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CITGO Funds now
available for distribution
6-24-09
by Gloria Simeon
The Orutsararmiut Native Council (ONC) ready to begin distribution of fuel vouchers for the fuel oil assistance grant from the Citizens Programs Corporation in partnership with CITGO Petroleum Corporation to the eligible households of Bethel.
Harry Faulkner Jr., Top Fuel, Bob Hoffman, Hoffman Fuel, Mike Riley, North Star and Mike Shantz, Southwest Fuel, met with Bob Angaiak, ONC Tribal Housing Director on Monday, 6/15/09 to finalize details on the quantity of heating fuel and price of delivery. Each eligible household in Bethel will receive a voucher for $450.00 to provide for the purchase and delivery of 90 gallons of home heating fuel.
Distribution of fuel vouchers to Elders began at 9:00 am, Wednesday, 6/17/09 until 5:00 pm on Friday, 6/19/09 at the ONC Office Complex located at 117 Alex Hately Drive. The rest of the public will be able to pick up their fuel vouchers beginning Monday, June 22. Eligible households will have until July 31st, 2009 to pick of their fuel vouchers.
The Citizens Programs Corporation had made this fuel oil assistance grant available to eligible households in Bethel for three years. Because this year’s distribution came late in the spring and the need was not as urgent as if it had come in winter, the ONC determined that there was time to wait for the arrival of the first fuel barge before making the fuel vouchers available. By choosing this course, an additional 16 gallons of heating fuel is available to all receiving this assistance.
We are very quyaq to the Citizens Programs Corporation and CITGO for this much needed assistance to residents of rural Alaska especially because of the soaring energy and other associated costs we all must pay to live the way and where we choose to live.
Gloria Simeon is the Executive Director of the Orutsaramiut Native Council.
School damaged
in Lower Kalskag
On June 9 at 11:50pm, and on June 10 at 5:30pm, it was reported to the Aniak State Troopers that a juvenile in the village of Lower Kalskag had damaged 2 airplanes at the Kalskag Airport, a school bus, and the Sakar Levi Elementary school building along with contents of the school.
Damage estimates total approximately $10,000.00 but may go higher.
Kuspuk School District employees from Aniak and Kalskag, have traveled to the school to begin cleaning the damage, and repairing the school.
Both aircraft, a Cessna 170 and a Cessna 172, have been rendered unsafe and will need repairs before they can be flown. The school bus had 21 (twenty one) windows broken out of it.
The juvenile was found sleeping at a relations home and was arrested. The juvenile was transported to Bethel and remanded at BYF. Investigation continues.
by Rep. Bob Herron
The Fourth of July celebrates our Nation’s birthday. It’s a time to take off work, spend time with family, and think about the things that make our country great.
It’s also a time to acknowledge the sacrifices made by many Alaskans, past and present, to keep our state and nation safe. Without the people who serve or have served in our armed forces, the freedoms we all enjoy would not exist. In Alaska we are fortunate to have more veterans per capita than any other state, an estimated 100,000 statewide.
ALASKA TERRITORIAL GUARD
On April 14th, I was privileged to present legislative citations to a few surviving members of the Alaska Territorial Guard in Juneau. I enjoyed meeting and personally delivering citations to former ATG members in Quinhagak on May 21st and in Kwethluk on June 3rd. At time of writing, I am scheduled to enjoy this same privilege in Akiachak on June 22nd. Please join in me honoring ATG veterans in these villages and all ATG veterans in our area.
QUINHAGAK
Recognized at the ceremony:
Beebe, Paul; Friendly, Oscar; Hunter, David; Matthew, Henry; Pleasant, John.
Other former ATG members from Quinhagak (Nearly all of the following are deceased):
Atseriak, Adam; Bavilla, Joshua; Bavilla, Lively J; Bavillis, Longhair; Big John, Peter; Britton, Wassilie; Carter, John; Carter, Sam; Cleveland, Kenneth; Crow, John B.; Crow, Moses; Donegohok, Ivan; Donegohok, Robert; Evans, Carl; Foster, Adolph; Fox, Christopher; Fox, James; Fox, Nicholi; Fox, Sam; Friendly, John; Friendly, Otto; Friendly, Sam; Fullmoon, Charles; Fullmoon, Sam; Henry, Mark; Hill, Willie; Hunter, Henry; Hunter, Joseph; Johnson, Adolph; Jones, Louie; Jones, Moses; Jones, Paul L.; Jones, Paul W.; Jones, Walter; Kuku, Dan; Kuku, George; Kuku, Moses; Mark, Christopher; Mark, Dan; Mark, George; Mark, John; Mark, John Sr.; Mark, Oldman; Moore, Esau; Moore, John; Moore, Sixty; Nicolai, Alfred; Oldfriend, Peter; Pleasant, Charlie; Pleasant, Ferdinand; Pleasant, Frank; Pleasant, Willie; Roberts, Henry; Sharp, Andy; Sharp, Carl; Sharp, Daniel; Small, Christian; Small, Frank; Small, George; Thomas, William E.; Well, Lott; Williams, Walter.
KWETHLUK
Recognized at the Ceremony:
Epchook, Nick N. (Nick was unable to attend the ceremony do to his health; he passed away on June 10th. I extend my respectful condolences to all the friends and family of Nick N. Epchook).
