Akutan - Atka - False Pass - Nelson Lagoon - Nikolski - St. George Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

APICDA NON-PROFIT 302 Gold Street, Suite 202 US POSTAGE PAID ANCHORAGE, AK Juneau, AK 99801 PERMIT NO. 69 Aleutian Wave

Fall 2016

ATKA Memory Eternal Ray McCullough Jr. | Paul Nicholas Nesbit | Mike Tunohun Jr. APICDA Communities

Fall16 2016 | Aleutian Wave Akutan - Atka - False Pass - Nelson Lagoon - Nikolski - St. George Haginaa Kidul - Helping to Grow1 Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association (APICDA) Message from the CEO APICDA Tragedy in Atka APICDA’s Larry Cotter, Gary Chythlook and Sean Hislop accompanied by Julie Dirks, Atka City Administrator, trav- BOARD OF DIRECTORS To our APICDA Communities and Stakeholders, n the early evening on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, Atka Pride eled to Atka soon after the accident to meet with community Seafoods’ (APS) employees Ray McCullough, Mike Tuno- members. The ripple effects of this event were felt deeply by he summer of 2016 will be remembered as one of APICDA’s most difficult seasons. As Mark Snigaroff ATKA hun Jr. and Paul Nesbit lost their lives and six people sus- the community of Atka, not only the initial trauma and re- many of you know, we had a vehicle accident in Atka in June that resulted in the death Chair Itained injuries in a serious vehicle accident in the communi- sponse, but the impact of having APS temporarily closed for of three employees and six injured. In addition to the Atka accident, we had some issues ty of Atka, . The accident occurred when employees a brief period; the local fisherman had no place to sell their Twith our vessels and a fire at the Bering Pacific Seafoods (BPS) Mechanic Shop in False Pass. Andrew “AJ” Lestenkof Jr. NIKOLSKI were traveling a short distance from the processing plant to fish. APICDA has worked for nearly 25 years alongside the Tragedy teaches us many things; lessons we would rather not learn in this Vice-Chair the bunkhouse for dinner. Local residents Susie Hill, William residents of Atka, building APS and strengthening the local very painful and difficult way. One important lesson learned this summer Dushkin, and Millie Prokopeuff responded to the incident im- economy. APS plays a very important role in Atka and our was how our communities and staff must pull together when addressing Justine Gundersen mediately and displayed true heroism as did all Atka commu- hearts go out the community as they recover from this trauma. emergency situations and providing support. NELSON LAGOON nity members who assisted with the life-saving measures. Secretary/Treasurer APICDA is grateful to the first responders, the Atka Com- The magnitude of the Atka accident was unprecedented and residents did The Alaska State Troopers found the driver to be at fault and munity, Aleutian Pribilof Island Association, Eastern Aleu- everything humanly possible to provide emergency medical care— I was Nikki Hoblet charged him with nine felonies and one misdemeanor. The tian Tribes, the U.S. Coast Guard, Adak Emergency Medical FALSE PASS profoundly moved by their heroic actions. We are grateful to the commu- charges compound this tragedy that has caused tremendous Services Team, Guardian Flight, Fr. Evon Bereskin, Aleu- Director nity members who offered their steadfast support to our resident employees; this was especial- heartbreak for the families of those who died, the injured, tian Spray Seafoods, Grief Coordinator Dave Shoemak- ly hard on APS management. The Adak EMS team and clinic, Guardian Flight, and the United Harvey McGlashan their families, and the community of Atka. The criminal er, Janssen Funeral Home, Seattle Fisherman’s Memorial, States Coast Guard played a critical role during the evacuation process and will never know AKUTAN charges, if proved, mean the driver violated strict compa- Global Rescue, the staff at APS and APICDA, and the many how their efforts impacted the lives of the surviving accident victims and their loved ones. Director ny policies concerning alcohol consumption and state laws others who assisted and offered support during and after The fire that broke out at the BPS Machine Shop was contained due to the quick response Mark Merculief and, in so doing, created immeasurable harm. this devastating event.  