The Council • Page  Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Anchorage, AK Permit No. 537

Dena’ Nena’ Henash Our Land Speaks

Vol. 30, No. 10 A Report to the Member Tribes of the Tanana Chiefs Conference November 2005

Agricultural Harvest Report 2005: hat’s Growing On in the Villages By Jay Moore, Land Resources Agent I write this as snow has already Pearl and the folks in Huslia should begun to blanket the land, preparing be very proud of this effort. Pearl hopes it for its season of rest. This year has for bigger and better things from the been a fast-paced and very exciting garden in 2006. Now that the garden one for me as a Land Resources Agent is established, it will take less effort on with the University of Alaska Fairbanks the front end next year to get things Cooperative Extension Service. I have rolling. Thanks, Pearl, for this inspiring been able to work with several projects effort put into the garden this year. in the TCC Region that were successful Keep it up! and have heard about other endeavors that were very successful as well. I am amazed at the leaders in each and ulato every one of our communities, who have participated in and led many In Nulato this year, a big garden agricultural projects. Without these was planted and grown on the banks of leaders, these projects wouldn’t have the mighty Yukon River. This site has been possible. So now a few highlights been planted for years, but this year of the 2005 season. there was an effort by Lisa Patsy to get more people gardening in Nulato. Gardeners at the Huslia Garden of Life Workshops were held in the early uslia spring to encourage seed planting and livestock ventures in the community. garden. A small greenhouse was also the children in the school cared for the He has really inspired many in the erected and covered by the folks at This year in Huslia, the “Huslia community to grow at least a small the Tribal Council. Nita Marks was Garden of Life” Elder Youth Garden seedlings for the community. Not only was the garden at the river used, but garden to supply fresh and healthy instrumental in getting this done, and was established. Pearl Henry oversaw vegetables for consumption. Ed has also many thanks should go to Nita. Rita this project and was instrumental in also several community members had been instrumental in bringing chickens, Pierce also stepped up to the plate and organizing, implementing, and seeing personal gardens at their homes. turkeys and ducks into the community. helped to fund more beds at the garden. the project through to completion. At the end of the season, I was able He even is mentoring young people to Her main objective was to get kids to talk with Lisa about the gardening I was able to see the area that was take care of their own poultry. Ed said involved in the gardening project with season. She seemed very happy about turned into a great vegetable garden in he butchered a couple of turkeys this their parents. I am happy to say that the level of success that was achieved in the early spring. It was a field located fall and they weighted approximately every time I went through Nenana this the gardens of Nulato this year. Many near Spring Camp that was grown 25 pounds apiece. I know where I want year, I saw children at the gardening were served by the garden because up with willows and grass. The area to go for Thanksgiving dinner now. Ed, site — some with parents, some by Brother Bob with the church in Nulato was cleared, plowed, and planted with I have a family of four, so make room themselves, taking care of their beds. often served veggies from his garden at a variety of vegetables. A fence was for us at the table. Rita, I think your funding was very even erected to keep out four-legged church functions. I guess Brother Bob worthwhile and touched more people visitors. Pearl said it worked very well, is feeding his people in more than one Ed was even able to travel to than you know. except for a porcupine that got fat on way. With the established garden at the Delta this summer to the 2005 Delta beets. The porcupine seems to have river, Lisa sees gardening becoming a Farm Tour hosted by the Cooperative This year, several community wiped out the entire beet crop, but more important part of life in Nulato. Extension Service. The main purpose members managed the garden in a team didn’t mess with anything else. I guess With the increased cost of bringing of attending this event was to network effort. Carry Edwin, Miles Martin this is an example of sharing with all food in, it only makes sense to grow with agricultural producers and and Tim Horn all pitched in to help of the community. your own. Thanks, Nulato, for sharing suppliers and figure out where the oversee the garden and greenhouse. Many members of the community this story with us. Keep things growing village of Ruby could benefit from the Laurel McManus was instrumental in tended the garden, and many young in 2006. agricultural industry in Alaska. He keeping water available to be used in people of the community seemed feels he got some good ideas from this the garden. Probably one of the things to enjoy going out to the garden. trip and made contacts that will aid that sticks out in my mind with the At the end of the season, a produce uby him in his position in Ruby. Finally, Nenana gardening effort was the care sale was held in the Community Ed is working on a grant proposal for fellow gardeners. This year, a bed Hall, where fresh vegetables were Ruby is a unique village in that to support agricultural producers in was constructed late in the season for offered at below-market prices to they actually have an agricultural Ruby. If funded, Ed plans to expand the a gardener who had been injured in an help supplement local diets. It gave administrator in Mr. Ed Sarten. Ed agriculture projects in Ruby to make auto accident in the spring. Her doctors residents of the community a chance is a seasonal the community more self-sufficient and said she needed to walk a couple of to partake of healthy food alternatives employee in to offer an economic opportunity for miles a day for her rehabilitation. So the that otherwise might not have been Ruby helping those that want to sell produce. Good community garden members felt that available to them. Everyone left this ove r s e e a l l luck, Ed, in your endeavors. And Ruby, if she had a bed to tend to, she would sale with a smile on their face and g a r d e n i n g hang onto Ed — I think he is a keeper. have a reason to walk. Boy, were they a bag full of fresh vegetables to eat. effor ts and right, as her bed was one of the most The youth that participated in the productive of the season. Good job, gardening effort had an ice cream LEFT: Zeta enana Nenana, for caring for your social following the sale of produce, so Cleaver, Ruby, neighbors. If you could hear you know that they left with smiles on shows the Nenana again had a great gardening me, I am clapping for you their faces. The proceeds of the sale will vegetables she season in 2005. The effort that began right now. go to buy seeds and supplies needed for grew in her last year with 15 participants grew to 18 the garden in 2006. greenhouse. families that had beds in the community Harvest, continued on page 2 Page  • The Council • November 2005 Tanana Chiefs Conference