Nick, Peter; Jackson, Sam
Other Former ATG Members from Kwethluk (Nearly all of the following are deceased):
Andrew, Adam; Angilon, Phillip; Ayapan, Evan; Changsak, Seraphim W.; Evan, Michael; Evan, Nick A.; Guy, Daniel; Guy, James Sr.; Guy, Wassily; Harrison, Phillip; Jackson, David; Jackson, Harry; Jackson, Jacob Y.; Kopuk, Evan; Long, John; Michael, Nicolai O.; Nicolai, David; Nicolai, Evan; Nicolai, Paul D.; Nicolai, William; Olick, Albert; Olick, Evan; Olick, William; Paghralrio, Michael aka Nicolai; Robinette, Ernest O.; Yohok, Nick.
AKIACHAK
Recognized at the Ceremony:
Nelson, Jacob (from Kwigillingok); Peter, James Sr.; Lomack, Joseph.
Other former ATG members from Akiachak (Nearly all of the following are deceased): Cyril, Mike; Ekamrak, John; Forrest, Earle M.; Herman, Fred (Fredrick) Sr.; Fritz, Eddie; George, Joseph; George, Roy; George, Walter; Henry, David; Henry, Moses; Henry, Wassillie T.; Jerry, Phillip; Joseph, Abraham; Joseph, John; Lomack, Charley aka Charles; Lomack, Louis; Lomack, William; Lott, George; Manutoli, Robert; Moses, George; Moses, John; Nick, John; Nick, Joseph; Nick, Moses; Nick, Willie; Noah, William; Nose, Noah; Pasitnak, Mathew; Peter, Edward; Peter, Kenneth; Phillip, Joshua; Steven, John; Stevens, David; Stevens, Paul A.; Wassaly, Fred; Wassilie, Carl; Wassillie, George; Wassilie, John K; Wassilie, Joseph; Wassilie, Moses.
But, of course, former ATG members are not our only veterans. Many villages have young people that have returned from Afghanistan and Iraq. Veterans from other foreign wars also live in our area. It’s vital to ensure all veterans have access to medical care, housing and job opportunities.
VETERANS’ CAUCUS
On February 14th, I was proud to join the Joint Alaska State Legislative Veterans’ Caucus as one of 14 inaugural members. The purpose of the caucus is to sustain legislative efforts on military and veterans issues and to help organize and unite efforts on behalf of military personnel and veterans across Alaska. As part of the Caucus I will be travelling to Anchorage July 30th for a Veterans’ Summit to discuss and prioritize veterans’ issues for next legislative Session.
The caucus helped secure passage of five pieces of veteran legislation last session:
•Senate Bill (SB) 89 ensures no interruption to the retirement benefits to the ATG veterans whose pensions were recently reduced by the federal government.
•SB 45 gives the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs the authority to establish veterans’ cemeteries and provides for their maintenance.
•SB 77 ensures that the legislature continues to play a vital role in military issues affecting Alaska by making permanent the House-Senate Joint Armed Services Committee.
•Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 5 urges the Department of Defense to provide full benefits to ATG veterans.
•SJR 17 designates 2009 as “The Year of the Noncommissioned Officer Corps of the United States Army,” encouraging people all over the country to observe this year with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
VETO OVERRIDE FOR ENERGY STIMULUS DOLLARS
I share in the disappointment of many with the governor’s decision to reject $28.65 million in federal energy stimulus funds. In doing so, Alaska became the only state to reject these funds. This decision is incomprehensible in a state which faces energy challenges greater than anywhere else in the country.
The great majority of my colleagues in the legislature share the view that the decision to reject the funds was erroneous; we have begun to explore our options to override the governor’s veto. A legislative override of the governor’s veto requires a three-fourths vote in joint session; in other words, 45 of the 60 legislators.
I believe that it may be in the best interests of the citizens of Alaska to hold a special session this interim to override this veto. This is an important issue, and the Legislature should not waste any time in expressing the will of the people. However, it seems most likely that the vote to override the veto will be held off until the beginning of next session. We are currently waiting to hear back from U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, to ascertain whether the state will still qualify for the funds if we wait until next session to override the veto.
Goodnews Bay Regional
Salmon Plant – Opening in June
Pollock Provides
6-17-09
by the Coastal Villages Region Fund
Coastal Villages Region Fund (CVRF) is proud to announce the opening of the brand new Goodnews Bay Regional Salmon Plant in Platinum, Alaska! The plant will begin buying salmon in mid-June, and the grand-opening ceremony will be held on July 23 in Platinum. This $35 million facility will provide 125 new positions for residents wanting to work and earn money while staying closer to home. The dormitories and cafeteria are very nice by seafood industry standards, and CVS will be paying its processors an unprecedented entry wage of $9.00 per hour to work at the new plant, as well as at the seven other existing CVS plants in the region. This hourly wage is about 25% higher than the average starting wage in Dutch Harbor!
It is important to note that the new plant – as well as the seven existing CVS plants – were paid for with CVRF’s earnings in the Bering Sea Pollock fishery. Without pollock, we would have no plants, no tenders, and no market for our fishermen or processing jobs for our residents. Pollock has been covering not only the constructions costs, but the annual operating costs (losses) that we have been incurring in trying to build a sustainable salmon and halibut industry for our region. The new plant will cause a result in CVRF to becoming one of the very largest employers in our region, providing more than 400 jobs for our residents and providing more than 600 fishing permit holders with a lasting market for their salmon and halibut. Pollock Provides!
