Non-Profi t Organization U.S. Postage th PAID Online at www.tananachiefs.org near the 10 of each month! Anchorage, AK Permit No. 537

Dena’ Nena’ Henash ––Our Land Speaks Vol. 33, No. 9 A Report to the Member Tribes of the Tanana Chiefs Conference September 2008 Long, cold, and more Denali fi eld studies cautions hunters

Denali–Th e Alaska Gas Pipeline are yielding important information that will be used expensive than ever when the project partners develop and submit their permit applications. Th e studies are By Don Shircel, Client Development Director also critical to producing a high-quality cost estimate for the immense project and for meeting the target of a successful open season in 2010. Survey crews spent July and early August conducting studies primarily between Tok With the high cost of home heating and 7,000 individual and the Canadian border. In August, survey crews studying archeology and wetlands other fuels it’s going to” take a village” to state energy rebates “It’s going to moved into areas between Tok and Delta Junction, while others continued their work make it through this winter. Everyone is that can make the get cold and it’s in the Tok area. Approximately 40 scientists are currently working out of the Denali re- going to have to be part of the solution to real diff erence this gional fi eld offi ce in Tok, with another 20 scientists based elsewhere along the proposed what is being considered as one of the most winter, not the $2.9 going to cost pipeline route. Most fi eld studies will conclude with the fi rst snowfall. However, scien- pressing challenges for families living in million dollars in more than ever tists conducting hydrology studies will continue working throughout the winter. Interior villages… how to keep your house CITGO, state and • Hunters are urged to be aware of survey crews in the fi eld. warm this winter federal energy as- before to heat • Survey crews will be wearing orange or green safety vests. We anticipate about $2.9 million dollars sistance benefi ts. your home.” • Signs will be posted along roadways informing the public of the presence of survey to be available to Interior residents through It’s going to be ev- crews. the CITGO, state and federally funded ery family member in every village that will • Survey crews are aware that they may contact hunters in the fi eld. Th ey have been energy assistance programs that Tanana make the diff erence this winter. directed to avoid or minimize contacts with hunters. Chiefs Conference (TCC) will be admin- TCC encourages everyone to set aside a If you contact a survey crew in the fi eld, please work with them to coordinate your istering. Th anks to a new state program minimum of $1,200 from each check that hunt with their activities. Survey crews have been instructed to work with their supervi- aimed at serving more households than just you and your children receive with this sors to address issues and concerns arising from contact with hunters. the Low Income Home Energy Assistance year’s dividend. Make sure that it gets spent Work on Denali continues independent of legislative approval of the Alaska Gasline Program, TCC will have about one million on home heating fuels. Everyone has to do Inducement Act. In fact, project planning for the 2009 fi eld studies program is already dollars over the amount that we had in last their part to make sure that their family underway, with signifi cant resources being committed to pre-fi ling programs and activi- year’s energy assistance program. But in stays warm this winter. Th e programs that ties. Further, Denali continues to progress on necessary regulatory approvals. Denali has the end it’s going to be up to every family TCC will have available can, and will help, already received approval of its pre-fi ling request from the Federal Energy Regulatory member to do their part to make it through but the biggest energy assistance checks this Commission, the agency responsible for approving a certifi cate to construct the Alaska what some are predicting to be a harsh win- year will be the ones sent directly to each of pipeline. ter this year. your family members with their dividend. Denali encourages landowners and the public to direct their questions to the dedi- It’s going to get cold and it’s going to cost Don’t blow your $1,200 energy rebate dol- cated project phone number: 1-888-766-2000. Learn more about Denali at www.denali- more than ever before to heat your home. lars. You will need them to make sure you thealaskagaspipeline.com. Interior villages are dealing with some of keep your home warm over the harsh win- the highest costs for fuel in the country. ter months ahead. Th at’s a fact! Villages in the Interior will Remember, TCC does not receive its be dealing with some of the coldest winter federal energy assistance funding until temperatures for more months than other December. Th e CITGO fuel oil help has Get out the Native Vote! communities in the country. Th at’s a fact! been getting here in late March or April. Alaska has the highest percentage of Native people of any state in the But it’s also a fact that every Alaskan Th e majority of your home heating costs who received a Permanent Fund Dividend this winter can, and will have to be met by country, which means we have the potential to be the most powerful last year (including those living in Interior you. TCC is exploring all avenues for ad- group of Natives in the country through our right to vote. villages) will be receiving a $1,200 energy ditional help for families, but it’s a fact that In order to fl ex our political muscle and make our leaders listen to our rebate from the state of Alaska… and that’s the solution to keeping families warm this on top of over $2,000 they will receive as winter lies in the hands and pockets of each concerns, every eligible Native must register to vote and vote on Election the highest dividend ever paid out by the and every one of us who gets energy rebate Day. Th is is a reminder for you to register to vote by October 5 and to state! Th at’s a total of about $8.4 million check. Spend each of your family member’s dollars for the roughly 7,000 men, women $1,200 on what they’re intended for—to vote on November 4. and children living in the Interior! It’s go- help keep your home warm this winter! We encourage those who have failed to vote in the past to vote absentee ing to be that $8.4 million dollars from as you can vote before Election Day which allows more fl exibility to your schedule. If you’ve recently moved be sure to register in your new district. Make Alaska Natives the most powerful Natives in the country 2009 Calendar with your eff orts to vote this year! Submission Guidelines If you would like to help in the “Get Out the Native Vote” campaign, please contact Daisy Stevens or Natasha Singh toll-free at 800-478-6822 Th e 2009 calendar is underway! Th e deadline to submit photos is September 26th, or locally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3178. there are too many factors and individuals involved, including a brief timeframe.

Digital photo Requirements: Image quality must 200 dpi/resolutions Want to see your community receive one of the Stevens 4x6 in size Village Buff alo to add to your winter food supply? Hard copy Requirements: Application deadline is October 15, courtesy of Diabetes 4x6 in size Program. See article on page 5 for more information. Return Address Include caption (name and event) Your phone number

Mail your hard copy photo to: Ginger Placeres, Editor, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Beaded picture frames needed 122 First Avenue, Suite 600, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701, or email your photo to ginger. Tanana Chiefs Conference is looking to purchase beaded moose skin frames.Th e [email protected]. outside measurements of the frame should be 13 1/4 inches long by 11 1/2 inches wide. Th e inside measurements should be 9 1/2 inches long by 7 inches wide. We ask that the I reserve the right to reject any photo and will if the dpi/resolutions are too low (200 artist make the frame as fl at as possible by cutting corner to corner to create four piec- or less) and/or quality of image is questionable. Th e goal will always be to represent es before sewing. All frames have to be approved by the Administration Department as many Member Tribes as possible, as a result, your multiple images may be re- before a purchase is completed. For more information, please contact Mary Brewer, duced if there are too many photos. For more information, contact Ginger Placeres, Administration, toll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3108. editor, toll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3570. Page 2 • The Council • September 2008 Tanana Chiefs Conference

Dear Editor, One option fourRegional Alaska Native corporations may consider is exploring wind energy and the potential of supplying the oil and gas pipelines and their pump- ing stations, camps with aff ordable, renewable and cost eff ective electricity, and The Council is a monthly report to the Member Tribes of the Tanana Chiefs other sources of energy. Conference, in accordance with agreements with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Th e four regional corporations could be, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, the Indian Health Service. Letters to the Editor, other written contributions and Doyon Limited, ATHNA, Inc and the Chugach Native Regional Corporation. photos submissions are welcome. However, space is limited and program-oriented Th is would provide employment, on-the-job training, classes for students and news has priority. We reserve the right to edit or reject material. Letters and adults a like. Th ey can set up classes for students during the day and adults at night. opinions are not necessarily the opinions of Tanana Chiefs Conference. Material Th is would provide for all Alaskans and our children with a positive and construc- submitted anonymously will not be printed. Contributions and questions may be tive opportunity for the future. directed to: Th ank you, Ginger Placeres, Editor Grover G. Riley Tanana Chiefs Conference Minto, Alaska 122 First Avenue, Suite 600 Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 Phone: (907) 452-8251 ext. 3570 Dear Editor, Toll-free (Alaska): 800-478-6682 On behalf of our families, we’d like to thank everyone for their condolences, support, (Out-of-State) 800-770-8251 and being there with us at our time of the loss of our brother. Th anks to the people that Fax: (907) 459-3884 came to see out mom in Anchorage, and Fairbanks when we got the news about Frank’s Email: death. Th ank you Agnes Sweetsir for doing everything you could to get our mom home as soon as possible, for giving our family a place to stay, and doing the Funeral service. [email protected] Th ank you Interior Regional Housing Authority for shipping the material for the casket and cross, Vicky Charlie, Diana Semaken, Betty Griffi n, Janelle Chaplain, and Effi e Kemp for shopping for our brother’s clothes and material to line the casket. Th anks to Earl and Joyce Sommer for getting the leather jacket in Anchorage. To the wonderful ladies that made the beaver hat, beaded gloves and beaded slippers, thank you so much and to our IN THIS ISSUE aunt Eleanor Bryant for all the support as soon as we stepped off the plane. To the community of Galena, surrounding villages, Fairbanks, and Anchorage thank for your prayers, phone calls, cards, donations and the items for the raffl e that was held. It Tanana Chiefs Conference...... 1-3 helped with travel expenses, which was very much needed. Th ank you especially to Shirley 477 Programs...... 4 Cleaver, Kat Sam, and Jen Hildebrand for all your hard work on coordinating the raffl e. We would also like to thank Helen Hodgkins for letting out family use her vehicle in Health Services...... 5 Galena. Th ank you everyone who brought moose meat and fi sh, shopped and prepared the food. If we forgot to mention anyone, we apologize and everyone is in our thoughts Agriculture & Horticulture...... 6-10 and prayers. A big thank you to our sister in laws Mariah, Jerrine, and Sandi for preparing the Fu- Hunik Zoo Poster Winners...... 11 neral program and anyone else that stopped by to help. Th ank you to all the musicians who played at the hall, your generosity and talents are such a gift . Th ank you for the boat Bluegrass Camps...... 12 rides to the cemetery. Once again, the whole community and surrounding villages have Trailmarkers Upward Bound...... 13 our thanks. News for our People...... 14-16 Ana basee, Wilma McNulty and Jen Semaken

Dear Editor, Sweeney was taken away from us way to Funeral Home. soon. His fought a courageous battle with Th e fundraiser for the Spaghetti Feed was cancer for almost three years. He still kept very helpful and we appreciate everyone New Employment & his humor during his battle. We will miss who came and cooked, set up, clean up, and him dearly. He will never be forgotten. Just visited with Sweeney before we brought knowing that he is with the Lord and pain- him home. Training Director free is helping us heal in this diffi cult time. A couple other people we would like to Th ank you for your kindness and sympathy thank. Mike Tanner, Craig Nicholia, Lilly My name is Tony Delia, I was born during our time of loss. We can’t express the and Dick Evans. TCC Dental Staff for in Barrow but raised in Fairbanks. I words to tell you how much we appreciate their support to Flo. Marie Yaska, Diane recently spent seven years in Anchorage all the help we got from everyone. It gives Semaken, Diane Evans-Sommers, Debra but Fairbanks has been home for 30+ us much comfort to know that you are Barbee, Mathilda Huntington, Mitzie years. Now that I’ve completed my task thinking of us as we grieve Sweeney’s Smith, and Mary Turner, Claude Koyukuk, there it was time to move back home death. Your sympathy phone calls, comfort Shirley Cleaver, Vicky Semaken, Ruth food, and thoughtful cards were timely and Esmailka, Ruth Evans, to everyone who to Fairbanks. I’ve been recently hired very, very helpful to us during Sweeney’s brought us to and from Louden Cemetary, by Tanana Chief Conference as the last days with us. Words cannot express anyone else that we didn’t mention. You are Director of Employment and Training our appreciation for all of your prayers and all in our hearts and prayers. Th ank you. Department. I bring with me a wealth help during and aft er Sweeney’s passing. My dad was a very cool guy and he will of knowledge from the oil and gas and We would like to take the time to give a be missed very much. He was taken away construction industry. Th e experience heartfelt thanks to all of you who expressed from me and our family way to soon, it and knowledge that I’ve gained from their condolences in each and every way. feels like he was here just yesterday. He was Many people helped with expenses, too very sick and in so much pain because of the industry will be very valuable for many to name. You know who you are and stupid cancer! I miss him so much. I will all the stakeholders and shareholders your generosity will be treasured within miss his jokes and he had a good sense of within the region. Our staff here at TCC our family forever. humor and he will never be forgotten. I has a deep commitment and passion We would like to personally thank the would like to thank everybody who helped to serve our people, I got started in guys for building Sweeney’s casket: Uncle with the fundraisers, and donations, and all the business at a young age. I worked Johnny (Black) Evans, Darryl Albert Jr., the help from our family because without here at TCC in 1979 in the legal dept Kenny Evans, Doug Green, Timothy you guys, my mom would be really stressed Maska, Sonny Vanhatten, Emmett Evans, and she didn’t know what to do. I wish his with Mike Walleri, My elders once told Allen, Gabe Dayton, Vincent Yaska Jr., grave was in Fairbanks so I could visit him me to go out and get an education and Arley Yaska, and for building the beautiful every week or something. He isn’t in any then come back and work for your people, so here I am again I’ve come full circle, cross, Charlie Green. more pain and is in a better place so I’m a looking forward to streamlining the services of our dept to the people of our region. Th e women who lined the casket: little happy about that. He only got to see I currently sit on three boards in economic development, two committees, and I am Corina Evans, (Th ank you, you taught us me perform on my bike and skateboard a active in the community. so much.) Jessie, Millie, Terry Yaska, Irene few times and that has encouraged me a Th ere are a lot of opportunities within the State of Alaska and we want to make Albert, Maxine Barrera, Calista Mattison, lot to take on more challenges. It was kind sure that we continue to support and strengthen our ties with our people in the rural and Melanie Burtis. of funny how he would be cursing at the Th e women who made the beautiful nurses because he was in pain but also it areas. With the technology that is available to us now in this computer age we will put gloves and slippers: Annie Vent, Angela was kind of mean. I love him so much and that to work for us in order bridge that gap, if you’re ever in Fairbanks, stop on by and Huntington, Paula Sommer, Laura Pitka, he will be in our hearts forever. Josh. have a cup of tea. We have an open door policy here at the Employment and Training Allison Esmailka, and Alda Frank. Department. Th ank you and May God continue to bless you. You can contact Tony We would also like to thank IRHA, Sincerely, toll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3006 or email tony.delia@ Doyon Ltd., Ganaa’ yoo Ltd., Tanana Chiefs Dentler, Yaska, and Albert Families tananachiefs.org. Conference, FNA, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, CAIHC, Dr. Cox, and Fairbanks September 2008 • The Council • Page 3 Tanana Chiefs Conference

