Alaska Federation of Natives Convention 2010

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“Village Survival!”

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2 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Alaska Federation of Natives Convention 2010

Welcome .......................................... 4Schedule.......................................... 5Issues .............................................. 62010 Theme .................................... 8AFN history ...................................... 10Keynote speaker.............................. 12Native peoples of Alaska ................ 13Broadcast schedule ......................... 14Fairbanks history ............................. 15Public safety .................................... 16Morris Thompson Center ................. 17Volunteers........................................ 18Transportation ................................. 20Qyana .............................................. 21Arts and Crafts ................................ 23Village Survival! photographs .......... 25

Elders and youth.............................. 27Elder of the Year .............................. 29Alaska Native Language Center ...... 33Common expressions ...................... 34AFN Mission statement ................... 35Fairbanks map ................................. 36-37AFN Board ....................................... 39

Athabascan Words of the WeekIntro ................................................. 40Culture week.................................... 41Extended learning............................ 42Where is Dad? ................................. 44Sled dog racing................................ 49Trapping .......................................... 50Beaver camp ................................... 51

Potlatch............................................ 52Sled making ..................................... 52Coming home .................................. 53Fishing ............................................. 53Tanning moose skin ......................... 54Making a paddle .............................. 56Fish camp ........................................ 56Trapping marten .............................. 57

Alaska Marketplace ......................... 58AFN villages .................................... 59‘Fab Lab’ .......................................... 60Howard Luke camp.......................... 63Education program .......................... 64Hannah Solomon ............................. 65Gwitch’in stories .............................. 69

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Welcome, and welcome back.The annual Alaska Federation

of Natives convention returns to Fairbanks this week, along with the annual Elders and Youth Conference. The two events, which always run in tandem, will give Fairbanks a differ-ent — and enjoyable — flavor. Alaska Natives from around the state will be in town to conduct important busi-ness, see old friends and spend some time in the Interior’s largest city. Events will be held primarily at the Carlson Center.

Many people in Fairbanks have worked hard to prepare the city to be a good host. It has been three years since AFN delegates last gathered in Fairbanks, and the city hopes to have the group come to the city in the

years ahead.So what is it all about? This special

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner section marking the 2010 AFN convention in Fairbanks will explain all that as well as provide some basic info about what’s going on and where it’s hap-pening.

How to get aroundFairbanks North Star Borough’s

MACS transit system will provide free bus rides for registered AFN delegates. For a ride, people will be asked to present their badges. The Yellow route travels downtown and to the Carlson Center regularly. All bus routes will stay the same during the convention. Schedules can be found inside buses and at the downtown bus

transit station. For a map of Fairbanks, check out

the center of this section, with bus routes and taxi phone numbers pro-vided.

Public safetyThe non-emergency number for

Fairbanks police is 459-6500, while Alaska State Troopers in Fairbanks can be contacted at 451-5100.

Dial 911 in an emergency.

AFN broadcastThere will be live television cover-

age broadcast throughout the week available on GCI Channel 1, 360 North and Alaska Rural Communica-tions Service. The same coverage will also be available by web-streaming on

firstalaskans.org and nativefederation.org.

Radio station KNBA will be plugged into the audio at the Carlson Center for clear listening. They will broadcast AFN from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, with a lunch break from noon to 1:30 p.m. On Sat-urday they will broadcast from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., depending on how long the conference goes.

Arts and Crafts FairMore than 100 Alaska Native arti-

sans from all regions of the state will be selling their handmade wares at the Alaska Native Arts and Crafts Fair held in conjunction with the

Welcome

Continued on Page 5


TRADING COMPANYS I N C E 1 9 4 7

Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention. The Arts and Crafts Fair will run all three days of the conven-tion at the Carlson Center and is open

to the public.The Arts and Crafts Fair will be

held Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

QuyanaNative dance groups from northern

and interior Alaska will have a chance to show off their skills at this year’s Quyana dance celebration during the

convention. Quyana runs from 7 p.m. to 11

p.m. Thursday and Friday.Twenty groups signed up this year.

Their performances will cover two days.

John Wagner/News-Miner

Members of the Naqsrgmiut Dancers dance October 26, 2007, during the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention at the Carlson Center.

Continued from Page 4


MONDAY, Oct. 18Elders and Youth ConferenceCarlson Center8 a.m.-5 p.m.Registration: $50, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

“The Winter Bear” theater performancePioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way7 p.m. $12

TUESDAY, Oct. 19Elders and Youth ConferenceCarlson Center8 a.m.-5 p.m.Registration: $50, 7 a.m.-1 p.m.Fairbanks Dance to welcome con-vention attendeesChief David Salmon Tribal Hall, 111 Clay St.

6 p.m., $5 per person; $20 for a family

Youth dance/Elder bingoPioneer Park7-10 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 20Elders and Youth ConferenceCarlson Center8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

AFN Special Healing Catholic MassSacred Heart Cathedral, 2501 Airport Way, 3 p.m.

Traditional community welcom-ing potlatch Big Dipper Arena, 1920 Lathrop Street 5-9 p.m. Open to public

THURSDAY, Oct 21AFN Annual ConventionCarlson Center8 a.m.-5 p.m, Open to publicDelegate registration: 7:30-11 a.m. and 1-5 p.m.

Native Arts and Crafts ShowCarlson Center 8 a.m.-7 p.m., 0pen to public Quyana Alaska ICarlson Center 7-11 p.m.$10 per person

Athabascan Fiddle DanceChief David Salmon Tribal Hall, 111 Clay Street7 p.m., $10 per person

FRIDAY, Oct. 22AFN Annual ConventionCarlson Center8 a.m.-5 p.m., Open to public

Native Arts and Crafts Show Carlson Center8 a.m.-7 p.m., Open to public Quyana Alaska IICarlson Center7-11 p.m., $10 per person

SATURDAY, Oct. 23AFN Annual Convention8 a.m.–3 p.m., Open to public

Native Arts and Crafts ShowCarlson Center 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Open to public AFN Reception and Banquet Carlson Center6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. banquet$100 general admission

Honoring Our Heritage PowwowEffie Kokrine Charter School, 601 Loftus Rd.1 p.m.Free, open to public

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Schedule


IssuesBy CHRISTOPHER

[email protected]

This year’s Alaska Federa-tion of Natives convention could produce anything from a “children’s bill of rights” to a challenge to federal fishery managers.

Last year’s did. And, as they do every year, delegates will use the annual conven-tion to set policy statements for the full federation.

The federation’s inter-est are broad, and its list of annual priorities reflects that. Forty-two resolutions emerged from the 2009 con-

vention, held in Anchorage. Many dealt with subsistence hunting and fishing. Others focused on health and social welfare. One resolution, pro-posed by Koniag Inc., encour-aged tribal groups to work with federal and state agen-cies to protect coastal habitat due to climate change’s “dra-matic impact on the overall health of the Bering Sea and other oceanic systems” in Alaska.

Corporate members were still, as of early October, draft-ing a slate of proposed policy initiatives for this year’s con-vention. If last year’s list is any guide, many will focus on

subsistence rights, substance abuse or tax laws.

The 2009 convention reso-lutions included the following:

• A request for statewide comprehensive strategies for helping the homeless Native homeless population;

• Support of provisions within the federal 8(a) small business development pro-gram that benefit Alaska Native corporations;

• A request that federal fishery managers create a 50-mile coastal buffer against bottom trawling to protect subsistence uses;

• Condemnation of federal managers for failing to pro-

vide for subsistence harvest needs;

• A request that the gover-nor, Congress and president to “address disastrous salmon declines” across the state;

• Support for expanded rights to use sea otter pelts in handicrafts;

• A request for funding for Alaska Native co-management of wildlife;

• Support for federal legis-lation to give tribes authority

over domestic violence and alcohol and drug crimes;

• A request for federal tax breaks for Native corporations that create conservation ease-ments;

• A review of ways to transfer Native allotment land to federally recognized tribal governments;

• A request that federal agencies consult with tribes on all management of land and marine waters.

Convention serves as policy platform

Eric Engman/News-Miner


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2010 themeBy CHRISTOPHER ESHLEMAN

[email protected]

The exclamation point on this year’s convention theme — “Village Survival!” — is no typo.

“This is a declaration that the vil-lages will survive and thrive, and an invitation to discuss how,” said Erin Fogg, a spokeswoman for the Alaska Federation of Natives. She said the larger theme “reflects both an aware-ness of the challenges that Native communities face, and the innovation, strength and resilience of these com-

munities.”The convention will include discus-

sions and panel presentations about life today in villages, many of which predate Alaska’s population booms in the early 1900s. Fogg said delegates will hear about, and reflect on, life-styles that work and traditions that may need to adapt to work better in urban and rural villages.

She said topics will range from technology to affordable energy, health and wellness to education.

The convention will debut a “Vil-lage Survival!” photography exhibit

with photographs submitted by Natives from across the state.

“The exhibit represents a celebra-tion of their individual visions of vil-lage life and survival,” Fogg said.

The federation explained this year’s theme further on its website: “It’s about life, progress, and taking bold steps to preserve and grow our communities and traditions.”

A convention committee within the federation’s broader board of directors chose the theme, Fogg said.

Contact staff writer Christopher Eshleman at 459-7582.

Future of Alaska’s villages a major concern

James Barker photo

The convention will focus on the chal-lenges of helping villages survive and thrive.

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A rich historyBy SUZANNA [email protected]

In the late 1950s and early ’60s, Alaska Natives around the state and in the Interior were trying to deal with multiple issues.

In 1959, Alaska became a state. While that brought benefits, it also brought serious questions. The larg-est for Alaska Natives: How would land be allocated?

The land, to them, was more than just land. It was their life. In his 1969 testimony to Congress, Alfred

Ketzler discussed what it would mean to have claims to the land.

“We believe our ownership and ties to our land far exceeds any deed,” he said. “We never did need any document to tell us the land is ours. This we have always known.”

But there were other issues, too. For Mary Jane Fate, who would later serve as co-chair of the Alaska Fed-eration of Natives, the main issue Interior Alaskans were facing was education.

It was so important that she and a handful of other dedicated Alaska

Native leaders formed the Fairbanks Native Association. Their goal was to increase awareness of Native edu-cation issues. It turned into many long nights, with families helping to stuff envelopes and stage bake sales to help raise funds for the organiza-tion. It was about getting organized and collectively coming together for a cause.

Many of these smaller groups from around the state got involved with AFN, which met for the first time in Anchorage in 1966. The goal of the conference was to find a way to obtain a fair

land settlement for Alaska Natives.Fate said the process was helped

by graduates of Mt. Edgecumbe High School, who had created and main-tained informal families while at the Bureau of Indian Affairs school near Sitka. Fate said many, like her, had “little sisters” who they helped feel comfortable in the new surround-ings. Decades later, she would find those relationships invaluable.

“We had to pull together,” she said. “We had to become ‘basketball players.’”

Land claims, education helped propel formation of AFN

Please see HISTORY, Page 11


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Controversial projects also helped to spur Native people to organize.

The federal government proposed, for example, to use nuclear bombs to excavate a harbor near Point Hope. Opposition to “Project Chariot” was fierce, especially in the tiny village.

The Interior had its own equiva-lent in the Rampart Dam project. The U.S. government proposed build-ing a dam on the Yukon River near the village of Rampart that would have flooded an area the size of Lake Erie and in the process destroyed nine villages. It was supported not only by Alaska Sen. Ernest Gruening but also national politicians includ-ing Richard Nixon and John F. Ken-nedy.

But Native people came out strongly against the project. The statewide Native-oriented newspaper Tundra Times, which had been influ-ential in opposing Project Chariot, also opposed the Rampart Dam.

Ketzler said the Rampart Dam project stirred up interest, but the underlying issue was unresolved

Native land claims. After statehood was passed the issue was how to deal with Alaska Native land holdings.

“People were worried about hunt-ing, about losing their jobs,” Ketzler said.

In 1962, he and a group of people figured they needed to discuss what was happening with their lands in a way that could enact change.

“We thought it was better to cre-ate an organization that would do it legislatively,” Ketzler said.

They held a meeting that year and decided to call their group the Tanana Chiefs Conference. He said that several politicians, including Ernest Gruening, tried to get in. Ket-zler said they tried to “show them how to do it” so the Native leaders banned them from participating.

He said that people came from all over the Interior, and they paid for the travel and lodging themselves. At one point, they received a grant from the Association of American Indian Affairs. They used the money to fly people from Fairbanks to Tanana.

After the meeting, Ketzler said, they sent out pamphlets and peti-tions to rural villages. After they were signed returned, Ketzler wasn’t

sure what to do them. So he sent them to then-President John F. Ken-nedy.

He received a letter from the president, who forwarded the peti-tions to then-Secretary of the Inte-rior Stewart Udall. Those petitions later became part of the basis for land claims in Alaska, according to Ketzler, and influenced Udall’s deci-sion to freeze the selection of Alaska state lands until Native claims issues could be resolved. That was in 1966, just a few months after the AFN meeting, and it gave Native lead-ers the chance to move forward and eventually win passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

Ketzler said that, by the end of it, following the passage of ANCSA in 1971, he took a break from the Tanana Chiefs Conference.

“After all the lobbying, I was tired and weary,” he said.

Still, he was proud of what they had accomplished.

“I did things a little village guy never dreamed of doing,” he said.

Contact features writer Suzanna Caldwell at 459-7504.

Continued from Page 10

HISTORY: Rampart dam, Project chariot galvanized organizers

the Rampart Dam project stirred up interest, but the underlying issue was unresolved Native land claims. After statehood was passed the issue was how to deal with Alaska Native land holdings.


Keynote speakerBy TIM MOWRY

[email protected]

For Gloria O’Neill, it’s all about tapping potential. It doesn’t matter whether it’s an individual, a commu-nity or a culture.