2009 Tender Fleet Upgrade – In addition to the new processing facility, CVS is expanding its tender fleet operations in 2009 and will be providing a total of eight salmon and halibut tenders throughout the region. The tenders will provide better convenience to our fishermen, ensure better quality of the fish, and provide an ample volume of salmon to the new plant in Platinum. The halibut fishery will continue to be served by the Leo, but the Leo will be assisted in 2009 by new shuttle tender that is intended to improve both fish quality and service to the fleet. Salmon fishermen will be served this year by the Kelly Mae, Flying D and Elsie M in the Kuskokwim River; by the Camai, and a shuttle tender in Kuskokwim Bay, and by the Eider in Goodnews Bay. CVS’ tender capacity in 2009 will be nearly triple the capacity from 2008. We expect the volume and quality of fish products to rise, and we hope the fleet is pleased with the improved service.
More Money to Fishermen – With the new processing plant and upgraded tender fleet, it is the hope of the CVRF Board to eliminate limits on salmon deliveries – which means more deliveries to CVS and more money earned by fishermen. As we begin to handle more chum salmon, we also need to work together to improve the market for chum. This will be made easier if our fleet and processors continue to be diligent in maintaining the quality of the fish. CVS will be paying $0.15/pound for chum to start the 2009 season, triple the price we were able to pay for chum in 2008. It is our hope to pay even more in the years ahead, but at present our chum and other salmon and halibut operations must continue to be subsidized by our earnings in the Bering Sea Pollock fishery.
Notices and announcements will be made for fishermen for fishing schedules this season.
Making Coastal Villages Seafoods Sustainable – It has been estimated that CVRF will become the largest private sector employer in the region in 2009. This accomplishment could not have been reached, and cannot be sustained without substantial financial support from the Bering Sea pollock fishery, which provides roughly 85% of CVRF’s revenue stream.
The CVRF goal is to make CVS self-sustaining in the years ahead. Once we have achieved this, we will be able to pass along further improvements in CVS financial operations to our fishermen and processors in the form of better prices and wages. For our region, we will then also be able to devote earnings from the pollock fisheries to new economic development projects, rather than to the continued subsidization of CVS’s salmon and halibut operations. A primary purpose stated in the federal CDQ statute is to “achieve sustainable and diversified local economies.” We are well on our way with CVS and excited about the positive developments that are coming to fruition in 2009.
High Quality Fish – CVS would like to remind the dedicated fishermen of the region that the icing and bleeding of salmon in 2009 is mandatory so that we may maintain the highest quality and so that we can sell our fish as a premium product and get the highest possible price. Together, we are already building a niche in the market for our salmon by emphasizing to buyers the quality resulting from the icing and bleeding practices of our fleet. We must continue to adhere to this practice, as even a single poorly-handled fish can harm all of us!
AVCP Housing conveys deeds to homes in Kalskag
by AVCP Housing staff
On June 2, 2009, Ron Hoffman, President/CEO of AVCP Regional Housing Authority, and his staff traveled to Kalskag to hand out deeds to 13 families who recently paid off their homes. There was a brief ceremony with door prizes, snacks, cake, and beverages for the proud homebuyers, their families and friends that attended.
Turnout was great and homebuyers who paid off their homes were happy to receive their deeds. Some of the elders and homebuyers in attendance knew Hoffman since he was a little boy.
“It was a privilege for me to be involved in the actual planning of the housing projects over 25 years ago and a tremendous honor to finally present the deeds to them,” Hoffman said. “Helping people realize their dream home is a satisfying accomplishment.”
Over the last year and a half, AVCP Regional Housing Authority has conveyed 32 homes to homebuyers in Upper and Lower Kalskag.
When a homebuyer pays off their home and become homeowners, they become fully responsible for their homes. If there is a loss due to fire or flood without insurance, the cost to repair or replace the home is borne by the homebuyers alone. Therefore, AVCP Housing strongly recommends they obtain fire and flood insurance.
AVCP RHA has been in existence for nearly 35 years. Over this period of time AVCP RHA has built 1,630 units in nearly all of the Y-K Delta villages, and currently has 1,080 homes and 77 rental units under management.
In 2009, AVCP RHA is building multi-family projects in several villages: in Hooper Bay, a 19-home project; in Chevak, a 12-home project; and in Alakanuk, a 9-home project. AVCP RHA is also building 17 single-family homes in 7 villages.
AVCP RHA is also weatherizing around 200 homes and renovating another 145 units in 11 villages this year. AVCP RHA employs hundreds of people during the peak building season.
AVCP discusses request for lower Yukon state fishing disaster
Fish & Game officials say Canadian salmon must be allowed to pass by
6-5-09
by K.J. Lincoln
The Alaska Commissioner of Fish & Game Denby Lloyd and John Moller, Rural Advisor to Governor Palin stopped in Bethel last week for a brief meeting with Myron Naneng, the President of the Association of Village Council Presidents to discuss the upcoming salmon fisheries on the lower Yukon. Also attending was AVCP Natural Resources Director Tim Andrew, AYK Research Supervisor Dana Evenson, and John Linderman, Kuskokwim Area Biologist for ADF&G.
Naneng’s opening comments centered around the hardships the people of the YK region had faced this past winter with the high cost of fuel and food. He stated that the lower Yukon commercial fishery, which was once thriving, has now gone down to only seeing 1 fish buyer. He also had been seeking a state fishing disaster declaration, but nothing has transpired.