Harvest, continued from page 1 suicide and in honor of those who have yards, I began to question my own of their gardening efforts in 2005. I had family members lost to suicide. In efforts in my flowers and vegetables. continue to be amazed by the people that a sense, it seemed like a healing exercise I in Fairbanks have things provided I am graced to work with in our villages ughes to me while I was in Hughes. The kids to me much more conveniently than and at Tanana Chiefs Conference. You really got into it and they realized that the people of McGrath, but their stuff are all blessings in my life. looks a lot better than mine. Being Jane Bifelt and Tina Ambrose took these trees go through cold and dark that gardening and agriculture are it upon themselves this year to get a seasons, just like we do in our lives. They BELOW: Watering the Huslia Garden my primary duties here, I probably garden going in Hughes. It was located continue to grow and they continue to of Life shouldn’t have said that, but honesty is on the banks of the Koyukuk River and survive despite facing some adverse the best policy. McGrath is gifted with was a picture-perfect garden. During growing conditions. It is hoped that many who have a green thumb. Keep the season, Tina sent me pictures of the the 26 trees planted will survive, but the it growing down in McGrath. garden to inquire about how the plants activity got the kids talking and that is looked and if there was anything that very important when dealing with this This pretty much wraps up the I could see from the pictures to help subject. So a big BRAVO should go out garden reports for 2005. A special thanks with the garden. Hughes also built a to the community of Hughes for all of should go to all those who contributed greenhouse this year, which was a new their agricultural efforts in 2005. (If you information to this article. I would also experience for them. Now with a year would like to read more on the sharing like to say thanks to all the communities of gardening under their belt, they feel tree project, see The Council July/August and people that allowed me to be a part 2006’s gardening season will be great. issue, page 3 at http://www.tananachiefs. org/documents/documents.html.) In talking with Tina at he end of the The garden in Hughes season, she was very upbeat and felt the garden affected her community in cGrath a positive way. Another project to take note of in This year I was fortunate to Hughes was a sharing tree project that travel to McGrath to judge the entries occurred at the school in the spring. in their Community Health Fair. One afternoon, all the children took I was astounded at the number of an afternoon and went up in the hills very accomplished gardeners in the to gather small spruce and birch trees community. One category involved to plant around the school grounds. riding around the village to judge the The trees were planted in an effort to best vegetable garden and yard. As I remember those that have been lost to surveyed all the beautiful gardens and

The Council is a monthly report to the member tribes of the Tanana Chiefs Conference, in accordance with agreements with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service. Letters to the editor, other written contributions and photo submissions are welcome. However, space is limited and program oriented news has priority. TCC reserves the right to edit or reject material. Letters Beachfront Property and opinions are not necessarily the opinions of Tanana Chiefs Conference. Material submitted anonymously will not be published. Contributions and questions may be directed to: in Nikolai The Council By Eric Stahlke, TCC Cadastral Survey Program (vacant), Editor Tanana Chiefs Conference Time was, during the early days 122 First Avenue, Suite 600 of the Internet, one could find lots of Fairbanks, AK 99701 decent information about individual Phone: (907) 452-8251, ext. 3227 Alaskan villages. Using a search engine Toll-free within Alaska: like Google or one of the other popular 1-800-478-6822, ext. 3227 services, it was easy to find a number of Toll-free from outside Alaska: 1-800-770-8251, ext. 3227 good web links, including community profiles. There was usually a site Fax: (907) 459-3851 covering the local public school and E-mail: [email protected] always a few local home pages. All of these links gave one a pretty good feel Subregional Offices for local village life. Yukon Koyukuk Upper Kuskokwim Yukon Tanana Unfortunately, those days appear P. O. Box 92 P. O. Box 169 1302 21st Avenue to be fading quickly as scam artists, entrepreneurs and over zealous businessmen Galena, AK 99741 McGrath, AK 99627 Fairbanks, AK 99701 have figured out how to manipulate Internet search engines to get their own (907) 656-1326 (907) 524-3005 (907) 459-3930 product message to the forefront. To milk Internet dollars to the last drop, they Upper Tanana Lower Yukon Yukon Flats have assembled an enormous list containing the names of every city, town and P. O. Box 129 P. O. Box 190 P. O. Box 304 village in the country, no matter how small or remote. This list is attached to Tok, AK 99780 Holy Cross, AK 99602 Ft. Yukon, AK 99740 their Internet site, casting the widest possible net to catch a piece of the action (907) 883-5181 (907) 476-7137 (907) 662-2556 anytime someone enters a place name into a search engine. Thanks to this practice, people around the world wanting to get some specific information about Alaskan villages are now treated to some completely bogus, but often hilarious information. InIn This This Issue Issue I discovered this the other day when I couldn’t find the P. O. Box number for the city office in Nikolai, which was needed to mail out some preliminary Tanana Chiefs Conference...... 1-3 subdivision plats for comments. Probably because it was quite early in the morning, I couldn’t raise anyone by phone at the city office. So instead, I got on the Internet and typed Nikolai+Alaska into Google, hoping to find some Client Development...... 2, 3 community information with the needed address. Health Services...... 4 TCC survey crews have worked in Nikolai a number of times in the past few years, so we know the village pretty well. But, according to the Internet at least, things have changed somewhat since our last visit. Subregional News...... 4, 5 “Welcome to Nikolai, Alaska” proclaims a prominent hit. “Your Nikolai guide to hotels, restaurants, night clubs and theaters.” Wow, village nightlife has picked up a bit News for Our People...... 5-8 since I was last there! Beachfront, continued on page 3 November 2005 • The Council • Page  Tanana Chiefs Conference

