HappyFrom Holidays Tanana Chiefs Conference Dena’ Nena’ Henash - - Our Land Speaks Vol. 38, No. 11 A Report to the Member Tribes of the Tanana Chiefs Conference December 2014 Rise2014 As AFN One Annual Convention

Jerry Isaac of Tanacross was elected as AFN Co-Chair.

This year’s 2014 Alaska Federation alongside Alaska State Troopers Native Subsistence Rights. of Natives Annual Convention kicked and Village Public Safety Officers Former TCC President Jerry Isaac off in Anchorage on October 23rd to talk about domestic violence and of Tanacross was elected as the new with the theme ‘Rise as One’, which substance abuse in the villages, and Co-Chair for AFN after running against promoted unity throughout the Native to honor the lives of Trooper Gabe former co-chair Tara Sweeney. Community. A large focus was placed Rich and Sergeant Scott Johnson Several TCC Tribal Members were on the General Elections, which took who were killed earlier in the year in honored with President’s Awards; place in November, with the statewide Tanana. Gerald Patsy received the Roger Get Out the Native Vote campaign An ‘I am Alaska Native: Hunt, Fish, Lang Youth Leadership Award, encouraging to rise Share, VOTE!’ Rally was held at the Benno Henry Cleveland the Gin’tith as one to increase the presence of Delaney Parkstrip with around 300 (Richard Frank) Military Award, the native vote. The statewide efforts people in attendance. Candidates and Darrell Hildebrand the Glenn seemed to increase voter turnout in such as Bill Walker, Byron Mallott and Godfrey Law Enforcement Award. some rural communities (see page 2). Mark Begich were also in attendance During the convention the Tanana to show their support. The rally is held See photos from the convention 4-H group presented to the attendees every year to show support for Alaska on Pages 6 and 7.

Full Board of Directors approve 2015-2020 TCC Strategic Plan In November, Tanana Chiefs Conference to the plan in order to ensure called a special 3-day long Full Board of TCC remained in alignment with Directors meeting in Fairbanks, where the priorities of its member tribes. the board approved TCC’s 2015-2020 The plan calls for increasing Strategic Plan. The plan includes ten TCC’s revenues by 30% to $200 over-arching goals designed to help reach million and growing from 825 TCC’s vision of Healthy, Strong, Unified to 1000 employees by the year Tribes. 2020. The plans highest priorities During the meeting TCC Administration, include substantially expanding Tribal Client Services and Health Services medical care and public safety presented their five year objectives to services, a new emphasis on wellness economic development, and increasing tribal delegates, who had the opportunity and prevention, oversight of fish and employment in the villages. to contribute their own recommendations game management, ensuring responsible Photos on Page 4