“I have only heard excuses from the State of Alaska not willing to declare a disaster for lower Yukon. Is the State of Alaska going to declare one for this coming summer if the runs don’t show as predicted, or are they looking for an excuse not to before it happens?” wrote Naneng in an email to Moller earlier this week. “Our Yup’ik people on the Lower Yukon are going to be the most restricted fisheries for this coming season.”
Naneng explained that the residents of the lower Yukon are not looking forward to the upcoming fishing windows.
“From our perspective, the burden of conservation has been placed on the people of the lower Yukon,” he said. “The windows are causing more hardships.”
The ADF&G recently released the 2009 Yukon River Salmon Fisheries Outlook. The upcoming Chinook salmon run is projected to be below average to poor and subsistence conservation measures are required to share the anticipated available subsistence harvest and meet escapement goals.
The U.S./Canada Yukon River Panel have agreed to a treaty with an escapement goal of 45,000 Chinook for Canada.
“Half of the Chinook in the Yukon are returning to Canadian tributaries. We saw a 30% decline in 2007 and 2008 and the escapement goals have not been achieved,” said John Linderman, ADF&G biologist. “There was a very poor return of Canadian fish and we wanted to provide for more escapement for Canada.”
Tim Andrew questioned the late openings for subsistence fishing since fishers like to catch their fish early to take advantage of the optimal drying weather.
“We are in dire straits if we are not allowed to fish,” he said.
“If we let them fish on Canadian fish, then we don’t get our escapement. It is our obligation to let those Canadian fish go through,” said Linderman. “Any chipping away at the first pulse of Chinook will reduce getting enough fish across the border.”
According to Naneng, there are 700+ commercial fishermen in the lower Yukon. If they are not allowed to fish, especially for subsistence, he wanted to know what the possibility was of paying them not to fish - as a compromise.
“If our people are going to be asked not to fish, they will need something,” he said. “We don’t want a repeat of last winter.”
Nunam Iqua had to close their fuel station because they could not afford to buy any more fuel. They eventually had to dip into their tribal allocations in order to make a fuel purchase, said Naneng.
Commissioner Lloyd said that he would bring that recommendation back to Juneau with him.
Discussion shifted to the in-season assessment methods and how Canadian salmon are identified from Alaskan stocks. Samples from test fishing are immediately sent to the lab in Anchorage where scientists drop whatever they are doing to work on the high priority Yukon samples. The facility is the “best fish genetics lab in the country” as Commission Lloyd explained, which has a turnaround time of 24-48 hrs, instead of a staggering 2 weeks.
By the time the Canadian-bound salmon reach the border at the Eagle sonar station, 30 days have passed since they first entered the river. There are no other sonar stations between Pilot Station and Eagle.
Again discussion shifted, this time to the Pollock bycatch issue. Commission Lloyd has a voting seat on the 11-member North Pacific Management Council – a federal entity which has primary responsibility for groundfish management in the Gulf of Alaska, the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, including cod, pollock, flatfish, mackerel, sablefish, and rockfish species harvested mainly by trawlers, hook and line longliners and pot fishermen.
According to Lloyd, most of the bycatch caught by the Pollock fishery occurs around the Horseshoe area by inshore trawlers within 3 miles. The trawlers usually go to Akutan or Dutch Harbor.
“60% of the bycatch is headed to western Alaska and 1/4th of the total were bound for the Yukon,” said Lloyd.
The NPMC voted to set the Chinook bycatch at 60,000 for the Pollock fishery, and the incentive program goes as far as the individual vessels. If the industry’s salmon bycatch routinely exceeds recent averages, the cap would drop down to about 47,600 salmon, under the motion approved by the board. Fishing vessels or companies that refused to take part in incentive programs would face much lower bycatch limits.
“They will let their skippers know,” he said. “It will make a difference for them to fish like that. They have to stay below 47,000.”
However, Pollock fisherman have said that they “can’t get away from Chinook” said Lloyd. And there will be a 4 year delay until any benefits show.
Still, Naneng expressed that a state disaster declaration should be declared to help support the fishermen that did not get an opportunity to fish. But Moller said that the law has been changed.
“If there was any way, we would…but the Governor’s hands are tied – she has to follow the laws,” said Moller. “An economic disaster does not qualify according to the state legislature,” he added.
“Fuel is paid for by commercial fishing money,” said Naneng. “That is the reason for their inability to pay. What is the state’s position on this? Is the state really looking out for the interest of the people?”
AVCP went through $5-$6 million for low-income assistance, he said. One village even had 20 children in OCS, Office of Children’s Services – and 50 the next year.
“I know the in-river program calls for quite a bit of sacrifice,” said Lloyd. “We are trying to make those sacrifices as small as possible.”
What about the traditional subsistence users of Chinook salmon on the Canadian side?
“The aboriginal fisheries for The First Nations People, which is what they call it, are taking less than half for their needs,” said Evenson. “We need to make a concerted effort to conserve those fish.”
The group was heading out to several lower Yukon villages the next morning on Friday to meet with village leaders and commercial fishermen. (See page 6 for Nick Tucker Sr.’s letter to Commissioner Lloyd.)
House Fire in Grayling
On May 19, 2009 it was reported to the Alaska state Troopers, Aniak Post that there had been a house fire in Grayling on May 18, 2009. The house was described as a total loss. The Fire Marshall’s office has been advised. The investigation continues.