Weatherization or Home Energy Rebate Be “the man” in the life of a young child

Program, which is best for you? By Angie Richardson, Head Start Family Services Coordinator

By Kimberly Carlo, Housing Technician, Transportation Men play an important role in the lives of children. According to information provided to the Offi ce of Head Start by the Texas Cooperative Extension at Texas A&M University, Th e Home Energy Rebate Program and the Weatherization Program are both funded children who grow up with a strong, healthy male infl uence in their lives are: by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC). Th ere are two major diff erences • more likely to stay in school, graduate from high school, and attend college. • less likely to experiment with drugs or alcohol. between the programs. • less likely to engage in sexual activity at an early age. Th e Weatherization Program: • Girls are less likely to become pregnant as a teen. Free service • may be less inclined to commit suicide. Meet the program income guidelines Th ese are just a few of the many benefi ts for children with active, involved male role Tribal Council needs to submit a resolution requesting weatherization services models. To learn more about it, go to www.fatherhood.org, or contact Angie Richardson 2008 Weatherization Income Guidelines: at the Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) Head Start. Th e Energy Rebate Program Twelve things to remember No income limits Respect the child’s mother–when children see adults respecting each other, they are more You pay for everything yourself, out of your own pocket, get reimbursed aft er all the likely to feel that they are also accepted and respected. improvements have been made. Spend time with children–if you always seem too busy for children, they will feel neglected no matter what you say. Kids grow up so quickly. Missed opportunities are forever lost. People per House Maximum Income People per House Maximum Income Earn the Right to Be Heard–take time to listen to the ideas and problems of the children 1 $47,700 5 $75,700 in your life. 2 $54,600 6 $79,100 Discipline with love–all children need guidance and discipline, not as punishment, but to set reasonable limits. 3 $61,400 7 $84,600 Be a role model–children learn by watching the adults in their lives. What do you want 4 $68,200 8 $90,000 them to learn? Be a teacher–Take time to teach about right and wrong, encourage them to do their best, Th e First Step and help them to learn the basic lessons of life. Hiring an energy rater to perform a rating in your house. Enjoy meals together–in addition to providing structure in a busy day, sharing mealtime AHFC will pay up to $325 for the pre-energy rating. gives children the chance to talk about what they are doing and what they want to do. It is Step Two a good time to listen and give advice. Apply for your As Is Energy Rating reimbursement invoice. You will also need to Read to children–Begin reading to them when they are very young, and encourage them send proof of ownership, the certifi cate from your home energy rating, and a letter or to read on their own as they get older. In a world where television oft en dominates the receipt from your energy rater. Your energy rating report will show how effi cient your lives of children, it is important to share reading time as oft en as possible. house is by star ratings. It will also list recommended improvements and how many Show aff ection–Showing aff ection everyday is the best way to let children know they are points each improvement will increase your effi ciency. wanted, loved, and accepted. Step Th ree Select which improvements you would like to perform on your home. You have the Be patient–and remember that change does not happen overnight. Help children take pride in their successes. choice of either hiring a contractor or do the work yourself; you will have 18 months to complete any improvements. Praise good behavior–it will help children to know they don’t have to misbehave to get Step Four your attention, and their actions will become more consistent. Th e energy rater will then need to return to your home to do a post energy rating, to Realize that the job is never done–Even when they are grown and ready to leave home, determine the new energy effi ciency rating of your home. AHFC will pay up to $175.00 they will look to “the man” in their life for wisdom and advice. for the post rating. Th e Final Step Submit all your receipts and apply for your rebate. Th e amount of money you will get back is based on the fi nal rating, how many stars your rating increased, and how much Head Start fairs money you spent on the improvements. You can get reimbursed up to $10,000.00 for a 5 star rating. & start-up dates Th ere are about 12 energy raters in the Fairbanks area, if you live in a rural community and would like to participate in the energy rebate program you can contact Tanana Chiefs Conference Headstart Th e Portal, (907) 455-Heat (4328) or www.cchrc.org/portal and they can help you operates programs in 9 villages schedule a rating. AHFC will cover the expenses for a rater to go to your community and throughout the region. As part of the perform energy ratings; it would be cost eff ective if there are about three to fi ve people health component of the program, interested in getting energy ratings during the same trip. For more information about children who are enrolled in Head Start, the energy rebate program you can call AHFC at 1-800-478-2432 or check out their receive heath screenings at the beginning website: www.ahfc.us. of each program year. Th is year Health For more information on the Weatherization or the Home Energy Rebate Program Fairs were held in Fort Yukon, Holy Cross, Nenana, and Allakaket during the Michael Hardy and Trevor you can contact the TCC Housing Program, 1-800-478-6822 ext. 3419. month of August. Upcoming Headstart Health Fairs Senator Stevens meets Executive Board of • Tetlin September 16-17, 2008 Directors at Tanana Chiefs Conference • Huslia September 23, 2008 • Kaltag October 7, 2008 Bring a copy of your child’s record for • physical exam • dental exam Gordon Bergman and Stuart • immunization Please contact your local Head Start educator to arrange a time to come to the Head Start with your child for the Health Fair. Head Start sessions are scheduled to begin on September 15, 2008.

Senator Ted Stevens addressed a meeting last month at the David Salmon Tribal Hall. Department directors with the Executive Board of Directors for various and collective topics. While Senator Stevens was in Fairbanks for another event, he made a point to speak with Tanana Chiefs Conference. Joseph Semaken and Latisha Page 4 • The Council • September 2008 477 Programs at Tanana Chiefs Conference

The 477 programs staff works in Client Development on the 5th Floor of the Chief Peter John Tribal Building. Staff is introduced back row fi rst, front row second.

Kathryn Greenway Jana George Inez Baca Nicole Jimmie Bonnie Carroll Energy & General Assistance Acting Work Assistance Intensive Case Manager/ Eligibility Specialist Eligibility Specialist Program Manager Trainer Macarius Mandregan Jr. and I started as a trainee with Originally from Fort Yukon, I have two children, Th omas My mom is Sherry Becker of I am the daughter of Rufus Employment & Training in my husband is Steve Ginnis. and Allyonna. I am fi nishing Fairbanks/Nulato and stepdad and Cathy Hearns, originally 2007 before beginning this job. We’re raising two grandchildren, my Offi ce Management and is Richard Erick of Fairbanks/ from California and one of fi ve I’m from Minto and have two Joseph, 6, and RayAnn. I like Technology certifi cate at the Venetie. My children are children. Married to Robert children, Lethearen, 10, and to sew, love to cook and bake. I Tanana Valley Campus at the Anthony, 7, Naqkara, 3, and Baca, we have two children, Skylin, 7. I like to bead in my have two more semesters for an University of Alaska Fairbanks. expecting a third in January. I Jevone’, 12, Katrina, 11, both two spare time. Associates degree in Culinary I like to spend time with my enjoy spending time with my years’ advanced in development Ext. 3156 Arts. family, read, and clean. family. so we have a lot of fun. [email protected] Extension 3254 Extension 3457 Extension 3390 Extension 3114 [email protected] Fax at (907) 459-3870 [email protected] [email protected] kathryn.greenway@ tananachiefs.org.

Delores Sam Bernhardt Leisha Rice Samantha Silas Tammy Dahmen Charlotte Miller Eligibility Specialist Eligibility Specialist/Intake Administrative File Administrative Assistant Childcare/General Technician Assistance Technician Originally from Northway, my I’ve been with TCC for fi ve I have three children, Robert, parents are Marie Frank and the years, half fi nished with a degree I have one son, Charles, 9, and 11, Emerald-Rose, 5, Tana-Ann, I moved here in 1997 from late Harry Sam. My oldes is son in Human Services. My Mother I’m from Eagle and Fort Yukon. 2. My parents are Pete and the Nome when my ex-husband Kenneth, 24; daughter Lonnie, is Isabelle Field from Kotzebue, I enjoy walking a lot, biking, late Charlotte (Joseph) Dahmen, relocated with the FAA. I have 12; and Abigail, 17 months. my father is Jerry Rice from watching movies, and being originally from Tanana. I enjoy a grown son in Los Angeles and I like sewing, loved playing Chicago. I have two kids, Jason, outside. taking my kids swimming, to daughter in Seattle. baseball, and spending time 9, Jayla, 5. I enjoy berry-picking Extension 3355 the park, and spending time I enjoy exercising and reading, with family. spending time with family, and [email protected] with friends and family. and feel real fortunate to work in Extension 3234 camping. Extension 3362 the Interior and getting to know delores.bernhardt@ Extension 3367 [email protected] many Athabascan people. tananachiefs.org. [email protected] Extension 3365 [email protected]

To contact any of the employees listed above , call toll-free 800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251 and dial their extension.