Village Job TCC Leadership AFN Convention How to get In This Opportunities Advocate in D.C. Photos Rid of Lice Issue: Page 3 Page 4 Page 7 Page 10 Mission Statement Tanana Chiefs Conference provides a President’s Report unified voice in advancing sovereign tribal Victor Joseph, President/Chairman governments through the promotion of Dear Tribes and Tribal Members, physical and mental wellness, education, I would like to thank you to all those who took to the polls socioeconomic development, and culture this November to vote in the General Election. Voter turnout of the Native people. in many of our villages was above average, which means that our strength in numbers is growing. While the national voter turnout was dismal, with only 36.6% of eligible voters turning up at the polls, Alaska ranked as the state with Vision second-highest voter turnout at 55%. Nine villages in the TCC Region had a higher percentage of voter turnout than Healthy, Strong, Unified Tribes the State (as seen below), while all but five communities ranked higher than the national average. It is important that we let our elected officials know that we have a voice, that our opinion matters, that we are paying attention and educated about the issues at hand. Congratulations to Jerry Isaac on being elected as the new Alaska Federation of Natives Co-Chair at this year’s AFN Convention in October. In addition to this, Jerry serves as the Alaska Area Vice-President for the National Congress of American Indians. This provides Alaska Tribes with a unique opportunity that increases our ability to bring statewide tribal priorities to the national level more effectively. This is another demonstration of Jerry’s continued leadership, advocacy and work on behalf of our tribes. ¬ During AFN, three of our tribal members were honored with President’s Awards. Special TCC Executive congratulations to Gerald Patsy, Benno Henry Cleveland and Darrell Hildebrand. Board Members As you can see on the front of this newsletter, TCC held a Special Full Board of Directors Meeting to review and revise the 2015-2020 Strategic Plan. It was gratifying to see that Donald Honea Sr./Ruby the plan closely corresponded with the direction that the tribes wanted our organization to 1st Traditional Chief go in. The Full Board of Directors approved the ten goals identified in the plan, approved the objectives presented by Administration, Health Services, and Tribal Client Services Trimble Gilbert/Arctic Village and directed the Executive Board to present the strategic plan at TCC’s 2015 Convention 2nd Traditional Chief in March, where recommendations for additional objectives from convention delegates may be incorporated. It is important to note that this plan is a living document, meaning we can always revise it to stay in alignment with our tribes. Victor Joseph/ Tanana Thank you to all those who participated in the meeting and contributed their TCC President recommendations to the plan. I would also like to recognize the facilitators; Sonta Hamilton-Roach, Jessica Black, Charlene Stern, Tonya Garnett and Princess Johnson Julie Roberts-Hyslop/Tanana who did a great job making sure the meeting ran smoothly. I would also like to acknowledge Paul Sherry for assisting us in the development of the strategic plan. Vice President Shortly following the strategic planning meeting, PJ Simon and I travelled to Washington, D.C. to advocate on our tribes behalf. During this time, we advocated on several important Pat McCarty/Ruby tribal priorities including passage of Senate Bills s.919: Department of the Interior Tribal Secretary/Treasurer Self Governance Act of 2014, s.1474: Alaska Safe Families and Villages Act, and s.1574 Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act. (See page 4 for a full list of tribal priorities brought forth during our meetings). A special thank you to PJ for Donald Adams/Tetlin coming with me on this trip as we had many important issues to bring to the table. Upper Tanana For years TCC has been seeking an independent review of the Fairbanks Four Case and after reaching out to the Department of Justice (DOJ), I received a letter from DOJ’s Nick Alexia Sr./Nikolai Acting Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta. In her letter she states that DOJ will Upper Kuskokwim be monitoring the State’s investigation and that appropriate action will be taken if the investigation and court proceedings indicate prosecutable violations of the federal criminal civil rights statutes. An article providing more details and updates on this case Nancy James/Fort Yukon will be featured in our next issue of The Council. Yukon Flats I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I hope that you have a healthy and safe holiday season. I will see you next year! Eugene Paul/Holy Cross Ana Bassee’, Lower Yukon Victor Joseph President of Tanana Chiefs Conference Pollock “PJ” Simon, Jr./Allakaket Yukon Tanana TCC Village Voter Turnout Leo Lolnitz/Koyukuk The 2014 Get Out the Native Vote campaign proved to be successful with many Native Communities seeing increase voter turnout. Below are the villages in the TCC Region who Yukon Koyukuk saw the highest percentage of voter turnout in the General Election. Hughes - 75% Kaltag - 60.80% Shageluk 56.25% Peter Demoski/Nulato Elder Advisor Nikolai - 66.22% Koyukuk - 60.56% Grayling 54.39% Anvik - 66.07% Huslia - 60.12% Holy Cross 53.68% Gerald Patsy/Nulato Allakaket - 65.73% Galena 56.87% Tetlin 53.25% Youth Advisor Information collected from elections.alaska.gov 2 Tanana Chiefs Conference • The Council Newsletter Meet TCC’s New Rural Recruiter Donetta Tritt Village Job My name is much paperwork is required to hire Donetta Tritt someone. The Human Resources Opportunities and I have Department has made the decision to been working at have someone who will work with the Administrative Assistant Tanana Chiefs different villages to speed the hiring • Anaktuvuk Pass Conference process and to work on employing more as a Human people within our villages. Behavioral Health Aide Resources Technician since February As the new Rural Recruiter I look • Anaktuvuk Pass • Circle 2013. I recently moved into the newly forward to traveling to the villages • Dot Lake created position of Rural Recruiter. and meeting the Tribal Administrators, I’m from Arctic Village and I’m the Council members and the village Billing Technician: granddaughter of Allen Tritt of Venetie residents to help in TCC’s hiring • Galena and the late Margaret Tritt of Christian process. I will also be available to help • Tok Village. I am a part-time student at UAF. fill out paperwork and write resumes. I’ve spent the last year and a half I look forward to this new opportunity Community Health Aide/ walking new hires through our new hire and am excited to help those seeking Practitioner and background process, so I know employment with TCC. • Alatna Clinic firsthand how long it can take and how • Allakaket • Circle • Chalkyitsik Hughes Couple gets New Home through • Stevens Village

