THE COUNCIL • PAGE 1 Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Anchorage, AK Permit No. 537 D e n a ’ N e n a ’ H e n a s h O u r L a n d S p e a k s VOL. 29, NO. 4 A REPORT TO THE MEMBER TRIBES OF THE TANANA CHIEFS CONFERENCE APRIL 2004 2004 Convention exciting and historical Josephine Semaken taught Aaron members are Edna Peters, Sylvia Pitka, and through the Alaska Native Policy Center (an Solomon,Grayling Youth Delegate, Sarah Oskolkoff. initiative of First Alaskans Institute), called and Jameson Yoder, Anvik Youth The TCC Employees of the Year, Paula “Our Choices-Our Future” and was Delegate, the finer points of making Harris and Janet Abbe, will be featured in presented at the convention by Greta Goto, Indian ice cream for the potlatch. the May issue. (Yupik) Director of Alaska Native Policy Center, and Byron Mallott, (Tlingit) A ground-breaking project has been audience prior to any speeches during a underway at the First Alaskans Institute potlatch. After speaking in Gwich’in, he continued on page 5... said with a chuckle, “Good thing you don’t understand.” The Denakkanaaga The convention theme was “United Board from left to for Tribal Sovereignty” and really unified right: Poldine Carlo the several issues facing the region. A (Nulato/Fairbanks), number of significant leaders spoke Edna Ketzler during the day; Governor Murkowski (Nenana), Oline The major event during the 2004 presented awards for Native-hire Petruska (Nikolai), Annual Convention was the formal businesses in the region, pursued the gas Don Honea (Ruby), recognition of Traditional Chief Reverend line topic, and endorsed boarding school David Salmon and the Denakkanaaga education as an alternative to diminished Jonathon Solomon Board’s selection of a Second Chief. A educational dollars. (Fort Yukon), and Raymond Dutchman discussion was held the first day with an Health and Social Services (Shageluk). open mic period to allow delegates to voice Commissioner Joel Gilbertson discussed a their opinions. Mike Fleagle said it was proposed health facility for Alaska Natives important to have a “humble leader, a in the future. As is custom, Senator servant; one who isn’t concerned about Georgianna Lincoln, Representative Albert Reverend David Salmon recognized as ‘climbing up’ and is a spiritual person who Kookesh, Representative Carl Morgan Jr., is a respecter of people.” Minto Chief Andy Doyon President Orie Williams, Fairbanks Traditional Chief Jimmie said that a second chief should be Native Association Executive Director able to offer “traditional advice, good, solid Shirley Lee, and Alaska Federation of The TCC region is honored to officially advice to the E-Board.” Minto Elder Luke Natives President Julie Kitka updated Titus requested a second chief be “mindful acknowledge Reverend David Salmon as delegates on statewide concerns and issues our Traditional Chief. With Chief Peter of everybody [in the region], one who needs relevant to their positions. to use a way to think of not only the future John’s passing in August 2003, Reverend but how to bring the past with us, the culture Elections took place during convention David Salmon graciously steps into the with us.” Tanacross leader Jerry Isaac said and several community leaders obtained position of ambassador of traditional the second chief has to be an Elder, who has new positions. The new Alaska Federation knowledge and guidance for our people. knowledge of traditions within the Interior. of Natives TCC Village Representative is A Gwich’in Athabascan who grew up Denakkanaaga Board member/Elder Alex Will Mayo. The Interior Regional Housing living a traditional lifestyle in Chalkyitsik, Sinyon of Tetlin said “We want to look up Authority elected two board members; Reverend David Salmon has traveled to someone who can get us through the Woody Salmon, Chalkyitsik, was elected to extensively throughout Interior Alaska for good times and bad.” Ultimately, those Seat C while Pat McCarty, Ruby, was elected the Episcopal Church since being the first characteristics can be found in Franklin to Seat D. Gwich’in ordained in 1962. With a formal Madros Sr. who was welcomed warmly on TCC had several seats up for election, education that lasted just two years, he refers the final day of convention, followed by a Executive Board Vice President Jerry Isaac, to the Sears-Robuk catalog as his first potlatch for both chiefs that evening. Tanacross, was reelected as was Mickey schoolbook, “I learned all the tools, all the Celebration and humor followed the Stickman, Nulato, for Secretary/Treasurer. machines in that book.” evening potlatch, as Franklin Madros Sr. Executive Board Subregional seats