New Travel Coordinator New Remote Maintenance Worker Whitney Demientieff recently transferred from the 6th fl oor Receptionist Joseph Williams was recently hired as to the new position as Travel Coordinator a Remote Maintenance worker, which is a for Tanana Chiefs Conference. Her Fairbanks-based position with the Offi ce primary duties are to make travel of Environmental Health at Tanana Chiefs reservations for employees, or change Conference. Joseph will fl y out to villages them if necessary. She processes travel authorizations and works closely with Janet to assist in water and boiler maintenance, Abbe. traveling will consist of about 60% of his Whitney graduated from West Valley job time. He has an Associates of Applied High School in 2006 and is the daughter Science in Process Technology from the of Linda W. Demientieff of Allakaket, Kenai Peninsula College. Joseph is the and Claude Demientieff Jr. of Nenana. son of Patty and Nick Baldwin, both from Her maternal grandparents are William and Effi e Williams of Allakaket and her McGrath and Aniak respectively, and paternal grandparents are the late Claude who reside in Fairbanks with all their Sr. and Martha Demientieff of Nenana. grown children. Joseph joins four sisters Her older siblings are Claudia and Carl and six nephews (another arriving soon) Demientieff . in Fairbanks aft er recently moving from Whitney attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks for two years and will McGrath to accept this position. When return to school in 2009 for a degree in not spending time with his nephews, Accounting or Anthropology. Joseph enjoys carpentry projects and has Whitney loves rock climbing, camping, reacquainted himself to golf. He says “I running, hiking, and basically anything look forward to traveling to all the villages that has to do with the outdoors. If she can’t go outside, she’ll spend the day listening and meeting new people and seeing new places I haven’t been before.” You can contact to all types of music, watching TV, drawing, and reading. You can contact Whitney him toll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3265. toll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3454 or email whitney. demientieff @tananachiefs.org. September 2008 • The Council • Page 5 Health Services The benefits of buffalo Teens & Tobacco By Karlene Borja, Tobacco Treatment By Adrienne Stanley, Registered Dietician, Diabetes Program Specialist, Tobacco Cessation Program

eens experiment or start using tobacco Tfor a variety of reason, recognize your teenager’s vulnerabilities. As our kids grow older and start to become more independent, we can’t always be there to ensure that they make the right choices. When talking about tobacco use with your teen, it’s important to understand why they may choose to experiment with tobacco in the fi rst place. Other teens have reported experimenting with tobacco because of: • Peer Pressure • To relieve stress or anxiety Stevens Village buffalo, photo courtesy of Dewey Schwalenberg. • Out of rebellion • Depression-they feel hopeless or self destructive In 2004 Th e Stevens Village Tribal Action” program, which centers around Talking tobacco with your teen Council & Natural Resource Program healthy food and lifestyle choices. Talking to your child about the dangers of tobacco is an important step to keeping reintroduced 18 buff alo to a wildlife area Th e Diabetes program will be sponsoring them healthy and safe. Making sure your child have clear rules about tobacco use is near Delta Junction, Alaska. Th e herd has a buff alo and distributing the meat to the imperative. grown much since then and they now have winning village based on their application. Be Specifi c–Tell your teen about the rules you expect, you can say “Tobacco is very around 65 buff alo. It is the mission of the Our eff orts are duo-fold, fi rst, we sponsor harmful and unhealthy, you are not allowed to use it!” You can also tell them that if they ranch to raise the buff alo in a traditional a buff alo while supporting the Stevens are around someone who is using tobacco, that it is okay to leave and go somewhere else manner for Native people, even more so Village Tribe, and second, we want to use or to call you to come pick them up. in these times of economic distress. Randy this as a stepping stone to other community Be consistent–Be sure that your child understands that the rules are to be maintained Mayo, farm manager and First Chief of education and projects that teach diabetes at all times and that your rules hold true even at other people’s houses. Be sure to enforce Stevens Village, along with other team prevention and healthy lifestyle. If you the rules every time they are broken. It is very important to set a good example; if you members, is actively have never tried use tobacco, quit! Children will notice if their parents say one thing and do another. working to reestablish buff alo meat this is a Mixes messages are easily created in the minds of teenagers. buff alo in the Interior “If you have never tried buff alo good opportunity for Identify Consequences–Personalize consequences for each child in your home. What to supply current and meat this is a good opportunity your community to would they hate to give up or lose? Is it important to them to play sports, spend time future generations try buff alo together for your community to try with friends, use their cell phone, play Play Station, Xbox, listen to music etc...? Th e with traditional food and see if it would be buff alo together” realities and consequences of using tobacco must have a personal connection to people security. something you would or things they care about. For example: One of the ranch objectives is to provide consider sponsoring to promote health and healthy meat by allowing the buff alo to traditional food. Sports and tobacco use don’t mix- Let them know that tobacco will greatly impact graze on grass and have freedom to run. We have sent out an application to each their health and they will not be able to play as good, run as fast or have the energy Many other operations use grain or corn to of the tribal councils and clinics giving each enough to even play the sport they love. fatten the animals quickly, especially near an opportunity to apply for the buff alo. If you chose to use tobacco, then (friend’s name) may not be able to hang out with you harvest time. Th is method also gives the Th e application is a few questions asking because their parents will not approve of your choice to use tobacco. meat a marbling appearance that many are about community motivation, involvement Not only will you not feel good, but I will not allow you to have your cell phone, play used to in most store-bought or commercial in learning and action, and need due to your video games, music, eTaking about tobacco-related problems in the life of someone meat. Unfortunately that product is higher shortage of subsistence foods. Th is is a close to them will make the topic more realistic to them. Making poor choices about in fat and cholesterol that is harmful to reminder that the applications need to be tobacco only begins with experimental use, however the risks continue throughout life. health. in by October 15. If your community does Most likely, your child may not intend to try tobacco to get “hooked” or “addicted.” More Th e buff alo raised at the ranch is not have an application you can email or chances than not, you may have seen fi rst-hand the eff ects that tobacco has on a family hormone-free, grass-fed, and inspected phone a request for one and we will fax/ member or close family friend. Consider openly talking about the eff ects you have seen by the United States Department of mail one to you. on the lives of someone you know. Perhaps you have a family member that wishes to Agriculture. Studies show that grass-fed For more information, contact Adrienne quit and is having a diffi cult time. Or you may have a family member with lung cancer, animals have higher levels of Omega-3 fatty Stanley toll-free at 800-478-6682 or locally emphysema, has had a heart attack etc….Analyzing that family member’s quality of life acids (in relation to Omega-6) and Vitamin at (907) 451-6682 ext. 3777 or email may have a great impact on your child’s decision to experiment with tobacco. D when compared to store-bought meat. [email protected]. Th e Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center Be reasonable–Don’t’ change the rules mid-stream or add new consequences with Diabetes program is looking to support out talking to your child. Avoid unrealistic threats. If you fi nd that your child has the Stevens Village buff alo project by experimented with tobacco use, try to react calmly and carry out the consequences you incorporating it into our “Community in had previously stated. Recognize Good Behavior–Always let your child know how happy you are when they Myth respect your rules by praising them. Always recognize, comment, and draw out the A person can have a ‘touch’ of diabetes. things they do right instead of only commenting or creating discussion when rules are broken. Trust and increased self confi dence is earned by your child when a parent can Truth have positive conversations and praised regularly rather then criticize. Having a ‘touch’ of diabetes is no more possible than being a ‘touch’ pregnant. Neither is being ‘borderline’ or a ‘little sweet.’ High blood sugars are abnormal 53% of high school students in Alaska have reported ever trying tobacco. Tobacco use and harmful. If you have diabetes, you have it. The danger in this myth is that has serious consequences on the user’s health. Our youth face many pressures in their being ‘borderline’ or a ‘little sweet’ doesn’t sound serious. Nothing could be adolescent years. You can help to protect them against the dangers of tobacco use by further from the truth. educating them on the serious health consequences and by not using tobacco yourself. High blood sugars increase risk for heart disease and other problems. This is true even in the earliest stages of diabetes. If your blood sugars aren’t normal, it’s important to do something about it!

Swenson, K. & Breckenridge, B. (2004). Diabetes myths, misconceptions, and big fat lies. Conversation Starters with your teen Diabetes Management & Training Centers, Inc., Phoenix, AZ. What do you know about tobacco? The diabetes program is sponsoring the What do you think about friends using tobacco? meat from one buffalo to one village in Has anyone ever asked you to try tobacco? What did you do? the tcc region, to apply, contact adrienne Can you still play _[name a sport]_ if you were to use stanley at numbers listed above! tobacco? Page 6 • The Council • September 2008 agriculture & Horticulture

The fi rst 10 gardeners to complete this survey will receive some 2009 gardening supplies, courtesy of Agriculture/Horticulture

Check the Write in the Did you like Did it grow Did you If you would like to grow more of your food, appropriate box vegetable or it? well? plant and write in the fl ower variety: enough but don’t, what is the main reason(s)? category seeds? _don’t know how! Vegetables Yes No _gone fi shing!

_gone hunting! Basil _no way to start seeds Beans, Bush _don’t like getting dirty _don’t like vegetables Broccoli _no good soil Cabbage _no seeds Carrots _no seed potatoes Caulifl ower _no greenhouse Cucumber _no fertilizer Kale _no time Kohlrabi _other, please explain: Lettuce Peas Radish Squash Please answer for each year 2007 2008 Turnips Did you have a summer garden? yes _ no_ yes_ no_ Flowers Bachelor Button Did your garden save you money on yes_ no_ yes_ no_ Cosmos groceries? If so, how much approximately? Pansies Nasturtium Did you freeze, dry, or can any yes_ no_ yes_ no_ produce? Marigold How big was your garden (L & W)? Other Flowers

Agriculture & Horticulture happily donated over 25 lbs of potatoes from the Demonstration Garden to the Fairbanks Native Association Elder’s Program!

I would like to learn more about: Please cut out this page and return the survey to: Heidi Rader _vegetable gardening TCC Agriculture _fl ower gardening 122 1st Ave Ste 600 _composting Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 Fax: (907) 459-3954 _growing berries Email: [email protected]. _greenhouses Pictures are also greatly appreciated. You can email them or send them to me for the TCC calendar (DUE Sept. 26th–no later), newsletter or website. Please _parden pests contact us for a model release so we can use your photos. Thank you and _preserving food Happy Gardening! September 2008 • The Council • Page 7 Agriculture & Horticulture Making fresh sausage in Galena

By Heidi Rader, Agriculture & Horticulture Agent, Tanana Chiefs Conference & the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Services

Making fresh sausage is a great way to add variety to a large quantity of meat–like a moose. It’s also a good way to use up parts of an animal you’re not quite sure what to do with. Here are some tips on how to make fresh sausage. No preservatives are used in this type of sausage so you must cook fresh, refrigerate, or freeze this type of sausage. About 20 folks in Galena headed over to the local pool for a workshop the Th ursday night before their Agricultural Fair. I put on the workshop with the help of Larry Hausmann, Yukon-Koyukuk Center coordinator; Jodie Anderson, University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF); and Betsy Bowe, UAF Anthropology major. Th anks also to Rand Rosecrans for donating the moose meat for the sausage! Since it was a gorgeous day and the pool was too warm, we all headed outside to learn how to safely make fresh sausage. Folks spiced, fattened, stuff ed, ate, and took some moose meat sausage we made. Sausage size and taste varied according to preference! A good time was had by all. Here are some tips, recipes, and information so that you can try making sausage at home. Remember, making sausage is a long- standing tradition around the world and can be a way to incorporate and share your unique tastes and preferences with family and friends! Have fun!

Supplies & Tips for Making Great Sausage Upper left: Marylee Kaufmann. Upper right: everyone selects which spices to use. Lower left: Jenny