BIA Housing Improvement Program Family Visitor Submitted by AJ Felix, TCC Housing Manager • Hughes Henry and Sophie Beatus of Hughes • Tetlin received a home through the , Housing Improvement Home Care Provider Program. Staff members from Tanana • Beaver • Hughes Chiefs Conference Housing Program • Circle • Nenana traveled to Hughes in January 2014 • Dot Lake • Northway

and met with the Hughes Village • Evansville • Nulato Council and clients and in partnership Physician we selected housing plans and the lot • Tok to build the house on. to thank the Tribal Administrator and Utilizing local hire, construction Council for getting the applications Teacher Aide began in late June 2014 and the and supporting documents submitted • Tetlin home was completed at the end of and the community for assisting with September. Housing Staff traveled the completion of the home for Henry Tribal Administrator to Hughes and with the Council and and Sophie before winter arrived. • McGrath community to welcome the new We would like to encourage all homeowners into their new home on villages in the TCC region to apply Tribal Workforce Development Specialist October 12th, 2014. The Village of for the BIA Housing Improvement Hughes put together a wonderful Open Program. It will help support that there • Alatna • Shageluk House; a lot of community members is still a need for the grant. • Chalkyitsik • Stevens attended and brought traditional food Please contact the Housing Program • Eagle Village at 800-478-6822 extension 3496 with • Evansville • Takotna to share with everyone. • Rampart • Tetlin The Housing Program would like any questions you may have. • Venetie

Village Public Safety Officer (Apply at www.tananachiefs.org) • Minto • Northway • Ruby • Tanana

Questions or Inquiries? Contact the hiring supervisor OR Donetta Tritt, Rural Recruiter 452-8251 ext.3567

Tanana Chiefs Conference • The Council Newsletter 3 Full Board of DirectorsInformation Meeting available on Page 1

TCC Leadership Advocate in Washington, D.C. In November, TCC President Victor Joseph and Executive Board Member PJ Simon travelled to Washington, D.C. to advocate on behalf of the tribes. They met with the Deptartment of Justice, Deptartment of Interior, Congressman Tom Cole, Congressman Don Young, Senator John Tester, Senator Mark Begich and Senator Lisa Murkowski.

The following are some of the issues that were brought forth during the meetings: • Passage of S. 919 which would make Title IV of the Indian Self-Determination Act similar to Title V (BIA section similar to IHS). • Passage of the Alaska Safe Families Act which would provide a demonstration project opportunity for a handful of tribal courts to obtain federal funding to enforce state and tribal laws. • Repeal of the Violence Against Women Act’s section 910, which exludes Alaskan Tribes. • Passage of S. 574, which would make permanent the successful “477 initiative, which allows for consolidation of employment and training programs that have been authorized by different federal statutes at different times and through different federal agencies. 477 allows to combine programs into a single plan. • Ensure the Department of Interior tribal fish commission demonstration project initiated on the is appropriately implemented and push for a similar demonstration project on the Yukon. • Ensure passage of a Shelby Fix which would protect Alaska Native voting rights. • Seek independent federal review of the Fairbanks Four case.

4 Tanana Chiefs Conference • The Council Newsletter VPSOs Attend Annual Training in Fairbanks The TCC VPSOs had their Annual Training November 3rd-7th in Fairbanks where they had refresher courses in Ethics, Verbal Judo, Trauma Informed Care, Suicide Prevention, Tribal Courts, DUI training, Defensive Tactics, Alcohol and Drug Interdiction, Police Report Writing and Personal Trauma Kit Use.

First Row:Trooper Kamau Leigh- Fairbanks Rural Unit • Sgt. Mike Roberts, Fairbanks Rural Unit • VPSO Nigel Travis- Huslia • Cpl. Bentley Mark-Tetlin • Cpl. Rudy Demoski- Anvik • Sgt. Tim Beaucage- Eagle • Trooper Jay Sears, Fairbanks Rural Unit.