and leadership of the City of False Pass local volunteer fire department, under the direction ST. GEORGE of Village Public Safety Officer, Chris Stewart. The community pitched in alongside BPS staff, Director and tender crews who came to shore to fight the fire in the early morning hours of Aug 14. It Bill Shaishnikoff was miraculous that no one was injured and the fire was contained to one building without UNALASKA any damage to our processing facility. In fact, the BPS staff processed fish that very afternoon. Ex-Officio RAYCondolences: LEE MCCULLOUGH JR. PAUL NICHOLAS NESBIT MIKE TUNOHUN JR. APICDA will weather the storms and learn from these experiences; while continuing to stay Pete Crandall (1972 - 2016) (1958 - 2016) (1964 - 2016) focused on our mission and the many great things happening in our region like improving Financial Industry Ray was born on June 22, 1972, Paul was a man who loved his family and Mike Rambo Tunohun Jr. was born in our refrigerated freight systems in False Pass, supporting culture camps in our communities Ex-Officio in Portland, Oregon. He moved to struggled for many years with sobriety. He Kodiak and raised in Old Harbor, Alaska. and providing scholarships to students heading off to college. Tim Meintz Anchorage in 1997 and was very turned his life around and found a support- Mike was in the National Guard and was Fishing Industry involved with church activities. ive community at Anchorage Native As- always upbeat with a smile on his face. Director Ray loved music, especially playing sembly of God where he worked as a driver He will be greatly missed and will be re- the drums. and helper for his church. His pastor said he membered for his great athleticism and Larry Cotter, APICDA Chief Executive Officer Ray enjoyed spending time with was a doer and a joy, and was concerned artistic talent. He loved to go hunting his children and will be remem- about the people around him and those he and fishing and jigging for halibut. He ON THE COVER: bered for his infectious laugh. worked with. Paul was a driver for a towing is preceded in death by his father, Mike In This Issue: Atka in June. Ray is survived by his wife, Cindy company and was known as a careful man. Sr., whom he never stopped grieving for —Photo by Tim Malloy 2015 McCullough of Valdez, Alaska; son, He reinvented himself in his adult life and it along with sisters, Thelma, Debbie and Lisa; 3. Tragedy in Atka was the “new Paul” that passed in Atka that brothers, Eugene and Ronnie; nephew, This issue of the Aleutian Tyrese R. McCullough of Valdez; U.S. Coast Guard in Alaska day in June. It was his second season as a Sargent; and grandnephew, Trenton. He 4. WAVE is dedicated to the daughter, Klee Bisconer of An- 5. Game Changer in False Pass community of Atka. chorage; daughter, Kylee Biscon- fish processor with APICDA, last summer is survived by his mother, Polly; sister, Jan- he worked in False Pass. et; brother, Wayne of Anchorage; brother, 6. New Staff / Aleutian Adventures er of Anchorage; son, Kurtis Mc- Paul was buried next to his parents in Dennis; and sister, Laura Mae of Old Har- 7. What’s In A Name? Cullough of Anchorage; daughter, Kyesha Bisconer of Anchorage; his home village of Chuathbaluk, upriv- bor; and many neices and nephews. 8. Cruising Alaska er from Aniak on the Kuskokwim River A service was held at St. Innocents Russian and the Northwest Passage daughter, Jamonica Gibbs of An- chorage; sister, April Turner of Port- where he grew up fishing, hunting and Orthodox Cathedral in Anchorage, with 10. Training & Education land, Oregon; niece, Nicole Phillips trapping. an additional service at the Three Saints Scholarships / Interns of Anchorage; along with many He is survived by his wife Bertha, chil- Orthodox Church in Kodiak where he was 12. My Unalaskan Summer www.apicda.com family and friends from all over.  dren and grandchildren.  laid to rest at the Old Harbor Cemetery.  15. Atka Culture Camp