Happy to be tobacco free
5-19-09
by Janet Aketachunak
Hello! It has been 6 plus years since I had my last cigarette!
When I was asked by my provider if I was interested in quitting, I was hesitant. I thought, “It won’t happen,” but I said yes and was referred to the Yukon-Kuskowim Health Corporation’s Nicotine Control Program.
The Nicotine Dependence Counselor worked with me and gave me some options on what I needed to get started on my quit attempt. I chose the Zyban and the Nicotine Patch. I started with the Zyban to slow me down and when I cut down to half a cigarette a day, I quit. I put the patch on and never smoked again. It’s not hard, you just have to believe that you want to quit. I do not miss smoking, it stinks. Now I can hardly breathe the secondhand smoke when I’m around it.
I encourage everyone who smokes or chews to quit; it’s healthier. My husband used to call me a walking ashtray. I smelled like one; not any more! The program—it actually works.
Happy to be tobacco free!
Janet Aketachunak is a resident of Emmonak, Alaska.
Honor your Mother
by Elizabeth Ulak
I am writing this in dedication to my mother Mary Ulak, whom I treasure, honor and love with every heartbeat I am given. She passed away in January of 1998, when I was 15 years old. I see it as a delicate stage in life when life throws fierce storms and trials and your most vulnerable to make a lot of bad decisions or poor choices. Influences, whether good or bad is constantly around you.
You see, I was asked by a wonderful woman to write about how special moms are. It came about when she wished me a Happy Mother’s Day. I hugged her back and wished her one too. I explained to her why I choose not to celebrate mother’s day and it has everything to do with losing mine.
I explained how precious moms are and gave examples through my children about how I constantly tell them to honor and respect me because it is the right thing to do. They only have one mother and no one can ever replace the kind of magical love I have given them so unconditionally.
I recently called my daughter and explained a lot of things to her about relationships and love. The most important thing I told her was that if I didn’t love you, I wouldn’t be telling you this. This is when this wonderful lady said; I wish I could tell my daughter things like that. Would you write an article about this?
I get upset when I see or hear of children disrespecting their mom. It hurts inside to know a mother is hurting, how much her children yell at her, use vulgar language, demand things, expect things, and most of all, take her for granted.
Nakleng! There are children who don’t realize just how precious your mom really is. There are children like me who admire you because your mom is still alive. You need to realize that you have the most precious gift and that is your mother’s love.
In honor of all mothers, I want to share the 3 p’s of a mother’s love for you. Listen dear children, both young and old, if you need to make an effort to reconcile with your mom, or those who love her dearly and even for those who have lost a mother, do it! She does many things for you with no hesitance, only out of love.
First of all, your mother will plead for you. It is her deep love for you that may drive you to Jesus, and she will plead for your mercy. When you nanikuaq or desire an emotional need from mom, she will always be there for you. According to Bill Keller, “something” pulls us to God in our hour of need. Many people, who openly reject God, will cry out in a time of need. Even believers will live apart from Christ, not giving Him much time in their daily life…until the trials come.” Understand this, your mom in her hour of need knows where to plead for help.
Secondly, a mother knows what persistence is because it defines her. Your mom has a God-given talent to get the job done, no matter what or how long it takes. An elder once told me “God may answer prayers now, later or never”. It is in times like this that your mom is persistent and she won’t give up.
The third being if a mother is defined by her persistence then prayer is her greatest weapon. According to Bill Keller, “Moms are prayer warriors. Moms know that it is the prayer that moves the hand of God. Moms know that prayer works because it demonstrates to God that we are powerless in our own strength, and have put our faith in him.”
I believe that Prayer is definitely powerful and prayer is love. Love removes any hatred, anger, sadness, guilt, remorse, and every negative feeling from you. Give it a chance!
I encourage you today to honor your mother. Swallow your pride and make amends or renew your love for her. Let her know how special she is. Afterall, it is God’s commandment that we honor our mom.
For those of you whose mom has passed on, adopt one into your life. Visit the senior center and spend some time with one. Share your spring catch with elders in the villages. I believe any act of kindness, even to strangers are powerful and effective ways to spread love. In return, your mom’s gratitude will bless your life in more ways imaginable.
Quyana and be richly blessed this spring!
Elizabeth Ulak is a Traditional Counselor for SECEL.
Girl Scout Camp
Girl Scout Camp is starting throughout the YK Delta. Girl Scout Camp Staff members Jodie Gates and Heidi Chamberlain will be hosting camps in Hooper Bay May 17-22, Scammon Bay May 22-28, and Chevak May 28-June 3. Girl Scout Camp is free for all girls 5-18. Questions please call Amy at 1-800-478-7448.
At right are Jodie Gates, Heidi Chamberlain, and Regional Girl Scout Coordinator Amy von Diest.
Postal Service prices increase
The Governors of the U.S. Postal Service have approved new prices for mailing services, including a 2-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail stamp to 44 cents. Prices for mailing services are reviewed annually and adjusted each May. The new prices will go into effect Monday, May 11.
Customers can continue to mail letters by using the Forever Stamp. Forever Stamps were developed to help consumers ease the transition during price changes. Forever Stamps do not have a denomination and will be honored whenever they are used with no need for additional postage for a one-ounce letter mailing. On May 11 the price of the Forever Stamp increased to 44 cents.