were Spending his early years in the woods, said “Do as I say, not as I do!” and applause filled by Tony Alexia for the Upper he was a trapper and freighter. His first job drowned out the laughter. Traditional Chief Kuskokwim, Eugene Paul for Lower Yukon, paid 25 cents an hour. He was married to Sarah for 59 years before her passing 13 years Reverend David Salmon issued a firm and Ted Charles for the Upper Tanana ago. They have two children, William Salmon and Sarah Henry, five grandchildren, and command that chiefs are to address the subregion. The TCC Health Board 12 great-grandchildren. A treasure to his culture and a model for all Alaskans, Revered David Salmon was Graduate Photo Request awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF), in 2002 and has shared his knowledge of traditional hunting tools and lifestyle as an Elder-In- DEADLINE: May 14 Residence for UAF. He is a Master Toolmaker who has several canoes and tools on display Graduate Information Needed: at UAF and at the Doyon Building. He is currently working on a book of his life story. Full name, parents, grandparents, and home community Franklin Madros Sr. is 2nd Traditional Chief It’s getting to be that time of year again-we’d like to feature our 2004 college, high school, voc-ed, elementary, or other graduates. There are several technicalities involved; The following speech was made for his mailing me hard copy photos is best but here’s how to send me a jpeg or tiff image via father by Franklin Madros Jr. during the email at [email protected]. TCC Potlach to welcome both chiefs. This • Do not crop your image, I have to adjust the resolution (quality) is a condensed version. significantly; I will not accept photos smaller than 4 x 6 inches. • If you think the photo is blurry, chances are I cannot fix it. Please send a My father was the first child born in quality image, otherwise it will be declined. the newly-located village of Kaltag 84 years • Last, send it as an attachment to your email-do not embed it directly into ago, which was moved three miles from the your email otherwise I cannot retrieve it. former site. He witnessed the growth of • If you can mail me a hard copy, I’ll return it promptly in a hard envelope. Kaltag from his birth; not only did he I will not accept any after the May 14 deadline. Please include your full name and witness the growth, he became a part of it. contact number in case I have questions. The mailing information is listed on As many of our young men today, he helped page 2 of this newsletter. the Elders and the other men build log cabin In all cases, group photos are best as I have limited space. It would be ideal to homes for the residents. All of it was It seems as though all of my life I’ve feature as much of the region as possible, not just a few villages. Telephone numbers voluntary work since there was no source are listed on page 2 of this newsletter. seen my father involved in some form of of income back then. He the served in the development of our village. Be it the I reserve the right to select or reject material based on quality, size, and based Army during World War II, an construction of our airport in the early 60’s, upon a first-come, first-serve basis. I will not accept late submissions. accomplishment that he is very proud of. continue d on page 5... PAGE 2 • THE COUNCIL • APRIL 2004 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, Dear Editor, First I would like to thank TCC for all Letters to the Editor Our University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Rural Human Services Counseling class was the resources they are providing, like the honored to be invited to Howard Luke’s Gaalee’ya Spirit Camp. We want to take the Dental, Employment, Education, and the must stay within opportunity to thank Mr. Luke for allowing us to visit his camp; for sharing his stories rehabilitation services, called Old Minto, 300-500 words. For and experiences with us. His book “My Own Trail,” gave us images that we experienced which is one of my favorites. I would also while approaching Howard’s home and camp. His welcoming presence made the sun like to thank all of the people in New Minto for providing the place where people can questions about shine brightly. He was quick to make us feel at home and got right to explaining the history change their lives. I myself am a recovering behind his camp. The day was very warming and spiritual; he is indeed an exceptional alcoholic/addict, but without places like your submission, individual, offering so much to not only the community he lives in but to the entire state those, I may have never known about my contact the editor at of Alaska.