2 16Fall 2016 APICDA Communities of Akutan - Atka - False Pass - Nelson Lagoon - Nikolski - St. George Haginaa Kidul - Helping to Grow1 3 Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association (APICDA) Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association (APICDA)

U.S. Coast Guard's Operation Arctic Shield What is really needed are updated maps for the region, as his summer a new and improved system they provide the best tools for avoiding environmental di- went into effect at APICDA’s Bering Pacific Game Changer in False Pass he Coast Guard has been carrying out rescue oper- sasters akin to the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (March 24, 1989). Seafoods (BPS) loading dock in False Pass, Without them, these massive fuel-loaded vessels will be Twith help from American President Lines (APL) and ation exercises and developing emergency plans in Arctic Alaska in order to prepare for things like a sailing blindly through Alaska’s waters. Today, some maps some collective problem solving. Tman-made incident or natural disaster. commonly employed are using data 50 to 100 years old, With some new equipment when mapping technology was far from accurate compared Logistics and communication are the biggest hurdles when on loan from APL and Sam- to modern-day techniques. Mappers say they are working it comes to being prepared for the worst on routes with ex- son Tug & Barge Co., the as fast as they can but, given the short season, their window treme weather conditions like the Northwest Passage. 2016 processing season at to gather data is small and progress is slow. BPS has been streamlined. Luxury liners like Crystal Cruises and Regent Cruises aren’t On the brighter side, the Coast Guard recently launched This includes freezer vans, the only companies wanting to navigate these remote areas a seasonal home base in Kotzebue, cutting Heavy-duty forklift moving totes. chassis, yard dog (mini-semi with 1,000 or more passengers. Cargo ships thousands of miles off its responses to Arc- to move the chassis) and a giant forklift known as a 'top pick' AMERICAN PRESIDENT LINES have also made this voyage. Still, the Crystal Alaska's tic incidents, at least via helicopter. Unlike capable of lifting 30 tons. A full container can be loaded on to a APL, one of the world’s leading Serenity is the largest cruise ship to ever ocean carriers, offers more than 90 previous efforts by the Coast Guard in the chassis that drives it to the city sheet pile dock, about 400 yards travel the route. (See story page 8). northern populations weekly services and call ports in are intimately tied Arctic, which were driven by industry ex- down the False Pass main road. Each container can hold approx. over 50 countries worldwide. They As far as environmental concerns for trav- pansion into the region, this move indicates 48,000 lbs. of frozen product that is strategically loaded and la- provide container transportation through an international shipping eling through such a sensitive area, Crystal to its coastlines. a long-term commitment by the federal beled for its shipping destination. Cruises spokesman Paul Garcia said that network which combines high-qual- agency to Alaska’s Arctic. Another crucial piece of equipment made possible by APL is a ity intermodal operations with ad- both the cruise ship and the accompanying Celso Zabala, BPS Lead Electrician, new $20,000 electrical panel that was custom built by ESL Power vanced technology, equipment and icebreaker will travel using low-sulfur fuels. He also said Alaska’s northern populations are intimately tied to its e-commerce. next to the new 20-gang panel. Systems, Inc. in Corona, California. This '20 Gang Box' allows the company will discharge gray and black water— that’s coastline and marine creatures through the essential subsis- Photos courtesy Jed Smith, APL. high voltage power to each freezer container and the 20 outlets APL’s General Manager of Operations wastewater from things like showers, washing machines tence harvest, which is a necessity both on a practical level in Alaska is Eugene Makarin who is will allow for future growth. This electrical unit was created to be portable and can be and toilets— no less than 12 nautical miles from shore. and on a cultural level, too. Aleut born and raised in Unalaska. moved easily. His experience and dedication pro- With more massive cruise and cargo ships coming to vide a valuable contribution to the Alaska Needs a New Icebreaker Alaska’s waters, the U.S. needs to advocate for and pro- This project was spearheaded by AJV success of the maritime industry General Manager, Laura Delgado, Jerry along the Aleutian Chain. Alaska’s only remaining icebreaker, the Polar Star, built in tect the region with up-to-date marine mapping, emer- Duckworth, BPS Plant Manager, and Jed 1978, no longer has full-time capacity due to its age and gency response resources and enforceable shipping SAMSON TUG AND BARGE is an Smith, a 20-yr. APL refrigerator mechanic Alaskan owned and operated Inter- maintenance needs. There is bipartisan support for building lanes that keep vessels from endangering Arctic waters. whose vision and engineering skills are al- state shipping company headquar- a new, $1 billion heavy-duty icebreaker for the Arctic, but Source: Carey Restino, The Arctic Sounder/Alaska Dispatch News July. tered in Sitka. Established in 1937, most magical. Jed is excited about the mis- there may be gap in service during they now service a route encompass- sion of APICDA and hopes to see more ing the entire Pacific Rim of Alaska. the construction time required. As revitalization in False Pass.  Moving a container down the road to the False Pass dock. the Polar Star reaches the end of its ALEUTIAN PRIBILOF ISLAND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION service life, the Coast Guard may THANKS THE U.S. COAST GUARD OF ALASKA! find itself with no heavy icebreak- er, just as activity in the Arctic With Gratitude to: Alaska Rejoins The Northern Forum —"We are Neighbors in the Arctic” increases in the region. Privately Pilot in Command: CDR NAHSHON Northern regions share characteristics owned ice-breaking ships are not ALMANDMOSS n 1991 The Northern Forum was co-founded by Walter Hickel, a former Anchorage that set them apart from other areas of considered fit for the job as Admi- Copilot: Alaska governor and U.S. Interior Secretary with strong interest in Arctic and LT DANIEL DEANGELO I the world. These include: ral Charles Michel, vice comman- Flight Engineer: ATKA far-north affairs. Alaska’s membership lapsed in 2011— but on July 25, 2016, AET1 WOOLEY STEVEN Gov. Bill Walker and Yuri Zakharinsky, chairman of the Northern Forum's Re- • Economies based upon the extraction dant of the Coast Guard said, “We Navigator: of natural resources. don’t operate non-military vessels. AET1 CHARLES MIRACLE gional Coordinators Committee, signed a document returning Alaska back into Radio: • Lack of internal capital resources. The ships don’t just break ice, but AET2 RHONDA the fold of the organization that represents regional governments in the circum- BURNSIDE polar north. • Limited infrastructural development. “serve national sovereignty,” he Loadmaster: said, noting that a military vessel AMT1 STEPHEN • Harsh climates and vulnerable ecosystems. SZYMANSKI The Northern Forum is a non-profit, international organization composed of APICDA is deeply grateful to the USCG for saving the lives of six of our Atka Pride Sea- is required by international law Basic Aircrew: sub-national or regional governments from eight northern countries. • Diverse and strong foods’ employees in the early morning hours of Wednesday, June 15, 2016. The USCG AMT2 DAVID indigenous cultures. “for assertion of things like navi- SCHMELTER medevac’d six injured people who were involved in a serious vehicle accident in Atka from gation rights.” Basic Aircrew: Adak to Anchorage, Alaska. We want these brave USCG crew members to know how much APICDA sponsored a table at the Walter J. Hickel “Day of the Arctic” luncheon • Sparse populations. AMT3 CLAY YANCEY their heroic efforts touched the lives of the surviving accident victims and their loved ones. —Alaska Dispatch News July 13, 2016. hosted by the Institute of the North, held at the Captain Cook Hotel on July 26. 

4 16Fall 2016 | Aleutian Wave Haginaa Kidul - Helping to Grow1 5 Akutan - Atka - False Pass - Nelson Lagoon - Nikolski - St. George Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association (APICDA)