“It’s knowing who you are, what you bring to the world and what impact you can make,” O’Neill said.

Those are questions that Alaska Natives, both individually and as a whole, must ask themselves during what she said is a transition period for Natives in Alaska. O’Neill is the keynote speaker at this year’s Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Fairbanks.

“This is not about rural Alaska and urban Alaska,” O’Neill said. “I’m talk-ing about the Native community mov-

ing as one.“This is about how we lever our

resources and connect history to a new dialogue of possibilities,” she said. “Where we are today in the Native community is really under-standing the resource base we have and where we want to be in the next 40 years.

“How do we leverage resources to create opportunity? How do we engage the state in dialogue? How do we frame the conversation and what are the questions we need to ask?”

It’s the same dilemma facing all Alaskans, not just Natives, O’Neill said.

“This is not just about the Native community,” she said. “This is really about Alaska and we’re a very big part of what happens in this state.”

Those are some of the points O’Neill will focus on during her key-note speech at the convention.

O’Neill has been trying to help Alaska Natives tap into their poten-tial for the past 20 years working for the Cook Inlet Tribal Council Inc. The council is a nonprofit social services organization established in 1983 by Cook Inlet Region Inc., the for-profit regional Native corporation from Southcentral Alaska. The CITC offers more than 50 programs to help Alaska Natives with everything from education to job training to drug and alcohol addiction to child and family services.

“Wherever people can engage and make a choice in life to connect to their potential, that’s an environment we try to foster at CITC,” O’Neill

said. “Seeing others grow to their potential brings the brightest light to my heart. That’s what motivates me.”

O’Neill, 41, was born in Soldotna and split her time growing up between that community and Bristol Bay. Her father was a commercial fishermen who grew up in Levelock on the Kvi-chak River.

“I spent my winters in Soldotna and my summers in Bristol Bay,” said O’Neill, who worked on the slime line in the Bristol Bay canneries and as a deckhand on her father’s fishing boat.

After graduating from high school in Soldotna, O’Neill spent her freshman year of college at Clarion University in Pennsylvania before transferring to the University of

O’Neill sees wealth of potential in Alaska Native community

Please see KEYNOTE, Page 13


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welcomes all AFN Delegates to the Golden Heart City of Fairbanks and wishes you a

productive and successful convention.

Working with Tribes, honoring sovereignty and creating careers and opportunities for tribal members since 1946.

Alaska Anchorage, where she majored in sociology and minored in business. It was while going to UAA in 1991 that O’Neill first started working for CITC as a sum-mer youth employment coun-selor.

“It gave me a lot of oppor-tunity to check what I wanted to do with my life,” O’Neill said. “I always had a pull to work on behalf of issues that impact the Native commu-nity.”

O’Neill was just 28 when she took over as president and CEO of CITC in 1998. Under her guidance, CITC’s budget has grown from $8 million to $45 million and the number of support programs offered by the organization has doubled from 25 to 50.

An AFN board member, O’Neill also sits on the boards of the Anchorage Museum, Anchorage Community Land Trust, Cook Inlet Housing

Authority, Chanlyut Inc. and the National CASA (Court Appointed Special Advo-cate) Association. In 2004, she received the Woman of Achievement award from Brit-ish Petroleum and Anchorage YMCA.

On the national level, O’Neill serves on the National Tribal Budget Advisory Coun-cil of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and on the American Indian, Alaska Native on Race and Ethnicity Advisory Committee of the U.S. Census Bureau.

O’Neill is married and has a 16-year-old daughter.

While the theme of this year’s AFN convention is “Vil-lage Survival,” O’Neill said, Natives across Alaska must band together as one if they want their culture to survive and flourish. The AFN con-vention fosters that kind of environment, she said.

“I think the power of AFN is truly in the gathering of the convention,” O’Neill said.

“I think it’s a place where we blend individual knowledge into greater wisdom and we blend individual voice into a greater voice. That’s the power of AFN.”

Contact staff writer Tim Mowry at 459-7587.

KEYNOTE: O’NeillContinued from Page 12

Dan Gair/Blind Dog Photo, Inc.

Gloria O’Neill keynote speak-er for the 2010 AFN confer-ence in Fairbanks

Courtesy of the AFN

InupiaqThe Inupiaq people are

still a hunting and gathering society. They continue to sub-sist on the land and the sea of north and northwest Alaska hunting whale, walrus, seal, polar bear and caribou.

AthabascanThe traditional homeland

of the Athabascan people lies in the vast Interior of Alaska. Giant forests of birch, spruce and cottonwood trees domi-nate the landscape. The land is rich with moose, birds and other wild game. There are 11 linguistic groups.

Yup’ik/Cup’ikThe Yup’ik people believe

that the land is the giver of life. The Yup’ik live in the harsh environment of the Yukon and Kuskokwim deltas in Southwest Alaska.

Yup’ik people still depend

on subsistence fishing, hunting and gathering.

AlutiiqThe Alutiiq traditionally

inhabit Kodiak Island off the Southcentral mainland.

The Aleut and Alutiiq peo-ple encountered the Russians in the late 18th century, long before any other Alaska Native groups, consequently, these groups have been heavily influ-enced by the Russians, adopt-ing elements of their language, food and religion.

Tlingit/Eyak/Haida/Tsimshian

The region from the Copper River Delta to the Alaska Pan-handle is temperate rain for-est. The Tlingit, Eyak, Haida and Tsimshian peoples share a common Southeast coast culture, but maintain distinct language and clan systems.

The people depend on water for food and travel.

Native peoples of Alaska


BroadcastBy REBA LEAN

[email protected]

Airplane tickets and hotel costs and getting lost in the big city can all be deterrents from attending this year’s Elders and Youth Conference and Alaska Federation of Natives Conven-tion. But many people don’t really want to miss out on the festivities or wisdom to be gleaned during the week.

Well, there are ways to soak up the atmosphere without really being there — especially if people have Internet, radio or television access.

There will be live television cover-age broadcast throughout the week available on GCI Channel 1, 360 North and Alaska Rural Communica-tions Service. The same coverage will

also be available by web-streaming on firstalaskans.org and nativefederation.org.

Blueberry Productions’ Jeff Silver-man will be producing the broadcasts at both the convention and Elders and Youth Conference. He makes the broadcasts available online and feels that people back home really appreci-ate it — especially Quyana Nights.

“People love the Quyana — the dance performances,” he said. “They don’t want to miss it.”

When watching on the Internet, a window with the broadcast will pop up, and on the side of the window will be a forum for viewers. People across the world can communicate with one another while watching what’s going on in Fairbanks.

“You’d be surprised what they’re

doing in the middle of the night,” Silverman said, referring to viewers from places like New Zealand. He expects the forum to be well attended, especially with the attention Alaska’s politics is receiving.

Joaqlin Estus will be attending the convention to broadcast the event via radio. The KNBA station will be plugged into the audio at the Carlson Center for clear listening. They will broadcast AFN from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, with a lunch break from noon to 1:30 p.m. On Sat-urday they will broadcast from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., depending on how long the conference goes.

Antonia Gonzales will broadcast the Elders and Youth Conference for KNBA earlier in the week.

According to Loren Dixon of

KNBA, other stations throughout the state can pick up the KNBA signal. At least 17 other stations including ones in Kotzebue, Nome, Bethel and Dillingham will broadcast all or some of the coverage. All public radios have free access to the feed.

KNBA offers five-minute language modules of the convention coverage in Inupiaq, Yupik, Athabascan Gwichin and Athabascan Koyukon.

“It’s been a fantastic service,” Dixon said. He said there have been many success stories.

With all the options for live cover-age, anyone listening or watching should feel like they have a front row seat.

Contact reporter Reba Lean at 459-7523.

Can’t attend AFN? TV, radio, Internet technology bring events to you


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Wednesday Services: 9:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Sunday Services: 8:00, 9:15 & 11:15 a.m.

Dance & Fundraiser for St. Matthews: Tues., 10/19 • 6–11 pm • David Salmon Tribal Hall


The three-dimensional and painted backdrop seem to become one in the life-sized diorama displays on exhibit at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center.

FairbanksBy MOLLY RETTIG

[email protected]

Fairbanks exists because of gold, but derives its character from the people, businesses and branches of govern-ment that have flocked to the remote city over the past century.

Today it is home to the University of Alaska Fair-banks (the oldest college in Alaska), two U.S. military bases, government agencies,

resource developers, major tourism outfits, lovers of the outdoors and more.

The boom town started in 1901, when trader E.T. Barnette was cruising up the Tanana River to establish a trading post and got stuck in the shallows upstream from the Chena River. Soon after, Italian immigrant and pros-pector Felix Pedro discovered gold just a few miles away. Barnette decided to start a town, which he named Fair-banks after a prominent Indi-

ana senator and future vice president.

While there was no Alaska Native settlement in the immediate area, Athabascans had traveled through the land for thousands of years, hunt-ing and fishing on the Tanana and Chena rivers.

By 1910, nearly $30 million in gold had been mined from creeks in Cleary, Ester and Fairbanks. But the growth had only begun. The Alaska Railroad was laid down in the 1920s, enabling large-scale

mining by delivering coal to Fairbanks that could power giant floating gold dredges. The Fairbanks Exploration Co. built power lines, min-ing camps and an industrial

complex that dominated the economy until World War II.

The military arrived in the years leading up to World

How a gold rush town found its roots

Please see FAIRBANKS, Page 16


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Special Admission Rate for AFN Delegates and Convention Participants Adults & Youth (7-17): $5 • Children (6 and under): Free

Please show your registration badge at the admissions desk and ask for the AFN group rate.

Museum Hours Weekdays: 9 AM – 5 PM • Saturdays 9 AM – 5 PM

W E L C O M E S T H E Alaska Federation of Natives t o F a i r b a n k s a n d t o t h e M u s e u m

In the Special Exhibits Gallery through December 31, 2010:

Then & Now: The Changing Arctic Landscape

Come see the Butterfly Pavilion in the Museum of the North Café:

Get up close to learn about the behavior of a variety of North

American butterflies.

The Butterfly Pavilion is proudly supported by the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Flint Hills Resources Alaska, Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Wells Fargo, Nadine Winters, Kiewit Building Group Inc., Fairbanks Memorial Hospita l/Denali Center,

Rotary Club of Fairbanks, and Mike and Sharon Cook. In-kind plant donation by Georgeson Botanical Ga rden. An AA/EO employer and

educational institution.

War II, when a test station for training pilots and mechanics was built in 1937. During the war, Fairbanks became the transfer point for nearly 8,000 aircraft that were picked up by Russian pilots under the Lend-Lease Act.

Alaska became the 49th state in 1959, to the delight of residents who wanted a voice in Congress and the status of a state. After statehood, the long-neglected issue of Alaska Native land rights surfaced. The Alaska Federation of Natives formed, and groups from across the state began to negotiate land claims. The Alaska Native Claims Settle-ment Act was approved in 1971, which yielded 44 mil-lion acres of land, 13 regional corporations, more than 200 village corporations and a payment of $962.5 million. Doyon, Ltd. and Tanana Chiefs Conference are head-quartered in Fairbanks.

When oil was discovered in Prudhoe Bay, sparking the construction of the trans-Alaska pipeline in the mid-1970s, thousands of construc-tion workers and others seek-ing new opportunities moved to Fairbanks.

Today, nearly 32,000 people live within Fairbanks city lim-its and an estimated 97,000 people in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, which takes up 7,361 square miles.

The city is the regional hub for Interior Alaska and the second-largest city in the state.

It is a hub for winter sports, including the 1,000-mile Yukon Quest Interna-tional Sled Dog Race. In 2010, the Yukon Quest will start in Fairbanks on February 6. The race alternates its starting and finishing points each year between Fairbanks, Alaska and Whitehorse, Yukon.

Contact staff writer Molly Rettig at 459-7590.

FAIRBANKS: InteriorContinued from Page 15

Sam Harrel/News-Miner

Visitors stream into the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center on Aug. 12, 2008, during the dedication and blessing of the new building.

Staff [email protected]

Fairbanks police will be ready for any-thing during this year’s Alaska Federation of Natives convention.

Fairbanks Police Chief Laren Zager said the department has not allowed officers to take time off during this year’s convention and that extra patrols will be available as needed.

While police are not expecting any major issues, they have contingency plans in place in case of events ranging from protests to poor weather, Zager said. Police were also instru-mental in planning for this year’s convention.

“We kind of get excited about it,” he said. “There’s a lot of neat things happening this year, and we feel pretty ready for this.”

Meanwhile, the Community Service Patrol is not planning any extra patrols for the fes-tivities.

The non-emergency number for Fairbanks police is (907) 459-6500, while Alaska State Troopers in Fairbanks can be contacted at (907) 451-5100.

Public safety paramount for local officials


Morris Thompson

By SUZANNA [email protected]

In 2007, the Morris Thomp-son Cultural and Visitors cen-ter was mostly a patch of dirt — and a whole lot of dream.

But today it’s a dream that has come to fruition.

The center was built to promote Interior cultures. But, without the help of Alaska Federation of Natives mem-bers and Alaska Native lead-ers from across the state, the building wouldn’t have been possible, said Project Director Cindy Shumaker.

Many leaders — from for-

mer AFN President Sam Kito to Willie Hensley — were instrumental in finding fund-ing and support. For many, it wasn’t just about building something to represent inte-rior cultures; it was a way to honor their friend, Morris Thompson. Thompson was a former president of Doyon Ltd. and commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He died in a plane crash in 2000.

“We worked based on the type of person Morris was,” Shumaker said. “And framed it around his work, his interests, his lifestyle.”