Harvest, continued from page 2 “Guide to Nikolai, Alaska colleges and universities;” “Find Nikolai banks, boating …” Who would even consider Hawaii when we have it all right here? insurance companies and law firms;” “Your Guide to Nikolai florists …” Sounds “Ballroom Dancing in Nikolai, Alaska!” Hey, why not, after a hot day at the like things are really booming! beach …“Nikolai, Alaska, Online Dating …. We make it easy to get into the Nikolai, “Houses for rent in Nikolai, Alaska. Your source for Nikolai townhouses, Alaska dating scene by offering all sorts of fun ways to connect with interesting sublets, condos, studio apartments, lofts, duplexes and vacant rooms.” Wow, Nikolai singles just like you!” Well, I can’t take my wife everywhere … can’t decide between a townhouse or a loft on our next visit … “Looking for a used car, used truck or used SUV in Nikolai, Alaska …? Need “Lighting dealers in Nikolai, Alaska. Nikolai is a great place to shop for to find a used vehicle in the greater Nikolai metropolitan area …?” Is Salmonberry lighting, light fixtures, and ceiling fans. Sea Gull Lighting is proud to have Lake downtown or in the greater Nikolai metropolitan area … anybody know? qualified lighting showrooms, electrical distributors, and lighting professionals And this is only the tip of the iceberg, just page one in Google … there are in Nikolai.” If you need to shop for light fixtures, don’t waste your money by 50 more pages full of fascinating information about Nikolai. Never did find going to Anchorage … that address I was looking for … but I sure know where I’ll be spending my “Nikolai, Alaska, Beachfront Property … local RV parks, marinas and next vacation! CLIENT DEVELOPMENT Roustabout Training Tanana Chiefs Conference is accepting applications now for our Program graduates should know that completing roustabout training does 25th Roustabout Training Class. If you are a Doyon shareholder and interested in not necessarily guarantee a job. Employment in oilfield work is highly cyclical working on the North Slope, contact TCC’s Employment and Training Department and no predictions can be made as to the eventual needs of Doyon Drilling, Inc. to find out how you can apply. We encourage you to call and ask questions, but, However, since all Doyon rigs are currently up and running, members of this in the meantime, here’s a brief summary of how the process works. class will most likely go to work fairly soon after the class ends. If employment • You must provide a detailed training and work history as part of your is not readily available with Doyon Drilling, Inc., Tanana Chiefs Conference application packet. will assist all graduates in finding employment with other companies. Also, this • You will need to include information on paid and volunteer work training will qualify you for other oilfield jobs that may or may not be directly experience and short- and long-term career goals. related to drilling. • A resume and two letters of recommendation are required. Doyon Drilling, Inc. is looking for long-term commitment. The oil industry is high-paying, high-tech and exciting. If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve • If you have already applied as part of our year-round recruitment process, been waiting for, we look forward to receiving your application! you may still need to submit an update to reflect new work history, training completed, certifications obtained, etc. Recruitment closes January, 16, 2006 • TCC and Doyon Drilling, Inc. score all complete applications and select Interview dates — Week of January 30, 2006, in Fairbanks approximately 40 individuals to be interviewed for 20 training slots. Training dates — February 13 - March 3, 2006, in Anchorage • If you are selected for training, you must undergo a pre-employment Women are encouraged to apply. drug and alcohol screening.

