THE COUNCIL • PAGE 1 Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Anchorage, AK Permit No. 537 D e n a ’ N e n a ’ H e n a s h O u r L a n d S p e a k s VOL. 29, NO. 9 A R EPORT TO THE MEMBER TRIBES OF THE TANANA CHIEFS CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2004 Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center welcomes Dr. Wappett, OB/GYN Dr. Nigel Wappett began obstetric and gynecological care for Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center (CAIHC) patients in late August. Known throughout Fairbanks, Dr. Wappett brings years of expertise and reliability to CAIHC and comes to us from a three-year By Sarah Hoffman, Community Relationship Manager, American Cancer Society likely to smoke than non-native youth, mission in Phoenix, Arizona, where he according to “Tobacco in the Greatland: A supervised missionaries for the Mormon Think of your kids. Now, think about Portrait of Alaska’s Leading Cause of Death.” Church. Prior to that, he spent 19 years at the the fact that one in three kids who start Tanana Valley Clinic, delivering hundreds of It’s not only cigarettes that are smoking will die prematurely from a threatening our youth, but smokeless babies – some of whom later worked with him tobacco-related illness. there. His family grew up in Fairbanks and tobacco as well. Some people assume, includes wife, Avalon, sons, Matt, Andy and Tobacco is the leading cause of death incorrectly, that just because spit tobacco is Kerry and daughters, Hailey and Whitney. and disease in Alaska, yet it remains the most smokeless, it is harmless or less addictive. preventable. In fact, tobacco kills more In reality, oral cancer occurs several times CAIHC will make room for Dr. Wappett people than alcohol, cocaine, crack, heroin, more frequently among snuff dippers to collaborate on improvements in the homicide, suicide, car accidents and AIDS compared with non-tobacco users. And the organizational structure of the clinic and combined. amount of nicotine in one dip or chew can staffing, as well as providing on-call assistance outside of normal business hours. None of Now, think about the fact that Alaska native youth are three to four times more continued on page 12... Dr. Wappett and Virginia Thurmond. this could happen without Dr. Wappett’s willingness to set a professional standard. Jim Kohler, Director of CAIHC says, “We are very excited to have Dr. Wappett as part of the What does it mean to staff; he brings outstanding expertise, leadership, enthusiasm, and professionalism to the clinic.” be tribally enrolled? By Debbie Mitchell, Tribal Enrollment Specialist Alaska Native Medical Center Roughly half the Tribes in the region been members of the Tribe. The process use the services that our Tribal Enrollment usually takes at least a month, depending announces new changes Program. Although not all Tribes in the on when the next regularly scheduled region use our services, I can assist any By Dee Hutchison, Registered Nurse, Alaska Native Medical Center Administrator meeting is. Adopted individuals of members individual by connecting him or her with are eligible in most situations. Some Tribes their Tribe. It is my pleasure to announce that the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium in the region allow dual enrollment, (ANTHC) Board of Directors approved a fiscal year 2005 budget for ANMC, which will The cards prove membership to a meaning their members may also be allow ANMC to restore services effective October 1 when the new fiscal year begins, as federally recognized Tribe. Many services enrolled to another Tribe. Other Tribes do follows: and programs provided by Native not allow dual enrollment, and one must • Airport services, the airport shuttle between Ted Stevens International organizations and Tribes have a requirement choose where to be enrolled if he or she is Airport and ANMC, of tribal membership. eligible for two Tribes. Children are often an exception if dual enrollment is not • Meals for Quyana House guests My first question is usually, “What allowed, because the Tribe often wishes to • Inpatient caregiver meals for selected family members and escorts assisting Tribe are you enrolled to?” For some keep jurisdiction over minor children. in the care of patients individuals, confusion abounds, and he or The previously announced temporary reductions for these services will remain in she will usually answer with “Well, I’m After our office is notified of one’s place until September 30, 2004 to address ongoing shortfalls in the hospital’s fiscal year enrolled to Doyon.” In this situation the approval of membership a card is issued. 