When AFN was last in Fair-

banks in 2007, they held a spe-cial fundraiser called a blanket ceremony. After an introduc-tion, audience members were asked come down and place money on a blanket. Shumak-er wasn’t sure if people would come forward, so she suggest-ed placing a few individuals in the audience who would start the giving. She needn’t have worried, she said.

“There was an amazing out-put of support,” she said.

She said that people from the audience donated with everything from small bills to large checks.

The building opened in

spring 2008. Shumaker said it has become an appropriate legacy for Thompson, reflect-ing the history of the people, culture and economy of the Interior.

The building is now a one-stop center for those looking for information on the Interior. It’s home to a free exhibit gal-lery, the Alaska Public Lands Information Center, the Fair-banks Convention and Visitors Bureau and Tanana Chiefs Conference Cultural Pro-grams, among others.

Shumaker said that the center will be “crazy busy” during AFN. It will host numerous meetings and events during the week. While the main exhibit showcasing the Interior is finished, not all of the building is.

But people can now see that the center is more than just a vision.

“They can see the dream — for a cultural center in Fairbanks — is now a reality,” Shumaker said.

Alaskans from across the state helped bring cultural center to life



Helping outBy REBA LEAN

[email protected]

Behind the scenes of one of Alas-ka’s biggest productions — the First Alaskans Elders and Youth Confer-ence and Alaska Federation of Natives Convention — are those who make sure all the pieces of the puzzle are in place. They hold up the pillars so the whole roof doesn’t tumble down. They are the volunteers.

Golden Heart Greeters make up the largest percentage of AFN volun-teers. They are the ones that can be spotted all over in their yellow vests — at the airport, welcoming people to the convention, setting up and tearing down between events and filling in just about everywhere else.

Greeters were encouraged in their

training for the week to “know your own backyard,” so they would be

able to answer questions from visi-tors unfamiliar with the area. With 4,000 or so people coming for the week, there are bound to be questions. Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Karen Lane wanted to make sure those 4,000 get a warm welcome.

Usually the convention’s small-city-sized population meets in Anchorage, where there are more facilities and accommodations.

“We need to make up for that with our hospitality,” Lane said to volun-teers.

In preparation, the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau also gave cross-cultural training sessions to volunteers. The training sessions taught some Golden Heart Greeters and other community members tips about talking with people whose first

language might not be English. On top of the greeters, there are

also volunteers from Tanana Chiefs Conference, Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. and Fort Wainwright expected.

“We rely on volunteers,” said Erin Fogg, AFN spokeswoman. “We really, really need them.”

Volunteers are what make every-thing tick. They help with conversions of the Carlson Center and Big Dipper Ice Arena. They help stuff bags and prepare pins and notebooks. This year, there is room for at least 200 volun-teers to make the convention work, and Lane expected early this month that every spot would be filled.

Contact reporter Reba Lean at 459-7523.

Volunteers are an integral part of AFN convention weekGolden Heart Greet-

ers make up the larg-est percentage of AFN volunteers. They are the ones that can be spotted all over in their yellow vests.


“We are children born of the government. We live in homes given to us, food provided on our table, and warmth over our heads, and we want MORE!! We look for a bail out, more pork to feed our children. We have given our children food for a day, and not taught them to fish for a lifetime. We need to develop our resources, create jobs, throw out the pork, and put real food on the table; for the future of our children. Enough is enough!! I believe Joe Miller is a positive change in the righ t direction for Alaska! He’s got my vote!! “

– Ginger DeLima, Ruby, Alaska

Joe and Kathleen Miller and family

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“Joe Miller is a proven leader who believes in restoring our rights as Alaska Native Veterans. We s tand together in support of U.S. Senate candidate Joe Miller.”

– Chris Kiana; Harold Rudolph

“End of Earmarks, is that a bad thing? It’s really a thing of the past. We need to gain our pride a nd self respect back, eliminate our dependency on the government, develop our natural resources, train our people and create jobs. Nobody gave anything to our grandparents, why should we expect something for nothing!! WE’RE PRO LIFE, PRO FAMILY, PRO RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PRO JOE!! Honored to associate our names with JOE MILLER!!!!”

– Dale a nd Cynthia Erickson, T anana, Alaska

“It’s clear that Joe has worked and earned his way to get where he’s at. Nobody gave it to him. Working people can relate to that. Alaskans need jobs not government welfare programs. Access to our lands and developement of our resources is the key to job opportunities and our children’s futur e. Pushing back the federal regulators will take leaders like Joe Miller. Our villages are starving on Washington DC Pork.”

– Jack Irwin, Fairbanks

“My grandparents taught me to believe in God, work hard, importance of family, respect my elders, respect education, honesty and integrity, respect for military service, love for my country, and lov e for the land. Because Joe Miller reflects my values I support and will vote for him as my US Senator.”

– Nellie Karmun

Vote Joe Miller!

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TransportationBy REBA LEAN

[email protected]

For people from Alaska remote cor-ners, getting to Fairbanks this week for the Alaska Federation of Natives convention is one thing. Getting around Fairbanks is quite another.

Rental cars answer the needs of some people, but other options offer cheaper solutions.

Buses, shuttles and taxis can carry convention attendees to and from con-ferences and hotels, and everywhere in between.

The community of Fairbanks will

provide four shuttle vans that will travel from 12 major hotels to the con-ference daily. The vans will also pro-vide rides to the play “Winter Bear,” the community potlatch, arts and crafts sessions and Quyana Nights. The shuttles are free.

This year, the community down-sized to vans rather than buses, to provide better mobility and a closer-knit feel, according to Fairbanks Con-vention and Visitors Bureau’s Helen Renfrew. The shuttles are a “supple-ment for folks who don’t get rental cars,” Renfrew said.

Bill Northrup, manager of Eagle

Cab in Fairbanks, said his company’s fleet is big enough to accommodate the week’s demand. However, he will add extra drivers.

“When AFN comes along, they seem to come out of the woodwork,” he said.

Even though all cabs will operate, his company won’t be the only one bustling. When the convention breaks for lunch and other events, everybody wants a cab at the same time.

“All the cab businesses are going to be busy,” he said. “There’s going to be some waiting.”

Eagle Cab is leasing one of their

vans to be a free shuttle for the con-vention. Northrup said a few other companies were doing the same thing to help out the visitor industry.

Fairbanks North Star Borough’s MACS transit system will provide free bus rides for registered AFN delegates. For a ride, people will be asked to present their badges. The Yellow route travels downtown and to the Carlson Center regularly. All bus routes will stay the same during the convention. Schedules can be found inside buses and at the downtown bus transit station. See the map on Pages 36-37.

How to get from point A to B in Fairbanks during AFN week


Paid for by Lisa Murkowski for US Senate LisaMurkowski.com

WELCOME TO FAIRBANKS, AFN DELEGATES

Your vote counts – NOW MORE THAN EVER.

Let’s make history!

I look forward to spending time with you at the Convention this year and discussing issues important to all Alaskans.

Stop by the campaign office at 505 Old Steese Highway, Suite 124, in the Cornerstone Mall while you’re in town and have a cup of coffee and a doughnut! Call 451-6875 for more information or questions.

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QuyanaBy SUZANNA [email protected]

Native dance groups from northern and interior Alaska will have a chance to show off their skills at this year’s Quyana dance celebration during the Alaska Federa-tion of Natives convention in Fairbanks.

Marie Mead, who has coordinated the dance pro-gram since the early ’90s, said 20 groups signed up this year. Their performances will

cover two days. The number of groups

participating during the past decade has increased signifi-cantly, Mead said. The first Quyana was in 1982 and it has been a conference high-light ever since. The pro-gram was designed to restore traditional dances and ensure that they were passed on to future generations.

A few decades ago, Mead said, many village people had stopped dancing. For example, during her child-

hood in the Yupik village of Nunapitchuk, near Bethel, no dance groups performed.

Now, she said, dance groups can be found at almost every high school in rural Alaska, and they’re all embraced by the community.

“They’re starting to embrace that culture,” she said. “We’re realizing that we can’t afford to lose that culture.”

The Quyana has become more than just dancing; it’s a time for people to come

together.“It’s a time to celebrate,

to reconnect, to support, to applaud,” she said.

Since AFN does not cover transportation costs for the

20 groups to perform traditional dances


Nine-year-old Aaron Topkok performs with the rest of the Pavva Inupiat Dancers of Fairbanks at the Alaska Federation of Natives Elders and Youth Conference on Oct. 23, 2007.

Please see QYANA, Page 22


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groups, the convention’s location can affect which groups attend, according to Mead.

This year, some groups from Southcentral and Southeast couldn’t make the costly trip to Fairbanks. Most groups participating are either from the Interior or northern Alaska, she said.

For example, groups attending this year include those from Wainwright, Anaktuvuk Pass, Minto and Galena, among several oth-ers.

Qyana begins at 7 p.m. on Oct. 21 and 22 at the Carl-son Center. Tickets are $10.


QUYANAContinued from Page 21

James Barker photos


“A place where good thinking and working

together would happen.”Chief Peter John describing

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Arts and CraftsBy MARY BETH [email protected]

More than 100 Alaska Native artisans from all regions of the state will be selling their handmade wares at the Alaska Native Arts and Crafts Fair held in conjunction with the Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention.

The Arts and Crafts Fair will run all three days of the convention at the Carlson Center and is open to the public.

The annual fair is an

unique opportunity to pur-chase top quality Native arts and crafts, more often than not from the item’s maker, as well as witness a host of arti-sans at work. In short, it is a shopping experience unlike any other.

For more than 30 years, AFN has brought together Alaska Native artisans as well as lower 48 American Indian friends to showcase and sell their artwork.

If time allows, artisan sell-ers are more than willing to share a short history on the properties of materials used,

and/or the inspiration or tra-ditional usage.

Between customers, many of the crafts people will resume working on their spe-cialty, and answer questions to curious spectators. Hence free demonstrations often are the norm for beading, fur sewing, carving, polishing, weaving, etc.

The annual convention craft show is billed as the largest Native arts and crafts show in the state and the most diversified.

Many of the artists and crafts people travel from

remote communities for the annual AFN fair which is the primary outlet for their work.

According to Nicole James, AFN show coordinator, the artisans’ offerings will rep-

resent all different cultures and a wide variety of artwork styles.

Shoppers can expect to find the creative work of five

Fair showcases one-of-a-kind wares

Please see CRAFTS, Page 24


Two dolls made by Ursula Paniyak of Chevak depict best friends picking berries are seen during the arts and crafts fair at the 2007 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention.

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Fr. Isaac and the parishioners of

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distinct Native cultures, some not usually found in local gift shops or galleries.

The wide selection will include ivory carving, fur hats and ruffs, sealskin and moose skin slippers, silver, copper and beaded jewelry, baleen baskets, dolls, woven grass and birch bark baskets, bead-work, trade beads, ceremonial masks, ceremonial regalia, Eskimo kuspuks, yo-yos, and more, including some unusual traditional items such as Sele-na Alexander’s bead-trimmed bags fashioned from moose bladders and moose hearts.

The last time the AFN was in Fairbanks, James said, the arts and crafts event was especially enjoyed by the arti-sans many who look forward to not only selling a year’s worth of work but also meet-

ing up with extended family members and old friends.

“A lot of them say (sell-ing at the fair) helps them out financially in the winter months, and it’s also a chance for them to socialize and catch up with friends from all over Alaska,” James said.

When reservations are being taken for tables at the fair, James said, artisans often make special requests to sit next to specific people.

“Usually they are old friends, and they help each other out when they need to go away from the table,” James said. “There definitely is a lot of teamwork with other artists going on.”

The Arts and Crafts Fair will be held Thursday, Oct. 21, and Friday, Oct. 22, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and on Sat-urday, Oct. 23, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CRAFTS: UniqueContinued from Page 23


Juneau-based artist Doug Chilton, left, laughs with Roberta Miller as he explains the Tlingit double eagle design on the silver bracelet Miller bought from him at the 2007 Alaska Federa-tion of Natives Convention arts and crafts fair at the Carlson Center.


Alaska Native Arts and Crafts Fair October 21-22, 8am-7pm &

October 23, 8am-4pm Carlson Center

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Quyana (Thank You)

Nights Quyana I, October 21 Quyana II, October 22 7pm-11pm, Carlson Center

Alaska Native dancers, drummers and singers perform. Tickets on sale now.

For ticket information visit www.carlson-center.com or call (907) 451-7800. $10 per person

Photo by James Barker (AFN)

Over 100 artisans from all over Alaska will be showcasing and

selling their finest work. Free Admission

The Fairbanks community is invited to the following events during the

Alaska Federation of Natives Convention:

Photo courtesy of Doyon, Limited

AlaskaNativeKnowledgeNetwork

UAF programs like the Alaska Native Knowledge

Network share information about Alaska’s Native

peoples with others of all ages and backgrounds.

www.ankn.uaf.edu


TM


PerspectiveBy GLENN BURNSILVER

[email protected]

When it comes to village survival, it’s all a matter of perspective. And that’s exactly what the organizers of the Alaska Federation of Natives’ inaugural “Village Survival!” photo exhibit were hoping to see in the photos submitted by Native people in villages and cities across the state.

“Looking at this exhibit, we thought we’d give people a way to see what village survival means to

them,” explained AFN spokesper-son Erin Fogg. “We were looking for ways that are not only inherent to village survival, but also the real beauty that goes along with these people, whether urban or rural, and what they experience every day.”

The 120 photos depict the most obvious aspects of village survival, such as hunting, fishing, berry pick-ing and other aspects of subsistence living. But photos also captured people dancing, playing basketball in the snow, World Eskimo-Indian Olympic training, beautiful parkas,

sunsets, churches, family and rela-tionships, children (lots of children) and other aspects of life that go beyond subsistence, yet are equally as important to survival.

“When you look at this year’s convention theme, Village Survival, it seems so simple. But as you start to think about it more you start to realize there is so much more inher-ent in that idea of village survival,” Fogg said.