Welcome New Staff Jake believes APICDA to be a great fit for him because of our Changes in Federal Terminology What’s in a Name? strong commitment to community building and sustainable JAKE CARPENTER has been hired as Director fishing. Welcome Aboard Jake! I Say Unangan, You Say Aleut of Technology, stationed in the Juneau office. In hanging attitudes toward the word “Eskimo” were rec- addition to IT, Jake worked in his family's ma- In August, we said goodbye to a longtime employee, RALPH ognized at the national level in May when President My name is Shayla Shaishnikoff, and I want to rine/auto repair business until his father retired WEATHERBY. Ralph has been with APICDA for nearly Barack Obama signed legislation that replaced that explain why I would prefer to identify as Unan- Cterm with “Alaska Native” in federal laws. in 2003. Jake is a downhill ski coach for his brother Ray, a fifteen years and has seen the company through tremendous gan, or seasider, rather than Aleut. While I don’t Special Olympic athlete who has been invited to national growth. We thank Ralph for his hard work and dedication The measure, HR 4238, ditches several terms that have fallen find the term Aleut particular- and international competition. to the APICDA mission and the communities we serve!  out of favor, or are considered offensive, from the wording of ly derogatory, I do believe that the Department of Energy Organization Act and the Local Pub- by using it we are sponsoring a lic Works Capital Development and Investment Act of 1976. piece of our history that should Rep. Grace Meng, D-NY, sponsored the bill, with a focus on primarily be remembered in Tourism Division Update replacing the term “Oriental” with Asian American. sorrow. Alaska Native cultures were undoubtedly changed by outside explorers We had a great 2016 king salmon season at both the “The term ‘Oriental’ has no place in federal law and at long last who “discovered” them. With their arrival came Sandy River Lodge and the Sapsuk Camp on the this insulting and outdated term will be gone for good," Meng the commencement of broad labels on the people Nelson River. Silver salmon season began strong said in a statement on her website. during the first week of August and steelhead season and their things. Native populations were placed The measure also struck the terms Negro, American Indian, Es- is booked for the Sandy River Lodge starting in late within regional boundaries formed by linguistic kimo, Oriental, Indians, ALEUT and “Spanish speaking indi- { September, continuing into the last week of October. features, and the Unanga were renamed with vidual of Spanish descent” from those laws and replaced them the foreign term, ‘Aleut.’ This colonial insertion The Nikolski cleanup project wrapped up in early with Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Afri- of dominance stripped many of their indigenous September, with reindeer hunts starting in the first can American, Hispanic, Native American and Alaska Native. identity, and was one of the first acts of oppres- week of October. The second half of the tourism The change reflects the pushback against the word Eskimo in sion against us. From an *etic perspective, Alas- season will be busy for Aleutian Adventures staff and Alaska in recent years— plus the fact that the term doesn’t en- ka Native cultural names may seem insignificant, our guides in the field.  compass all the many different groups of indigenous people but *emically they are known to hold substantial here. Especially among younger Alaska Natives, people have meaning to the people who use them. been shifting away from the term. With my personal choice to identify as an This was our first year charter- ing the FV Pogo for halibut out “When we were labeled Eskimos, that labeled us as less than Unangan I am acknowledging my ancestors and of Homer, Alaska. Operations human to white Americans,” said Ronald H. Brower Sr., an in- their boundless history in my home of Unalaska. went smoothly, and we would like to give a special thanks to structor at the Alaska Native Language Center at the University of I am respecting the name that they have given us our Captain who did a great job Alaska Fairbanks. He refers to himself as an Inuk— which most and the cultural values they have set, in a similar this season, Nikolski resident, way that America respects the Founding Fathers Josh Stamm. people call Inupiaq— and grew up in Barrow. for the standards they established in this country. In Canada, the word Eskimo is largely seen as derogatory. But While the inheritance of the Aleut name will al- in Alaska, it continues to be widely used— the Alaska Eskimo ways remain rooted in our history, I find stronger Below: Display advertisement—Swing the Fly Magazine. Whaling Commission, for example— but has been the subject connection, meaning and pride in identifying as Nikolski cleanup of contaminated soil from WWII by crew from Cape Envi- of increasing debate in recent decades.  ronmental. Each container can weigh up to 2,200 lbs. and must be lifted by an Unangan. crane and loaded onto a barge for removal. —Photos by Vincent Lestenkof. “Eskimo is an older colonial term,” said Maria Shaa Tlaa Wil- liams, director of the Alaska Native Studies program at the *Used in anthropology, emic and etic refer to the viewpoints of cultures and social structures ob- University of Alaska Anchorage. She is Tlingit. Many of the Eu- tained within research. Emic: from within the social ropean arrivals used pejorative terms that were often not the group; observed from the perspective of the subject. self-designative terms that local Indigenous people used, and Etic: from the outside; culture observed from an out- were not accurate.” siders perspective. “More and more, Native American racial groups want to be SHAYLA SHAISHNIKOFF worked as a 2016 Summer called by a name in their own language and not a name given by Intern in APICDA’s Anchorage office. She recently outsiders,” he said. “Some people don’t object to this at all, and earned her undergraduate in International Studies some people do. When enough voices are raised, the govern- with a minor in Russian from the University Alaska in Nikolski residents, Tanya Lestenkof and Charlene Gould prep and ment is responsive.” Anchorage, and plans to return to school in 2017 to cook for the dozen member cleanup crew. Source: Alaska Dispatch News by Annie Zak May 24, 2016. attain her graduate degree in Global Development.

