Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area Established By Danielle Slingsby, Outreach ple of the Arctic. and knowledge of the Alaska Na- sult with Alaska Native tribal gov- N December 9, 2016 Presi- The EO formally mandates the tive tribes; the delicate and unique ernments and provide guidance dent Obama issued an Ex- federal government to include the ecosystem; the protection of ma- regarding policies and activities to O ecutive Order (EO) to safe- Alaska Native people in our region rine mammals, fish, seabirds and be conducted in the Bering Sea guard the Bering Sea and establish in deliberations that impact the other wildlife; and with appropri- Climate Resilience Area (see Map). the Northern Bering Sea Climate marine environment, citing “All ate coordination with the state of Kawerak looks forward to facilitat- Resilience Area. The Order is agencies charged with regulating, Alaska.” ing involvement of the people monumental to the Bering Strait overseeing, or conducting activi- To ensure input from the resi- most affected by decision in the and the Arctic, as the protection of ties in the Northern Bering Sea dents of the region, the EO re- arctic—the people who actually the Bering Sea and its resources is Climate Resilience Area shall do so quires the establishment of a Ber- live here—to guide management essential to the survival of the peo- with attention to the rights, needs ing Intergovernmental Tribal Advi- of the important ocean resources sory Council by June 2017, to con- in our region. ...continued on page 9 Kawerak and Sikuliiq Tackle Ivory Ban By Danielle Slingsby, Outreach the people of the Bering Strait, alifornia, Hawaii, New York Kawerak programs such as the Es- and Washington are four kimo Walrus Commission, Natural C states that already passed Resources Division, Subsistence laws to ban the sale, use or pos- Resources and Community Plan- session of ivory. The intent of the ning and Development joined to- ban is to support the destruction gether alongside Sikulliq a group of the illegal African elephant started by artist turned advocate ivory trade, however the side- Susie Silook, and partners such as effects are ones that will destruc- Inuit Circumpolar Council, Sit- tively resonate in the Alaska Na- nasuak Native Corporation, Bering tive Artists economy that rests on Straits Native Corporation and STRATEGIC PLANNING Mary David, Susie Silook, Roy Ashenfelter, the use of walrus ivory. Norton Sound Economic Develop- Brandon Ahmasuk and Rose Fosdick deep in thought at the Ivory Ban Since these laws are inconsis- ment Corporation have banded Strategic Planning Session on January 20th. tent with the Marine Mammal together to form the Ivory Ban Protection Act and are harmful to ...continued on page 7 Locally Owned Grocery Store Opens in Brevig Mission By Alice Bioff, Business Planning Specialist PAID here’s a new store in town! F&T Store, a new locally owned gro- cery store, recently opened its doors in Brevig Mission. On Octo- NONPROFIT PERMIT #456 PERMIT US POSTAGE US ber 10, 2015, local Community Development Quota (CDQ) organi- ANCHORAGE, AK ANCHORAGE, T zation, Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation (NSEDC) offered a hand up to a young couple in Brevig Mission, Alaska by pre- senting Terrence and Frieda Southall a check for $32,975 for their small business start-up. Dedication and hard work on the part of Terrence and Frieda were essential components to reach that moment. It all began with a boat ride across Grantley Harbor and a 70 mile drive to Nome to meet with Kawerak, Inc's Business Planning Specialist to began developing their business plan. During this process, Terrence and Frieda worked through many critical pieces for their proposed business, including calls to local businesses in Nome for supplies and materials to renovate a vacant building, attending the Small Business Conference in Nome and making numerous calls to grocery distributors. This involved calculating their Continued on page 17.. 5231 phone 5231 - Kawerak, Inc. Kawerak, 948 Box PO 99762 AK Nome, (907)443 www.kawerak.org Kawerak Newsletter Kawerak NEW VENTURES: Frieda and Terrence Southall with their sons Tyrone and Curtis, photo courtesy of Frieda Southall Winter 2017 Kawerak, Inc. A Message from Kawerak, Inc President Akighqukaaghaq Political: ments achieved in just one year on (Melanie Bahnke) President Obama Issues Execu- the 2016-2020 roadmap engi- s the New Year is upon us, tive Order neered by our Board. The Kawerak my heart is full with grati- Economic: Board diversely represents our re- A tude and pride for the vital Kawerak Joins Effort to Halt gion; composed of 20 tribal repre- momentum established in 2016 Ivory Bans sentatives, Elder representatives, that paves the way for a positive Kawerak provides funding for and the Norton Sound Health Cor- outlook in 2017. For this, I'd like to higher education and train- poration chairman. I'm confident begin by recognizing the Kawerak