Second Row: VPSO Tom White- Circle • Sgt. Ty Cunningham- Minto • Cpl. Edward David- Allakaket • VPSO Herbie Demit- Tanacross • Cpl. Charlotte Kelly-Spencer • TCC President Victor Joseph • VPSO Cameron Huff- McGrath • Sgt. Phil Plessinger- Regional Rover • First Sgt. Mark Haglin- Regional Rover • Cpl. Clinton Wiehl- Nenana • Sgt. Jody Juenby Potts- VPSO Coordinator and Regional Rover.

Construction Trades Technology Village Dental Visits The Construction Trades classes go toward the 12 credit Facilities Maintenance The below schedule indicates when a TCC Dentist or Hygienist will be endorsement from UAF (also count towards the certificate and AA degree in visiting your community. Construction Trades). The TCC Employment & Training (E&T) program will support individuals who are recommended by the Tribal Council Office because DATES VILLAGES they hold a position as a back-up maintenance person, a back-up water plant Dec. 8th-12th Kaltag operator, or laborer in the village. This is a great training which can expand Koyukuk ones skill set. TCC’s E&T Program has helped many tribal members obtain their Minto endorsement in Facilities Maintenance, which would help with lodging during Dec.15th-19th Galena the training, rides to and from the training facility and covers tuition and meals. Rampart Tok Interested individuals can submit an Employment & Training Application Kaltag (which can be found online at www.tananachiefs.org) or you can call Jan. 5th-9th Anaktuvuk Pass Evelyn Ekada, E&T Coordinator at 907- 452-8251 ext.3199 Chalkyitsik or Brend Krupa, E&T Director at ext.3417 Tok Galena SPRING 2015 COURSES: Jan. 12th-16th Anaktuvuk Pass Ruby CTT- F135 II1 - Boiler Troubleshooting & Burner Repair Northway January 26th-31st, 2015 • 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Chalkyitsik CRN: 39678 Tuition: $408 Credits: 2 Jan. 19th-23rd Anaktuvuk Pass CTT- F138 II1 - Residential Heating Controls Ruby January 26th-31st, 2015 • 1:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Northway CRN: 39677 Tuition: $408 Credits: 2

CTT- F137 II1 - Appliance Troubleshooting and Repair February 2nd-7th, 2015 • 1:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. CRN: 39679 Tuition: $408 Credits: 2

CTT- F250 II1 - Current Topics in Construction Trades February 2nd-7th, 2015 • 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. CRN: 39681 Tuition: $408 Credits: 2

Courses count towards an Occupational Endorsement, Certificate andAssociates of Applied Science Degree.

To register or to get more information about the courses, contact Interior-Aleutians Campus at 888-474-5207 or 907-474-5439

Tanana Chiefs Conference • The Council Newsletter 5 Rise AsAFN One 2014 Annual Convention

GET 2014UP! First AlaskansSTAND Institute UP! Elders & Youth Conference Get Up! Stand Up! was the theme of keynote was Fred the 2014 First Alaskans Institute Elders John Jr., who has been & Youth Conference in Anchorage. carrying on the legacy The theme went hand-in-hand with the of his late mother, Katie theme this year’s AFN Convention ‘Rise John, by advocating on As One’, both themes encourage unity behalf of Alaska Native among Alaska Natives. Rights. According to the First Alaskans The youth keynote Institute (FAI) “Our theme speaks to the was Devlin Anderson, power of you, of our people, to bring a high school student and catalyze positive change in our from Yakutat who works communities and ourselves. This is a as a language time to strengthen our advocacy for one apprentice for the another, empower our collective voice, Sealaska Heritage and celebrate the vibrancy of who we Institute. Devlin made are as indigenous peoples!” a great impact at the conference by of Nulato, Trisha Jimmie of Northway, The conference brings together elders presenting his keynote speech entirely Flora Demientieff of Holy Cross and & youth from throughout the state and in Tlingit. Leslie Sam of Northway. offers motivational and educational TCC’s Youth Program brought Mariah Peters of Fort Yukon speakers and panels. Each year one several youth from the TCC Region to was elected as FAI’s Interior Youth elder and one youth are selected as participate in the conference including; Representative, with Leslie Sam as her keynote speakers. This year’s elder Cole Williams of Beaver, Jocelyn Patsy alternate.