6 16Fall 2016 | Aleutian Wave Haginaa Kidul - Helping to Grow1 7 When Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen first successfully traversed the Northwest Passage in 1903–1906, the ice- choked route remained n August 16, an 820-ft. luxury vessel, the $350 million Crystal Serenity set Research Ship Ernest Shackleton, a 216-foot the domain of private Cruisingsail from Seward, Alaska Alaska on a 32-day cruise andthrough the Northwest the Passage, Northwest logistical ship, carrying Passage with it “adventure sailors and government ending in New York. It can carry up to 1,070 passengers and 655 crew mem- equipment” including a platform for wilder- bers, starting at $22,000 and up to $120,000 for the fanciest penthouse. An ness landings and a helicopter for ice recon- vessels until 1984, when additional $50,000 in emergency evacuation insurance is required for each passenger. naissance (and for sightseeing tours). It will Lindblad Expeditions O Because of climate change and melting sea ice, it’s the future of transportation through also have oil pollution containment equip- led the first commercial the . ment, a salvage diver and survival rations.” cruise through the route. The company advertising states; “Imagine the World’s Best Cruise Line taking you on “Travel through the Northwest Passage Since then, interest in the ultimate journey...“Voyage to the top of the world through majestic waterways that line heralds the beginning of a new era of explo- spectacular glaciers and towering fjords... where nature is truly wild and landscapes are ration: authentic discovery and pure adven- the passage has only absolutely breathtaking.” ture, with respect to the remote communi- Crystal map from Route Cruises website. increased as the amount The advertising continues, “Following in the footsteps of intrepid explorers and rugged ties that will be visited.” of route-blocking ice has expedition vessels, this luxury ship becomes the first to ever traverse the Northwest Pas- these places,” said Don Perovich, adjunct professor at Dart- retreated. In September n the 110 years since Roald Amundsen led the first trip sage, a mystical Pacific-Atlantic sea route far beyond the Arctic Circle that for centuries mouth and Arctic researcher at the U.S. Army Cold Regions throughout the Northwest Passage, fewer than 240 com- 2012, Arctic sea ice set captured the imaginations of kings, explorers and adventurers.” Research and Engineering Laboratory. “I just hope it’s done a new record for annual plete transits have been made, according to R.K. Head- safely for both people and the environment.” “This once-in-a-lifetime expeditionary voyage marries extreme wilderness adventure with Iland of the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of minimum extent (1.32 Success or not, cruise companies are already planning for unsurpassed luxury cruising. Aboard the vessel, a dedicated 14-member professional ex- Cambridge in England. It wasn’t until 1984 that a passenger summer 2017. The Regent Cruises is planning a sailing on million square miles), pedition team will join each group of passengers as they navigate the majestic series of ship, the Lindblad Explorer, made a full traverse. 293,000 square miles waterways comprising the fabled Northwest Passage, around Alaska and into the Beaufort the Seven Seas Navigator, a ship with an ice-strengthened Safety of those on the ship is only part of the equation. The hull that carries 835 passengers and crew members. Prices below the previous Sea, through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and on to Greenland.” sensitivity of people who live in these remote locations is an- for that 30-day trip are $23,000 to $53,000 all-inclusive, record set in 2007. “Two years of extensive planning has gone into this carefully curated itinerary, balancing other. One of the shore excursions being offered to Serenity according to Jason Lasecki, a spokesman for Regent.  June, 2016 brought days at sea with scheduled ports of call. Intentionally designed to be flexible, the Captain and passengers is a “Study in Global Warming,” a $600 package —Source: Alaska Dispatch News July 11, 2016 by Karen Schwartz, NY Times. another record low for his expanded team of navigation experts will incorporate unplanned “expedition days” when that includes a 250-mile roundtrip flight to Shishmaref, an Arctic sea ice, according favorable weather conditions allow—think rare wildlife sightings of polar bears, narwhals, Alaska village of 580 that is being lost to rising sea levels. musk oxen and caribou... or exciting arctic adventures from Zodiac landings, kayaking in to the National Snow Environmental groups such as Greenpeace and Friends of protected bays, to trekking the tundra with a professional guide. While the luxury ship is ex- Passengers on and Ice Data Center. the Earth are unhappy about the arrival of cruise ships in the deck enjoying perienced in operating in some of the world’s most extreme locations such as Antarctica and shuffleboard Northwest Passage, stating that the whole arctic ecosystem Alaska, it will be met in the Canadian community of Uluhaktok and escorted by the Royal while at sea on is fighting for survival and more ship traffic only adds addi- an Alaska During the 1930s, the Alaska tional stresses to this sensitive area of the world. Steamship in Steamship Company offered the1930s, en cruises twice a summer on the “The glamour of the Arctic—that vast whiteness at the top of the world that only “In one sense, having people see the Arctic and develop route from Seattle, SS Victoria, each lasting about a Amundsen, Peary, Wilkins, Byrd and other intrepid explorers knew—can now an appreciation for it can be a positive as we try to preserve Washinton to month. Starting in Seattle, the Juneau, Alaska. be yours—in perfect comfort and safety.” —ALASKA STEAMSHIP CO. 1937 Victoria made her way to her Alaska Steamship Co. travel brochure, 1937. first port of call at False Pass on the Aleutian Chain. The next stop was Unalaska, then up to St. Paul Island, Walrus Island, Nome, St. Michael, East Cape , Diomede Islands, , Dutch Harbor, through Akutan Pass, back to Juneau, through the Inside Passage to Ketchikan and returning to Seattle 28 days later.