“There is cultural survival, lin-guistic survival, subsistence — phys-ical survival that’s part of subsis-

tence — and emotional survival. The really cool thing to me is that we also saw people thinking of it that way.”

The idea for the exhibit, which is free and can be viewed on the Carl-son Center’s second floor concourse, came up rather late in the overall AFN planning process, Fogg said.

“We just said ‘Wow, how cool would it be to have people par-ticipate in this way and have their visions incorporated in the conven-

‘Village Survival!’ photo exhibit all about your point of view

Please see PHOTO, Page 26


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tion?” she said, adding that a call for photos was placed on the AFN website, press

releases went out to some villages and word of mouth carried the request.

Still, she was surprised

by the rapid and strong response.

“We had a pretty short timeframe for people to turn

this around, so we were pretty excited to see all the response,” she said. “We didn’t know what to expect. We could have received five photos or 500.”

Fogg noted to that despite Alaska’s vast size and many geological differences, the many actions depicted in the photos show a kinship that reaches across physical dis-tance.

“You’re not only seeing what’s different about this vast area that is Alaska, but a lot of things that are the same,” she said. “The natu-ral environment might be a little different, but many of the activities are similar.”

Fogg said the hope is that the exhibit can travel beyond the convention via composite

posters of the images. These posters could be hung in vil-lage libraries, stores, schools and town halls.

“We imagine this could grow into something much bigger for people to share among themselves,” she said.

And there is next year’s convention. With these post-ers and more time, Fogg said, she expects an even greater turnout.

“The camera is such a powerful tool for people to be able to show what their experience is,” she said. “And that diversity of images — the visions of what vil-lage survival means to them — is really special.”

Contact features editor Glenn BurnSilver at 459-7510.

PHOTO: Cameras capture life in rural Alaska, by AlaskansContinued from Page 25


New and Used GULLIVER’S BOOKS

1-800-390-8999 • www.gullivers-books.com • 474-9574 • 3525 College Road (near University Ave.)

11372907 9-12-10

Gulliver’s Books welcomes AFN and all its participants to Fairbanks!

We can help you with all your book needs, no matter where you are.

We welcome bush orders! $2.50 flat shipping fee!

Call us toll free: 800-390-8999

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Welcome, AFN Delegates from the

Athabascan Fiddlers Assoc.

Everyone is Welcome to Come & Join Us October 21, 22 & 23

from 7 pm-1:30 am nightly for an

Athabascan Fiddle Dance at the David Salmon Tribal Hall

Prizes! Prizes!

$10 $10 Cover Cover Charge Charge

10372557-10-17-10AF

N An Alcohol & Drug Free Event Sponsored by Athabascan Fiddlers Assoc.

Bert Boyer, CANHR’s acting director, will speak to theAlaska Federation of Natives at 1:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 22.

Center for AlaskaNativeHealthResearch

UAF programs like the Center for Alaska Native

Health Research are building relationships

and research-based knowledge to improve Alaska Native health.

canhr.uaf.edu


TM

UAF is an AA/EO employer and educational institution. Photo courtesy of CANHR, UAF.

Elders & youthBy MOLLY RETTIG

[email protected]

This year’s Elders and Youth Conference starts on Sunday and kicks off a week full of Alaska Native culture in Fairbanks.

The conference, part of the Alaska Fed-eration of Natives Convention, dates back to 1984, when 54 Alaska Native high school students convened to address issues unique to them. Four years later, elders from across Alaska followed suit to form the first AFN

Elders Conference. The two groups merged in 1993 and the Elders and Youth Conference was born.

Today the conference draws more than 1,000 participants from villages and cities to foster the transmission of wisdom and leader-ship from elders to young people — between 13 and 18 years old. It runs the same week as the AFN convention and covers many of the same subjects. They talk about land, values,

Conference spans generations to foster understanding, wisdom

Please see CONFERENCE, Page 28John Wagner/ News-Miner


18372620-10 -17-10AFN 18376105-10-17-10AFN

We Ship Anywhere

2800 Cushman Street, Fairbanks

452-4524

Welcome to Fairbanks!

language, drugs and alcohol, education and other topics affecting Native communi-ties. The conference includes speakers, panels and cultural performances. Participants represent all five Alaska Native cultural groups.

This year’s theme is “Indi-genize it! Culture. Language. Identity.” To keynote speaker Eliza Jones, an Athabascan elder, that means elders and youth communicating.

“That’s what my presenta-tion is going to be, just giving tips on how to work together,” she said.

Jones is a linguist who published the Koyukon Atha-bascan Dictionary in 2000. She has traveled to many villages along the Yukon

recording the Native names of places, kinships that lived there and the types of subsis-tence activities that took place there.

“It gives you a feeling of belonging to know where your family comes from,” Jones said.

In her speech, she will encourage youth to mine this information from elders, a practice that has faded fast among Alaska Native com-munities.

“The kids are going in dif-ferent ways, so we need to refocus all the attention,” she said.

The Elders and Youth Con-ference is run by the First Alaskans Institute. Fairbanks last hosted the conference in 2005.

CONFERENCE Continued from Page 27


Bessie Hausmann, second from right, motions her group’s willingness to present their fi ndings after a group brainstorming activity as part of a youth workshop in 2007.


RuralAlaskaHonorsInstitute

For six weeks every

summer, Native and rural

high school students

discover first-hand what it’s

like to be a college student.

www.uaf.edu/rahi/


TM


Elder of the YearBy SUZANNA [email protected]

Larry Chercasen said he was over-whelmed to be selected as the Aleut Corp.’s Elder of the Year. Many others were deserving, he said.

But Chercasen’s long involvement in the Aleut community of the Pacific Northwest made him also deserving of the award. A former Pacific Northwest Aleut Council president, Chercasen has been active in the organization for about 12 years and active in the community for longer than that.

Chercasen, who retired as an assistant

maintenance superintendent of highways in Washington state in 1995, has been especially active in helping the Aleut com-munity, entertaining people with music in nursing and retirement homes and serv-ing as an Alaska Federation of Natives delegate.

He also has been able to share his cul-ture and experiences with young Aleuts in the community.

Born in the Aleutian village of Nikol-ski, Chercasen was one of hundreds of Aleuts placed in internment camps by the U.S. government in 1942. Many were taken from their rocky, coastal lands and moved to the camps in woody and wet

Southeast Alaska. He was 7 years old when he was taken

from his small community 100 miles west of Dutch Harbor and placed in a camp in Ketchikan. For three years, he and his family lived there. Chercasen said his memories are a little blacked out, but he remembers it “being a rough time.” It caused them to completely change their day-to-day life.

“Daylight was 250 feet straight up,” he said.

Medical access was also limited in Ket-chikan, and the transition from the wide-open islands of the Aleutians to the close

Chercasen has been active in Aleut community for decades

Alex Chercasen

Please see CHERCASEN, Page 31

10372600-10-17-10AF

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UAF’s Geophysical Institute combines western science, indigenous knowledge and

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UAF is an AA/EO employer and educational institution. Photo courtesy of GI, UAF.

quarters in Southeast helped diseases like tuberculosis to proliferate.

Chercasen lost four cousins from 1942-45. After that, he and his family returned to Nikolski.

Chercasen, a 1952 gradu-ate of Mt. Edgecumbe High School, moved to Vancouver, Wash., a few years after gradu-ating and has remained there ever since. He has been active in Aleut issues in the Pacific Northwest and is fluent in the Aleut language. He said that the council, which consists of of eight board members, has about 500 people who partici-pate in events.

He said that he wasn’t sure how many people still speak Aleut. The language is difficult

to learn, he said. For the first 13 years of his life, though, it was his primary language.

“All my relatives spoke it,” he said. “It’s in my DNA.”

He praised The Aleut Corp. for working to teach the lan-guage through culture camps.

“They encourage people to study the language,” he said. “They do quite a bit for it.”

Chercasen is active in his church and teaches Aleut cul-ture. In 2001, shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, he was one of 11 other people asked by the city of Vancouver to deliver a prayer in Aleut.

He also has been a partici-pant in the Alaska Federation of Natives for many years. He attends the conference to see what is happening in the Alaska community.

He thinks it’s important

that young people have strong

mentors. He thinks that by knowing the traditional ways they will be less likely to have problems with things like drugs and alcohol.

“It’s important to know were you’re from to know where you’re going,” he said. “We’ve got to give them a base to start.”


CHERCASEN: Mentors importantContinued from Page 29

“It’s important to know were you’re from to know where you’re going.”

James Barker photo


Unlike other regions in Alaska, the Interior does not have a tribally owned hospital and emergency room. Emergency Room services are provided by Fairbanks Memorial Hospital a non-tribal facility and paid for by Contract Health Services if all eligibility criteria are met. Non–emergent services and services that are available at TCC Health Services are not paid through TCC-CHS when rendered outside the tribal health system. In other words–If you visit a non-tribal health care provider for non-emergent conditions– that visit can not be paid through TCC-CHS.

What to do if you get sick or injured while in Fairbanks and the clinic is

closed?

Tanana Chiefs Conference

Non–Emergencies after clinic hours If you are unsure if your illness or injury is considered a Medical Emergency or if it occurs after TCC Health Services clinics are closed, please contact our

Providence Triage Phone Nurse by dialing 1-800-478-6682

The Triage Nurse will evaluate your situation, recommend an appropriate care plan and answer any questions you may have.

Medical Emergency If you are having a Medical Emergency — please call 911 or go to the FMH Emergency Room located at 1650 Cowles Street.

Hours of Operation for CAIHC Monday, Tuesday & Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to

8:00 p.m. Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Weekend Clinic Hours

Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pharmacy Hours of Operation

Monday – Thursday – 8:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday – 8:15 to 4:30 p.m.

Closed for Lunch 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Monday - Friday

Contact us at: 1408 19th Avenue

(907) 451-6682 or 1-800-478-6682

The following is helpful information for the AFN Delegates in case medical attention is required.

Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center welcomes the 2010 AFN Convention to Fairbanks!

11375414-10-17-10AF

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InupiaqGwich’in

Koyukon

Alutiiq

Aleut

HolikachukDeg Hit’an

CentralYup’ik

UpperKuskokwim

Tanaina

HanTanana

Ahtna

Eyak

Tlingit

Tanacross

UpperTanana

Tsimshian

Haida

Siberian Yupik

AlaskaNativeLanguages

G

ulf o

f Alaska

Bering Sea

For more information go to http://www.uaf.edu/anlc/languages.html

Eskimo-Aleut:AleutAlutiiqCentral Yup’ikNaukanski YupikSiberian YupikSirenikskiInupiaq

Athabascan-Eyak-Tlingit:TlingitEyakAhtnaTanainaDeg Hit’anHolikachuckUpper KuskokwimKoyukonTananaTanacrossUpper TananaHanGwich’in

Haida

Tsimshian


The Fairbanks North Star Borough welcomes you to Fairbanks.

We’re so glad to celebrate with you again! 17373109-10-17-10AF

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What we speakBy MARY BETH SMETZER

[email protected]

The Alaska Native Language Cen-ter at the University of Alaska Fair-banks was established by the Legisla-ture in 1972 to study and document Alaska’s 20 endangered Native lan-guages and to support bilingual and community revitalization language programs. The work since then has been unceasing.

Over the years the center’s goals have expanded to the extent that today it is considered the major center and repository in the United States for the study of Eskimo and northern Athabascan languages.

The center boasts the largest and most comprehensive archival col-

lection in the world of everything written in or about Alaska Native languages as well as more than 5,000 audio and video recordings.

According to center director Law-rence Kaplan, all of Alaska’s Native

languages are threatened with extinc-tion in some way.

“Their continuation will be assured by people speaking and using them, writing and singing,” he said. “What-ever use the people put the language to is good.”

The center supports school pro-grams with teacher training and material development and partners with community language programs to support revitalization efforts with the guidance of elders and teachers.

“We respond to community needs and work with communities in what they are interested in,” Kaplan said.

Alaska Native languages are taught on the UAF campus. Language center staff teach Siberian Yupik, Alutiiq, Aleut, Tlingit, and several Athabascan

languages on demand.The center’s staff also teach lin-

guistic and education classes at UAF and conduct workshops for teach-ers on campus and through distance delivery and locally around the state.

Much of the center’s research is available through a variety of lan-guage center publications, which include language dictionaries, gram-mars, story collections and narratives, maps and learning aids.

To request a catalog, call (907) 474-7874 or e-mail [email protected]. A list of works in print can be had at http:anlc.uaf.edu/pubs/catalog.

Language center staff members will be at the AFN convention and have a table with a selection of the center’s publications for sale.

Center aims to document, revitalize Alaska’s native languages

All of Alaska’s Native languages are threatened with extinction in some way.


by

TH

E

On College Road next to the Farmers Market • 452-4002 • www.thewoodway.com

WOODWAY Warming the heart of Alaska since 1 9 78 Open: Weekdays 9-6

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Welcome to Fairbanks AFN Conference Attendees! Welcome to Fairbanks AFN Conference Attendees! Welcome to Fairbanks AFN Conference Attendees!

• Low Emissions • Long Burn Time • Available w/ Ash Drawer • Thermostat Controlled • EPA Approved

Efficient & $aves Money . . .

Aleuthello ...................................... aanggoodbye .................................. ukudigadathank you............................... qagaasakungHappy holiday. ....................... Kamgan Ukudigaa

Central Yup’ikhello (good to see you) .......... cama-ihi! what’s up? ........................ waqaagoodbye .................................. piurathank you............................... quyanawelcomequyana .................... tailuciMerry Christmas ................... Alussistuaqegcikicihow are you?.......................... cangacit?