6 Tanana Chiefs Conference • The Council Newsletter Tanana Chiefs Conference • The Council Newsletter 7 UAF Interior-Aleutians Campus’s rural centers help with your UAF Application & Financial Aid Submitted by Leona Long, Marketing Outreach Coordinator • UAF Interior-Aleutians Campus Teisha Simmons always believed you improve your grades that college was the ticket to a with FREE math and English better life. As UAF Interior-Aleutians tutoring, resolve computer Campus director, she helps bring problems or answer your education opportunities to Interior financial aid questions. villages so they can take classes or IAC provides distance earn their UAF certificate or degree and place-based education without having to move to Fairbanks. to 61 communities in the “Attending UAF and obtaining my Interior Region and Aleutian bachelor’s and master’s degrees Chain. The campus has five changed my life,” says Teisha. “Not rural centers in Nenana, only did I meet people from all over the Tok, McGrath, Galena and state whom I still consider friends and Fort Yukon, and Unalaska colleagues to this day, but the career which serve as the hub for opportunities I have available to me higher education services Teisha Simmons receives her Master’s Degree are endless. Having my degrees has for the surrounding communities. IAC at the 2003 UAF Commencement ceremony. allowed me to work in positions that staff offer help with your admission UAF photo by Andrew Johnson. has led me from living in a low-income application, registration or applying for apartment and relying on public scholarships and financial aid. Eagle, Northway, Tanacross, Tetlin and transportation for seven years to Tok. Students in Chistochina, Delta owning my own home and vehicle and FOR MORE INFORMATION Junction, Gakona, and Mentasta Lake living a life filled with fun, adventure Stop by the Harper Building located are also served even though they are and clarity about who I am and where at 4280 Geist Road in Fairbanks or call out of the Interior-Aleutians Campus I want to go in the future.” (888) 474-5207 or (907) 474-5439. Region. Crystal Wilson is the center College is a game changer, leading You can also call or stop by the IAC coordinator. She can be reached at to better careers and higher paying rural center in your area. 907-883-5613 or 800-478-2773 and jobs. By 2018, 63 percent of Alaska The McGrath Center serves via email at [email protected]. jobs will require a postsecondary Anvik, Grayling, Holy Cross, Lake The Yukon Flats Center in Fort education, according to research, Minchumina, Lime Village, McGrath, Yukon serves Arctic Village, Birch according to experts from the Center Nikolai, Shageluk, Takotna and Telida. Creek, Beaver, Central, Chalkyitsik, on Education and the Workforce at Contact Ariel Novak at (800) 478- Circle, Fort Yukon, Stevens Village Georgetown University. IAC helps 3074 or [email protected] or and Venetie. Edward Alexander is the you earn your university certificate Sonta Hamilton at 907-473-8290 or center coordinator and Robert John or degree or learn new skills without [email protected] for help if is the facilitator. They can be reached leaving home. Registration is open you live in one of these communities. by calling 907-662-2521 or 800-709- for spring semester. Classes start The Nenana Center serves 8566. You can reach Edward via email January 15. Anderson, Cantwell, Clear, at [email protected] and “At Interior-Aleutians Campus, you Park, Healy, Livengood, Manley Hot Robert at [email protected]. can take classes right from home and Springs, Minto, Nenana, Rampart The Yukon-Koyukuk Center in in your slippers,” says Simmons. “All and Tanana. The Nenana Center Galena serves Allakaket/Alatna, you need is a commitment to learning. office is located at the Harper Building Bettles/Evansville, Galena, Hughes, We are here to help you succeed.” in Fairbank. Angela Rutman was Huslia, Kaltag, Koyukuk and Ruby. Students who register early have recently hired as the Nenana Center Kim Wolf is the coordinator. She the best chance of getting the classes Coordinator. She can be reached at can be reached via email at klwolf@ they want and staying on track for 907-474-5826 or 800-474-5826 and alaska.edu or 907-656-2129 or 888- graduation. IAC’s student services via email at [email protected]. 656-2130. staff is here to help and just a phone The Tok Center serves Alcan call or email away. The staff can help Border, Boundary, Chicken, Dot Lake , Registration is open for the 2015 Spring Semester. Classes start January 15th, 2015. Call 888-474-5207 or 907-474-5439 for more information.