8 16Fall 2016 | Aleutian Wave Haginaa Kidul - Helping to Grow1 119 Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association (APICDA)

APICDA Training & Education Programs Jhiddle Sugabo University of Alaska Anchorage Unalaska Janice Krukoff—Success Story Kiecel Tungul University of Alaska Anchorage Unalaska JANICE KRUKOFF, known for her conta- Congratulations, 2016 Fall Emil Berikoff Sr. Memorial Levi Vernon University of Alaska Fairbanks Unalaska gious laugh and ambitious personality, was Rachael Yatchmeneff University of Alaska Anchorage False Pass born in Unalaska in the late 1950s. She was APICDA offers higher education Scholarship Recipients! Sue Yoon Sacramento State University Unalaska raised by proud parents Sergie Krukoff of and supplemental scholarship A total of $56,520 was awarded by the Emil Berikoff Sr. Memorial Scholarship Nikolski and Mariamna Merculief Krukoff of programs to support and en- 2016 Fall GPA Scholarship Recipients: St. George Island. “My upbringing may have courage the education and Program to the following students for the fall semester. training goals of community had its rural problems, however, village life Recipient: School: Community: The following students earned the GPA Scholarship for the fall term by residents. The programs enable earning a 3.5 GPA or greater and will receive the GPA Scholarship award. provided me with strong heritage, culture, our residents to have access to Jessica Andersen Humboldt State University Unalaska and traditions,” says Janice. With a strong 3.5-3.74 GPA $500 per term college and university programs Liam Andersen Michigan Technological University Unalaska passion for her Unangan roots, Janice has and to qualify for jobs within the 3.75-3.99 GPA $750 per term Darling Anderson University of Alaska Fairbanks False Pass admirably decided to use her educational ac- region that may otherwise be 4.0 GPA $1,000 per term complishments to give back to her commu- filled by non-CDQ residents. Shasta Anderson University of Alaska Anchorage False Pass Raul Carpentero University of Alaska Anchorage Unalaska Jessica Andersen $500 Vincent Naanos $500 nity and its region. To Apply: Nikka Dirks University of Alaska Anchorage Atka Darling Anderson $500 Kanesia Price $1,000 Once her sons, Princeton and Douglas, had Benjamin Enlow University of Colorado Denver Unalaska Raul Carpentaro $750 Michael Remolino $500 begun adult lives of their own, they encouraged Applications must be completed, submitted and RECEIVED in the Ross Enlow Willamette University Unalaska Christina Gordon $500 Jacob Stepetin $500 their hardworking mother to return to school APICDA office by: Joey Fernandez University of Hawaii Manoa Unalaska Jana Lekanoff $1,000 Jhiddle Sugabo $500 as she had always thought about. With n APRIL 1 for the summer Citlaly Garcia Western Oregon University Unalaska Jesse Lestenkof $1,000 Kiecel Tungul $500 term(s). Christina Gordon Carroll College Unalaska Dasha Moyer $750 the support of her Nichole Gordon University of Washington Unalaska family behind her, n JULY 1 for the fall and Each of these Emil Berikoff Sr. Memori- Janice marched into spring semesters award. Rachell Gulanes University of Alaska Anchorage Unalaska WINS Recipients: the Alaska Career Martin Gundersen University of Alaska Anchorage Nelson Lagoon Nichole Gordon al Fund Scholarship recipients received a n NOVEMBER 15 for the $2,000 Work Invest Now (WIN) Schol- College admissions Kevin Huynh University of Alaska Anchorage Unalaska Celeste Kukahiko spring semester award. arship. Students qualify, by applying for office and began the Angela Johnson University of Alaska Fairbanks Nelson Lagoon Kanesia Price summer employment with APICDA or a enrollment process For Information about Georgia Kashevarof University of Alaska Fairbanks St. George application instructions Ashley Swetzof subsidiary company. for the 2013 fall se- Alanna Kochuten California State University Maritime Unalaska and requirements: Students who complete employment in good standing qualify for mester. After two Douglas Krukoff George Washington University Unalaska years of hard work and dedication, she grad- Contact APICDA’s the WIN scholarship in addition to their Emil Berikoff Sr. Memorial Celeste Kukahiko University of Alaska Anchorage Unalaska uated with an associate of Applied Science De- Training & Education Fund Scholarship. Anthony Lekanof University of Alaska Anchorage St. George gree in Business Administration and Comput- Program Manager, Jana Lekanoff University of Alaska Anchorage Unalaska er Technology, making everyone who knows Anfesia Tutiakoff — Jesse Lestenkof University of Alaska Anchorage St. George Welcome New Community Liaison Officer her proud. “Going back and finishing school [email protected] Rainier Marquez Chico State University Unalaska was my greatest accomplishment besides rais- Toll free: 1-888-927-4232 TAMMY SHELLIKOFF has been hired as our new Reanna Marquez University of the Pacific Unalaska ing my two children!” Janice declares. or www. apicda.com CLO in False Pass. Tammy is a lifelong resident of Bobbie McNeley University of Alaska Fairbanks Unalaska False Pass and she is very excited about her new role Janice now resides in Anchorage, and feels Ashley Merculief University of Alaska Fairbanks St. George in the community. We look forward to Tammy’s as- that she can benefit the people of her region by Dasha Moyer Art Institute of Portland Unalaska sistance with our new initiatives in Training & Edu- working for the Aleutian Asso- Emil William Vincent Naanos Pacific Lutheran University Unalaska cation. Welcome, Tammy! ciation (APIA). Positive outcomes are expect- Berikoff Sr. Kayla Nalam Highline College Unalaska ed, as she is brimming with excellent ideas to 1944 - 2012 Timmy Nguyen University of Alaska Anchorage Unalaska Fall Community Activities: improve the lives of Alaska Natives and strives Jaila Pili DePaul University Unalaska to develop better communication between the Emil Berikoff, Sr. served on the Rosie Pound Art Institute of Portland Unalaska T & E Program Manager, Anfesia Tutia- communities, tribes and corporations. We ad- APICDA board for 15 years. His koff (far right) and Intern, Celeste Ku- Kanesia Price Western Washington University Unalaska mire Janice for pursuing her dreams and are contributions as a trusted board kahiko sent Community Activity supply member and to the APICDA Michael Remolino University of Alaska Anchorage Unalaska very proud of her accomplishments and com- boxes to Akutan, Atka and St. George. community were invaluable. Taytum, Robinson University of Hawaii at Manoa Unalaska mendable values! Keep up the good work Jan- ice, and Qaĝaasakung!  APICDA's scholarship program Cameron Samuelson Pacific University False Pass Activities include: Rock Painting, Felt Halloween Tote, is named in his honor. Scavenger Hunt, Hot Cocoa Mason Jars, Movie Night, Jacob Stepetin Stanford University Akutan Card Making and Snow Globes. —Story by Shayla Shaishnikoff, APICDA Intern.

