Two of the passengers on a flight that crashed between Unalakleet and Nome on Thursday, February 6, were employees of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.
Rhone Baumgartner was a Utility Operations Technician with the Rural Energy team in the ANTHC Division of Environmental Health and Engineering.
Kameron Hartvigson was a Utility Operations Specialist for the Tribal Utility Support team in the ANTHC Division of Environmental Health and Engineering.
They had traveled to Unalakleet to service a heat recovery system that is critical to the community’s water plant.
Leaders of the organization released the following statements:
We have a very close team here at ANTHC’s Division of Environmental Health and Engineering, and we experienced the unthinkable today. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kameron and Rhone’s families and all others who have experienced the pain of this tragedy. We’re passionate about what we do and who we help, and we show up every day with passion and purpose. Our work doesn’t always make the front page of the newspaper. Kameron and Rhone didn’t seek that sort of notoriety. They were motivated by a deep commitment to our mission. They had the skills to help people across Alaska and the devotion to do so under any conditions. These two members of our team lost their lives serving others. The loss of these two incredible individuals and everyone else on board the plane will be felt all over Alaska.
– David Beveridge, ANTHC Vice President of Environmental Health & Engineering
Rhone Baumgartner and Kameron Hartvigson were passionate about the work they did, cared deeply for the communities they served, and made a lasting impact on rural communities across our state. They were the best at what they did and had just flown into Unalakleet to help address heating and mechanical issues in the depths of winter. They gave the ultimate sacrifice for the people we serve in the work we do. Everyone at ANTHC feels a sense of shock and loss because they were so crucial to our Rural Energy and Tribal Support teams. My thoughts are with their families, the people who worked alongside them day in and day out, and for everyone else who lost a loved one today.
– Natasha Singh, ANTHC Interim President and CEO
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Anchorage, AK
My First Two Bills Pass the House – Your Feedback Needed!
This week, a major milestone was accomplished for Native Alaskans as my first two bills passed the House of Representatives. These bills are significant steps toward protecting the rights and well-being of Alaska Natives and their communities.
My grandfather, former Congressman Nicholas Begich Sr., played a pivotal role in the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) in 1971. This landmark legislation not only secured land rights for Alaska Natives but also laid the foundation for the construction of the Alaska Pipeline, driving economic growth and energy development across the state. Now, nearly 54 years later, these bills provide clarity to his landmark bill and reinforce that Alaska Natives should decide how their land is used.
H.R. 42 – The Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act This bill amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to ensure that payments from Settlement Trusts to aged, blind, or disabled Alaska Natives are not counted against eligibility for crucial social programs. By passing this legislation, I am working to protect vulnerable Native Alaskans from unintended financial hardships.
H.R. 43 – The Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act This bill ensures that Village Corporations are not forced to convey land in trust to the State of Alaska for municipal purposes unless they choose to do so. This legislation reaffirms local decision-making power over Native lands and respects the autonomy of Village Corporations.
I am honored to serve you and will continue working on policies that benefit our great state.
I value your input! Please take a moment to share your thoughts on these bills:
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Thank you for staying engaged in the legislative process. Your feedback is crucial as I continue to fight for policies that serve Alaskans.
If you need assistance, please reach out to my office at (907) 921-6575 or visit Begich.House.gov.
U.S. Representative Nick Begich
Washington, DC