ing 2017 will be another year of pro- Board of Directors, who continue Tribal Support: gress in our region, the Bering Tumet, LLC had another Profit- to provide our organization with Strait; which truly stands out as able Year valuable leadership and guidance forward-thinking, innovative, Kawerak Board Invests Settle- in the work improving our region's united, and rich in cultural pride. ment Funds cultural, political, economic, and Social: As we bid farewell to 2016 we social conditions and our staff who The Child Advocacy Center pro- remember, cherish, and carry on tirelessly work to realize the goals vides record number of ser- the legacy of those who have set forth by tribal leadership. Here vices passed on this past year, our cul- are just a few highlights from Kaw- Community of Hope Initiative ture bearers, family members, and Board of Directors rd erak’s 43 year of progress in our begun in St Michael friends. We also celebrate the Kawerak, Inc. mission “To advance the capacity Beauty for Ashes Workshop newest members of our region, of our people and tribes for the who carry the light of our future. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE held to address regional Chairman benefit of the region;” trauma With anticipation and excitement Frank Katchatag, Unalakleet Cultural: Regional Training empowers we welcome 2017, may you all 1st Vice Chair Katirvik Cultural Center Grand local leaders have a successful and safe year and Benjamin Payenna, King Island Opening These highlights represent be blessed with the bounty of our 2nd Vice Chair Language immersion program- a small sample of the advance- land, air and sea. Robert Keith, Elim ming for Head Start Secretary Kirsten Timbers, Solomon Treasurer Kawerak Board of Directors Stand Janice Doherty, Nome Eskimo Community with Standing Rock Sergeant at Arms Chase Gray, Council By Danielle Slingsby, Outreach voices of our Member awerak Board of Directors tribal govern- Michael James, Gambell signed a resolution on ments are heard, September 21, 2015 de- Gilbert Tocktoo, Brevig Mission K consulted and Ahna Ozenna, Diomede claring the organization’s commit- respected in the Irene Navarro, Golovin ment to support Standing Rock government to Rosemary Otton, Koyuk Sioux Tribe in their fight to protect government rela- Lucy Oquilluk, Mary’s Igloo their land from the construction of tionship with the Theresa Kobuk, St. Michael the Dakota Access Pipeline, a 1,168 U.S. Federal Gov- Larry Kava, Savoonga Axel Jackson, Shaktoolik mile long stretch of crude oil that ernment prior to Johnson Eningowuk, Shishmaref would travel over their ancient bur- project approval Anna Nashonak, Stebbins ial sites, places of prayer, signifi- when tribal Josie Garnie, Teller cant cultural artifacts and their homelands and Anna Oxereok, Wales only source of water. resources may be Lincoln Simon, Sr., White Mountain Kawerak, Inc is extremely Merlin Koonooka, Elder impacted. Thank Charlie Fitka, Jr., Elder thankful for Samuel Johns who vol- you Standing Jacob Ivanoff, Norton Sound Health unteered to deliver the resolution Rock for setting Corporation in person to the Council. The im- an example for us RESOLUTION DELIVERED Samuel Johns delivers portance of movements such as all. the Kawerak Inc Resolution to councilman Dana Wellowfat on November 20, 2015. Standing Rock is to ensure that the Local Young Adults Cited as Future Leaders By Danielle Slingsby, Outreach with for time honored traditions. She Marjorie has taken her skills to raise awareness of the issues are Excerpts from Arctic Deeply states “I’ve dedicated my life to per- around Alaska, and even painted motivated personally, and he hey are the ones we’ll be petuating our culture for the better- youth with temporary traditional states, “Whenever I make decisions, “ watching in the years to ment of our people and our youth tattoos at the commemorative I always think of the next seven gen- T come,” states the article for the next generation” in the Grand Opening of the Katirvik Cul- erations, the next leaders, the next “The Sixteen Young Leaders Who video composed by Great Big Story tural Center. Esau Sinnok Juniors.” Will Influence the Future of the Arc- called “Ancient Ink Reborn”. Esau Sinnok travelled to tic” by Arctic Deeply. Marjorie Ta- Washington DC over the summer hbone of Nome and Esau Sinnok of to champion a movement to fight Shishmaref were highlighted as against the impacts of climate those who stand apart in culture change and encourage big change revitalization and fighting climate to do something about. He also change in the Arctic. attended the Paris climate talks in Marjorie Tahbone’s efforts in 2015 as a U.S. Arctic Youth Ambas- revitalizing the practice of Inuit tat- sador. He is working toward his tooing demonstrate her commit- vision to achieve more renewable Marjorie Kunaq Tahbone. Photo Esau Sinnok. Photo by Juan Marti- ment to her culture and her respect by Monica Watchman energy in rural villages.