80 90 Brown demonstrates the sausage stuffer. Lower right: March Runner and Patrice Buck measure their • Meat ( /20 to /10 mixture of meat You need enough fat for meat to and fat) stick together. spices. 1 • Grinder with /8 inch grinding plate Spice it! For 1 lb. meat, mix Where can you buy formed into patties. For best fl avor, internal temperature reaches 180°F. • Sharp knives spices with ¼ cup cold water. Let sit Supplies? refrigerate overnight before cooking. Place in cold water until sausage • Cutting board for 2 minutes in water. Thoroughly Alaska Butcher Equipment/Supply Freeze leftovers within 2 days to reaches internal temperature of • Large mixing bowls (or other food mix with sausage! Use fresh Co. preserve freshness. 70°F. Immerse cooled sausage in safe containers) spices—preferably less than 2 years Toll-free 877-478-8877 Breakfast Pork Sausage boiling water for 1 minute to tighten • Measuring spoons old! If you use fresh, use 3 times The Sausage Maker Inc. Making Sausage at Home,Cooperative casing. Fish sausage is a very • Casings (for links) or freezer as much as you would dried—chop 1-888-490-8525 perishable product and should be storage bags (for bulk patties) Extension Service, 1983 it up! Use ½ tsp. salt/lb. if desired. www.sausagemaker.com 1 stored at a temperature of 35°F • Spices 2 /2 lbs pork (75% lean & 25% fat) Use kosher salt or a pickling salt–do Alaska Feed Co. 2 tsp sage or lower. It also keeps well when • Freezer not use a “No-salt”, iodized, sea 1600 College Rd. Fairbanks, AK 11/2 tsp marjoram frozen. Because this sausage is • Sausage stuffer (for links) salt or table salt as impurities may (907) 451-5570 cooked at such high temperatures, • Hand soap and water 1 tsp savory off-fl avor your sausage. Who to call with questions: 2 tsp salt the use of cures is not required. In • Paper towels Try new combinations but think Roxie Rodgers Dinstell addition, this sausage may also be • Sanitizing Solution (1 tablespoon 2 tsp ground black pepper about groups of spices that go well Tanana District Food Preservation Agent Cut pork and put through meat made in a loaf for home use and bleach to 1 gallon water) together. Italian Spices include UAF Cooperative Extension Service cooked in a loaf pan. If allowed to • Ice it! grinder using coarse blade. Flush Basil, Marjoram, Oregano, Thyme, (907)474-2426, email [email protected]. with 3 ice cubes. Add spices and mix cool overnight, it will slice very nicely. Safety fi rst! Don’t eat anything Fennel. Mexican includes Chile, Roxie is working on a Sausage This loaf may be fl avored with liquid that’s been left between 40°-140°F with a wooden spoon. Grind on a Cayenne, Cumin, Black pepper, Making DVD, Publication, and fi ner blade. This helps distribute the smoke–using 1 tsp per 5 lbs of meat. for longer than 4 hours! This is the Garlic. Breakfast includes Brown educational online program, fat, lean, and seasonings. Potato Sausage temperature danger zone where sugar, Maple fl avor, Blueberry fl avor, available soon. 3 lbs beef (ground chuck or similar microbes go crazy! Marjoram, Savory. Remember, Deer Sausage (reindeer, CES Food Safety and Preservation meat) Mix ice chips in when you grind the these are just fl avors, these are caribou, or moose) hotline: 1-888-823-3663 3 lbs fat pork meat! (This is especially important not food preservatives–fermented Adapted from Sausage from Alaskan Game, 1/2 lbs salt pork when doing a lot at a time—it’s not sausages often contain Prague Cooperative Extension Service, 1980 Easiest Fresh Sausage Grind meat, add between 6–20 lbs too crucial for 1 lb. at a time.) powder which is a preservative. 10 lbs clean, sound venison makes 5 pounds of links or patties of potatoes, depending on taste Gallon Ziploc bags work great for Fry up a little sausage before you 10 lbs pork 6 tablespoons salt 21/2 lbs ground game meat (moose, 1 tsp pepper keeping your hands and germs out fl avor all your sausage one way to 2 tbs ground pepper caribou, reindeer) 1 tsp whole allspice crushed of the sausage. see if you like it. Keep a journal of pinch ground sage 21/2 lbs ground pork 1 large onion ground Work with a small batch at a time (-5 what you liked and didn’t like. Grind meats and seasoning together 2 tbs garlic powder salt to taste lb.) and refrigerate the rest! Stuff it! Soak casings 30 minutes thoroughly. Stuff into casings or 2 tbs dried onion ¼ lb casings Grind it! Grinding is key! Grind before stuffi ng to get the salt out. make patties. Freeze. 1 tsp salt Grind meat and potatoes. Amount it twice! Grind up onions and garlic Wet the tube, push casings all the Italian or Venison Sausage (or one fresh onion, ground with of potatoes can be varied according with the meat to save time. Grind way up, then pull casing out just an Adapted from Sausage from Alaskan Game, meat) to taste. Sauté ground onion in meat fi rst, then the pork. On the inch. Don’t overstuff (they’ll split)! Cooperative Extension Service, 1980 1 tbs black pepper a small amount of fat until clear. second go-round, grind spices and You want each sausage to be 25 lbs meat If available, add: 1 tbs fennel seed, 1 1 Combine onion, potatoes, meat, and meat together. about the same length. Twist ( /2 pork and /2 beef, venison, 1 tbs red pepper, or other favorite seasoning. Stuff into casings. Cook Don’t cut meat into cubes fi rst opposite way each time. reindeer, caribou, or moose) spices to taste. fresh or freeze within 2 days. before you grind it, do long thin strips Eat it! For best taste, refrigerate 6-8 oz salt 1 heaping tsp ground Grind meat. Mix ingredients because they’ll grind better. sausage at least one night pepper thoroughly with clean hands. Keep Grind a slice of bread (wheat) after before eating. Sausage should 1 tsp mace meat cold (under 40°F) as you you’re done, or a raw potato, or be refrigerated immediately after 1 tsp nutmeg work. To test spice mix, cook a cooked rice (bread works best)–it making it. For prolonged storage, 1 tsp cloves small sample patty in a frying pan. locks up the fat and makes it easier freeze in freezer paper or freezer 1 tsp allspice Spices may be adjusted to taste. It’s to clean the grinder. bag. Boil, bake, grill, or fry it in a garlic to taste always easier to add more spices Fatten it up! Usually meat skillet! All ground meat should be Grind meat, thoroughly mix in than to take them away! However, does not have enough fat (moose cooked to internal temperature of seasonings. Stuff into casings or you can dilute a batch that is too fat is strong). The best ratio is 2:1 160°F; turkey or poultry should be make patties. Freeze. salty or spicy by adding more meat. of ground meat to ground pork or cooked to 165°F, and bear meat to Fish Sausage Stuff meat into casings or hand form fat—(sheep, moose, caribou) 185°F. 10 lbs of fi sh into patties. Store in freezer bags 1 pint ice water until ready to cook. Sausage can 1 lb vegetable shortening be cooked on the stovetop or on an 12 oz corn starch outdoor grill. Sausage should be 4 tbs salt browned and cooked thoroughly. 1 tsp sugar Serve on noodles, rice, or pasta. 1 tbs ground black pepper Delicious with tomato sauce or 1 tsp onion powder served on a sourdough roll. Great for 1 tsp garlic powder breakfast too! 1 tsp ground nutmeg Sweet and Spicy Country- Debone fi sh. Be sure fl esh is cooled style Sausage to at least 35°F before grinding. Use Backwoods Home magazine, Jan/Feb 1998 a 3/16 inch grinder plate to grind fi sh. 5 lbs coarsely ground pork Add salt and mix thoroughly, this 2 tbs dried sage allows sausage to bind well. After 10 Tim Bodony 1 tbs dried summer savory minutes, add corn starch mixed with stands by as 1 tbs ground red pepper ice water. The spices and shortening Tim Bodony displays Heidi Rader 1 tbs coarsely ground black pepper are added last, mix thoroughly.Stuff the fi nished product at prepares 1/2 cup brown sugar into a fi brous casing of your choice the 2008 Galena Sausage Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. 1 the sausage (2” or 3 /2” wide.) Cook sausage Making Workshop. This sausage can either be stuffed or in water at 200°F-205°F until the stuffer. Page 8 • The Council • September 2008 2008 Rural Agriculture Fairs

Brought to you by Heidi Rader & Kara Cox of the Agriculture & Food, games, & prizes ends growing season Horticulture program through TCC/UAF Cooperative Extension The leaves on the birch trees are yellowing and the fi reweed has blown, This year, TCC Agriculture and University of Alaska Fairbanks signaling the end of the growing season and the beginning of our brief (UAF) Cooperative Extension Service (CES) were privileged to send northern fall. To celebrate the harvest, villages and towns all across Alaska representatives to the Galena, Holy Cross and Fort Yukon Village Fairs. We are holding their annual Agricultural Fairs. Village fairs provide a chance would like to take this opportunity to share with you a little bit about each, for communities to gather to recognize the creativity and skill of local and to thank the people who worked so hard to make it all possible. artists, cooks, bakers and gardeners. And, of course, there are always plenty of games, prizes and fun! Fort Yukon

Photos by Helen Idzorek

dioramas depicting scenes from stories even bigger and better! they wrote about their summer adventures. Th e people of Fort Yukon would like to Kids also entered beadwork, bracelets, thank the following sponsors who helped drawings, potted fl owers and even their make the Fair possible: KZPA Radio; GZ adorable puppies! Helen helped many kids Fuel; Kelly’s Deli; Alaska Commercial Th eir Agricultural Fair, held on August Th e Vegetables Division was one of the make bean sprout jars to take home, and Company Value Center; Frontier Flying 22-23, was a great success. Th ere were 197 largest despite this year’s cool summer, spoke about healthy eating. Service; Warbelow’s Air Ventures; Wright entries, each was judged against others of which is a testament to the determination UAF CES and TCC Agriculture donated Air Service; Guardian Flight; Yukon the same class or division, with fi rst place and talent of Fort Yukon gardeners. Th is some door prizes, and free CES publications Accounting and Consulting; Th e City ribbons awarded to the best-tasting jam, season’s poor weather meant that all the were distributed, along with pens, posters, of Fort Yukon; Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in most perfect lettuce, or most beautiful tomato entries were unripe, but they were bags, refrigerator magnets and jar grips. Tribal Government of Fort Yukon; Council beaded jewelry. Every 1st-3rd place ribbon well formed, blemish-free, and some For anyone who missed the fair but would of Athabascan Tribal Governments Natural entitled the winner to claim a prize, like people were even able to enter home- like to learn about making fruit leather and Resources Department; and Tanana Chiefs a new sleeping bag, frying pan, gardening grown peppers! Th e potato class had more jerky, canning salmon, or other interesting Conference Agriculture Department. book, or backpack. individual entries than any other vegetable, topics, there are extra publications available Also, sincere thanks to Shirley Fields, Ron Th ere were lots of door prizes, including and the cabbages were especially fi rm and at KZPA Radio. You can also contact Kara Englishoe, and all the other volunteers who certifi cates to Alaska Commercial Co., well-grown. Cox at TCC Agriculture. gave their time and energy to make the Fair Kelly’s Deli, and GZ Fuel, free sewage Th e preserved and baked foods divisions Shirley Fields took on the complicated great! service, coupons for travel or freight on showed considerable skill. “I felt lucky task of organizing this year’s fair. She several airlines, and many others. Monica to have the opportunity to taste-test the coordinated volunteers, managed the Th omas won the a round-trip ticket to excellent canned and baked entries,” advertising, helped judge the Cleanest Fairbanks donated by Guardian Flight. Idzorek said. Jams and jellies, canned Yard and Biggest Garden categories, sold Ron Englishoe was assisted in the diffi cult salmon, and yeast breads and rolls were the raffl e tickets, and traveled to Fairbanks to task of judging by Kara Cox, Agriculture largest classes. Th ough point-based judging purchase the prizes. Next year, she hopes and Horticultural Assistant for TCC and sheets were not used this year, several to have more input from the community to UAF CES, and Helen Idzorek, Nutrition features of each entry were considered. “I help with the planning and set-up stages. Educator for UAF. “I really enjoyed being judge the canned salmon on color, texture With a few more volunteers, it’s possible able to visit Fort Yukon, and I was impressed and fl avor,” explained Englishoe. to have races, games and other activities by the community participation in the fair,” Many members of the Fort Yukon School in the future. Contact Shirley if you would said Helen. 5th and 6th grade classes entered colorful like to volunteer to help make 2009’s fair

was Junior Grand Champion for her the fair with a potluck, where raffl e and beautiful beaded bag necklace. door prizes were distributed. First Chief Holy Cross Mara Bacsujlaky, Sustainable Eugene Paul gave out the awards, as well Th e 2008 Holy Cross Agricultural Fair Communities Agent, and Garrison as certifi cates of gratitude to the volunteers was held August 22-24, 2008. Holy Cross Collette, Energy Extension Agent, and donors. Margaret and Dolly Aloysius has a long history of well-organized fairs, attended to represent UAF Cooperative and Mara Bacsujlaky helped clean and but this tradition has lapsed in recent Extension Service and to provide free prepare the hall for the potluck. “Th ere times, so this was the fi rst fair to be held in publications. UAF CES also donated door was a very good turnout from the village several years. prizes. Th e raffl e was one of the most and a lot of participation and support,” Th e Divisions open to adults were Fresh popular events, prizes included a rifl e said Bacsujlaky, “it was a lot of fun, and Berries, Baked Goods, Jams & Jellies, and a pressure cooker donated by local people had a good time.” Needle Craft , Knitting & Crocheting, organizations. A portion of the funding for the fair Native Arts, Jarred Fish & Fish Strips. Th e Th ere were many fun activities at the was raised by students from the Holy Fresh Vegetables Division was dropped for fair, including a Jell-O eating contest, Cross High School, who sponsored a cake lack of entries, due to this year’s diffi cult three-legged race, bike race and running and soda pop walk. Cakes and soda were Chi-Chi the chihuahua wins the dog growing season. Winners received 1st-3rd race, each of which had categories for donated by community members. Th e competition, with owner Matthew diff erent ages. Th ere was also a Best City of Holy Cross provided the use of place certifi cates. Carolyn Burkett won Burkett. Fair Grand Champion for her miniature Decorated Vehicle contest, an Ahgutok the Community Hall for the event, and beaded moose hide canoe, which included (spelling) contest, and Chili judging. Th e Rebecca Turner and Rebecca Elswick were a paddle, a fi sh string with two fi sh, and a canoe race and the turkey shoot held the principle organizers, whose dedication year’s fair possible, including: Margaret St. stand on which it rested. at the dump were for adults only. One and hard work were instrumental in the John; Evan Newman; Darlene Aloysius; Other 1st place winners included Rita of the most popular events was the dog smooth running of the fair. “Hopefully John Alyosius Jr.; Laverne Turner; Ryan Paul for Baked Goods, Marie Alexi in contest, which was won by Chi-Chi the next year we’ll be more organized,” Demientieff Jr.; Danny Turner; and, Jams & Jellies, and Rose Sims in Fresh Chihuahua and owner Matthew Burkett. said Elswick, echoing the sentiments of Victor Laderra. Also, thanks to Rebecca Berries. LaVerne Turner won 1st place in Local community members and UAF organizers from several villages. Th e more Turner and Rebecca Elswick for their hard Knitting & Crocheting and in needle craft , representatives were judges, and all planning that goes into a fair, the better work planning and managing the fair, to st rd and placed in other divisions. Th e Junior winners of 1 -3 places received cash the result! Mara Bacsujlaky and Garrison Collette division was open to entries of almost any prizes! Th e people of Holy Cross would like to for assisting, and to all the sponsors who kind, and September Campbell-Burkett Th e community celebrated the end of thank all the volunteers who made this donated prizes!