Contact Person: Gloria Riley, Employment and Training Coordinator, Tanana Chiefs Conference, (907) 452-8251, ext. 3187; toll-free 1-800-478-6822, ext. 3187. Dramatic Play: Dress-Up By Karen Kallen-Brown, Infant Learning Program Coordinator From the moment they are born, children look to adults to learn all they need world they live in. Relax — it won’t make your child gay to play dress-up in the to know in the world. By the time they can toddle around, they try to do what opposite sex’s clothing. (However, getting upset or freaking out about it could they see the adults around them do. That is why young children set up a power struggle between you and your child that could make the clothing love dramatic play, commonly called “dress-up.” take on too much importance.) When children dress up in adult clothes or other dress- Dramatic play promotes development in the physical realm because children learn to up clothes provided to them, they learn a lot more than how snap, button, zip, and tie. They practice eye-hand coordination and visual discrimination the clothes feel! “Pretend play” helps children try on different skills as they learn to pick up the clothes and put them away in the proper places. thoughts, feelings, and roles. That helps them step outside They learn social and communication skills as they negotiate roles, agree on themselves and develop the ability to learn how other people a topic for the play, and cooperate to portray the event they selected. They must think and feel. This is very important if they are going to grow explain, ask, and answer questions in dramatic play. up to be good partners and parents when they are adults. When children dress up and take on roles, they are trying ... don’t be surprised if your child them out to see how they fit. They interact more with other people when they are in dress-up clothes than when they aren’t. So, don’t be surprised if your child wants you to dress up and play too. wants you to dress up and play, too. Go ahead and have some fun! Just follow your child’s lead to notice what (s)he wants to talk about, and try to join in, allowing Go ahead and have some fun! your child to be in charge (unless safety is at stake). This will make your child feel powerful and in control and will reduce the day-to-day conflicts when your They learn emotional skills like expressing their feelings as they role-play child (especially your two-year-old) wants to be in charge of everything! (They events and can even work out traumas of times they were scared or sad (losing a get some of it out of their system in safe play with you.) loved one, going to the doctor’s office, etc.) They learn to control their emotions, so they can play successfully with others. When children dress up and take on They develop cognitive (thinking) skills. Pretend play requires children to create pictures in their minds about things they have experienced. This is roles, they are trying them out the beginning of abstract thinking that will help them succeed in complex tasks later on, like algebra. They learn to organize things and follow a play idea with to see how they fit. others, building important thinking and problem-solving skills that will help them deal with daily life challenges. Don’t panic if your daughters want to wear boys’ clothes or your sons want to wear frilly girl things. This is normal behavior through the preschool years. So, take a few moments to delight in your This is how children try out different roles and discover that they stay a boy or a child’s flair for dramatic play! Dress up and act girl, no matter what they wear. Boys are often attracted to the bright colors and out play ideas with him/her. They’ll love you for fancy fabrics that girls get to wear. In dramatic play, they get to experience those it and you’ll know you’re helping them develop in fabrics in a safe way. That way, they get their need met to feel and explore the ways that will ensure healthy, well-rounded new materials, and they don’t take on the attraction of forbidden goods. Playing development. dress-up from the toddler years through primary grades just allows children a Feel free to call Infant Learning at 1-800-478-6822, safe and developmentally appropriate way to explore different aspects of the ext. 3176 if you’d like more information. Page  • The Council • November 2005 health services TCC – Office of Environmental Health Trainings The Office of Environmental Health (OEH) offered three training sessions recently. Boiler Maintenance for Water Operators training was held September 20-22, 2005 in Fairbanks. Instructors were from Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) in Anchorage. The Aleutian Pribilof Island Association (APIA) conducted the Federal Sites Restoration training on September 20-23, 2005 at the Chena River Convention Center in Fairbanks. OEH also sponsored a Financial Management for Utility Managers class on September 12-16, 2005 in Tok. (No photo available.)

Boiler Maintenance for Water Operators Class Federal Sites Restoration Training SUBREGIONAL NEWS 15th Annual Agricultural Fair The Tanana Chiefs Conference 15th Annual Agricultural Fair was held in Holy Cross from September 9-11, 2005. On behalf of the Agricultural Fair committee, I would like to give a big THANK YOU to the following agencies that made this year’s fair successful: Holy Cross Tribal Council Holy Cross City Council Bush Tell, Inc. AT&T Alascom Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation Doyon, Limited Michael Baker Jr., Inc. Deloycheet, Inc. Patricia’s Place Local Union 942 and the Community of Holy Cross THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH!!! This year’s fair included games for all ages with cash prizes; rifle shoot for both men/women; agutuk (ice cream) contest; exhibits of vegetables, plants, salmon strips, jarred salmon/jams; arts and crafts from youth and adults, raffle items and a potluck. I would like to also THANK the following individuals who volunteered for this year’s Agricultural Fair: Judi Walker, Angela Demientieff, LaVerne Turner, Margaret St. John, LeAnn Samuelson, Tina Gregory, Pat Frank, Jeff Bader, David Wright, Brenda Sims, Kay Holbrook, Debbie Turner, Patti Keon, Adrienne Wright, Sandra Sims, Alpha Gingerich, Kristi Turner, Billy O’Neil and the many youth who assisted with the Fair by setting up the community hall for the exhibits and potluck. Thanks also to all who cooked and brought food. THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS AND TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT I DID NOT MENTION! The winners of the raffle items are: Roundtrip HCR to ANC — Theresa Demientieff Hunting Box — Rita Paul VHF (handheld) — LaVerneTurner Drum of Oil — Tina Gregory Rod-n-Reel (x2) — Peter Demientieff/Blanche Demientieff Drum of Gas — Alvin Demientieff Grass Cutter — Rita Paul Telephone — Madeline Solomon Beaded Hair Pin (x2) — Laura Sims/Agnes Sims Moose Hide –— Mary Sims Moose Hide Slippers — Rita Paul Digital Camera — Rita Paul DVD Portable Player — Flora Demientieff. Congratulations to all the winners. Thanks to everyone who made the 15th Annual Agricultural Fair a success! Hope to see you at next year’s Agricultural Fair. —Phillip J. Demientieff Sr. Agricultural Fair Committee Member Fair, continued on page 5 November 2005 • The Council • Page  SUBREGIONAL NEWS