The new prices are available at usps.com/prices.
Rising operational costs make the price adjustments necessary; the increase tracks the 2008 rate of inflation. “The Postal Service is not immune to rising costs which are affecting homes and businesses across America today,” said Postmaster General John Potter. “Even with the increases, the Postal Service continues to offer some of the lowest postage prices in the world.”
For the average household, the First-Class Mail stamp price change will represent an additional $3 over the course of the year. When compared to annual increases in other household expenses, such as groceries, healthcare and utilities, the Postal Service continues to be an economical choice for shipping and mailing during tough economic times. For First-Class Mail, there will be no changes in the current additional ounce price, which remains at 17 cents.
KuC Graduates hailed
and challenged
5-14-09
by Susan Baird
The 35th Commencement exercises for Kuskokwim Campus graduates played to an overflow crowd once again on Friday, May 8th in the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center. Campus Director Mary Ciuniq Pete commended people for attending even as some area villages were being evacuated due to spring river ice break up flooding. From the atmosphere in the cultural center, it was evident that it would take more than a flood to stop most of the participants from completing something they had set out to accomplish.
Dr. John Pingayak, who is the Cultural Heritage Coordinator at the Kashunamuit School District in Chevak and also serves on the KuC Advisory Council, was the first of many speakers to both congratulate and challenge the graduates. Sprinkling his remarks with many Cup’ik and Yup’ik words to emphasize his admonition to value their heritage, Dr. Pingayak urged them not to regard their culture as a second remedy, but a first guide.
Many times he heard the words, “Words will shape a young man as to how he will be in the future.” He was encouraged to help Elders and contribute to society. John did not think he was college-bound, but in 1972 he nevertheless started college with little money and few avenues of support. He never missed a class and now uses that education to teach young people.
Some of the things that have shored up Dr. Pingayak throughout the years are his faith in his Creator, the rules of the ancestors and the conviction that Cup’ik and Yup’ik people can do anything they set their minds to. He says, “Our hope is for the future,” and that future includes shaping good lifestyles, healing our people, being productive members of society, and recruiting people to attend KuC so they can use education to help their communities. “Don’t put your education behind the back door--use it!” was another of his challenges to the students of today.
Dr. Pingayak gave the audience two goals toward which they should strive. Don’t forget your traditional ways of survival and subsistence, and if you want to learn about your culture, go to the source--parents, grandparents and Elders. Switching between humor and firm warnings, he imparted valuable advice to all in attendance.
The Associate of Arts student speaker, Carrie Ayagalria spoke not only for herself but for many of the graduates in thanking their families for the support and sacrifice that helped them achieve the goals they were celebrating today. Roberta Charles, speaking for the Bachelor of Arts students, said she never imagined that she could stay at home, keep her job, and still complete a degree in Rural Development. Both students emphasized the balance of cultures, responsibilities and resources that is necessary to obtain an education.
Kathy Hanson, Regional Director of the Adult Basic Education Program, thanked the many partners who contributed to the success of the 60+ students who earned GEDs this year. She also challenged those students to think of their diploma as just the first step in their future. That sentiment was also echoed by Chester Mark for the Community Health Aide Practitioners as well as by Sharon Vaska for the Early Childhood Education majors.
The audience was also addressed by UA Regent Kirk Wickersham who defined success as consisting of two elements: self esteem and self discipline. Self esteem is the ability to dream and set a goal and self discipline is the ability to achieve that goal. The concluding speaker was University of Alaska President Mark Hamilton. His advice to the graduates was to find at least three people who were instrumental in their success and physically thank them. At least one student took that to heart. As I left the Cultural Center today, a young man turned around, shook my hand and said, “Thank you. You people changed my life.” A perfect way to end another memorable KuC graduation.
Ms. Pete closed the day’s ceremonies with, “Quyana to all of you for helping us to celebrate the most hopeful day at our campus. Congratulations, graduates!”
Susan Baird is the Assistant Director at the UAF Kuskokwim Campus in Bethel, AK.
Catching Sophie’s killer
Cold Case Investigators Search For More Clues
4-29-09
As the 16th anniversary of Sophe Sergie’s murder nears, Alaska State Troopers investigators hope the public can provide information that will help solve a case the remains a true mystery.
Cold Case Investigator Jim Stogsdill re-invigorated efforts to find her killer when he picked up the case in 2007. Stogsdill, with the help of Lindy Minnick who joined the Cold Case Unit’s Soldotna office in September of 2008, is painstakingly combing through old evidence, cataloging it, re-interviewing people and gathering more information that will hopefully lead investigators to Sophie’s murderer.
Sophie, who was a UAF student from 1990 to 1992, was staying with a friend at the UAF dorm Bartlett Hall while she was in town for a dental appointment. The 20-year old arrived in Fairbanks on Saturday, April 24, 1993 and was scheduled to fly home to Pitka’s Point shortly after her appointment ended on Monday, April 26. She never made it to the appointment. Instead, her body was found by janitors shortly after 2 p.m. on April 26. She had been sexually assaulted, shot and left in a bathtub of a second-story bathroom at Barlett Hall. Indications are that she was killed sometime between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Investigators discovered she was last seen around midnight, smoking a cigarette and talking to people outside in front of Hess Commons, the building that joins Moore, Bartlett and Skarland dormitories. She was wearing navy blue sweatpants and a colorfully striped, hooded Native-style sweater or sweatshirt.