Rebecca Turner organizes Holy Cross youth for the bike race at the 2008 Fair. Competitors prepare for the Jello Eating Contest at the Holy Cross Fair. September 2008 • The Council • Page 9 2008 rural agriculture fairs

Racers start off strong at the 2008 Galena Agriculture Fair last month. The canoe race included many entrants and led to stiff competition.

CES, Jodie Anderson, Alaska Community 80 points were awarded 3rd place. of fi sh and preserves! Freda Beasley won Galena Horticulture Program Director with Sandy Scotton won in the Vegetables in the Food Preservation Division for her UAF, and Elizabeth “Betsy” Bowe, Division for her broccoli and tomatoes, as fi reweed honey, as did Genny Brown for Th e 2008 Galena Agricultural Fair Potato Historian and student at UA did young Noah Stout for his beans, Larry her jarred fi sh. Judges for this category was a huge success! Th is is the second Southeast, helped and participated in Hausmann for his peppers, and Joyce were Tim Bodony, Scott Betterton and consecutive year the village held a fair, fair events. Th ey also off ered a Sausage Hausmann for her English cucumber. Noel Frisbie. although it used to be annual. Larry Making Workshop, which many people Anyone who entered vegetables received Some of the quilts were especially Hausmann led the dedicated committee attended. Th ere were free publications at vegetable and fl ower seeds for next year, beautiful; they were judged in peoples’ that met for several months to organize the Cooperative Extension booth, where and gardeners entered a drawing for choice style, which was organized by the fair. Th eir careful planning, along with Heidi answered questions and passed frost cloth, which protects your plants Gloria Buchanan. LaRee Ueeck’s quilt won the help of many volunteers, made the fair out free information on gardening, food when temperatures dip a few degrees the prize donated by Northern Th reads, run quite smoothly–with over 200 entries! preservation, energy, and housing. below freezing. Carrie Given and Heidi which consisted of quarter packets and a rd August 23 was a beautiful sunny day With over 15 judges, the judging Rader were among the judges for regular quilting book. in Galena. A three-mile walk/run was the was objective and relatively quick. Th e vegetables, and Tim Bodony judged the Th e Arts & Craft s Division also had fi rst event and about 50 early birds began Divisions were Vegetables, Quilts, Food giants. One fun activity involved guessing lots of fi nely-done, interesting entries. at 10 am. Judging of fair entries occurred Preservation, and Arts & Craft s. Entries at the weight of Larry Hausmann’s giant Prizes went to Alyson Esmailka for her the evening before, so when the doors were judged non-competitively, using cabbage, which fi nally weighed in at 31 birch basket, and to Freda Beasley for two opened at noon, people entered excitedly point-based score cards. Any entry scoring pounds! pieces of beadwork and her very creative to see what ribbon they won. between 90-100 points was awarded 1st Judges thought the jams, jellies, and traditional harvest montage. Dave Pavish, Heidi Rader, Agricultural and place; entries between 80-90 points were canned and smoked fi sh were excellent, Diane Larson and Kate Th urmond helped Horticultural Agent for TCC and UAF awarded 2nd place, and entries between 70- and they appreciated with their dinner to judge this division.

The people of Galena would like to thank the following individuals This years’ Village Agricultural Fairs were fun, exciting and unique. When and organizations for their valued contributions to the 2008 the tables were emptied and the clean-up completed, hundreds of people Agricultural Fair: went home with awards and prizes, and more importantly, with a sense of All the members of the Galena Fair Committee, Larry Hausmann, John & personal and collective accomplishment. Each village recognized this special Tonya Korta, Debbie Koontz, Paul & Isabella Apfelbeck, Cindy Stout, Gloria chance to do something great together, rose to the challenge in their own Buchanan, Tim & Karin Bodony, Kim & LaRee Ueeck, Carrie Given, Kim way, and was rewarded with memories that will never fade. Now, the only Wolf, Sandy Scotton, Betsy Bowe, and Becky Hall. task left is to start planning for next year! Thanks to Sponsors If your village would like to fi nd out how you can hold your own fair, contact The City of Galena • Louden Tribal Council • University of Alaska TCC Agriculture toll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3447 Cooperative Extension Service • Tanana Chiefs Conference, & everyone for a free fair handbook. You can also email [email protected] or who donated prizes! [email protected].

Galena’s Fair Schedule August 21, 2008 6 pm Sausage making workshop August 22, 2008 4-6 pm Registration & Entering of Exhibits 6-10 pm Judging August 23, 2008 10 am 3-mile walk 10:30 am 3-mile run 12 pm The Fair opens! 1:30 pm Canoe Races 2 pm Kids games! Dallin Floyyd wins the Grand Door 3 pm Door prizes prize, a veggie basket. All photos by 6 pm Welcome Back Potlatch Betsy Bowe.

Karin Bodony scoffs at the largest vegetable competition and wins (hands down) “Smallest Vegetable” Contest!

Larry Hausmann shows his prize- winning giant cabbage, coming in this year at 31 pounds. Jodie Anderson, Sandy Scotton, and Carrie Given having way too much fun! Page 10 • The Council • September 2008 Agriculture & Horticulture John Bunten shares his knowledge about the benefi ts of worm composting in Interior Alaska

By Ginger Placeres, Editor said John. He did some research at the a bin becomes, the more bugs like it Cooperative Extension, library, and several and the bin can begin to smell.” So Th e interest in self-suffi ciency has grown internet sites. It was so easy that even with he simply modifi es the individual signifi cantly and the need to be is more allergies, his family had no problems with bin when necessary. Fruit fl ies are critical than ever. John Bunten embraces the a bin under the kitchen sink. Soon he also attracted to bins so he suggests importance of agriculture and has taken it a expanded his hobby to the garage where he not adding too much citrus and step further at his Fairbanks, Alaska home. separated his population into 5-10 bins and also burying it. If a bin becomes too I was fi rst introduced to John by Heidi began a low-cost, high impact, year-round acidic, lime can be added. Rader of TCC/Cooperative Extension composting project that has succeeded into John’s goals are meaningful and Service Agriculture his venture today. purposeful–he’s “turning products program, where “John is able to By spring 2008 John had at least fi ve lbs that are wastes back into the cycle John has exemplifi ed reuse his table of worms plus 5-10 lbs of compost, which of nutrients–waste into resource. he began to use as fertilizer in his backyard It reinforces the decentralization the importance scraps, left over and ease of worm garden. He also shared worms with friends of supply, independence, and self composting. What’s greens from the and expanded. reliance by the community by more, this method garden, and has Recycling an old freezer shell, turning waste [back John decided to test methods for “He’s ‘turning into] into resource.” His of improving garden even enlisted soil and harvest truly effi cient composting. His freezer products that personal goals are to speak to those who the coff ee shop held several layers of food, worms, “reconnect with my family and compost, where he hoped the are wastes back heritage, provide for my live in rural Alaska, at work toward Worm compost expert John Bunten in August. where the cost of worm food.” worms would migrate upwards into the cycle of family, and increase our shipping fertilizer or and he could slip the compost tray nutrients–waste own food output. I want compost would be staggering. out from the bottom. “I wanted to to reduce my reliance John’s methods include the Red Wiggler, control the temperature and see into resource.’” on ‘big oil’ and reduce a common composting worm that he if I could separate worms from our overall costs.” His has tested for the past two years. Heidi compost through the diff erent layers” he home exemplifi es this through Rader featured a similar process of worm explains, while pointing to the shelving. his fantastic garden of lettuce, composting in the May issue of Th e Council While it wasn’t perfect and didn’t always corn, celery, broccoli, potatoes, and it has been a rewarding experience for work according to plan, overall John’s and his perennial garden boasts her gardening students. recycled refrigerator composter is a keeper. some amazing delphiniums. Rader is really thrilled that a local It’s obvious that this could work well in John’s biggest enjoyment with Fairbanksan is embracing worms and is any rural community where there may be worm composting is that it’s able to grow and off er them for sale to her refrigerators to reuse. done easily, aff ordably, and it just rural gardeners. “Most Lower 48 worms John also explored diff erent bin options- follows good common sense. die enroute, only half have made it so far he uses all sorts of bins, and believes in “It’s all-winter gardening, easy to and they’re expensive to buy and ship” she recycling anyway so the both work hand accommodate apartment living said of her experience. In fact, some of her in hand. He uses the tried and true blue or in a small environment.” A wooden worm bin with handles, built by John. totes but also encourages the Further, it’s means to reuse use of smaller ones for easy food waste in a fun, challenging way lift ing, “these can easily become that doesn’t require too much eff ort. pretty heavy to lift so I sampled He’s simply added to its enjoyment by diff erent sizes” he said while trying diff erent methods and modifying showing buckets, baskets, trays, measures to suit his needs and the and the like. He’s even used worms’ needs. By this, the amateur can dishwashers and milk crates. keep a simple bin in the kitchen and John also has wooden bins fertilize houseplants or teach children for sale, but his most exciting the importance of recycling. However, a method is to keep some worms master gardener can optimize output by directly in the garden heap! He supplementing soil to any degree he or grows large potato plants inside she desires. wooden pallets that have been You can visit John next summer at This happy couple will produce egg casings that can tied together upright. Th ere the Farmer’s Market or purchase worms overwinter in an outdoor environment for worms. his potatoes prosper directly from him by calling (907) 474-0828 or in his compost and amidst the emailing [email protected]. worms froze in April when they were sent busy worms, “they leave the potato plants Th e TCC Agriculture and Horticulture to Nikolai. alone and survive this way all summer.” program will always know how to contact As for gardening, John began in the John’s potato crop did excellent, despite the him as well and will keep you informed 70’s, and since he relocated to Fairbanks weather. Obviously the worms won’t survive of future resources. in 2002, he’s been able to achieve fi ve large overwintering but the eggs will, and next sections of homemade compost in his summer he can resume another planting. backyard. “Low-work composting takes a His potato plants were fl ourishing and Several types of plastic and wooden few years” said John, “but the eff orts are some of the largest I’ve seen this summer. materials can serve as worm bins, in rewarding.” John is able to reuse his table Not all of his plans have worked out, addition to mechanisms for sorting scraps, left over greens from the garden, and as John explains “I had a ‘hot’ compost worms and compost. Worms can be has even enlisted the coff ee shop at work bin where the temperature reached 110 relocated in new bedding and food while toward worm food. “I collected 100 lbs of degrees, and the worms tried to escape.” compost can fertilize gardens. coff ee grounds from work” John explains He caught it in time and cooled the box and his initial ½ lb of worms soon became and fl uff ed the bedding enough to provide a few lbs. Most offi ces have the coff ee pot the comfort worms desire. Th ey’re so easy going through the day, the potential worm to maintain that one can alter the food, food likely ends up in the trash. bedding, or temperature quickly to adjust In July 2007 “A friend had worms so for ideal conditions. He even contends that “...this could we swapped resources, I started with a although worms don’t like water, they aren’t work well ½ lb and it grew into a satisfying hobby” harmed in a sopping wet bin, “the wetter in any rural community where there may be refrigerators to reuse.”