Siberian Yupikhow are you?.......................... natesiin?goodbye (I’ll see you) ............ esghaghlleqamkenthank you............................... igamsiqanaghhalekwelcome (thank you all for coming) .........................................quyanaghhalek tagilusiMerry Christmas.........Quyanaghhalek Kuusmemi

Inupiaqgoodbye .................................. tautugniaqmigikpinthank you............................... quyanaqwelcome ................................. qaimarutinMerry Christmas...................Nayaangamik piqaginhello, how are you? ............... qanuq itpich?

Alutiiqhello ....................................... cama’ithank you............................... quyanaa

Haidahello (how are you?) .............. sán uu dáng giidang?thank you............................... háw’aa

Tsimshianthank you............................... way dankoo

Tlingithello (how are you?) .............. wa.é ák.wé?thank you............................... gunalchéeshMerry Christmas ................... Xristos Khuwdziti

Eyakthank you............................... ’awa’ahdah

Ahtna Athabascanthank you............................... tsin’aenMerry Christmas ................... C’ehwggelnen Dzaenmy friend ............................... slatsiin

Deg Hit’an Athabascanthank you............................... dogedinhmy friend ............................... sits’ida’on

Gwich’in Athabascanhello (how are you?) .............. neenjit dôonch’yàa?thank you............................... mahsi’welcome ................................. nakhwal’in shoo ih?iimy friend.......................shijyaa

Hän Athabascanthank you.......................mahsi’our friends.......................nijaa

Koyukon Athabascanhello.......................dzaanh nezoonhthank you.......................baasee’welcome.......................enaa neenyogood luck friend.......................gganaa’

Tanana Athabascanhello (how are you?).......................do’eent’aa?thank you.......................maasee’his friend.......................betlanh

Tanaina Athabascanthank you.......................chin’anmy friend.......................shida

Tanacross Athabascanthank you.......................tsin’e e

—From Alaska Native Language Center Web site — www.uaf.edu/anlc/expressions.html

Common expressions in Alaska Native languages


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Mission statementThe Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) is the largest statewide Native organization in Alaska. Its membership includes 178 villages (both federally-recognized tribes and village corporations), 13 regional Native corporations and 12 regional nonprofi t and tribal consortiums that contract and run federal and state programs. AFN is governed by a 37-mem-ber Board, which is elected by its membership at the annual convention held each Octo-ber. The mission of AFN is to enhance and promote the cultural, economic and politi-cal voice of the entire Alaska Native community.

Alaska Native people began as members of full sovereign nations and continue to enjoy a unique political relationship with the federal government. We will sur-vive and prosper as distinct ethnic and cultural groups and will participate fully as members of the overall society. The mission of AFN is to enhance and promote the cultural, economic and political voice of the entire Alaska Native community. AFN’s major goals are to:

* Advocate for Alaska Native people, their governments and organizations, with respect to federal, state and local laws; * Foster and encourage preservation of Alaska Native cultures; * Promote understanding of the economic needs of Alaska Natives and encour-age development consistent with those needs; * Protect, retain and enhance all lands owned by Alaska Natives and their orga-nizations; and * Promote and advocate for programs and systems which instill pride and confi -dence in individual Alaska Natives.

Ho

selt

on

Rd

AFN Conference infor

DMV

Denali Center

N11 Morris Thompson Center

Doyon, Limited

MACSBUS ROUTES

DowntownShoppers ForumPioneer ParkCarlson CenterFred Meyer WestUAFAuroraRailroad depotWedgewoodFred Meyer East

RED LIN

E

DowntownCarlson CenterDMVJillian SquareFred Meyer WestAirportUAFPump HouseGeist Post Office

YELLOW

LINE

DowntownFred Meyer EastWedgewoodRailroad depotAurora DriveUAFFred Meyer WestPioneer ParkShopper’s Forum

BLUE LIN

E

Downtown24th & CushmanBehavioral CenterOld Rich & Easy StS. Cushman & 23rdHospital3rd & EagleC & BaranofF st & Trainor Bentley MallWal-Mart/Fred Meyer East

Fred Meyer EastMcGrath RdSummit DriveGrenac RdScenic LpBallaine RdUAF Wood CenterBallaine Rd

DowntownS. Cushman/Old RichMcPeaksBadger/NordaleNo Pole MallWells Gargo BankNorth Pole H.S.Wescott PoolSt. Nicholus Dr./Santa Calus LnBeaverbrook Mall

GREEN

LINE

GRAY LIN

E (Not show

n on map)

PURPLE LIN

E

36 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Danby S

t

mation: 451-1801

Denali CenterDenali CenterDenali Center

Old Navy, Pet Stuff,Barnes & Noble, Sports Auth.

Public safety information center459-1173 and 459-1185

24 hours a day during the convention

Fairbanks Police Department

For emergencies,

dial

911

AlaskaBird Observatory

AlaskaBird Observatory

Safeway Plaza

DeeDee Hammond/News-Miner

37Sunday, October 17, 2010



AFN co-chairs Tim Towarak, left, and state

Sen. Albert Kookesh, right,

work together as Gov. Sarah

Palin, back center, waits

to speak to the audience dur-ing the Alaska Federation of Natives Con-

vention on Oct. 25, 2007, at the Carlson Center.


10373030-10-17-10AF

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 • 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Big Dipper Arena • 1920 Lathrop Street

AFN is governed by a 37-member Board, which is elected by its membership at the an-nual convention held each October.

• Julie Kitka, President

* Albert Kookesh, Co-Chair of the Board, Sealaska Corporation* Andrew Teuber, Kodiak Area Native Association* Bert Adams, Northwest Villages* Bertha Franulovich, Southeast Villages* Brenda Rebne, Ahtna Villages* Christopher Gene, Copper River Native Associa-tion* Dimitri Philemonof, Aleutian/Pribilof Islands As-sociation* Edward Thomas, Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska* Felix Hess, Calista Corporation* Fenton Rexford, Arctic Slope Villages* Francis Norman, Chugachmiut* Fred Christensen, Kodiak Villages* Gail Schubert, Bering Straits Native Corporation

* Georgianna Lincoln, Doyon, Limited* Gloria O’Neill, Cook Inlet Tribal Council* Greg, Razo, Cook Inlet Region, Inc.* Herman Kingnak, Sr., Arctic Slope Native Associa-tion* Jason Bourdukofsky, Aleut Villages* Jerry Isaac, Tanana Chiefs Conference* Joseph Chythlook, Bristol Bay Native Corporation* Ken Johns, Ahtna, Inc.* Loretta Bullard, Kawerak, Inc.* Marie Greene, NANA Regional Corporation, Inc.* Myron Naneng, Association of Village Council Presidents* Nancy Barnes, Chugach Villages* Orville Huntington, Interior Villages* Rosita Worl, Sealaska Corporation* Sheri Buretta, Chugach Alaska Corporation* Stephanie Thompson, CIRI Villages* Steve Ivanoff, Bering Straits Villages* Tara Sweeney, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation

* Ted Angasan, Bristol Bay Native Association

* Thomas Mack, The Aleut Corporation

* Tim Towarak, Co-Chair of the Board, Bering

Straits Native Corporation

* Tom Tilden, Bristol Bay Villages

* Will Anderson, Koniag, Inc.

* Willie Kasayulie, Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Villages

Contact UsThe Alaska Federation of Natives

1577 C Street, Suite 300

Anchorage, AK 99501

Phone 907.274.3611

Fax 907.276.7989

Email [email protected]

AFN Board


Proudly Welcome

16376157-10-17-10AF

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The Community and City of North Pole

the Delegates to the

Alaska Federation of Natives

2010 Convention

Athabascanwords of the week

The Athabascan word of the week are provided by Susan “K’etsoo” Paskvan of Yukon-Koyukuk School District. She is originally from the village of Koyu-kuk on the Yukon River in Interior Alaska. She is Tleeyegge Hut’aane, which is Koyukon Athabascan. She seeks stories and phrases from both Denaakk’e (Koyukon Athabascan) and Denak’a (Lower Tanana Athabascan), which are languages spoken in the Yukon-Koyukuk School District region. Yukon-Koyu-kuk School District serves the villages of Allakaket, Hughes, Huslia, Koyukuk, Nulato, Kaltag, Ruby, Manley Hot Springs and Minto. The Board of Educa-tion places a priority on teaching the Native languag-es within the district.

Some examples are shown in the pages that follow.

Selina Alexander made bags out of moose bladder, left, and moose heart, above. The bags were traditionally used to carry food or small items. The bags are on display at Doyon, Limited headquarters in Fairbanks.


THE CITY OF FAIRBANKS WELCOMES

The AFN Delegates The AFN Delegates The AFN Delegates to the Golden Heart City. to the Golden Heart City. to the Golden Heart City.

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Culture weekThe Ella B. Vernetti School in Koyukuk hosted a

Culture Week September 20-24, 2010. Students learned how to make dry meat from deneege ledle’ (moose fore arm); make porcupine balls from ground meat; cut fish with Eliza Jones; bake bread; hear Tobaan Etseh “Cry-ing on the Beach”, a traditional story; and take a nature hike up to Meneelghaadze.

On Friday, Sept. 24, 91 students and staff across the district participated in a Healthy Lifestyles run. This was the final event after five weeks of cross country running.

Photo by Susan Paskvan.

Denaanodoneyhtl deneege tloole’ et’o?. Ashley Williams is cutting moose tongue. Ashley Williams’ Denaakk’e name is Denaanodoneyhtl, which means ‘all-around helper’ because she likes to help people. Ashley said “I cut meat all day. I didn’t even play today.”

Phrases from the culture week and cross country running:

Detseege kk’e hoolaanh. ..................................There are moose calf tracks.Deyozee kk’e hoolaanh. ...................................There are cow moose tracks.Deneege nelaan est’o?. .....................................I am cutting moose meat.GegeggUyhtl. ....................................................I am running.Keel ees k’ee?ughe ghelggUyhtl. .....................The boy is running fast.


Kohler, Schmitt & Hutchison, PC would like to welcome back the annual AFN Convention

to our beautiful “Golden Heart City”.

We wish you a successful convention and hope you enjoy all the different amenities

that Fairbanks has to offer.

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Welcome Welcome AFN Delegates! AFN Delegates!

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Degrees offered: Accounting - BBA

Business Administration - BBA, MBA Economics - BA, BBA, MS

Emergency Management - BEM Find out about the award-winning Native Alaska

Business Leaders student organization. Enter a scholarship drawing for the

2011 NLC Summer Leadership Institute.

The Northern Leadership Center (NLC) embedded within the School of Management at UAF is dedicated to cultivating leadership among UAF students, community members, and Alaska Native groups by focusing on community engagement activities, leadership development programs, leadership research, and leadership policy. Every year the NLC hosts a Summer

Leadership Institute for high school juniors and seniors which allows them to network with peers and develop leadership skills.

This year the NLC and its sponsors are providing full and partial scholarships. At AFN 2010, NLC will be awarding additional scholarships. Stop by our booth for more information.

UAF is an AA/EO employer and educational institution

The Northern Leadership Center

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Visit the University of Alaska Fairbanks

School of Management table during the Elders & Youth

Opportunities Expo!

Extended learningStudents at the Yukon-Koyukuk School District

have had the opportunity to participate in several extended learning activities the last month.

In April seven students participated in the Close-Up program in Washington, DC. Students met with Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich and staff from Rep. Don Young’s office.

Jimmy Huntington High School student, Bar-bie S. asked both senators about their stand on oil development in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge and non-Alaskan hunters.

Andrew K. Demoski High School student, Gabriel P., asked Sen.Begich about what he is doing about off-shore bycatch of salmon. He then raised his hand and presented Sen. Begich with some king salmon strips.

Mr. Begich, said “That is not a question, that is a statement.”

This was the first time out of state for four of the students, so they learned how to take the Metro in D.C. during rush hour and greeted everyone with a smile and hello.

Phrases:yoonaane...................................outside of AlaskaYoonaan Denaak’edoyone’ .......President of the United States

In May six high school students participated in a Welding Academy in Nulato and eight in a Con-struction Academy in Minto. Students learned the safety skills, ten hours of Occupational Safety and Health Administration training, employability skills, and received hands-on instruction in welding, carpentry, and electrical skills.

Phrases:The verb root den means to be skilled.k’eełdenenh ...............(noun) carpenterWelder UhUdeldeeh. .......................He is learning to use a welder.Tl’eegho hUdaalden ent’aa nUghUnenh. ............ This man was remarkably skillful.


The Alaska Federation of Natives Convention and the First Alaskans Institute Elders & Youth Conference symbolize a legacy of strength, identity and heritage in our community. What is shared today will last for generations.

We proudly celebrate the great achievements of the Alaska Native people.

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Achieving great things for our community

Arctic Slope Regional Corp.

Calista Corp.

Doyon Ltd.

The Aleut Corp.

Ahtna Inc.

Bering Straits Native Corp.

Bristol BayNative Corp.

NANA Regional Corp.

Sealaska Corp.

Koniag Inc.

Chugach Alaska Corp.

Cook Inlet.Region Inc.

Alaska’s Regional Corporations under ANCSA


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Bishop Donald J. Kettler and

the Diocese of Fairbanks welcomes Elders, youth

and delegates to Fairbanks to the 2010 Alaska Federation of Natives Conference.

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OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: Mon.-Sat. 6-10 • Sun. 5-9

Welcome to Fairbanks AFN Conference Attendees! Welcome to Fairbanks AFN Conference Attendees! Welcome to Fairbanks AFN Conference Attendees!

Where is Dad?Here is a photo of my dad, Benedict Jones,

of Koyukuk holding a tl’eghes (burbot, loche) that he caught in his net. He set the net under the ice across the point, on the island

where the Koyukuk River enters the Yukon River. He said that he is still catching dog salmon, even though it is late in the year.