Fair, continued from page 4 Phillip J. Demientieff Sr. Recognized for Service to Agricultural Fair At the 15th Annual Agricultural Fair held in Holy Cross on August 9-11, 2005, Phillip J. Demientieff Sr. was recognized for his years of involvement with the Agriculture Fair. Phillip was presented an appreciation plaque by City Mayor, Jeffrey Demientieff Sr. and Holy Cross Tribal Chief, Troy Turner Sr. Phillip was also presented with a handmade knife, made by Jeff Bader and students from the Holy Cross School, along with several cards from the school kids. A decorated cake was provided by school cook, Laverne Turner. The surprise recognition did take Phillip by surprise during the annual agriculture feast night. The event was enjoyed by all. — Debbie M. Turner, Tribal Administrator Holy Cross Tribal Council

Phillip J. Demientieff Sr. enjoys his surprise party during the Agricultural Fair. NEWS FOR OUR PEOPLE Dell Printers for Rasmuson Foundation Native Organizations Supports Interior Organizations The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) and Gifts In Kind International 2005 marks the Rasmuson Foundation’s 50th anniversary of supporting (GIKI) have collaborated to create a Native American Initiative designed to facilitate nonprofit organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the quality of product donations from private sector and Fortune 500 firms to tribal governments, life for people throughout the state. By assisting those who address basic needs, tribal colleges, and non-profit Native American organizations. arts and culture, and projects that address special circumstances, the Rasmuson The goals of the Initiative are to: Foundation contributes to healthy, enriched and productive lives for Alaskans • Increase communication through an information network to provide better of all ages. service delivery of charitable donations to Native American communities, The Foundation understands the importance of private grantmaking in and addressing Native issues and has invested in Alaska Native communities and • Establish Native American distribution centers to ensure that charitable organizations throughout its 50-year history. The Rasmuson Foundation has contributions reach those most in need. invested $6,484,427 in Interior Alaska alone. Grants range from small capital grants of under $25,000 to larger strategic grants up to $2 million. The grants Tribes, tribal colleges and Native American nonprofit organizations vary from providing computer equipment and a typesetter for Tanana Chiefs are eligible to receive donations once they are registered with Gifts In Kind Conference to renovating the dining hall in the Hannah Solomon Building for International (GIKI). Interested organizations should contact GIKI at the Elders program. 703-299-7546 or [email protected] to start the registration process. Registration may also be done online by going to the Gifts In Kind website www.giftsinkind.org. and accessing Native American Initiative. (See below for Selected Grants within the Interior Region “Directions” To the Native American Initiative on GIKI Website.) • $3,000 — Tanana Chiefs Conference for computers and Dell 3-in-1 Printers $2,400 for a typesetter Currently, Gifts In Kind International (GIKI) is facilitating the distribution • $4,851 — Jane Oliver of Delta Junction received an individual of recycled Dell 3-in-1 printers (print, copy, fax) through a generous donation artist project award to create a large stained glass window. from Dell Inc. These printers are being made available to tribes, tribal colleges, • $5,000 — World Eskimo-Indian Olympics for putting WEIO Native American non-profit organizations, and local school districts that receive on the Internet Title One funding. • $25,000 — Fairbanks Native Association to renovate the To become a Dell Receiving and Distribution Site, your organization dining hall in the Hannah Solomon Building for Elders must register with Gifts In Kind International, have a secure storage space program available, and have the means to unload a tractor-trailer rapidly. There are no • $50,000 — Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments administrative or transportation charges to receive or distribute the printers, was provided a challenge grant for a regional clinic and however the organization must be registered with Gifts in Kind International. administrative office building. The registration fee of $100 is a special rate for tribes and Native American non-profit organizations, and allows access to all of Gifts in Kind International’s • $210,000 — Native Village of Minto for the construction of programs and products. a health clinic Please contact Gifts In Kind at 703-299-7546 or go to their website at • $492,500 — Interior Region EMS Council was provided www.giftsinkind.org. and click on “to receive a donation” and then Native matching funds for emergency vehicles for rural Alaska as American Initiative to start the registration process to receive the Dell printers. part of a Statewide Code Blue Project: Cantwell, Eagle, Delta (See below for “Directions” to the Native American Initiative on GIKI website.) Junction, Fort Yukon, Healy, Manley Hot Springs, McGrath, Nenana, North Pole, Tanana, and Tok. “Directions” to Native American Initiative on GIKI Website: 1. On Gifts In Kind’s home page, click-on “To Receive a Donation,” the upper Most recently, the Rasmuson Foundation began two individual awards left square. programs. The Individual Artist Awards fund individual Alaskan artists at 2. This takes you to second screen. Go to “Quick Links” on right side of the various stages of their career whose work is defined by excellence and reflects screen and find “The Native American Initiative” and click on it. any of the diverse cultural and aesthetic communities in the state. The nonprofit 3. This brings you to the Native American Initiative page and from here Leader Sabbatical program is designed to provide time away from the job for you can click on the “GIKI Registration” and “Dell 3-in-1 refurbished nonprofit health and human service leaders to engage in activities for personal printers.” renewal or professional growth. Information is from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ana/gifts-in-kind.html. For more information, please visit the Foundation at www.rasmuson.org. Page  • The Council • November 2005 NEWS FOR OUR PEOPLE Some Thoughts About Men By Dennis Hojna, Director/Clinician, Yukon Tanana Counseling Services