John shows his recycled upright The fi rst pile shows worms and their compost; the next photo shows the same pile but it’s refrigerator which is primarily worms. John separated the compost by using natural sunlight as means to cause now home to a sample them to burrow. The burrowed pile was thinned from sweeping the outer edges of the pile to compost system using gather the valuable compost. All photos by Ginger Placeres, Editor. the Red Wiggler worm. September 2008 • The Council • Page 11 2008 Hunik zoo poster winners

Congratulations to the 2008 Alcohol and Drug Awareness Poster Contest Winners! Fairbanks Area Winners Kindergarten–2nd Grade 1st Place: Jaidyn, Fairbanks 2nd Place: Lars O’Hara, Joy 3rd Place: Evan Th omas, North Pole Honorable Mention Sarah Elgin, North Pole Raven Doak, North Pole Audrey Irwin, North Pole Madi Huntington, North Pole 3rd–4th Grade 1st Place: Dustin Staley, Salcha 2nd Place: Elijah Edwards, Nordale 3rd Place: Adrianna Morgan, Denali 5th–6th Grade 1st Place: Hannah Hampton, Badger Hannah Hampton, North Pole Katherine Chase, McGrath 2nd Place: Anna Jensen, Badger 3rd Place: Deonna Scott, Denali Honorable Mention Shellby Rood, Badger Shawn Sawin, Joy Rayne Blair, Joy Maria Villa, North Pole Quin McDonald, Arctic Light Ciarra Natte Chesnik, Badger Rural Area Winners Kindergarten–3rd Grade 1st Place: Jocelyn Patsy, Nulato 2nd Place: Katherine Chase, McGrath 3rd Place: Chasity Alexie, Nulato Honorable Mention Kianna Ulery, Nenana Kaden Gibbens, McGrath Jordan Knutsen, Nenana Jaidyn, Fairbanks Breanna Nelson, Nenana Jocelyn Patsy, Nulato Rosie Johnson, McGrath Jeremiah Hooper, McGrath 4th–8th Grade 1st Place: Flora Huntington, Huslia 2nd Place: Bryce Fredrick, Anchorage 3rd Place: Deanna Moses, Huslia Honorable Mention Caroline Brown, Anchorage Stephanie Vaughn, Allakaket Matthew Kriska, Nulato Krystiana Mark, Huslia Innoko Chapman, Nenana Molly Bears, North Pole 9th–12th Grade 1st Place: Mark Vanfl eteren, Crooked Creek 2nd Place: Beth Alexander, Minto 3rd Place: Eva Felker, Crooked Creek Mark Vanfleteren, Crooked Creek Beth Alexander, Minto

Flora Huntington, Huslia

Bryce Frederick, Anchorage Dustin Staley, Salcha

Anna Jensen, North Pole

Th ank you to everyone who sent in a poster. Plus a big thanks to the Teachers and Parents who mailed in the posters. Th ank you again and keep up the great work. If you have any questions please contact Melanie Brenner, Editor, Hunik Zoo’, 800-478-3822 ext. 3166 or email at [email protected]. Elijah Edwards, Fairbanks Lars O’Hara, Fairbanks Page 12 • The Council • September 2008 Dancing with the spirit: Rural Bluegrass camps

Dancing with the Spirit Brings Music to Youth By Belle Mickelson, Coordinator, Dancing with the Spirit

The 2008 Tanana youth participants and instructors of the Gospel Bluegrass Music Beaver youth and instructors at the Episcopal Church bankside on the Yukon Camp. Photo by Thomas Dunklin (www.thomasbdunklin.com). River. Music can be a source of success and and the closeness of a family. Students can beginning. At this year’s Tanana camp, love–a wonderful way of looking at the hope for villages struggling with alcoholism, spend hours and hours playing guitars and Raymond Hyslop was one of the teachers— world to youth, their families, and their drugs, and suicide. Th e Reverend Trimble fi ddles, singing and dancing. Former Tanana and just two years ago, he was a camper!” communities.” Gilbert from Arctic Village says, “In Schools Superintendent Dorothy Jordan Check out Dancing with the Spirit’s As a science teacher and curriculum the old days, we fought tribal wars with says, “My students love this music!” She led web site at www.dancingwiththespirit.org writer, Belle began noticing the impact that arrowheads. It’s a diff erent type of war an expedition in July for fi ve students who Let us know if you have ideas on how this music has on youth. She was a founder of now–against drugs and alcohol. I believe traveled to Bearfoot’s Bluegrass Camp for program can begin or continue in your the Cordova 4H Bluegrass and Old-time we can win with music.” Kids hosted by the Fairbanks Folk Festival. community. We need funding sources for Music and Dance Camp 14 years ago. Aft er Dancing with the Spirit is a program to Th e Tanana Chiefs Conference 4H program instruments and for school programs and 5 years, she realized that every town should prevent suicide by connecting youth and and the Young Native Fiddlers provided ten summer camps. For more information, have a camp–but better that saying so–listen elders through music. Athabaskan fi ddling more scholarships. Young Native Fiddlers contact the Rev. Belle Mickelson 907- to the kids! She pulled together counselors and dances are being promoted with the meet at Barnette School on Saturdays for 424-5143 [email protected] or from the camp to form Bearfoot Bluegrass. help of elders like the Rev. Trimble Gilbert, guitar and fi ddle lessons during the school Pete Peter at (907) 456-8215 or petej007@ Nine years later, they’re still together at Walter Newman, Lester Erhart, Gideon year. Contact Marianne Allan at (907) 479- yahoo.com. www.bearfootband.com–and have traveled James, Bill Demoski, the Rev. Helen Peters, 7945 to enroll students. Mah si’ choo and baa’see to the Episcopal the U.S., Canada, and Ireland—and done the Rev. Anna Frank, and Paul and Mary In a year and a half, through funding Diocese of Alaska, the National Episcopal 75 bluegrass camps for kids! Belle’s dream Starr. Th e program has begun in four that has come to the Episcopal Church’s Church Indigenous Minsistries, the is that there will be many young people villages: Tanana, Arctic Village, Beaver, Alaska Diocese–plus schools and tribal Lutheran Deaconess Society, Doyon, coming up to pass the music on… and Stevens Village. Project staff work organizations and Doyon’s Daaga’s grants– Inc.,Tanana Chiefs, RuralCap, Tanana City Assistant Director Pete Peters is from to help communities get fi ddles, guitars, Dancing with the Spirit has taught eight Schools, Yukon Flats School District, the Venetie, Alaska. He hopes to bring mandolins, basses, and banjos. Th en they weeks of school programs and organized schools in Arctic Village, Tanana, Beaver, traditional knowledge, role models and organize camps and school programs to fi ve summer camps. Th ey’ve also traveled to and Stevens Village, the Elihu Foundation, spiritual belief through music and skin train students and local musicians so that the Northwest Territories, Navajoland, New City of Tanana, Tanana Tribal Council, drums to children in our communities, these villages can pass the program on to York, Texas, and Hawaii doing workshops Arctic Village Council, Beaver Village villages and states. other villages. and camps. Former Alaskan Bishop Mark Council, Tozitna Limited, Wright’s Air, “I feel that teaching music, building self Th is summer’s Tanana Gospel Bluegrass MacDonald and the Rev. Ginny Doctor Warbelows, Northern Land Use Research, esteem and spiritual healing is the correct Music Camp for 40 kids ages 6-17 was held have been instrumental in encouraging Pete and Peg Bowers, Dean and Susan key to our long range suicide prevention at the Episcopal Church’s mission house the Rev. Belle Mickelson and Pete Peter in Robinson, the Rev. Ginny Doctor, Bishop obligations throughout Alaska and the along the Yukon River. Campers gathered getting Dancing with the Spirit going. Mark MacDonald, the Rev. Trimble Gilbert, world.” for a sing along around the campfi re. Pete was greeted like a long lost cousin the Rev. Anna Frank, Paul and Mary Starr, Pete recently retired from 23 years of Th e Rev. Trimble Gilbert led a prayer in as he traveled teaching guitar and skin Lester Erhart, Walter Newman, Chief James active duty with the National Guard. He Gwich’in before the young people headed drumming in Athabaskan country as Ross, Th omas Dunklin, the Rev. Duncan served 15 years on the Venetie Tribal to their classes. Campers took as many as far away as Arizona, Utah, and Canada. Burns, St. James Episcopal Mission, St. Council and was the founder of “Venetie three classes and were in a band with kids Th e fi rst day in Navajo Land was funny Matthews Episcopal Church Fairbanks, Spiritual Camps” that take youth in trouble their own age. Chords and songs sheets because when Pete said thank you in Interior Regional Housing Authority, out in the woods on the weekends to cut were marked with colored dots for ease in Gwich’in, “Mah Si’ Choo”–it meant “a cat Bearfoot, Grassroots Guitar, Music Mart, wood for elders and help the community. learning. Th ese young bands performed and a granddaughter!” Everybody laughed and Peter’s Violin Shop. He has his own CD “Indian Pete and the at the end of the week at the close of the because it is pronounced exactly the same! Staff Biographies Band of Brothers” and a music video Tozitna shareholders meeting. Aft erwards, Chief James Ross invited Dancing with Camp Director the Reverend Belle “Native American Soldier.” Pete plays there was a community fi ddle dance. Th e the Spirit to come to the Midway Festival Mickelson is an Episcopal priest from guitar, bass, and drums and is a member of St. James Episcopal Church congregation near Fort McPherson. Tribal funding paid Cordova, Alaska. She hopes to spend the the “house band” at the Athabascan Fiddle donated six $25 gas certifi cates to help draw for the three musicians to teach guitar, rest of her life spreading music camps and Festival. You can fi nd his music at http:// out the crowd. Th at was an idea that came fi ddle, banjo, and mandolin to the young school programs all over the world. “Th e cdbaby.com/cd/petejpeter. from Beaver. Th eir chief Selina Petruska people attending this “good time out on gift of music can bring a lifetime of joy and realized that door prizes, raffl es, and jig the land without drugs and alcohol.” Pete contests at dances helped get everyone enjoyed translating their Athabaskan involved in dancing–which is great for road signs. He was impressed that the Arctic Village community building–and for sobriety. Canadian people still have all their old time Th e Rev. Ginny Doctor arranged for camp traditional fi ddling and dancing intact! t-shirts for kids in all the villages. Pete also met many tribal offi cials and VIPs Th e Arctic Village Gospel Bluegrass from Dawson, Whitehorse, Inuvik, Old Music Camp for 25 kids was held at Crow and Ft. McPherson who thought this the Tribal Hall. Th ere were numerous program is what children need throughout community potlatches and dances to Canada. welcome the musicians–including Todd Dancing with the Spirit is modeled on McLeod from the Native community a 4H Bluegrass and Old-time Music and in Maine. His church, St. Savior’s in Bar Dance Camp held in Cordova for the past Harbor, had sent him to Alaska to learn 14 summers. Nine years ago, Cordova about the music camps with the hope that music camp counselors formed a bluegrass he would take the camp idea back to the band called Bearfoot www.bearfootband. East Coast. com. Th is Alaskan band is still together– Darrin Gilbert was the high school professional with 3 CD’s and an agent–and student that spent the most time at has gone on to do concerts and 75 Bluegrass camp–learning fi ddle tunes to back up his Music Camps for Kids in the U.S., Canada, grandfather–along with rock n’ roll songs and Ireland. Mike Mickelson, Bearfoot’s Darren Gilbert and Clifford David that he played with Todd, Pete Peter, and guitar player, has also been traveling and from Arctic Village practice their his uncles. Th e Arctic Village Council teaching for Dancing with the Spirit. skills. Right: Traditional Chief donated $80, coff ee and snacks and the Dancing with the Spirit’s goal is to have and Reverend Trimble Gilbert National Episcopal Church’s Indigenous music camps, young bands, and school emphasizes the values of traditional Ministries donated six $25 fuel certifi cates programs in every Alaskan community. skills and tool-making. for the dances. Th e Rev. Belle Mickelson who directs the Pete Peter led Beaver’s music camp as program says, “I hope young bands from part of their summer school with the help Tanana, Arctic Village, Beaver and Stevens of fi ddler Bill Demoski and bass player Village will soon be teaching the younger Dan Bates. Principal Charleen Fisher kids in their communities–plus going to commented about how great the program Ruby, Allakaket, Hughes, and Venetie. And was for their kids–and hoped that many then those kids will pass it on and on! Soon more communities would get involved. the music will be everywhere! Great ideas Music builds confi dence, self-esteem, can spread like wildfi re! And it’s already September 2008 • The Council • Page 13 Ten Hunee Daal’oye — trailmarkers