8 Tanana Chiefs Conference • The Council Newsletter Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Program 20 years helping people with disabilities re-enter the workforce! Submitted by Amanda Race, MA, CRC Coordinator/Counselor Our Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation restrictions and this is a voluntary having written & signed consent from (TVR) Program began providing program. the applicant. services to Interior Villages in October 1994 through a Federally Funded WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE? THANK YOU TO ALL THE TRIBES Grant from Rehabilitation Services The overall purpose of TVR is to FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! Administration within the Department help people go to work, which could TCC has been awarded this grant of Education. The program is one of be competitive employment, self- on behalf of the TCC Tribes for the 11 Tribal programs in Alaska and part employment or subsistence activities. past 20 years. Thank you to those of the larger family of 85 American The program counselors work one- Tribal Offices who supported TCC this Indian Vocational Rehabilitation on-one with each person to begin the summer by sending us 25 ‘letters of (AIVR) Programs nationwide from process by identifying a goal for the designation’ to apply for these federal Alaska to Georgia serving over 6,000 future. Services are coordinated to grant funds on your behalf! We were Alaska Natives and American Indians help individuals reach their goals. notified on September 29th of the with disabilities. We coordinate grant award and we are now in our 1st with programs at TCC in Client Examples of services provided year of a new 5 year grant cycle which Development, such as Employment & during the process include: started October 1, 2014. Services Training, Child Protection, Education, • Vocational counseling and will be available through this fiscal Rural Developmental Disabilities and guidance year ending September 30, 2015 and Workforce Development as well as the • Vocational evaluation and continue until fiscal year 2019! State of Alaska Division of Vocational assessment of needs and Rehabilitation, Alaska Independent transferable skills HOW TO REACH US: Living Centers, Community • Referral to other agencies and Toll-Free at 800-478-6822 Rehabilitation Programs, Veteran’s service providers Locally at 907-452--8315 ext.3232 Affairs and the Fairbanks Resource • Vocational educational training FAX: 907-459-3883 Agency to provide appropriate • Purchase of books, tools, vocational rehabilitation services to equipment, supplies, and Chief Peter John Tribal Building eligible Tribal Members living in the materials 5th Floor-Client Development Interior. • Medical and mental health services such as collaboration Amanda Race, Program Coordinator WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR for surgery and therapeutic [email protected] SERVICES? treatment; purchase of Anyone enrolled in an Alaska eyeglasses, hearing aids, and Phillip Albert at ext.3323 Native Village, Corporation or Native prosthetics (not covered by [email protected] American Indian Tribe who has a medical benefits) documented permanent physical or • Job related service that include Pakak (Marie) Jackson at ext.3329 mental disability that interferes with his/ job search and placement, [email protected] her ability to get or keep a job or fully on-the-job training, and follow- participate in a subsistence lifestyle along services. We can mail or fax you a short Tribal may be eligible based on application Vocational Rehabilitation Application review and eligibility determination The type of assistance the program at your request. Please feel free to (within 60 days) by one of the three provides is strictly based on individual stop by the office or if we are traveling counselors. Providing current Medical needs: no two Individualized Plans to your Village, please look for our documentation of your disability with for Employment are identical. ALL Travel Letters posted in your local your application will help us determine information is confidential and no Tribal Offices. We travel March through eligibility faster. There are no income one is given any information without October and bring the services to you!

Need Access to Behavioral Health Services at TCC? • Schedule a screening with our Behavioral Health • Not in Fairbanks? Call 800-478-6822 ext.3800 to Receptionist set up a screening or to speak to an on-call clini- • See the on-call clinician who is available for walk-in cian crisis • Want to refer someone else to services? Call us to • If you are at the Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center, speak to a Behavioral Health Consultant, who can you can speak to a BH Consultant who can help set help you complete a referral up an appointment for you Questions? Call us at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3800

Tanana Chiefs Conference • The Council Newsletter 9 IMPORTANT NOTICE Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) (Formally known as Contract Health Services-CHS)