I recently sat with Mr. Robert them when they were young, were do it alone. The other message at the were having a rough time, and he’d Charlie of Minto at a potlatch. mischief.” At how many funeral potlatch I heard from Elder Andy make sure they had a beer and some Mr. Charlie has worked hard to potlatches do we celebrate the Jimmie was “You young people take encouragement. My experience has improve the pride and cultural talents, achievements and charm been that people identity of youth at his Culture of our alcoholic men? Look at the that party often Camps at the site of the old village. creative ways they have been able Each man alone has to do a great job of We talked of young men ensnared to get into trouble! Just think what do it, but he does not supporting those by alcohol and how to reach them. might have been possible if they have to do it alone. in the “party circle,” Robert feels that they need to be would have been able to make the “You young people take or as another man shown that there is a way for them rest of the journey! care of said, “Drunks care each other, about each other So the question help each other out.” and take care of “You need to talk is, what is the each other.” — Elder Andy Jimmie to people less about message that we drinking and more about need to bring to I’ll try to tie all working.” men, and how care of each other, help each other these thoughts together. We men can we bring it to out.” In Minto, the young Chief, do have identity and purpose, and — Chief Reverend David Salmon them? There is help Patrick Smith, has taken a stand for many of us that look like the biggest for them to find sobriety and has started a sobriety troublemakers have some of the best to find a way to work and contribute something to do. Some examples are circle, but he can’t do it alone. He to offer. We need to hang together to the tribe, each in his own way. the TCC Tribal Civilian Community got up and spoke and shared his and share our stories with each other That might involve education or Corps program in Nenana, for observation that hard times may and support each other through vocational training. Men have lost young men (and women) ages be coming this winter. He advised withdrawal, until we discover our their sense of their position, their 18 to 26. The TCC Vocational people to begin to store away true selves. Chief Smith needs place, their purpose and their role. If Rehabilitation Program is able there is nobody to be and nothing to provide vocational and training It is not to do, then why not drink? If there assistance to men (and women) who an easy journey, is someone to be and something are diagnosed as addicted, and have to do, then why drink? We need had treatment of some kind. In this it never has been. to experience how good life can way, a man’s weakness can be the But that’s what be, with a purpose. He reminded doorway to finding his strength. makes it so great. me of what Chief Reverend David And it is there for each Salmon advised: “You need to talk But first and foremost, know of us, no matter how to people less about drinking and that the experience of men that have humble or grand. more about working.” made the withdrawal journey is that there is treasure inside you waiting Each man is worthy. Robert gave me his testimony of to be discovered, identity and Each man — exactly healing, from living on the streets to purpose that you cannot imagine the way he was created the day when the “Messenger” told yet, if you can hang through it. A — has a place him in the still, small voice inside, man I know on the Koyukuk that and a purpose. that it was time to sober up and do has made this journey told me, “I something. Robert says it took him needed to let it hurt me…” for a Honest. two years to get completely through year. By that he meant that he had withdrawal, and support in Minto. It takes more than another three until extra — when you buy a bag of ... there is treasure one to form and keep a circle, and his mind “…really rice to cook with, buy two and put inside you waiting to be just like the party circle, the people cleared up.” It was one up in case you might need it. in it need the support of others. in that stage that he discovered, identity and He reminded people that the wood began to discover purpose that you cannot yard belongs to everyone, and that There is power there — a power things about himself imagine yet ... it is good for people to help each greater than one man alone. that he never really other get firewood ready. If I have Young men might look upon knew. He found himself and his to experience the temptations and heard some of the Elders right, we that and see a place for themselves purpose. Through his experience cravings, and just get through it may be entering a time foreseen there, too. You should have seen and what he has seen in others, he each time. “And along with that, long ago, in which oil and electricity Clifford Alexander Jr. cooking believes that this journey is waiting we need to help people to get past will not provide the answers to our with the older men at the potlatch! to be taken by every man; that the feeling of being defeated…” needs. Howard Luke recently said, It is not an easy journey, it never each man does have an identity he added. Many men have tried to “The Depression is already here.” has been. But that’s what makes it and a purpose, no matter how quit, many times in some cases, and Men might soon be forced to find a so great. And it is there for each humble or grand. It is waiting to be have not had success, so they end up purpose — but why wait? of us, no matter how humble or discovered. feeling defeated. He says that is not grand. Each man is worthy. Each the end, to not give up and give in. A man recently shared with me man — exactly the way he was Robert and I have both observed It takes time, and it can be done. that as an alcoholic, he had always created — has a place and a that alcoholics are often some of the looked out for other drinkers who purpose. Honest. most capable and creative men. He But I had to learn that by has noticed that great leaders are listening to that man. I found Dennis Hojna is Director/Clinician for Yukon Tanana Counseling often alcoholics who have sobered strength in his story, because I Services, serving the villages of the TCC Yukon Tanana Subregion. He can up and found themselves. An Elder sensed that he was telling the honest be reached confidentially at (907) 452-8251, ext. 3462 or (800) 478-6822, in Minto at a potlatch several truth of his own experience, like ext. 3462, or at [email protected]. The “T Triple C” Program years ago said, “I have noticed that Robert Charlie was. Each man alone can be reached at (907) 452-8251, ext. 3730 or (800) 478-6822, ext. 3730, amongst our Native leaders, most of has to do it, but he does not have to and TCC’s Vocational Rehabilitation Program is at ext. 3232. November 2005 • The Council • Page  NEWS FOR OUR PEOPLE Watch Out for