Eetaa’e hodee? ............................ Where is Dad?Taameeł no’eenaadle’aan’. ........ He went to check the fi shnet

Taak’etlkooł. ............................... He/she has a fi shnet in.

Eetaa’ daahet’aanh?................... What Are Dad and them do-ing?Kkun’ ghU kk’oheedeneeyh. ..... They are working on wood.

tl’eghes ........................................ loche, burbotledlaaghe ..................................... sheefi shnoolaaghe .................................... dog salmon


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HONOR • RESPECT • TRADITION • WELLNESS • TEACHING • HERITAGE

In honor of our founders:

A. E. "Bud" Hagberg Bill English

Frank Whaley Howard Rock

Tom Richards Sr. The World Eskimo Indian Olympics would like to express our deepest

appreciation to all the elders that have participated in WEIO throughout the years. Your dedication and endless contributions have made it possible for

all people to experience the heartbeat of Alaskan culture through the various traditional dances and cultural events.

Thank You Your continued guidance and support are

greatly appreciated!

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E E MATRONA JAVIER

Congratulations to BBNC 2010 Elder of the Year

Matrona Javier of Dillingham! From Bristol Bay Native Corporation

Board and Staff

MARGARET STEVENS-CARROLL

Mom, Thank you for all you have done for all of us over the years. May God Bless you daily. Love, Patricia Carroll, Brenda Carroll, Dorothy Carroll, Deborah Hardy, Margaret Clark, Bonnie Carroll-

Ginnis, Ernie Dear

IDA ROSS

We honor you for opening your home and church to everyone; for teaching the youth tradition and culture

throughout Alaska.

PAUL STARR ELIZABETH (EVAN) STARR

Nenana, Alaska Honoring

Our Mother

In Memory of ALFRED STARR, SR.

Nenana, Alaska Honoring

Our Father September 16,1939 -

June 17, 2010 Tanana, Alaska

CHRISTOPHER GUNDERSEN

A long time resident of Sanak, Alaska was born in 1914. He

owned and operated his own grocery/

liquor store and cows. Friends say he is a

great father, brother, fisherman and hunter. There is never a dull moment around this

family man.

SARAH EVAK In Memory of

In loving memory of our mother Sarah Evak. Well done, good and faithful

servant. You’re now with your Savior forever.

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In honor and memory of our founding Chiefs

Back Row: CHIEF

WILLIAM of Tanana , PAUL

WILLIAMS of Tanana ,

CHIEF CHARLIE of

Minto

Front Row: CHIEF

ALEXANDER of Tolovana ,

CHIEF THOMAS of

Nenana , CHIEF EVAN of Koschakat ,

CHIEF ALEXANDER WILLIAM of

Tanana

Traditional Chief DONALD HONEA, SR. of Ruby 2nd Traditional Chief TRIMBLE GILBERT of Arctic Village

Elder Advisor RICHARD FRANK of Minto

In Memory of Rev. Traditional Chief DR. DAVID SALMON of Chalkyitsik

2nd Traditional Chief FRANKLIN MADROS of Kaltag Traditional Chief PETER JOHN of Minto

Traditional Chief ANDREW ISAAC of Dot Lake/Tanacross

–TANANA CHIEFS CONFERENCE –


The College of Rural and Community

Development University of Alaska

Fairbanks wishes to

recognize our

Wisdom Bearers Forty-eight exemplary

Alaska Natives who have been awarded Honorary Doctorates

throughout the University of Alaska system since 1968.


Reverend Dr. Walter Soboleff (1968) Dr. Archie Demmert (1970) Dr. Frank Peratrovich (1973) Dr. Howard Rock (1974) Dr. Frank Degnan (1975) Dr. Nora Guinn (1978) Dr. Alfred Widmark (1979) Chief Dr. Andrew Isaac (1979) Dr. William Hensley (1980) Dr. Cyrus Peck, Sr. (1980) Dr. Mildred Sparks (1981) Dr. Emily Ivanoff Brown (1982) Dr. Della Keats (1983) Dr. Byron Mallott (1984) Dr. Joseph Kahklen (1985, not pictured) Dr. Mary Demientieff (1986) Dr. Harold Kaveolook (1987, not pictured) Dr. Sadie Brower Neakok (1987) Dr. Nathan Paul Jackson (1988) Dr. Sidney Huntington (1989) Dr. Austin Hammond, Sr. (1989) Dr. Eliza Jones (1990) Dr. Roy Huhndorf (1991) Dr. Delores Churchill (1991) Dr. Frank See (1991) Dr. Gilbert Truitt (1992) Dr. Mary Jane Fate (1992) Chief Dr. Peter John (1994) Dr. Esther Shea (1994) Dr. Howard Luke (1996) Dr. Ellen Hope Hays (1996) Dr. Katherine Peter (1999) Dr. Poldine Carlo (2001) Dr. Nora Dauenhauer (2001) Dr. Ethel Lund (2001) Reverend Chief Dr. David Salmon (2002) Dr. Kenneth Toovak (2003) Dr. Alfred Ketzler, Sr. (2004) Dr. Erma Lawrence (2004) Dr. Julie Kitka (2004) Dr. Jake Lestenkof (2005) Dr. John Pingayak (2006) Dr. Catherine Attla (2007) Dr. Herman Kitka, Sr. (2009, not pictured) Dr. Annie Cungauyar Blue (2009) Dr. Marlene Johnson (2009) Dr. Kangrilbnuq Paul John (2010) Dr. Oliver Leavitt (2010)

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In Memory of

DON HONEA, SR

“Chief” Dad, Thank you for all that you do for us!

We love and appreciate you. The Honea Kids

Enaa Baasee' Setsoo Helen Peters!

Sek'eggeenhee', eenaa, setsoo, sebaats'e,

hedok' u hde l '' eeghenh eenlaanh.

Noochu loghoyet hut'aane kk'aa dent'aa.

MAGGIE NICHOLIA & JOSEPHINE

ROBERTS TANANA

Tanana is lucky to have these two wonderful

grandmas loving and caring for us so long. We love you.

PAULINE M. PETER NULATO, AK

Enaa maasee’ to our: mother, grandmother, sister, aunt,

friend…for all that you do - all your love, support, and

guidance you have provided over the years. Debaa soo’

Denahuto’ hoozoonh ts’e neneeLaanh!

RITA ALEXANDER

We all love and miss you very much. Anna Baasee’ for every

moment of your life. Love, your family & friends

MIKE ARNANCUAQ & SUSIE ULIIGAQ

ANGAIAK

You’ll always be living treasures to your children and grandchildren. You’ve inspired us to carry on your

legacy! Quyana Cak’neq

SOPHIE & HENRY BEATUS

To Our Grandparents- Thanks for all your stories, patience, teaching us, & kindness. We love you!

Ray & Jade

VIRGINIA JOHNSTON

Great-grandmother, Always busy with your yarn, happy for visitors, making

yummy fish icecream.-Ray & Jade, Kate & Ev, Paxton

EFFIE KOKRINE In Memory of

It is hard to believe that it has been almost ten years. You

will never be forgotten! We miss you!

Thank you for willingly sharing your cultural knowledge and your continuing support to the children of

Andy and Effie Kokrine

UNCLE ROY FOLGER TANANA

HELEN PETERS

Thank you Grandpa and Grandma Matthew for taking us to fish camp. We love you very much.

Love your grandchildren.

STEVE & VALERIE MATTHEW


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In Memory of DORCAS &

JAMES SEARS

Dorcas L. Sears Jan. 21, 1945 – Mar. 10, 1988

James D. Sears July 21, 1935 – July 14, 2003

We miss you!

FLORA PANIYAK NEWLIN & EVANS AVLII KARMUN

Both of Deering, led a subsistence lifestyle, honored their elders, passed down their

traditions, work ethics and cultural values.

E E lders Shape Our Lives BARBARA SPERL

Mimi is an awesome person. She has 7 grandchildren and teaches

sixth grade! She takes care of grandpa. She does lots of chores around the house, but always has

time to play. She is supportive. Mimi is an excellent mentor. She

spends a lot of time organizing for others and is very helpful. Love,

Jacob and Tony.

PETE MELLICK

Pete is the respected, sincere, strong and

inspirational Tribal leader of the Holitna-Mid Kuskokwim

River Region.

LARRY CHERCASEN 2010 ALEUT CORPORATION

ELDER OF THE YEAR

In recognition for being honored at the Aleut

Corporation 38th Annual Meeting of Shareholders for exemplifying the highest of

values and qualities important to the Aleut people.

LILLY PITKA

Your words of wisdom teaching us traditions,

language, and culture will not be forgotten. Your

teachings will be with us forever.

In Memory of STEVE GINNIS FNA PRESIDENT

Thank you for all the hard work you do for our people. God bless you. Your sister Margaret

CHIEF ROBERT CHARLIE

Founder of CHEI, which preserves/ teaches Athabascan culture, 83 year

old Chief Charlie continues his visionary work at UAF’s

Geophysical Institute for UNITE US, bridging the gap between

Indigenous & Western instruction.

The Daily News-Miner is proud to dedicate these

pages to all the Elders who enrich our lives with their traditions and knowledge

Sled dog racingSled dogs are still a part of life in rural Alaska.

Yoodots’e łeekkaa ghedeł. ............................There’s a dog team coming from downriver.Yooneets’e łeekkaa ghedeł. ..........................There’s a dog team coming from upriver.Yoonots’e łeekkaa ghedeł .............................There’s a dog team coming from across the river.Łeekkaa kk’o’eelaa. ......................................He/she is driving dogs.Łeekkaa yeł taadleggok. ...............................He/she raced in a sprint race.

Photo by Thelma Nicholai

Grandmas Martha Oldman, Madeline Williams and Celia Bee-tus watch the races from inside a tent at the Valentines Day race in Hughes.


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TrappingRobyn and William Chaney’s boys, Dillon and Triston are

actively trapping with their father. If they are lucky, they have to take care of their cawtch:

bringing it home, treating the animal respectfully, skinning it, and stretching the fur. They make their own rabbit, fox, and lynx snares with the father (Ata) and grandfather (Appa).

They are responsible for checking their snares every day-after school.

baaluqtaq beaverkaviak fox

The boys are still trapping rabbits and going ice fishing. It’s their Grandma’s (maarulut) birthday tomorrow (aniiqanu-tiq irpanun).

Photos by Robyn Chaney

Above, Triston Chaney, Bob Nich-olson and Dillon Chaney show their beaver and fox furs. At left, the boys stretch beaver pelts.


Beaver campYoo’oote hedaadletl’ee. They are staying at camp. Noye’e ghU haał heldlo. They are trapping beaver.

Angela told this story aabout the photo: Sidney came home from trap-ping and caught 14 beaver. He had to take out the table to make room on the floor to work. That is why they are all on the bed — no room.

Daughters Betty and Agnes said they remembered this about living at the cabin: Betty: “One is that bed, it was actually raised up off the floor and was the only bed and everybody slept on it. It was like a big shelf and toward the back and fit from one end of the house to the other. Mom, Dad & little kids were on the one end, the rest of the kids were on the other.

“The ‘mattresses’ were all caribou skins, blankets were homemade down blankets and the feathers poked you sometimes. And you never took off

your ski pants and fur boots. (My ski pants I remember was homemade and I think the suspenders were always tied on.) Seems like if we were not outdoors, we were on the bed either watching what was going on and I’m sure playing, eating or sleeping - wasn’t room for anything else.

“I later asked Mom and she was surprised I even remembered it. Under the bed was like storage but, I don’t think there was much to store, because everything and everybody came in the sled. Roger and Carl probably walked on snow shoes at least part of the way as I remember trying once trying to keep up with Carl and having to get in the sled that was heaped with kids and gear. Thinking about it now, it must have been like a puzzle putting everything and us in the sled for travel. Wish there was a picture of that.”

Agnes: “We were crowded but I don’t recall feeling so - I use to like

getting under the bed, probably for some semblance of privacy. I mostly recall being outside sliding and piling in the sleigh to check the traps. In that small cabin, we piled on the bed while the beaver was skinned then (Probably just me) stretching the skin. I think I was 7 when we last stayed

there. Life was sure different.”Pat and Connie Keller sent their

collection of photos to the people of Huslia. They lived there in the late 1950s and early 1960s as Episcopal missionaries. The stories that are surfacing about life in Huslia are absolutely fascinating.

Photo by Pat Keller

Sidney and Angela Huntington’s family at beaver camp. On the bed: Angela holding Gilbert, Tommy, Betty, and Agnes. In front: Roger, Carl, Sidney.



www.uaf.edu/educ/ or contact us at (907) 474-7341

UAF SCHOOL OF EDUCATION Preparing culturally responsive, effective practitioners.

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Sled makingGeorge Yaska, Sr. hUtl etltseenh. ................... George Yaska, Sr. made a sled.

George “Butch” Yaska Sr. visited the Jimmy Huntington School in Huslia to teach them about local Denaakk’e place names with students. As he was telling the students about the place names he included historical information about vil-lages in the area.

The history included places abandoned due to a widespread flu epidemic in 1918, floods, and conflicts between bands.

Butch is well known for making oyh ‘snowshoes’ and hUtl ‘sleds’. The type of snowshoes that he makes now are used for short sprints, such as racing or walking on trails. The other type, which is wider and longer, is for traveling through deep snow.

He talked to the students about selecting the right kind of birch tree, bending the wood, putting it together, tying the knots, and taking care of your tools. Respect for your tools and work area are just as important as making the sled or snowshoes.

George Yaska, Sr. made a sled. Varnishing the sled are Chris-topher Moses, George Yaska on runners, Steve Swatling and Willie Vent with Dolly Simon interviewing on video.

PotlatchBy SARAH SILAS

My family was able to attend the funeral services for late grandma Ellen Frank. Her Denaakk’a name was Sets’eelno, an old name, who’s meaning is unknown. Grandma Ellen was a wonderful teacher of her language and culture. She will truly be missed.