An Upward Bound Summer By Amelia M. Ruerup, Program Manager

Alaska Native culture was explored, combined with conversational Gwich’in celebrated and embraced by thirty lessons, serving as a language component. Fairbanks youth over this past summer. Leadership, culture and wellness were the Ten Hunee Daal’oye, Trail Markers, an overarching themes of the Gaalee’ya Spirit Upward Bound program through Interior- Camp. Students and staff look forward to Aleutians Campus held a six-week summer spending more time at Howard Luke’s over session for high school aged participants. the winter and next summer. Elders, certifi ed teachers and support staff Interior-Aleutians Campus professors, worked with students to provide them staff and local elders held a Career Academy with cultural, academic, social and college at the Harper Building where participants motivational experiences. Many individuals were able to explore college and career came together to make this amazing paths through hands-on activities and opportunity a reality for these aspiring classroom experiences. Aft er a week of youth, empowering them to pursue their working through real-life scenarios and goals and further establish their identities. trying out college classroom life, we headed Our summer began with spending on for more college exploration. A day was three amazing weeks at Howard Luke’s, spent on the UAF campus in preparation Gaalee’ya Spirit Camp, where students for travel to University of Alaska Anchorage and staff camped all week long immersed for a college comparison. Students and staff in Athabascan tradition. Weekends were stayed in the dorms at UAA, toured the spent at home with all eagerly returning campus, Merrell Field’s Aviation facility to experience the peace, tranquility and and learned the admissions process. While uplift ing embrace of Howard’s camp. in Anchorage we took advantage of the Students listened to the wisdom shared cultural activities available and visited a by elders through stories and recounted Yupik display at the museum and spent an lessons learned over time. We did beading, aft ernoon at the Alaska Native Heritage skin sewing, learned to tie fi sh nets, made Center. We also visited many Anchorage Nelowa and Frank jig to Trimble Gilbert’s fi ddle music, they’re almost airborne! bows and arrows and many other activities. hot spots during our down time. Evenings were spent dancing to fi ddle music Our fi nal week of the Upward Bound Each summer we will also have a six-week and traditional Athabascan songs as well as summer session was spent with mornings Ten Hunee Daal’oye is a program that summer session. We are currently accepting playing games, volleyball tournaments and learning and practicing Native Youth assists high school students in successfully applications for 9th or 10th grade students S’mores around the campfi re. Olympics. Students learned Indian completing school and entering into who meet eligibility criteria and attend Cultural lessons were complimented with and Eskimo games from a local WEIO college or other higher learning. During Lathrop High School or Effi e Kokrine academics as Howard Luke tells students, champion. During the aft ernoon, the academic year we off er aft er-school Charter School. For an application or more “It is important to know both sides. You participants worked on developing skills study hall with tutors available, fi eld information, please contact Amelia Ruerup, need to know the old ways and do good on and off the court with a Challenge Life trips, cultural events, college experiences, Program Manager at (907) 456-7794 ext. in school, too.” Certifi ed teachers worked Youth Foundation basketball camp run academic and social enrichment and many 356 or email [email protected]. with the students, incorporating science, by Mike Hajdukovich and Al Sokaitis. To other off erings. Students also receive a small math and language arts into daily activities wrap up the 6 weeks and share what we stipend each month based on participation. to maintain and enhance academic skills did over the summer, parents and families needed for high school success and college were invited to Gaalee’ya Spirit Camp to pursuits. Culture and academics were participate in a potlatch style gathering.

Charles practices shooting the bow and arrow he made. Nelowa and Jasmin work on beading sun catchers.

Elder Margaret Tritt teaches Michelle how to tie a fi sh net.

Beautiful people doing a beautiful thing: Indian dancing! Page 14 • The Council • September 2008 News for our people

2008 video competition

What will be accepted? Narratives and documentaries, on either Modern Alaska Native Culture or Tradi- tional Alaska Native Culture. Please keep in mind the theme for the competition: Seeking candidates for Board Elders through the eyes of Youth. Categories (4): Documentary (non-fi ction), Documentary, Narrative (Fiction), and Narrative. Doyon Foundation is seeking Fairbanks, as well as any special Length: We are accepting fi lms 30 minutes or less. Shorter and much shorter is fi ne candidates for its board of directors. meetings called; too! We will accept any length under 30 minutes. A 2 minute fi lm may be as good as One seat, open to any Doyon, Limited • Serve on two board committees a 30 minute fi lm! shareholder, will be up for election this and possibly chair one committee Deadline: Submission deadline: all fi lms must be received by September 29, 2008. October. Th e term is for three years, (Finance/Investment, Development, Send submissions to: Alaska Native Media, Inc., 3806 North Point Circle, expiring in 2011. Th e election will take or Governance); Anchorage, AK 99502 place at Doyon Foundation’s annual • Participate in at least one board Important guidelines to follow membership meeting on October 18, training event; Format: DVD-R or DVD+R 2008 in the third fl oor board room at • Demonstrate willingness to take on NOTE: We will not be able to return your fi lm to you so do not send your only Doyon, 1 Doyon Place in Fairbanks, other duties and assignments, as copy! the time to be determined. needed; and, If you are under 18 years old, you must have your parents sign the permission for Qualifi cations Candidates seeking election to the •Represent and if asked, speak on participation at the bottom of the entry form. All participants must mail entry form Doyon Foundation board must be: behalf of Doyon Foundation at with their fi lm. • A Doyon shareholder; various events. Prizes include: Overall winner: All expense paid trip to New York City to showcase • 18 years of age or older; Time Commitment your fi lm at the Alaska House New York (with chaperone, if winner is minor) one • Knowledgeable about private To successfully complete the duties laptop and High Defi nition camera. Category winners will each receive High Defi ni- foundation management and detailed above, it is estimated that board tion Cameras to continue their fi lm making adventures! higher education; members will spend 50–200 hours per If you have questions or concerns, please email Alaska Native Media, Inc. Coordina- • Familiar with the Foundation’s year on board meetings and committee tor: Lisa Ellanna, at: [email protected]. work, which includes work outside of strategic plan, long-term vision meetings. and goals, and updated mission Application Instructions/Deadline alaska native and purpose which are detailed Candidates interested in serving on below; and, the Doyon Foundation board of directors • Committed to spending up to should submit a resume and letter of media company 200 hours a year carrying out interest by September 26, 2008 outlining the duties of a board member; their qualifi cations and reasons they’d this includes attending quarterly like to serve. Materials may be mailed It is with great pleasure and from Alaska, by Alaska Natives, and to Doyon Foundation, 1 Doyon Place, excitement that we announce the will showcase the lifestyles and values board meetings, serving on two Fairbanks, Alaska 99701, faxed to (907) formation of the Alaska Native Media board committees on a volunteer of Alaska’s many cultures. 459-2065, or e-mailed to foundation@ Company. Th e Alaska Native Media Th e main goals of the Alaska basis, completing work outside of meetings, representing the doyon.com. Company is a non-profi t organization Native Media Company are: It is highly recommended candidates Foundation at various events, that was formed in 2007, with the To build a multi-media company familiarize themselves with the mission of creating and supporting an by and principally for Alaska Natives, and speaking on behalf of the Foundation and its work by reviewing electronically networked Alaska Native delivering news, cultural features and foundation at events, if asked. the Foundation’s annual report, strategic community. Th rough a statewide TV public aff airs programming via web Important Notice plan, list of committees, brochures and network, an integrated and interactive cast and broadcast/cable/satellite TV. Please note that, under federal Web site prior to submitting a resume web presence, Alaska Native voices will To engage, inform and inspire Alaska laws governing private foundations, and letter of interest. be heard and recognized in Alaska and Natives and the non-native public in family members of Doyon Foundation For more information, please visit board members are not eligible around the world. Native news, culture, arts, language, www.doyonfoundation.com or contact to receive a Doyon Foundation As you can see from the enclosed Sharon McConnell, Doyon Foundation traditions and issues. basic or competitive scholarship announcement, ANTV is launching To create employment though executive director, at (907) 459-2051 or during their term on the board. [email protected]. its opening with a State-wide video training and internship opportunities Family members are defi ned as the competition. Winning entries will be in journalism, videography, internet board members’ spouse, ancestors, announced and viewed at the 2008 AFN content creation and electronic editing. Doyon Foundation’s Strategic Plan children, grandchildren, great- 2008-2020 Convention, and video content will be To serve as the catalyst and statewide grandchildren and the spouses of invited and solicited from all around leader in organizing, recording and children, grandchildren and great- the State of Alaska. archiving Native oral histories while grandchildren. Current Doyon Core Purpose Coinciding with the video paying special attention to copyright Foundation scholarship recipients are To promote self-reliance and the economic and social well-being of competition, ANTV will launch a and intellectual property rights. also not eligible to serve on the board. Doyon’s shareholders and descendents website that will be the equivalent of Responsibilities “Forty years ago when the Native and to strengthen our Native culture and “You Tube” for Alaska. Th e website A Doyon Foundation board member land claims issue became the issue of heritage through education. entitled: ANTV.com will be the venue the day, the Alaska Native people had no must: • Contribute skills that help the for shorts and video blogs from all access to media other than the Tundra Our Mission over Alaska. Th e full launch of this Times, with a circulation of only 3000. Foundation make progress on its • Our mission is to provide the highest website will also take place at 2008 AFN Today, almost a half century later, the strategic plan (detailed below); Convention. Alaska Native people have had limited • Consistently work toward and level of support to our shareholders In early 2009, ANTV will begin a exposure in telecommunications to produce results related to the and their descendents by: broadcast of Native news and features, convey their history, culture, music, Foundation’s long-term goals, • Providing post-secondary from Anchorage. ANTV will also business and sports. ANTV is a medium which include developing a scholarships, including basic, begin broadcasting Native Elder’s oral that will help span the knowledge gap strategy for culture and language, competitive and vocational; histories in an eff ort to document and of our own cultures and to convey developing a plan to increase share Alaska’s rich cultural history. By modern day Alaska Native news and staffi ng to support growth, • Advancing traditional Native summer 2009, ANTV will increase TV entertainment in the Native world to supporting students at all knowledge; and, programming. urban Alaska and the world at large.” academic levels, and raising $100 • Increasing Native student ANTV will provide opportunities We look forward to partnering with million by 2020; performance levels. for health and social organizations to you in reaching a large and diverse • Defi ne and oversee the mission of provide community education, provide population. Please feel free to contact the Foundation and keep it relevant Our Vision a medium to preserve and share us at: [email protected]. to the needs of Doyon shareholders Achieving the future through educational Alaska Native cultural histories and Sincerely, and their descendents; and cultural values as evidenced by: traditions, for Alaska Native businesses Willie Hensley • Approve programs and services, –Being fi nancially suffi cient to fully fund and enterprises to further their service Board Chair, ANTV and monitor their eff ectiveness; areas and increase revenues through • Provide strategic guidance to the an education/certifi cation for any advertising, and plans to partner with Foundation and its executive shareholder who wants one; educational institutions to improve director; –Every shareholder is given an access to educational opportunities in • Ensure fi nancial solvency and help rural Alaska. opportunity to learn their own Alaska Native Media raise resources; Th ere is great interest in Alaska-specifi c language and culture; and, 3806 Northpoint Circle • Select, support and evaluate the programming off ered on national cable –100% Graduation/completion rates with executive director; channels such as Discovery Channel, Anchorage, AK 99502 • Ensure continuous board high scholastic achievement. National Geographic and others. ANTV programming will originate improvement; • Attend quarterly meetings in September 2008 • The Council • Page 15 News for our people An energy update from Troth Yeddha’ Representative Woody Salmon Nutrition Program Th e Special Session ended on August By Sarah McConnell, Program Manager/Faculty, Troth’ Yeddha 7th and I just wanted to pass on to you the summary of the legislation that passed. While I don’t think it is a perfect package New UAF Nutrition Outreach Program community nutrition outreach assignments it refl ects the compromise between the UAF’s Interior–Aleutians Campus and assignments that encourage students House and Senate versions and at the (IAC) is pleased to off er a new nutrition to gather local traditional knowledge, very least does provide some immediate education and outreach program, Troth skills, and spirit regarding nutrition and relief from the high energy prices. More Yeddha’ Nutrition (TYNP), to the Tanana maintaining a healthy weight. importantly there was agreement that Chiefs Conference and Aleutians regions. Courses scheduled as part of the fall we still have a long way to go and we will Th e program is funded by a three-year, RNLA are: Nutrition for the Generations, continue to work on long term energy one million dollar grant from the United Community Nutrition Interventions, and a relief solutions in the regular session. States Department of Agriculture’s, Rural Nutrition Practicum that includes a Below is a quick summary of the Cooperative State Research, Education, community project. legislation: and Extension Service. Courses will begin Spring Classes: Rural students are Resource Rebate–$1200 will be added to this fall, meeting in Fairbanks September currently being recruited for spring the 2008 PFD check to help provide relief 22–26. Ten students from the Interior and semester courses that will include Alaska from high energy costs. While the PFD Aleutians have already been accepted to Native Food Systems. division says they will try to get the checks this 7-credit “Rural Nutrition Leadership Th is spring cohort is designed for new and out earlier, the regular “early bird” direct Academy (RNLA).” continuing rural resident students with an deposit is still October 2 with other checks Program Plans interest in nutrition and recommendation being mailed throughout October and into Since the beginning of the project, the from their community. Spring students do November. plans have been guided by the wisdom not need to be currently employed or have Motor Fuel Tax–Starting September 1, 2008 the state’s 8¢ per gallon motor fuel tax and experiences of the people to be served. any college experience. Financial assistance on gasoline, marine fuel and aviation fuel will be suspended until August 31, 2009. It’s Th e TYNP Advisory Council continues is available to a limited number of students estimated to save Alaskan’s $36 million dollars. to be of great value in the development of each semester. Additional Funds for Energy Rebates - $60 million was added to the Home Energy the program. Member Shirley Kruger of Other Activities Rebate Program to supplement funding so more Alaska homes can be weatherized in the Nulato emphasized the importance of the Additional activities of the program near term. program in her recent comments, “We are promote on-going networking and learning Renewable Energy–$50 million was added to the Renewable Energy Grant Fund, seeing lots of obesity coming to the villages. in the area of rural nutrition. TYNP has doubling the amount available for renewable energy projects grants available to formally Th ere is a lot of diabetes, hypertension, in hosted a monthly tea at IAC’s Harper organized public, private or non-profi t entities such as governments, community young adults and even young children, and Building, 4280 Geist Road. Anyone with an councils, utilities, coops, etc. it’s all based on the foods we are taking in. interest in rural nutrition is welcome to join Power Cost Equalization (PCE) and Bulk Fuel–$24 million was added to the Power We have to be careful, this day and age, of us for this opportunity to catch up on news Cost Equalization program to assist rural utilities in off setting the increased cost of the food we eat, controlling the junk food and needs, and hear a short presentation by electricity generated with diesel. Th e ceiling for the program was increased to $1.00 from and fats.” people doing interesting nutrition–related 52.5 cents per KwH. An additional $31 million was made available for loans to utilities Th e program “We are work such as past presenters Randy Mayo, and rural communities to make bulk fuel purchases. plans to bring Diana Campbell, and Audrey Sunnyboy. Please feel free to call or email me with your questions or comments. And thank you together nutrition seeing lots of Th e September tea will be on September to those of you that took the time to send me your feedback during the special session. I science, behavioral obesity coming 18, beginning at 4 pm and lasting about an am now back in the district for a while and I look forward to seeing you. health and Alaska hour, and feature Krya Dunlap presenting Native knowledge, to the villages.” on her recent study of sled dog nutrition Best regards, Representative Woodie Salmon skills and spirit along the Yukon River. in this learning -Shirley Kruger We look forward to continuing to develop House District 6 • Room 114, State Capitol • Juneau, AK 99801 • (907) 465-4527 opportunity for collaborations for off ering additional Fax (907) 465-2197 • Email: [email protected] rural students. All courses will be taught nutrition education courses in TCC by a teaching team that includes an Alaska communities, and will announce these as Native Elder, a licensed professional in the they become available. For an application fi eld of dietetics or behavioral health, and to the Troth Yeddha’ Nutrition Program, Alaska Laborers Training School an Alaska Native provider experienced in or information about the program, please service delivery to rural Alaska. contact Sarah McConnell at 1-888-474- Presents... In addition to the leadership of IAC 5207 ext. 9, locally at (907) 474-6080, or Campus Director, Clara Johnson, IAC’s email ff [email protected]. We look forward to faculty for the new program are familiar hearing from you! names to many in the TCC region. Vincent Henry of Huslia Registered Dietitian faculty, Madeline Patterson–O’Dell, Registered Dietician SpringSpring ClassesClasses CDE, served as Tanana Chiefs Conference’s When Vincent Henry fi rst attended the RuralRural studentsstudents are General Construction Class in May 2008, clinical dietitian in the Diabetes Program currentlycurrently being recruited he soon proved himself to be an asset for six years before joining IAC. Sarah to the class. Due to his enthusiasm and McConnell, TYNP program manager/ for springspring semester courses faculty, is a Licensed Clinical Social his capability to work well, Vincent was tthathat wwillill iincludenclude AlaskaAlaska Worker who served as TCC’s Head Start accepted in to the Apprentice Program mental health consultant, and was Training Native Food Systems.Systems. and is now earning a healthy wage Coordinator for Ch’eghutsen’. working on the North Slope, for Norcon. Students and Classes He is expected to reach journeyman’s Th e fall semester RNLA students are all status by June 2010, by which time he will long time residents of their community, with have completed 4000 hours of on-the-job community support for their participation training with various contractors, both in the program. Most of the students have local and rural. college experience, with some already Vincent, from Huslia, Alaska, is just having a certifi cate, associate’s or even a one of many rural Alaskans to choose a bachelors degree. Th e students all have a job or volunteer career as a construction craft laborer, a position in their community that will decision which will look aft er him and welcome the addition of nutrition his family for years to come. In addition information to their current scope of work. to the on-the-job training Vincent will For example, students are currently working be expected to complete 576 class hours. as the Community Health Aide, Head Start Th e supplemental classroom training Educator, Elder Nutrition Coordinator, is shaped by the needs of the industry. Behavioral Health Aide, Diabetes Program Classes include, Asbestos Abatement, Coordinator, or Women Infant & Children Concrete, Drilling, Pipelaying, Pipeline (WIC) Program provider. Construction, Insulation, Grade All are very interested in nutrition Checking, and Rigging just to name a information and sharing what they learn with their community. Tanana Elder few. Nutrition Coordinator Phyllis Erhart Th e Alaska Laborers’ Apprenticeship applied for the program because she is Program accepts applications year round “interested in the traditional aspect, having and is intending to start the next round of an opportunity to learn from our leaders “Phyllis Erhart applied for the interviews early this Fall. like Audrey Sunnyboy.” For more information on the Alaska Vincent Henry pours a brick-red concrete Courses will be provided to student program because she is ‘interested Laborers Training School, visit www. sidewalk as part of his training at Alaska cohorts in a blended delivery model that in the traditional aspect, having laborerslocal942.com or call Melodie Laborers’ Training School, in the General combines face-to-face intensives with an opportunity to learn from our Byrd at 452-3146. Construction Class, in May 2008. audio conferences. Each course will include leaders like Audrey Sunnyboy.’” Page 16 • The Council • September 2008 News for our people Rural Student Services helps college students, College textbook being created from freshman enrollment to career guidance with Tribal perspective by Ida Hildebrand, Chugach Regional Resources Commission (CRRC)