Also I notice we see less wild birds and rabbits, as well as ptarmigan. We are losing our permafrost. I remember I used to dig holes and we would hit permafrost about three and one-half feet down. Now we go right through. It’s supposed to be cold outside right now (Oct. 31). But I got up and took a look outside at the clouds — nothing but black and grey clouds. Hello, YK Delta. Everyone knows that our Seems like it’s getting worse every year. climate is changing every year. Friends have to go farther out to sea to get their subsistence needs met. I think humans are taking too much out of Mother I can remember40 years ago, we used to have early autumns and the leaves would be gone by September 10. There would be lots of snow on the Nature, like water, gas, oil and wood. In return, ground and the Yukon River, lakes and sloughs would be frozen over. The they are polluting the air by sending pollution wind chill temperatures hovered around 40-60˚ below zero. In those days, from bombs exploding from the war. the spring breakup never happened until around the middle of June. The atmosphere is like us humans — it needs its body parts to function I noticed today that the summer months are warmer and properly. If something gives out on us, the whole body cannot survive. I some lakes are drying up. know Mother Nature needs all that to survive. People are taking too much wood, oil, gas and coal and not replacing what is gone from Mother Nature. Once I remember my Dad and three Elders were talking. One was That is what I think is happening now. speaking in English, another in Yup’ik and the third in Athabascan. I did not understand what they were saying, so I asked my Mom, who told me they were talking about the years ahead when it was not going Our Elders say, “Respect the land, to look the same out in front of Holy Cross. water and resources that come with They said the river in front of the village of Holy Cross would dry up. Porcupines would return. People would not get along together any Mother Nature more. — not to waste Now, I am seeing what those old men said anything from our coming true. catches or what we

They even said there would be times of starvation. I could never figure need to survive.” starvation. Now I take another look at this. It is happening. Watch the news about flooding, tornados, hurricanes, fires, oil spills, earthquakes, — Leroy L. Peters mad cow disease and bird flu. Holy Cross

Sovereignty Among Natives Submitted by Conrad Vent, Huslia, Alaska In our way of life, we survive by living with “Mother Nature.” As a Every fall, 20-30 boats storm up the Koyukuk River, our river, young Native in Alaska, you learn to live off what the land and rivers for the so-called “glory of sport hunting.” These so-called “hunters” are provide for you. We were taught to live with Mother Nature rather than hunting our moose, which happens to have been our major food source trying to dominate it. After all, this is the only way we can live a subsistence for these past 10-12 years. While these “hunters” are stealing the food right lifestyle … our lifestyle. out of our homes, they are not being punished. Maybe they’re not literally The past few years, Athabascans have been slowly moving away from stealing food from our homes, but every time a sport hunter shoots a our subsistence lifestyle into a future that remains uncertain and unclear. moose, that means less food for us, and/or a family will struggle through As of now, every Athabascan is struggling to find new methods of survival the winter by surviving off whatever food is left in their freezer. Believe in a totally different environment which none of us have ever seen before. me, I know! Every year it is getting harder and harder to harvest a moose, Alcohol, unemployment, depression, and a large variety of laws toward yet alone see a moose during the hunting season, because of all the excess Natives and their communities are making it difficult for us Natives to moose hunting going on throughout our lands. Each year this happens, and live the life we have been taught to live … a subsistence lifestyle. I’m more each year the Fish and Game Department does nothing to prevent this from than confident that it is time for the Natives of Alaska to come together happening. It’s true that they say they are, but we see no change occurring. in a way they never have before, so we can succeed in having our way of It appears that they see no harm in it at all, and there’s nothing we can do life to exist in the future. about it except complain and hope for a change for the better. Now you’re probably wondering what all this has to do with my report For that reason, I can indicate that us Natives are on our own in the about sovereignty, right? Well, the definition of “sovereignty” means, from world. However, if the Native communities in Alaska happen to stand a Native’s standpoint, Natives’ communities having substantial control together, side by side, then we can become a more powerful voice and over political life which impacts their own way of life. In so many words, together we can all express our opinions and thoughts on the problems having he ability to govern ourselves. Just think of it as self-government to making our lives difficult. To be honest, from what I can see, the Native determine whether or not our Native ways of life will exist in the future. community is surrounded by a dictatorship government. Just think of it, Sovereignty, continued on page 8 Page  • The Council • November 2005 NEWS FOR OUR PEOPLE

Sovereignty, continued from page 7 Native communities will have fewer unemployed tribal members, fewer babies born with FAS, less violence, less depression, and, most importantly, with all these hunters hunting on our lands, all the bootlegging going on fewer suicides. You see, sovereignty is a vital component for the Native throughout the Native villages, and no help from anyone to put a stop community, and without it … we have no future. to this … what else are we supposed to think? Therefore, you’ve got to experience all of this before you even care about it. Ask yourself this: how would you feel if someone came into your home and took anything they Listen to me here, I can’t wanted? All the while, you got to just sit there and watch them because make you understand all of this you don’t have enough power to stop them alone. just by telling you what is Honestly, I didn’t care about any of this a couple of years ago, but after last year, you could say that I had a change of heart. You see, my family ran happening, but I can share my pain out of food in our freezer so we had to wait until the next moose hunting with you through this letter. season to open before we could consider anything being back to normal. It was then I figured that something needs to happen about this issue, and I’m not entirely sure that this letter I think in the near future we will have the power to govern ourselves in a will initiate the change that I am manner we seem fit. Listen to me here, I can’t make you understand all of this just by telling you what is happening, but I can share my pain with hoping for, but at least I can tell you you through this letter. I’m not entirely sure that this letter will initiate what is going on within our lives the change that I am hoping for, but at least I can tell you what is going on within our lives year after year. year after year.