The night before the funeral the people of Minto danced Dzaahtaah Ch’eleech (mourn-ing songs) for Grandma Ellen. These are old old songs that have been passed down for generations. After that was the dancing songs.

After the funeral, a food potlatch was held with traditional foods served, especially delicacies like ttroth (wild potato) and ggooł (rhubarb). The family then gathered gifts to thank the people who provided the labors of love such as taking care of Grandma

Ellen, making the casket, cooking, and teaching songs.

I sat with grandma Sarah Silas during the give-away. She told me that when the food is out there, the kids are instructed to sit down. The men worked hard to provide the food on the table, so respect is shown by being quiet and staying seated. This is also true during the give away.

She said kids are instructed “Don’t run around, sit down cause

ggaaleeye noghutdenaakh. Ggaaleeye is good spirit, that look for who to go to.

They used to say that when it go to one side that is the side that the ggaaleeye go.

Certain parts of this community hall people will get more gifts than different parts. That’s where the ggaaleeye go, they say. They used to say it’s good luck.”

After the gifts are handed out everyone dances with their gift to the Ggaaleeye song.


Coming homePaul Mountain of Nulato.

Since leaving in 1982, I have finally returned to my home. I came back March 1, 2010 to help the tribe as Tribal Administrator.

I have to say, in reference to Thomas Wolfe, you can go home again. It’s great to be back in the real Alaska. I was in Seattle for 10 years, and I’m so hap-py to be back in the Interior.

Here are some words and phrases for the Koyukon word of the week., in the Lower dialect of Nulato and Kaltag.

Koyukon Athabascanlanguage

Tl’eeyegge hUkk’e ...............the real language, wayDenaakkenaage’ ...................Our languageTl’eeyegge hUkk’e henaayh He speaks the real lan-guage.maahaa needeneyee or maahaandeney ................................................Indian knife (ulu), liter-ally ‘what we work with’

mets’eghe hoolaan ...............dance dress, Lit. ‘it has a hood’de’aak ....................................dress, shirt, vest, jacket

Noolaaghe Doh .....................Nulato, Lit. ‘camp [before] the dog salmon’Tlaakeeyeet ..........................point of the rock [bluff]k’ekk’onaałtoyh ne ................(Social) Workers, Lit. ‘they take care of people’

Noolaaghe doh k’ekk’onaałtoyh ne mets’eghe hoo-laan nehegheedaalyo dUhoono tlaakeyeet ts’en ggaaL heyegheet’otl maahaa needeneyee aahaa.

The tribal staff were wearing dance dresses while they cut king salmon at the point of the bluff with their Indian knives:

Noolaaghe doh k’ekk’onaałtoyh ne ........Tribal staff: ‘those who take care of Nulato people

Phrases:Taak’etlk’ooł.: -He / she has a fi sh net in. A fi sh net is set.Taameeł ts’e notaałekkaanh.: -He/she went to check the fi shnet.Tenh t’oh taabeeł hono’elkooł. -She is pulling a fi sh net out (from under the ice.)K’oolkkoye deyeeldo. -A pike got caught in the net.

Fishing

They might catch the following types of fi sh:k’oolkkoye ......................... pikeledlaaghe ........................... sheefi shtaaseze .............................. broad white fi shnoolaaghe .......................... dog salmon (only caught sometimes)


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Noel Wien Library North Pole Branch Library 1215 Cowles Street – Fairbanks 601 Snowman Lane – North Pole 459-1020 488-6101 10 AM – 9 PM Monday-Thursday 11 AM – 9 PM Tuesday & Wednesday 10 AM – 6 PM Friday 11 AM – 6 PM Thursday & Friday 10 AM – 5 PM Saturday 11 AM – 5 PM Saturday 1 1 PM – 5 PM Sunday

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Tanning moose skin

Our family has been tanning a moose skin under the tutelage of Marie Yaska and Nancy Butler. We started during spring break in March. We first scraped all of the membranes (begooL) off of the stomach side of the skin. After that we cut the hair off, then shaved it off. Then we let it hang outside all spring so it will wind dry and become sun bleached.

This week we pre-smoked the skin with rotten cottonwood. This prevents the skin from being slimy. The next step is to soak it in the tanning solution. After this we scrape the water out. It soaks for two more days in the solution then we scrape it again. We wring it out then scrape it again. We all stretch it to break the fibers down, then rub it.

If anyone is interested in learning how to tan, send an email to [email protected].

Here are some phrases for tanning a moose skin:

deneege le? ......................................moose skintaagedle ...........................................moose braintlaabaas ...........................................ulu, semi-circular knife

Haa aahaa bets’eneyh. ...................Rub oil on the skin.Betonok’ets’enghee?tlugh. .............We are scraping the water out.Ts’eeten?ts’uyh?. ............................We are stretching it.Ts’eeyes. ..........................................We are rubbing it.Selo’ ebaa. .......................................My hands ache.

Photo by Susan Paskvan:

Nancy Butler, Conrad Jones, Marie Yaska, Jason and Adam Paskvan stretching the moose skin to break down the fibers.


It’s PFD Sale time again and this year Alaska Airlines has taken the sale to a whole new level. Not only will you find fantastic deals with our PFD

Sale for travel all the way through August 18, 2011, you can also earn deep discounts

if you purchase your ticket by October 23 and fly before the end of this November.

Register at alaskaair.com/pfd with your Alaska Airlines Mileage PlanTM number

by October 23 and you’ll immediately save 10% if you travel between January 7

and February 26, 2011. The more you fly, the more you save — up to 50%. Go to

alaskaair.com/pfd today to learn more.

FLY NOW AND SAVE UP TO 50% LATER.

An exclusive offer for Alaska residents.

N O R T H o f E X P E C T E D

1.800.252.7522 (TTY: 800.682.2221)alaskaair.com

PFD SALE FARESSeattle $249* Southern California $319*

$229* Honolulu or Maui $329* Austin, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, Denver, Phoenix, Tucson or Las Vegas

$279* Washington, Oregon or Idaho destinations $349* Atlanta, Boston, New York/Newark, Miami,

Orlando, St. Louis or Washington, D.C.

$299* British Columbia, Montana or Bay Area destinations $349* Any Mexico destination

$319* Burbank, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Ontario, Orange County/Santa Ana, Palm Springs, San Diego, Santa Barbara or Mammoth Lakes

* PFD Fare Sale Information: Valid From: Fairbanks (FAI). Travel to Hawaii must be on the nonstop flight from Anchorage (ANC). Purchase By: 10/23/10. Travel Between: 10/7/10 and 8/18/11. Day/Time Availability: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Exception: Travel to/from Mexico and Hawaii is permitted daily, although service may not operate daily. See service exceptions for details on travel to Honolulu, Maui and Sun Valley. Advance Purchase: 14 days. Exceptions: No advance purchase needed for travel to/from Mexico and Hawaii. Blackout Dates: To Alaska: 11/28/10–12/2/10, 12/26/10–1/5/11, 3/10/11–3/15/11. From Alaska: 11/18/10–11/21/10, 11/24/10, 12/14/10–12/24/10, 3/2/11–3/7/11. Service Exceptions: Travel must be nonstop between Anchorage (ANC) and Honolulu (HNL) and is valid between 10/7/10–12/15/10 and 3/16/11–6/9/11. Flights between Anchorage (ANC) and Honolulu (HNL) operate Friday, Saturday, Sunday between 10/7/10–11/4/10 and 5/2/11–6/9/11. Travel is daily other dates. Travel must be nonstop between Anchorage (ANC) and Maui (OGG) and is valid between 11/8/10–12/15/10 and 3/16/11–4/2/11. Flights between Anchorage (ANC) and Maui (OGG) operate Monday, Thursday and Saturday only. Travel to Sun Valley (SUN) is available between 12/18/10–3/20/11 and 6/5/11–8/18/11. Not Included In The Fares Shown: Fares do not include Airport Passenger Facility charges of up to $9 (amount depends on itinerary), Federal Segment Tax of $3.70 per segment (takeoff and landing), and September 11 Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement. Additionally To Mexico: U.S. Immigration User Fee of $7, U.S. APHIS Fee of $5, U.S. International Transportation Tax of $16.10, Mexico International Departure Tax of up to $33, Mexico Tourism Tax of up to $24, Mexico Transportation Tax of 4% of the fare (all three fluctuate with dollar-peso exchange rate). Additional U.S. taxes may apply to itineraries involving a U.S. stopover of more than 12 hours duration. Additionally To Canada: U.S. Immigration User Fee of $7, U.S. APHIS Fee of $5, Canadian Airport Improvement Fee of up to $22 (varies by airport); Canadian Security Fee of $9 (fluctuates with exchange rate) and Canadian Goods and Services Tax (GST/HST) of less than $3. Other Important Information: Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or all days. Some markets may not operate daily service. All taxes and fees shown are based on one-way travel and may be doubled if traveling round trip. Tickets are nonrefundable, but can be changed for a $75 fee when changes are made online at alaskaair.com ($100 when changes are made through our reservation call centers or ticket counters) and any applicable changes in fare. All fares, taxes and fees are in U.S. dollars and are subject to change without notice, and other restrictions apply. A ticket purchased at a Horizon Air or Alaska Airlines airport location or through one of our reservation call centers will cost $15 more per person than the advertised fare. Some flights may be operated by or in conjunction with Horizon Air or one of our alliance partners. Travel on Alaska flights 3200–3274 operated by PenAir or flights 4800–4999 operated by Era Aviation are not permitted. No travel to/from Prudhoe Bay. A $20 per bag charge will apply for up to three checked bags. Additional fees apply to check more than three bags or overweight or oversized items. See our checked baggage policy at alaskaair.com for more details. For travel solely within the state of Alaska, customers may check up to three bags free of charge.

Fly Now & Save Information: Registration by 10/23/10 is required in order to receive the discount code. Discount code is valid for one person for travel between 1/7/11 and 2/26/11. 10% Discount Code will be sent to the e-mail address listed in your Mileage Plan profile within 72 hours of registration. 20%, 30%, 40% or 50% Discount Codes will be sent around 12/15/10. You complete a qualifying segment every time you travel on those segments of your itinerary that are operated by Alaska Airlines to, from or within AK from 10/1/10–11/30/10 and have your travel credited to your Mileage Plan account. Residency and other eligibility rules apply. Promotion Terms and Conditions and Terms and Conditions applicable to discount code redemption are available at alaskaair.com.

* All fares are one way and do not require round-trip purchase. See below for travel requirements, other restrictions, and the fees and taxes that are not included in the above fares.

HOW TO EARN 50% OFF LATERFor travel January 7 – February 26, 2011

Alaska residents, fly one of our PFD sale fares below (or any other published fare) in October and November to, from or within Alaska and you’ll get a discount on future flights.

• Register Mileage Plan Number = 10%• 2 Flight Segments = 20%• 3 Flight Segments = 30%• 5 Flight Segments = 40%• 7 Flight Segments = 50%

A flight segment is a unique flight number that must be to, from or within Alaska. So you’ll earn at least 2 segments with your round trip or 20%.

To register and for complete details go to alaskaair.com/pfd.


Making a paddleChop, chop, chop went the axe as Bill

Williams demonstrated how to make a boat paddle from a spruce tree. Using an axe and chainsaw, the axe took shape in a couple of hours.

This was one of the activities held during the Johnny Oldman School’s culture week, which was held at Bill and Madeline Williams fish camp, 20 miles downriver from Hughes. Three of the boys were successful in getting their first moose during the camp.

They gave the kidneys and heart to their grandparents, as is the custom for a first moose. They watched then learned how to skin a moose with a skinning and jointing knives.

Additional activities included fishing, iden-tifying plants, identifying cuts in butchering a moose, beading suncatchers, and evening storytelling around the campfire. A hilarious time was held by all when we played campfire games. It was pure joy to hear parents and kids laughing out loud.

Bill Williams tUgh’oye ełtsee. ...... Bill Williams is making a paddle.Dekoye Keith Bifelt hedohudel’eeh. .......His grandchild Keith Bifelt is learning.

Photo by Dianne Shirrell

Fish campAlong the Yukon River many families are busy cut-

ting fish. In our family, my dad, Benedict Jones Sr., seines across from Koyukuk. If he is lucky, he will catch salmon that are Canadian-bound. They are silver, big and rich in oil. The Koyukuk bound salmon are smaller and not as rich. Also caught are jack kings, which are smaller.

Along with the kings, he catches chum salmon, which is cut for the dogs.

After my dad brings the fish to the cutting area in my parents’ back yard, my mom, sisters, Josie, Cindy, niece Charlene and ladies from Koyukuk all help in gut-ting, cleaning, filleting and cutting the fish into strips or k’eyoge’ laaghe (cut for half-dried fish).

My sister’s friend, Pat Madros, makes sure the tlaabaas (semi-circular knives, which is an ulu) are sharp and takes care of the smoke house wood, fire and poles.

Working together on fish is truly a blessing.

Here are some fishing terms:• ggaa? — king salmon• k’eyoge’ — half-dried salmon• nolt’olee — strips• k’enoyge’ — a fillet of salmon that is trimmed from the fillet so the k’eyoge’ laaghe (fish cut for k’eyoge’ won’t be too thick)• nots’ele — sun-dried fish (dog salmon)


State of Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities

Northern Region Transportation Forum

Plan to attend this informative highway and aviation transportation forum!