“We have a greater picture now than what they did back then, but we’re still missing a number of people,” Stogsdill said. “We’re especially looking for people who might have been outside, in front of Hess Commons.”
Another new piece of information is the possibility that there may be another crime scene. A crime scene forensic examiner independent from the Department of Public Safety did an extensive analysis of the crime scene evidence and determined Sophie may have been killed somewhere else in the dorm and not in the bathroom where her body was found.
“Although he wasn’t able to say conclusively that she was killed elsewhere and brought there (to the bathroom), he said we should keep our eyes open for her having been killed at another location,” Stogsdill said.
Armed with new information, Stogsdill and Minnick, plus other Cold Case investigators within the Alaska Bureau of Investigation Tim Hunyor, James Gallen, have been trying to track down people who were at Bartlett Hall at the time. It doesn’t matter whether the people were partying, just walking through or watching a movie with friends at the dorm, or whether a person believes they might have something to contribute. The smallest scrap of information could help put together another piece of the puzzle or help investigators narrow the number of leads to follow.
“We’d like everybody who was residing in Bartlett Hall in the spring of 1993, just simply call up and say, ‘Hey, I was there, I was in whatever room number, this is what I heard, this is what I saw, this is what I heard people speak of afterwards,’” Stogsdill said. “We can filter all that out.”
Interviewing people who might have something to add to the timeline leading up to Sophie’s death has been a challenge from the start. Her murder occurred right around finals. Students quickly left for the summer, some of them never to return for another semester at UAF. Investigators have the difficult task of tracking down people, some of whom have moved Outside or joined the military in the almost 16 years since Sophie’s death.
However, investigators are not wiling to give up until Sophie’s killer is behind bars.
Anyone who was in the area of Hess Commons or the Moore, Bartlett and Skarland Halls on April 26, 1993 can contact Stogsdill at (907) 260-2716; Minnick at (907) 260-2710 or lindy.minnick@alaska.gov; Gallen or Hunyor in Anchorage at (907) 269-5611; or UAF Police Investigator Steve Goetz at (907) 474-7721.
Capital Budget Bill passes
4-22-09
by Sen. Lyman Hoffman
Last night, the House passed Senate Bill 75, the FY10 Capital budget bill. Given the current oil prices, reductions were made in the spending plans for both the Operating and Capital budgets. We are committed to maintaining our efforts to provide essential public services while restraining ourselves in areas that can wait. This Capital budget focuses on high-priority projects including major deferred maintenance for 23 schools, village safe water, airport and highway transportation and the continuation of renewable energy projects.
Although SB 75 is leaner than in years past, with the assistance of federal economic stimulus funding, our state will continue to see job opportunities and construction activity.
With the state’s dependence on the volatility of oil prices, we have lived through these twists, turns and downslides before. Last year, we were fortunate to be able to put aside billions into our savings accounts. It is the Legislature’s intent not to draw too heavily from those reserves to preserve them as far into the future as possible until we see the upturn of state revenue.
Below, I have outlined the FY10 Capital projects for both sides of our district. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office.
Chinook Salmon Bycatch in Bering Sea Pollock Fishery
4-14-09
by The Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association
Every year, the Bering Sea pollock fleet catches thousands of Chinook salmon as “bycatch.” These Chinook – the most prized species of salmon – are tossed overboard, with a few saved for donation to food banks. In 2007, over 121,000 Chinook salmon were killed by the pollock fishery.
To date, there has been no limit on the number of salmon the pollock fishery can catch. Last week, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has the opportunity to make a historic decision to reduce bycatch in the pollock fishery and protect our Chinook salmon stocks.
Over 50% of the Chinook salmon caught as bycatch is bound for Western Alaska, including the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers, Bristol Bay and Norton Sound. In-river fishers in these regions have faced significant reductions in commercial and subsistence harvest in recent years because of low run sizes. “The loss of income from commercial fisheries and food from subsistence fisheries is a key factor in the economic crisis villages throughout Western Alaska this year,” says Myron Naneng Sr, President of AVCP.
While in-river users make enormous sacrifices to allow Chinook salmon to return to their spawning grounds to reproduce, the pollock fishery is currently free to kill any number of these same fish. “We think it’s criminal that we are restricted from fishing to feed our families, while off shore, the pollock fleet is able to take 120,000 Chinook salmon with no repercussion. The Council needs to severely curtail the take of Chinook salmon by the pollock fishery. Rural Alaskans, sports fishermen and others should not have to pay the price for the inability of the pollock fishery to curtail their take of Chinook salmon,” says Loretta Bollard, President, Kawerak, Inc.
While numerous measures have been tried to reduce salmon bycatch, there has never been a real limit on salmon bycatch since the foreign fishing days. At their meeting in Anchorage last week, the Council has the opportunity to address this issue once and for all by choosing a hard cap that would shut the pollock fishery down when the cap has been reached. The Council’s current Preferred Preliminary Alternative, however, includes a hard cap of 68,000, which is higher than the third highest bycatch year in recent history. “It’s time for the Council to take action to actually reduce bycatch. A hard cap of 68,000 would keep the record high bycatch years from occurring, but does nothing to actively reduce bycatch,” says Karen Gillis, Executive Director, Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association. “To comply with our obligations under the Yukon River Salmon Agreement and provide protections to our priceless Chinook salmon stocks the Council should immediately adopt a hard cap of no more than 32,500 Chinook salmon. In these times of climate uncertainty for salmon, and economic crisis for our villages, it is morally repugnant to choose a hard cap that preserves the status quo levels of bycatch. With a limit in place, we are confident that the pollock fishery will adapt to stay under this limit, preserving their profits and Alaska’s Chinook salmon,” says Becca Robbins Gisclair, Policy Director, Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association.