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My Unalaskan Summer, 2016 Anthony Lekanof elected to the St. George Tanaq ABOUT ST. GEORGE ISLAND —By Shayla Shaishnikoff, APICDA Intern Corporation Board Saint George is a second class city in the Aleutians West Census Area, located on the northeast shore ometimes I have to remind myself not to AANG! I am from St. George of St. George Island. Over 210 species of birds nest take my home for granted. The splendor Island and am the son of on the cliffs of St. Phillip and Desiree (Turner) George Island. It lies of this small island that I am so accus- Stomed to most likely appears exotic to the for- Lekanof, and the grandson of 47 miles south of St. eign eye. If climbing rural Alaskan mountains Anthony Lekanof and Stefani- Paul Island, 750 air that often hold illusory poisonous flowers isn’t da (Merculief) Lekanof. I’ve miles west of Anchor- age and 250 miles north- striking enough, just imagine doing so while remained on and off island for west of Unalaska. The island is passing WWII ruins. the last few years, as I had at- Anthony Lekanof attended Embry-Riddle Aero- tended Mt. Edgecumbe High nautical University in Prescott, Arizona, and approx. 12 miles long with an area encompassing Next to hiking, one of my most treasured ac- has transfered to University Alaska Anchorage, 34.8 sq. miles of land and 147.6 sq. miles of water. School in Sitka. with plans to major in Aviation Technolgy with tivities in Unalaska is spending time in my a minor in Business. For centuries Aleuts have traveled to St. George Recently, I was elected as Direc- dad’s skiff while halibut fishing from the un- from the mainland for hunting and fishing. In 1786, predictable depths of the Bering Sea. In the tor for the St. George Tanaq Corporation, for whom I will serve a three- while looking for the famed northern fur seal breed- winter I daydream about eagerly awaiting year term. My goal is to continue the advocacy for on-island presence, ing grounds, Gavril Pribilof of the Russian Lebedov Shayla overlooking Unalaska’s front beach in early August. and encourage talks between entities in hopes to establish a long-term a halibut’s forceful tug at the end of my line (Right) Brothers, Talon and Landen Shaishnikoff helping with Lastochkin Company became the first non-Native as sea lions roar on the distant beaches and the family halibut harvest. plan for my hometown. For my fellow youth wanting to have a say in to travel to the island. The island was named Sve- whales bigger than our boat pass us by. How their village councils, I encourage you to run for office! ti Georgiy (St. George), and its larger neighbor to privileged I was as an adolescent to have taken casual appearances of otters and porpoises for Thank you to APICDA for giving me the opportunity to share my the north was originally called St. Peter and St. Paul granted! As an Unangan, the ocean plays a huge role in my life, however there are also count- story. I would also like to thank the St. George Tanaq Shareholders Island. The Russian American Company enslaved Aleut hunters from Siberia, Unalaska, and Atka and less creatures of the land that deserve recognition. Wild horses, squirrels, foxes, bald eagles for giving me the opportunity to serve the home I love the most.  relocated them to St. George and St. Paul to har- and puffins inhabit the island among us and they are a constant reminder of how unique my vest the fur seal. Between 1870 and 1910, the U.S. upbringing really was. I am now living in Anchorage and Interning for APICDA, but I am Unalaska Camp Qungaayux 2016 Government leased the Pribilof Islands to private beyond grateful to have returned home this summer to help my family with the efforts of our ˆ companies, who provided housing, food, and med- subsistence lifestyle, which I yearn for every winter I am away.  ical care to the Aleuts in exchange for work in the fur seal plant. In 1910, the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries took control of the islands, but poverty conditions ensued due to over-harvesting of the seals. 2016 APIA Urban Unangaˆx Culture Camp During World War II, residents were moved to —Story and photos by Celeste Kuakahiko, APICDA Intern Funter Bay in Southeast Alaska as part of the area- wide evacuation. Unlike other Aleutian residents, APICDA was pleased to help support this year’s camp with a donation of they were confined in an abandoned cannery and $5,000. During the week of June 19-25, the Aleutian Pribilof Islands As- mine camp. In 1979, the Pribilof Aleuts received sociation, Inc. held their ninth annual Urban Unangaˆ x Culture Camp at $8.5 million in partial compensation for the unfair the APIA headquarters in Anchorage. Approx. 130 students, as young as and unjust treatment they were subjected to under five, attended the camp to work on cultural arts and participate in various federal administration between 1870 and 1946. In traditional activities. Father John Zabinko from St. Innocents Russian Orthodox Cathedral blessed the uluˆxtaˆx before it was tested on Goose Lake. 1983, the U.S. government ended the commercial Making uluˆ xtaˆx (kayaks) from scratch is not a quick process; instructors seal harvest and withdrew from the islands, pro- viding $8 million to St. George to help develop and began building the framework a week prior to the start of camp. Mentors and students alike worked diligently to add the diversify the local economy. The city was incorpo- finishing touches throughout the week. In addition to kayak construction, this year’s culture camp rated in 1983. Today, residents are working to de- featured activities that included bentwood visors, traditional dance, drum making, Unangan language, velop commercial fisheries and tourism. More than carving, traditional foods and more. On Friday, the second to last day of camp, mentors and campers a million fur seals congregate on the islands every took a bus to Goose Lake, where the newly built 2-person uluˆ xtaˆ x was blessed, and then successfully summer. St. George harvests 500 fur seals each year tested out on the lake. for subsistence purposes. Halibut, reindeer, marine Camp came to a close with the annual Aleut Picnic held at the the Aleut Corporation headquarters. invertebrates, plants and berries also contribute to the local diet.  The students came together to perform traditional dancing at the closing event and enjoyed the com- Unalaska Camp Qungaayuxˆ (kung-eye-you) Culture Camp instructors buchering sea lion. This pany of fellow Unangans over the lunch provided by the Aleut Corporation.  was the 19th annual event to pass down traditional culture, sponsored by the Qawalagin Tribe. Source: Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference (SWAMC) website