With full control over sovereignty, we can construct every Native village in Alaska into “a Heaven on Earth.” When I was a little boy, many of the adults here in Huslia were talking about how much different my life would be from theirs. Man, were they right! All the rules placed upon Natives confine our Native culture and how we live. Along with the rules, technology has drastically changed the Native ways of life. As I continue growing up, I become more aware of what the adults were so concerned about. Just when all hope was lost … a guy named Harold “Buddy” Brown became the leader of the entire Native community within Alaska. Buddy Brown is the TCC President and is currently serving his second term in the office. When Buddy became elected for a second straight term, it gave all of us Natives hope. We saw how he can overcome cancer and still build up the strength to manage a better life for all of us Natives. He is the role model that the entire Athabascan community can look up to for inspiration and guidance … just as I do now. Guys like Buddy Brown don’t come around very often, so we are more than honored to have him here with us now. A few other important people who may have influenced others throughout the Native community are Georgiana Lincoln (former Alaska State Senator) and Chris Simon (Yukon-Koyukuk School District Superintendent). We just hope that these people can show us the way to Right now, alcoholism is the biggest concern to the entire Native overcome the struggles of an uncertain future surrounded by laws that may community. Alcohol floods our villages with violence, death, unemployment, impact our way of life. One more person that has dramatically influenced and, finally, depression. Each year it’s getting harder and harder to prevent me spoke at the Huslia graduation. This was the keynote speaker and our Native youth from becoming consumed by drugs and alcohol. Yet, we former Huslia resident, Shane Derendoff. The way he spoke to the Class still try to prevent these excessive amounts of drugs and alcohol abuse of 2005 at Jimmy Huntington School, which is in Huslia, has left a lasting among Alaska Natives, but we will always fail due to a lack of support. Let impression in my soul. His words alone have given me the motivation and me ask you this: what is your knowledge of drugs, alcohol, and suicides inspiration to continue to move forward through the harsh times young within the Native community here in Alaska? From my knowledge, I Natives may face. What I know for certain is that the Native community can tell you that 80 percent of Alaskan Natives who drink alcohol use it will continue to fight to make our way of life exist in the near future. What destructively. In Alaska, Native babies born with FAS are more than double happens next … remains unclear. the national average. The most crucial fact is that the suicide rate for an Alaskan Native is more than five times higher than a non-Native, and more If we, the Native community, than half of the state’s suicides take place right here in the Koyukuk River area. That indicates that the Koyukuk River area is the nation’s hotbed are granted complete sovereignty for suicides. We need all the help we can get to resolve this issue, to put over our people, our food sources, an end to alcohol abuse in the Native community. If we continue at this and most importantly our lands, rate, alcohol will be the single factor that will establish whether or not the Native lifestyle will survive. then and only then our Native ways I’m not entirely sure that the tribal councils throughout the Native will continue to exist. villages in the Interior of Alaska recognize these statistics, but if they don’t … they should. The alcoholism issue within the Native community is something My purpose of this letter is to help people understand the problems that has to be addressed in order to preserve our Native way of life. We can that Natives are facing daily, and how strong we are to not show it as we try and try to prevent suicides, drug and alcohol abuse, and our subsistence face them alone. Honestly speaking, this letter started off as a school lifestyle from vanishing, but we will still fail … without your support. project for extra credit, but after a friend recently read through it and If we, the Native community, are granted complete sovereignty over our persuaded me to send it to “The Council,” I happened to agree. As I said people, our food sources, and most importantly our lands, then and only before, alcoholism is the biggest concern within the Native community, then our Native ways will continue to exist. With complete sovereignty, so I hope I can make a difference in some people through this letter. If I we would finally be able to send off every last “hunter” from our lands so were given the opportunity to speak to the youth from the villages about they can’t take away our source of food anymore. It’s true that every moose this alcoholism issue, then I most certainly would. I know for a fact that these “hunters” shoot, the meat goes to the Natives, but by time it gets to us, the youth will listen to someone of their age rather than an adult. Having it is all spoiled and/or rotten. The meat is useless because these “hunters” someone of their age speak to them and relate to them the problems that don’t know how to handle it. One more advantage of sovereignty is that will occur due to alcohol, will help them better understand the issue at we can tighten up our security from bootleggers, thereby stopping them hand. I’ll leave that matter up to the tribal councils in the villages because from bringing drugs and/or alcohol into the Native villages. The tribal all I can do now is express my pain and hopefully create a change of heart councils will have full control of how rigorously these bootleggers will be inside the youth of the Native community. All in all, I know punished, thus making anyone else think twice before trying to bootleg that after you read this letter, you will feel the pain and sorrow anything bad into the Native villages. Without drugs and alcohol, the which every Native feels today.