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.