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APICDA Vision Statement:

The Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association (APICDA) will Atka Culture Camp —Niiˆguˆgum Tanasxa develop commercial and sport fishing in- dustry related opportunities to enhance —Photos courtesy Atka IRA Council Cultural Department the long-term social and economic viabil- ity of the coastal communities and their residents in the Bering Sea and . APICDA will optimize benefits to its member communities and their residents through the development of infrastructure and fishery support services in the com- munities, the acquisition of seafood relat- ed businesses, including fishing vessels and/or processing facilities and support service industries at economically benefi- cial prices, and the acquisition of harvest and processing rights. By enabling the Repairing the Crosses in Akutan —A Labor of Love communities to participate in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Island fisheries, Renowned Attu basket weaver Agnes Thompson (top, center) mentored a group or the past several summers, April Pelkey, APICDA’s Community Liaison APICDA will: of up-and-coming weavers, some of whom are shown here: (clockwise from right) Cheryl Atkins, Bobbi Dushkin and Trinity Dirks-Nevzoroff. Officer in Akutan has been scraping down the crosses in the village church- • Promote and participate in business opportunities with capital investment yard and repainting them. Last summer, she repaired 15 crosses with sup- funds; Fplies from Unalaska Builders Supply and the local store. • Relieve chronic social problems through Young camp participants butcher and process reindeer from their successful hunt as “I do this work as a form of respect for the elders and my relatives who have passed. the creation of jobs, and encourage younger campers watch and learn. individual growth through educational I watched my mother paint the crosses when I was a child and now my children and vocational opportunities; watch me,” explains April. • Promote community control over their individual economic and social April reports that hand scraping the crosses is a workout, but it’s worth all the effort destinies; and, in the end because it makes the churchyard look so much better. • Continue to assist each community as they make the transition from reliance With help from the Akutan Traditional Council, the Safe Harbor Church repainted upon a CDQ allocation to economic and Bobbi Dushkin of Sand Point fencing and built new fence boxes around some of the graves, and were able to hire social self-sufficiency. shows progress on the begin- nings of her basket weaving. local help to repair and paint the main fence around the church yard. Who We Are The Orthodox, Byzantine or Russian (Orthodox) Cross, also known as the Suppedaneum cross, is a variation Aleutian Pribilof Island of the Christian cross. The cross has three horizontal crossbeams—the top represents the plate inscribed with Filleted halibut (left) and halibut heads wrapped Community Development INRI, and the bottom, a footrest. In the Russian Orthodox tradition, the lower beam is slanted upward toward in Taagan’gim kangakix (wild celery leaves). Association is a vertically integrated penitent thief St. Dismas, who was crucified on Jesus' right, and downward toward impenitent thief Gestas.  seafood company responsibly harvesting, processing and marketing wild Alaskan Young campers learning to paddle the iqyax on Korovin Lake. crab, pollock, cod, black cod, halibut and salmon from the Bering Sea and Below: Rules For Living from the Unangam Elder's Academy, Association of Unangan/Unangas Pacific Ocean in a sustainable manner. We Educators and Aleutian Pribilof Island Assoc. 2014. Win $100! maintain the highest standards of quality Makarius Swetzof cuts and for our wild Alaskan seafood from the icy prepares ‘hudax’ (dry fish). Enter the ocean waters to the table. Live with and respect the APICDA The Aleutian WAVE quarterly newsletter is Photo produced by APICDA and printed in An- land, sea, and all nature. Contest chorage, Alaska in March, June, September before and December. Tanax,ˆ Alaĝuxˆ ama slum imuunuu September Inquiries or comments may be directed to: huzuu anaĝim anaĝinĝis sahngaxtada.ˆ 30, 2016. Media Department: APICDA 717 K Street, Anchorage, AK 99501 (907) 929-5273 / Toll- (Niiĝuĝum Tunuu - Atka dialect) Free: 1-(888) 9-APICDA Fax: (907) 929-5275 / Email: [email protected] / Website: www.apicda.com Tanaĝnangin, Iĝayuusalix, anĝaĝiimchin Damien Truong with his aĝnaxtˆxichin. (Qagaadan Tunuu - Eastern Aleutian) catch, a sxiigix (rock green- ling, aka “Pogie”). Timothy Zaochney with his catch of the day.

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