If you are being referred outside of Chief You will be informed of the following: • PRC is not an entitlement program Andrew Isaac Health Center you will need to • All referrals are not a guarantee of stop by Purchased/Referred Care before you payment You are responsible to inform PRC of any leave the clinic to determine your eligibility for • PRC may request that your provider send Medical Bills sent to you: Referred Care. you to ANMC • PRC does not always know that you have • A Purchase Order must be picked up unpaid medical bills You will be screened for the following: before your visit • You will need to bring your bills into PRC • Alternate Resources such as Medicare, • PRC is not an Insurance Company • Did your Private Insurance pay or deny? Medicaid, Private Health Insurance, • Was your Medical Services denied by Tricare, VA Purchased/Referred Care? • You might be asked to apply for Alternate • Did you receive a denial letter from PRC Resources such as Medicaid. This is a and did you appeal? required Federal Regulation that the Indian Health Service has to comply with. ***Always provide and update all your If you elect not to apply, then you the information such as address, phone numbers, patient are responsible for your Medical Private Health Insurance, Medicare, costs. Medicaid, Tricare, etc. when checking in for • Residency appointments*** • IHS Eligibility

They’re contagious, annoying, and sometimes tough to get rid of! LICE: Submitted by Dr. Steve Jay, MD • CAIHC Pediatrics & Christine Malone, RN Lice are small tick-like bugs that in the house should be treated at This is like washing on a hot wash cycle live among human hairs and need the SAME TIME. Skipping any of and using a hot dryer for clothes and humans to survive by feeding off the steps or not doing the medicines bedding, and washing combs/brushes tiny amounts of blood from the scalp exactly as directed can cause the in near boiling water. Clothing, stuffed and laying eggs on the hair that take lice to come back stronger and more animals, comforters, and other items about a week to hatch. They are a resistant to the treatment than before, that cannot be washed or dry- cleaned very common problem, especially for so it is very important to follow the should be stored in a sealed plastic kids. They’re contagious, annoying, directions EXACTLY the first time! bag for 2 weeks. Finally, vacuum the and sometimes tough to get rid of! bed paying attention to all the creases, But while they’re frustrating to deal EASING THE ITCH as well as chairs or other places that with, lice aren’t dangerous. They don’t For problems with itching, one can have been slept in REALLY WELL. spread disease, although their bites use an over the counter anti-histamine can make a scalp itchy and irritated product such as Benadryl. Be aware WE CAN HELP which can lead to infection. Their that it is not uncommon for itching to If you or a family member have head saliva is what causes inflammation last days to a week after the lice are lice and live in Fairbanks, you may and sometimes hypersensitivity (itch gone. come into CAIHC Pharmacy and pick- and rash). up the lice shampoo (generic RID) kit Head lice are spread primarily CLEAN UP without first having to be seen by a by close personal contact and All potentially infested items should doctor. Just let the pharmacist know occasionally by things like hats, be treated with wet or dry heat (or both) how many family members need to be combs, and other things that come in at a minimum of 149°F for minimum treated, and they will get the shampoo close contact with them and people. of 15 min (preferably at least 30 min). ready for you and your family. It may be a good idea to call into the GETTING RID OF LICE pharmacy and make the request for To get rid of lice from the hair, you the lice shampoo prior to coming will need to use a lice shampoo kit in to decrease your waiting time. which you can buy at the store or get If you live in a village, please visit from the clinic. The most important your local clinic where the Health thing to do is to get them out of the Aide will be able to dispense the lice hair and where you live. The fine shampoo following a visit. comb that comes with the kit is very good and will work on its own, but CAIHC Pharmacy be prepared as it takes a lot of time 907-451-6682 ext. 3620 and patience to make sure you have combed EVERY HAIR! Everyone 10 Tanana Chiefs Conference • The Council Newsletter CenteringPediatric PregnancyCare in a New & Exciting Way Submitted by Kristen Sublett, CAIHC Certified Nurse Midwife What is Centering Pregnancy? Centering Parenting in discussion, and develop a support Centering Pregnancy is prenatal Families who complete Centering network with other group members. care provided in a group setting. Pregnancy will have the option to Parenting groups meet for 8-9 Eight to twelve women with similar continue to Centering Parenting. sessions through the baby’s first year. due dates meet together, learning Centering Parenting is a model of Stable group participation provides care skills, participating in discussion, opportunity for sharing of concerns and developing a support network and encouragement for healthy with other group members. Each choices. Pregnancy group meets for a total of The first Centering Pregnancy 10 sessions throughout pregnancy. group at the Chief Andrews Isaac The practitioner within the group Health Center is set to start in space completes standard April of 2015. physical health assessments. When Centering Parenting What are the benefits? care is used in conjunction with Through this unique model of Centering Pregnancy, groups care, women are empowered provide a continuing community to choose health-promoting for families for a total of 12-24 behaviors.Centering pregnancy months during this challenging has been shown to decrease time of transitions and provide an preterm deliveries, increase opportunity for competence and breastfeeding rates, and increase confidence building. patient satisfaction with care. We are so excited to start providing Centering Pregnancy groups Centering Families care at CAIHC. provide a dynamic atmosphere for learning and sharing that is impossible QUESTIONS? to create in a one-to-one encounter. group care that integrates the three CENTERING PREGNANCY: Hearing other women share concerns major components of care: health Kristen Sublett which mirror their own helps the assessment, education, and support, [email protected] woman to normalize the whole into unified care within a group setting. experience of pregnancy. Groups Six or seven families (mom/dad/baby/ CENTERING PARENTING: also are empowering as they provide support partner) come together and Dr. Steven Jay support to the members. parents learn care skills, participate [email protected]

