2018’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention Month. As it draws to a close, we must do better. The future of our state depends on it.
Child abuse and sexual assault erode communities, with ripple effects that travel far beyond the individual. Sexual assault leaves victims with long-term psychological and physical injuries. Adverse childhood experiences – including abuse, neglect, witnessing domestic violence, or growing up with substance abuse, mental illness, or a parent in jail – negatively affect lifelong well-being. These experiences correlate to higher rates of alcohol and drug dependence, domestic violence, suicide, poor physical and overall health, and reduced life expectancy.
For survivors of abuse, supportive, nourishing experiences build resilience and long-term health.
We are making progress. Across the state, more brave individuals are telling stories that for too long have been kept quiet. We are listening. Too often, sexual violence is met with impunity, and we are working to fix that. Our administration continues to make progress addressing the backlog of untested sexual assault kits: we sent 519 of the 570 eligible kits for lab testing. A cold case investigator is starting this month to bring justice to victims, and our Public Safety Action plan calls for two additional prosecutors focused on domestic violence and sexual assault cases.
Last year, the Department of Health and Social Services created a centralized reporting system to respond to child abuse. Alaskans can now help a child at risk of abuse or neglect at 1-800-478-4444. Our Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA) funds 21 community victim services shelters and community victim’s hotlines. In FY17, the CDVSA shelter services provided 3,058 people with emergency and transitional shelter, and 106,881 nights of safety.
The Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) has developed new trainings for educators to recognize child abuse and neglect, and ways domestic violence and sexual assault affect students. DEED has worked with partner organizations to develop a Trauma Informed School Framework, which gives communities across the state tools that help heal students from adverse experiences so they can lead productive, healthy lives.
We know children do best close to family and immersed in their culture. Our Office of Children’s Services has stepped up its commitment to strengthen families and reduce the number of children removed from their homes, making Alaskan children safer. And last October, the state signed a historic compact agreement with Alaska Tribes and tribal organizations. Tribes will now provide comprehensive child welfare services in their own communities where the children are living.
In this state, we may pride ourselves on our self-reliance, but our greatness really comes from the strength of our communities. As we hear success stories from across the state, we are gratified by the work of individual Alaskans and organizations that are dedicated to creating safe and supportive communities. We are grateful for the parents, teachers, caseworkers, advocates, friends, neighbors, and yes, even bystanders who reach out to support, protect and affirm our long-term goal to make Alaska the best place to be a child.
Governor Bill Walker and Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott
Juneau, AK