Chevak receives over 3500 pounds of Food Donation in mid March
4-9-09
Almost all of the households in Chevak were given pizzas; canned and dried goods; and other necessities. Food was delivered to Chevak through the efforts of Representative Ramras; Legislative Staff, Dana Strommen; and others who were directly involved: Food Bank of Alaska (Reg Buchanan and Robin Stilwell), Lynden Transport (Reed Stoops) Alaska Airlines (Kim Hutchinson) and Private donations.
The Chevak Traditional Council staff barely found time to read The Delta Discovery, they just wanted to show off their new paper! We would like to give a heartfelt thanks to the aforementioned ‘movers’ with what they did for our community. Special thanks to the T.C staff; Dimi and Corney. God Bless All of You.
-RB Slats, Chevak Native Village.
Going To Ageya Camp!
by Kathleen “Nuka” Daniel
Four out of eight eighth graders from Lewis Angapak Memorial School from Tuntutuliak, AK will be going to Ageya camp on June 16 to July 9th. The four students who are going to this camp are: Logan Gilila, Miranda Lupie, Lawrence Pavila, and Derek David.
It’s a camp for only eighth graders in Alaska! Only eighth graders can apply for this camp. It’s a 24-day camp and they accept 32 girls and 32 boys.
They will be learning about traditional boat building, building a 30-foot umiak, and paddling and exploring the bay in kayaks. They will also be camping for a week.
The Ageya camp has been going on since 1984 for young people and adults.
The students do not have to pay for anything because the camp will be paying for the food, airfare, and everything else. I hope they have a lot of fun while they are over at the Ageya camp! Do you think they will have fun? How many eighth graders do you think will apply for this camp?
Kathleen “Nuka” Daniel is a student in Tuntutuliak, AK.
YKD Regional Winners move on to State Finals of Migratory Bird Calendar Contest
Eighteen students from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region have qualified for the state finals of the 2010 Alaska Migratory Bird Calendar contest. On Monday, March 23, judges in Bethel selected three winners in each of four age classes (kindergarten through second grade, third through fifth, sixth through eighth, and high school) for poster art, and three winners in each of two age classes (third through fifth, and sixth through eighth) for poetry. The theme for the 2010 calendar is “Alaska: North America’s Bird Nursery.” The judges, including Reyne Athanas, Sean Denning-Barnes, and Amy Wald, had a difficult time picking the regional winners from over 500 entries, up 40% from last year’s contest. Across the Delta, 434 students submitted posters and 69 students submitted poems for the competition. In addition to having a focus on local birds, many posters and poems emphasized other subsistence resources such as fish, seals, and berries. The twelve winning posters and six winning poems from our region will be sent to Anchorage, where they will be entered in the state-wide competition to be held in April. Winning artwork and poems from the state finals will appear in the 2010 Alaska Migratory Bird Calendar.
The annual calendar contest began on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in 1986, and has now expanded to include student entries from throughout much of the state. The contest is sponsored by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, but its success depends on the support of many partners. For example, partners for the 2009 Calendar included the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Audubon Alaska, ConocoPhillips Alaska, and Ducks Unlimited.
Our regional literature winners (with their teachers in parentheses) include:
Grades 3-5: Joseph Paniyak, Chevak School, Chevak (Diane Seitz); Mason Martins, Chevak School, Chevak (Diane Seitz); Daphne Sipary, Nelson Island School, Toksook Bay (Veronica Simons)
Grades 6-8: Kate McWilliams, Kilbuck Elementary, Bethel (Jon LaValle); Winter Kilangak, Emmonak School, Emmonak (Kevin Ley); Alice Yupanik, Emmonak School, Emmonak (Kevin Ley)
Our regional poster art winners include:
Grades K-2: Ethan Lincoln, Nelson Island School, Toksook Bay (Eliza Lincoln); Angelina Asuluk, Nelson Island School, Toksook Bay (Eliza Lincoln); Charles Active, Jr., Ayaprun Elitnaurvik, Bethel (Christine Owens)
Grades 3-5: Daniel Seitz, Chevak School, Chevak (Diane Seitz); Nathaniel Simon, Ayaprun Elitnaurvik, Bethel (Georgiana Starr); Sabrina Crow, Kilbuck Elementary School, Bethel (Erin Arno)
Grades 6-8: Mary Julius, Nelson Island School, Toksook Bay (Veronica Simons); Sarah Alexie, Nelson Island School, Toksook Bay (Veronica Simons); Gorgeous Shangin, Dick Kiunya Memorial School, Kongiganak (Sherman Igkurak)
High School: Rita Andrew, Lewis Angapak Memorial School, Tuntutuliak (Daniel Lesczynski); Marissa Chingliak, Akiachak School, Akiachak (Trevor Snyder); Heather Mael, Chaputnguak School, Chefornak (Sandra McCulloch)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would like to congratulate the regional winners and their teachers. The Service also thanks all of the other students, teachers, schools and communities that participated in this year’s regional contest for the 2010 calendar.