Diabetes-friendly Recipe: Slow-Cooker Wild Rice & Cranberries This dish is great with fish, chicken, moose or for a nice change to replace the mashed potatoes & gravy with Thanksgiving Turkey! INGREDIENTS: INSTRUCTIONS: • 1 ½ c uncooked wild rice, In 2-3 ½ quart slow cooker, mix all ingredients except rinsed well almonds and cranberries Serving Size: 1/2 Cup • 1 T butter, or heart-smart margarine Cover and cook on high ½ hour, then turn to low and continue Serves: 12 side servings • ½ tsp salt cooking 4-5 hours or until wild rice is tender. Nutrition Information: • ½ tsp coarse ground pepper Just before serving, stir in cranberries and toasted almonds. Approximate - based on serving • ¼ c sliced green onions To toast almonds: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread size of 1/2 cup: Calories 130, • 28 ounce no-salt added vegetable almonds in a single layer on a rimmed, ungreased baking (calories from Fat 37), Total broth sheet. Place in oven on the middle rack and brown for 5 Fat 3.5 g (Saturated Fat 1g), • 1 can (4 ounce) sliced mushrooms, minutes, stir, Repeat this until almonds are fragrant and Cholesterol 3.5 mg, Sodium 150 drained golden brown on the edges, usually 10-15 minutes. Do not mg, Total Carbohydrate 28 g, • ½ c slivered almonds, toasted wait until they turn brown completely as they continue to (Dietary Fiber 2.5 g), • 1/3 c dried cranberries cook for several minutes after being removed from the heat. Protein 4.5 g

Tanana Chiefs Conference • The Council Newsletter 11 The Council Newsletter 122 First Avenue, Suite 600 Fairbanks, Alaska 99701

Phone: (907) 452-8251 ext. 3570 Toll-free (Alaska): 800-478-6682 (Out-of-State) 800-770-8251 Fax: (907) 459-3884 E-Mail: [email protected]

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Important Dates: TCC Closed December 25th-26th, 2014 *TCC Offices will be closed for the Christmas Holiday

TCC Closed January 1st-2nd, 2015 *TCC Offices will be closed for the New Year

Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center will be closed on December 25th and January 1st. Only Urgent Care Services will be available on December 24th and January 2nd.

For an updated list of events, go to: www.tananachiefs.org/calendar

Looking to make a difference? Work for Tanana Chiefs Conference Visit our website for a list of current job openings in your community and in communities nearby. www.tananachiefs.org

Red Ribbon Week Art Contest Winners! In October, TCC’s Tobacco Prevention Program hosted an Art Contest for Red Ribbon Week, which emphasizes the importance of being drug-free. The 2014 Red Ribbon Week Theme was ‘Love Yourself Be Drug Free’ and TCC youth between the ages of 0-19 were encouraged to design a poster representing why being tobacco free is good for their community.

Three Grand Prize Winners were chosen: 1st Place: Kaitlynn Carroll, Fort Yukon School 2nd Place: Adrienne Deacon, Innoko River School 3rd Place: Allyson Fisher-Salmon, Circle School FIRST PLACE