Th e Chugach Regional Resources Commission (CRRC), and the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society (NAFWS), both 501 (c ) 3 organizations, have joined forces to develop a college level textbook. Th e subject is Tribal Management of Natural Resources. Th e CRRC directed eff ort began in February 2008, with a Textbook Working Group meeting in Anchorage. Native professionals from across the country and state were invited to participate in the discussion of Tribal Management of Natural Resources, and the fact that a textbook does not exist for students to use. Th e focus was to develop materials from a Tribal perspective. Although many colleges and universities off er Native Studies of some sort, and Natural Resource Management classes, the materials are oft en written from a Western academic point of view, and not Academic Advisors (left to right): Carol Murphrey, Frank Chythlook, Director from or refl ecting Tribal issues, concerns, or perspectives other than a few footnote Debbie Toopetlook,Gabrielle Russell, Colleen Angaiak, and Kay Thomas. entries or a few paragraphs on Native American experiences. While many Tribes across the nation and state have practiced Tribal Natural Resource Rural Student Services at the University of Alaska Fairbanks provides thorough and Management for years, they are oft en not consulted or contacted for the wealth of comprehensive academic advising. Native and rural students, as well as any student at information and knowledge that they have both in contemporary knowledge and UAF, have the option of choosing an RSS advisor. Advisors assist students by explaining Indigenous Knowledge. CRRC, in conjunction with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, academic requirements, exploring degree and career options, informing students of Interior-Aleutians Campus has off ered college credit classes in Tribal Management, and University and community resources and answering common questions. in that process, became acutely aware of the lack of suitable reading materials for Native RSS advisors provide assistance to new and continuing students at the university. We student interested in Natural Resource Management. help new students with information on admission to the University, fi nancial aid, housing CRRC is now in the process of gathering case studies, Indigenous Knowledge, and Native authors to contribute to the textbook. Th e CRRC Textbook Working Group has options and expectations regarding University life. We invite high school groups to visit developed two draft chapters and an outline for the textbook, and is working on a Book our campus and participate in orientation activities. RSS provides a successful introduction Proposal to submit to a publisher. CRRC invites tribes to submit Tribal Resolutions to a satisfying college experience at UAF. Continuing students also receive comprehensive in support of the project, case studies, or recommend the names authors and keepers academic advising, assistance with fi nancial aid, and more. of Indigenous Knowledge. Your fi nancial support would also be appreciated. With RSS provides the vital link between rural communities and the University. We work any fi nancial support, please note that the funds are for the textbook project in your in cooperation with other UAF departments and programs, as well as providing an submission. atmosphere which allows students to comfortably exercise their traditions on campus. For further information, contact Ida Hildebrand, Tribal Natural Resource Program UAF’s Native students utilize RSS as a forum for Native concerns and a gathering place Director, (907) 562-6647, or [email protected]. for various Native activities, such as potluck dinners and Native dancing in the Gathering Room, a unique location for special events and studying. Several clubs meet at RSS on a regular basis, including Native Alaskan Business Leaders (NABL) and the nationally- recognized UAF chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES). Offi ce of Environmental Health receives $300k For more information, call toll-free 888-478-1452 or locally at (907) 474-7871, or email [email protected]. By Greg Calvert, Acting Director, Offi ce of Environmental Health

Alaska National Guard offers exciting programs By Sargeant Wanda Solomon

Th e Alaska National Guard has many “Th e Alaska National Guard is exciting programs to off er the schools in committed to the implementation of the rural Alaska and they are just a click away Stay on Track program in rural Alaska. on your mouse pad. Our partnership with the Iditarod’s In particular is the expansion eff ort of educational program will be the perfect the Counterdrug Support Program, Drug vehicle for Stay on Tracks delivery,” said Demand Reduction (DDR) section. A new CW3 Scott Frickson, Rural Education exciting initiative is the Rural Education Drug Program (REDP) Director. Drug Program and its partnership with “Stay on Track and other DDR the Iditarod’s Education Program. Th is programs will bring relevant drug and initiative focuses on a new nationally alcohol awareness messages to rural accredited program called Stay on Track. Alaskan communities. Th is program will Stay on Track is a free National Guard give youth the necessary tools to make sponsored twelve-session program that positive life choices instead of destructive Th e Offi ce of Environmental Health (OEH) employees attended the 3rd Annual Chena is taught in schools or in aft er-school ones that are derived from substance Renewable Energy Fair held at Chena Hot Springs Saturday, August 23. Greg Calvert, settings. Components of Stay on Track abuse,” said Frickson. Acting Director, and Melva Traverso, Training Coordinator, received a ceremonial check off er instruction on drug and alcohol To fi nd out more about these programs, awareness, character development and please visit their website at www.iditarod. from the United States Department of Agriculture-Rural Development (USDA-RD). Th e risk assessment strategies. Th is program com. From the main homepage, go to ceremonial check for $300,000 was presented by Mr. Jim Andrew, Administrator of the will ultimately empower youth to build the “For Teachers” link to navigate to the Rural Utilities Service to honor the repeated success of two OEH grants. and utilize resistant skills towards negative Alaska National Guards’ Drug Demand Each year we work hard to receive this grant funding in order to provide essential behavioral infl uences. Reduction webpage. services to our communities. Th e Technical Assistance/Training and Solid Waste Management grants have been accepted, approved, and awarded by USDA-RD over the Free, confidential help is available for: past seven years. We use these grants to provide multiple trainings, technical assistance, and solid waste management support to villages within the TCC region. OEH off ers Addiction • Crisis • Debt a range of services to village members, from Water Plant Operator training to grant writing assistance. Depression • Domestic Violence Melva Traverso, OEH Training Coordinator, provides training for water operators, Education • Grief • Isolation utility managers and council members throughout the region with the Technical Assistance and Training grant. For training information contact Melva toll-free at 800- Loneliness • Self-Esteem 478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3437 or email melva.traverso@tananachiefs. Sexual Assault • Suicide org. Jerry Sam, Environmental Technician, works with the Solid Waste Management grant to assist communities with their Solid Waste Management Plans and provide technical Toll-Free: assistance. For information regarding solid waste issues in your community contact Jerry 1-877-266-4357 toll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3439 or email [email protected]. Fairbanks: (907) 452-4357 Th e Offi ce of Environmental Health strives to provide “Environmental Check us out on Myspace! the best possible service to every community in our region. Health is the fi rst www.myspace.com/Careline_Alaska Environmental Health is the fi rst line of defense against line of defense disease and works to protect public health. For information Calls received when our call volume is unusually concerning Environmental Health in your community contact against disease and high will be routed to the National Suicide our offi ce toll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452- works to protect Prevention Lifeline at1-800-273-8255 8251 ext. 3431. public health.”