2004 budget. confusion probably arises from the words Many members use our membership cards There may be a change in the way we provide services at the airport in 2005. Ted “enrolled to”, which is a reasonable answer as second forms of identification as the Stevens International Airport has advised us of the cancellation of our lease on the location when one is not familiar with the differences. State of Alaska Department of Motor housing our current airport kiosk, which is in an area where rental car agencies have Vehicles office, and long established banks The governing body of the Tribe in our priority. We are currently exploring other options for providing services at the airport to and credit unions and airlines in Fairbanks region are known as the Tribal Council or ANMC patients, and we will keep you advised on the progress of our negotiations with take our membership cards as legitimate the Village Council, which approves all new airport authorities. forms of identification. For more members at regularly scheduled meetings information, contact Debbie Mitchell toll- Please realize that difficult decisions were made in order to restore these services. using official documents called resolutions. free at 800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452- ANMC still faces significant fiscal challenges this coming year. The hospital did not budget If one wishes to become a member of the for any new fiscal year 2005 initiatives or services for the ANTHC portion of ANMC due 8251 ext. 3274 or by email at Tribe one must submit an application with to a lack of resources. We will be required to reduce hospital staffing to meet our current [email protected]. a birth certificate or other documentation fiscal year 2005 targets. Our projected revenue from the federal government has not kept up with the growth of our patient population or with the advances in medical treatment that indicates lineal descent from a member. and technology; additionally, revenue from other payers is no longer sufficient to offset In other words, one’s ancestors must have these ongoing fiscal shortages. We remain committed to improving the efficiency of our operations here at ANMC. Win a prize when you’re the We believe that by operating as a coordinated, and unified statewide tribal health system, there are many advantages and efficiencies to be gained as we provide the highest first to call in and name the quality health services for all Alaska Natives within available resources. We look forward title of her article from the to discussing these mutual opportunities in depth with you, which will be a priority for ANTHC and ANMC leadership in the upcoming fiscal year. Thank you again for your July/August issue! understanding and ongoing support of ANMC. Amanda Tritt wrote an article For more health information, go to page 6... in the last issue. Win a prize by naming her title correctly (hint: go online to www.tananachiefs.org to Manley Tribal Members: search for it). Call Ginger Placeres, Tanana Chiefs Conference is now overseeing the Manley Tribal Members operations Editor, toll-free at 800-478-6822 or on behalf of your Tribe. For more information, contact Debbie Mitchell toll-free at 800- locally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3227 478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3274 or email [email protected]. to claim your prize! PAGE 2 • THE COUNCIL • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2004 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, The 2004 Galena Little League Teams would like to extend the deepest appreciation and thanks to the following businesses for their continuous support. Without your contributions our season would not be such a big success: Louden Tribal Council; Yukon Fuel Company; Gana-A-Yoo Limited, Warbelow’s Air Venture, Weldin Construction, Galena Liquor Store, KIYU, Interior Trading, Archie’s Snack Bar/Yukon Inn, Evert’s Air, The Council is a monthly report to the member tribes of theTanana Chiefs Yutaana Development Corporation, Crystal Electric, Randy and Alyson Esmailka, Conference, in accordance with agreements with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Sweetsir’s, Tanana Chiefs Conference, City of Galena, Bob and Marjorie Attla, also the and the Indian Health Service. Letters to the editor, other written contributions Elders, parents, and residents of Galena. and photo submissions are welcome. However, space is limited and program Thanks to our boat drivers; Terry and Nancy Pitka, Ed and Pam Pitka, Darryl and oriented news has priority. TCC reserves the right to edit or reject material. Rocky Thurmond, Fred Huntington, Tom Huntington, Susan Esmailka, Joe Demoski and Letters and opinions are not necessarily the opinions of Tanana Chiefs Evelyn Burgett. Conference. Material submitted anonymously will not be published. Thanks to the following for housing: Jen and Branden Hildebrand, Martha Sommer, Contributions and questions may be directed to: Claudette Green, Virgil and Susie Sam, Lavern Huntington, Joyce Huntington, St. John’s The Council Catholic Church, Agnes Sweetsir, Majorie Ambrose, Gin Attla, Annette Sam, Mary Ann Ginger Kennedy Placeres, Editor Sam, Brother Bob, Martha Demoski and Randy Pitka. Tanana Chiefs Conference Thanks to all community members of Galena, Huslia, Nulato, and Koyukuk for 122 First Avenue, Suite 600 providing all the delicious foods for the cook outs.