Friday, October 22, 2010 • 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge • 4477 Pikeʼs Landing Road

Complimentary luncheon featuring Tom Middendorf, DOWL HKM, speaking about the Western Alaska Access Study

FREE Registration! Online: http://dot.alaska.gov/nreg/forum/ Or call: 907-451-2388

Event Schedule: • Funding • Statewide Transportation Improvement

Plan update • Airport Improvement Plan

• Future of Roads • Dust Control • The Evolution of a Project: The steps from

planning to construction

Barrow Airport, photo by David A. Koester, DOT&PF Keystone Canyon, photo by Mike Isaacs, DOT&PF Dalton Highway, photo by Meadow Bailey, DOT&PF

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Shuttles between the Princess Riverside Lodge and the Carlson

Center provided by DOT&PF!

Attending the Annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention?

Trapping martenk’olaalee ....... marten with four white

paws. Considered to be good luck if you catch one.

Rodney Hildebrand II (7th grade) and Cameron Hildebrand (4th grade) of Koyukuk shared their adventures with me. They both live at the Last Chance homestead, which is located six miles downriver from Koyukuk on the Yukon River.

They drive their own snowmachine to and from school. Rodney said they sometimes see moose and wolves on the way to school. Ear-lier this year they saw a bull, a cow, and a calf. After awhile the cow disappeared then the calf. The wolves must’ve gotten to them.

Rodney and Cameron learned how to go marten trapping from their dad, Rodney I. Cameron said they have three lines, two they walk and one they check on the snowmachine. Cameron said it is a long walk.

They have to check them every two days. So far, they caught 10 marten. One of them had four white socks. Grandma

Eliza Jones said that kind of marten is called “k’oleeyaa”, which means ‘good luck’.

Their dad taught them how to treat the animals with respect. They will save the mon-ey from the skins ‘sooge leL’ for a truck when he turns 16 years old.

Photo by Rodney Hildebrand I

Above, Cameron and Rodney Hildebrand II of Koyukuk stand next to their pole set trap. The boys said the bait is hung from a willow at the end of the pole. The marten has to reach for it.At left, Rodney Hildebrand II and Cameron Hildebrand with five marten (sooge) they recently caught.


Free flu vaccination clinic at the 2010 annual Alaska Federation of Natives

conference in Fairbanks. When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 21 through Saturday, Oct. 23 (while supplies last)

Where: The mezzanine level at Carlson Center .

The flu vaccination clinic is sponsored by:

For more information, please contact 907-729-1972. See you there!

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Alaska MarketplaceCourtesy Alaska Federation of Natives

Remote rural Alaska has struggled for decades with challenging economic barriers. A host of dif-ferent initiatives have attempted to help rural Alas-kans overcome these barriers so that they are not forced to abandon their villages and migrate into Alaska’s urban areas.

The Alaska Marketplace is an innovative “ideas competition” that awards seed money and provides technical support to some of Rural Alaska’s most promising entrepreneurs, helping to fill the rural economic gap by funding new wage jobs that are critical to the survival of families living in remote rural Alaska.

Based on feedback AFN has received from the 63 previous winners of the Alaska Marketplace, it appears that 70 percent of them are still in busi-ness; 25 percent of the winners did not respond or provide an update; and only 5 percent (four total) indicated that they were no longer pursuing the business/idea they had entered into the competi-tion.

Above and beyond the specific funding awarded to winners by the Alaska Marketplace, winners

have reported sizable amount of additional money they have been able to leverage for their projects, totaling millions of dollars.

A number of winners also touted the value of the Alaska Marketplace as an avenue that enabled them to share information and expertise with oth-ers.

For example, Raven Frog Fibers traveled from Sitka to Hoonah and taught 14 locals to spin yarn. In return, those newly trained spinners can now produce supply that will generate revenue for them through the sale of their product to Raven Frog.

This is a perfect example of learning an art while learning a new skill and providing income to indi-viduals in a rural community.

Since 2006, our Alaska Marketplace winners have been hand-selected for their innovative off-grid business ideas to benefit rural communities in Alaska. Each of their ideas demonstrates innova-tion, sustainability and profitability, revitalizing job creation, and exemplifies the strong cultural heritage of Native cultures in Alaska. With every successful Alaska Marketplace competition, we at AFN realize our goal of truly Investing in Alaska’s Best Ideas.

The Alaska Marketplace is a totally different kind of initiative -- one focused on providing oppor-tunities to individuals who have a good idea and the genuine drive to make that idea a reality. We do not supply grants to non-profits or programs, we strive to support individual Alaskans, who in turn provide opportunities for economic growth and employment to other members of their rural communities.

Find out more about the competition by visiting the Alaska Marketplace website at www.alaskamar-ketplace.org, emailing [email protected] or by calling 907-274-3611.

Since 2006, our Alaska Mar-ketplace winners have been hand-selected for their innovative off-grid business ideas to benefit rural communities in Alaska.


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Welcome to Fairbanks! Welcome to Fairbanks!

Custom winter freight sleds ranging in size from personal tow pulks to sturdy snowmobile sleds.

Special order 20' to 40' freight sleds are also available.

(907) 265-2300

AFN villagesAfognakAkhiokAkiachakAkiakAkutanAlakanukAlatnaAleknagikAlexander CreekAllakaketAmblerAnaktuvuk PassAndreafskiAngoonAniakAnvikArctic VillageAtmauthluakAtqasukBarrowBeaverBelkofskiBethelBill Moore’s SloughBrevig MissionBucklandCantwellChefornakChenega BayChevakChickaloonChignikChignik LagoonChignik LakeChistochinaChitinaChuathbalukClark’s PointCopper CenterCrooked CreekDeeringDillinghamDouglasEekEgegikEklutnaEkukEkwokElimEmmonakEnglish BayEvansvilleEyakFalse PassGakonaGalena (Louden)GambellGeorgetownGolovinGoodnews BayGulkanaHainesHamiltonHealy LakeHoonahHooper BayHusliaHydaburgIlliamnaIvanof bayKakeKaktovikKaguyakKaltagKasiglukKenaiKetchikanKianaKing coveKing IslandKing SalmonKipnukKivalinaKlukwan

KnikKobukKodiakKokhanofKoliganekKongiganekKotlikKotzebue]KoyukKoyukukKwethlukKwigillingokLake LouiseLarsen BayLower KalskagLower TonsinaaManley Hot SpringsManokotakMarshallMary’s IglooMcGrathMekoryukMentastaMetlakatlaMintoMountain VillageNagamiut (Holitna)NaknekNapaimuteNapakiakNapaskiakNebesnaNenanaNewhalenNew StuyahokNewtokNightmuteNikolaiNinilchikNiuqsutNoatakNondaltonNoorvikNulatoNunapitchukOhogamiutOld HarborOlsonvilleOscarvilleOuzinkiePaimutePedro BayPerryvillePilot PointPilot StationPitka’s PointPlatinumPoint HopePort GrahamPort HeidenPort LionsPortage CreekRed DevilRubyRussian MissionSalamatoff CommunitySand Point SaxmanScammon BaySelawikSeldoviaShagelukShaktoolikSheldon’s PointShishmarefShungnakSitkaSkagwaySlanaSleetmuteSolomonSouth NaknekStebbinsSt. GeorgeSt. MarysSt. MichaelSt. PaulStony River

TakotnaTanacrossTananaTatitlekTazlinaTelidaTellerTetlinTogiak

Toksook BayTuluksakTuntutuliakTununakTwin HillsTwin LakesTyonekUgashikUmkumute

UnalakleetUnalaskaUngaUpper KalskagWainwrightWalesWhite MountainWoody IslandYakutat


The Alaska Federation of Natives invites the public to visit the first-in-Alaska “Fab Lab” demonstration at the 2010 AFN Convention, Octo-ber 21-23 in Fairbanks.

The AFN Convention Fab

Lab is funded through a grant from the National Sci-ence Foundation and is being presented in collaboration with the Institute for Com-puting in Humanities, Arts, and Social Science at the

University of Illinois, and the Champaign-Urbana Commu-nity Fab Lab.

A Fab Lab is a “Fabrica-tion Laboratory,” a small-scale workshop with an array of computer controlled tools

where people can learn, experiment, develop and fab-ricate projects of their own design.

Fab Labs can be installed nearly anywhere and cur-rently operate in Europe, India, Africa, the United States, Afghanistan and approximately 45 other loca-tions. The goal is to encour-age creativity as well as an interest in architecture, art, computing, design, engineer-ing, mathematics, science, and technical trades.

Fab Labs are part of a web-based communication network that is unique and offers lab users an exciting and expanding window into digital fabrication, electronic arts, and entrepreneurial invention. Participants work in their own labs with the network open and interact with others who are also working in labs around the world. The upshot of this is that an inventor of any age working in a lab can ask the world for advice, share ideas and skills, and find inspira-tion.

“The Fab Lab demonstra-tion will directly engage Native students in science and engineering,” said Julie Kitka, President of the Alas-ka Federation of Natives.

As part of the AFN dem-onstration Fab Lab, several students from Boston’s South End Technology Center Fab Lab will work collaboratively with students at the Effie Kokrine Charter School in Fairbanks on projects, illus-trating how the worldwide network of Fab Lab bridges geography, culture, and age, while empowering creators to solve problems and have fun together.

AFN’s goal for the Fab Lab demonstration is to introduce its membership to potential applications of new technologies and to identify interested Fab Lab partners that would support and par-ticipate in deployment of Fab Labs to locations in Alaska.

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Introducing the ‘Fab Lab’


Enriching our Native way of life.

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Wilson and Wilson CPAs

Welcome, Welcome, AFN! AFN!

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344 Minnie St. Fairbanks, AK 99701

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Howard Luke By MOLLY RETTIG

[email protected]

This story originally appeared July 20, 2010.

Salmon filets hung on a dry-ing rack as teens crafted bas-kets from birch bark and purs-es from smoked moose hide and beads inside the log hall at Howard Luke’s Gaalee’ya Spirit Camp last week. Thirty students from Lathrop High School and Effie Kokrine Char-ter School spent two weeks camping at Luke’s home on the south bank of the Tanana River, across from Rosie Creek Road.

This was the fifth and final week of Upward Bound, a program through the Inte-rior-Aleutians Campus of the University of Alaska Fair-banks’ College of Rural and Community Development. The federally funded program is designed to enhance academic and cultural education for high school students and steer them toward college. Activities range from collecting chum salmon with Luke’s fish wheel to drum-making and aquatic science.

“It’s much different the things we can teach them here, beyond the crafts, beyond the lessons,” said program man-ager Amelia Ruerup. “Having the right place just makes it so much more meaningful.”

The program, in its third year, melds Alaska Native traditions like fishing, talking circles, singing and dancing with technical skills like geolo-gy, mapping and measuring the volumetric flow of the Tanana River. Eleven students earned their emergency trauma tech-nicians certification during the week. The instructors include teachers, elders and guest speakers like Jerry Isaac, presi-dent of Tanana Chiefs Confer-ence.

“You need to know both sides, the education but also rounding yourself culturally, whether you’re Alaska Native or not,” Ruerup said.

Much of the cultural edu-

cation came from hands-on lessons with elders like Anna Frank, who helped students make frames and baskets out of birch bark and spruce twine.

Frank, who was the first Alaska Native woman to become an Episcopal priest, said she picked up these skills from watching her mom, grandmother and aunt when she was 6 years old. She partic-ipated in the program to pass the knowledge on to youths.

“They’re the torch bearers of all we’ve learned,” she said.

Carolyn Kozevnikoff will be a junior at Effie Kokrine this fall. Her favorite part about the program is the focus on college. Many young people from her hometown, Russian Mission, never go to college, she said.

“People graduate in villages, they’ll stay there doing noth-ing. I figured Upward Bound would help me go to college,” Kozevnikoff said.

While 90 percent of stu-dents are Alaska Native, the other youths benefit from the same values, said Ruerup. Miranda Labrum, an incoming freshman at Effie Kokrine, is one of those.

“It makes you look at life a lot differently,” she said during a break between a talking cir-cle and an Athabascan dance. “I don’t get to do a lot of Native artwork and culture.”

Students began with one week at the Youth Elders Con-ference in Tanana, followed by three weeks at UAF filled with classroom sessions, where they earn one college credit. Then they took the riverboat to the Gaalee’ya camp.

Luke is an Athabascan elder who created the camp to host youths and other visitors, share Athabascan traditions and promote respect for the earth among young people.

“We all got problems. We all want to get it out or it gets bigger ‘til it explodes. I think that’s the problem with suicide and that stuff,” Luke said dur-ing a talking circle. “I want you to feel good about yourself and be proud of yourself.”

Camp combines culture, classroom learning


By MARY BETH [email protected]

This story originally appeared Sept. 4, 2010

The first item of busi-ness for students visiting the Alaska Room at Anne Wien Elementary is getting dressed.

Thursday afternoon, Ann Pearson’s third-grade class, arriving from Arctic Light Elementary, did just that.

The boys donned white cot-ton hunting jackets similar to traditional seal gut parkas worn by Native men hunting

on the arctic ice. The girls were outfitted with traditional kuspuks (summer dresses) trimmed with ric rac.

For the next two hours, the youngsters were immersed in Native culture. There was storytelling, beading, basket-making, dancing, singing and a wealth of information about the Native people of Alaska from their origins to the pres-ent day — Aleut, Athabascan, Inupiaq, Yupik and Southeast Indians.

The fast-paced program, led by teacher Lillian DeWilde and assisted by three cultural

specialists, is presented twice daily.

The class is divided into three sections, and the small groups moved from sta-tion to station at the sound of a “magic nomadic bell,” intended to refer to nomadic Athabascan Indians who lived a subsistence lifestyle and moved from seasonal camp to seasonal camp to procure game, fish and furs, DeWilde explained.

There was no time to be bored. After a slide presenta-tion about the history and diversity of Alaska’s first inhabitants, the groups were on the go.

Manning the story station was retired teacher and Aleut elder Roy Roehl, who imme-diately engrosses each group with stories of growing up in the Southwest community of Dillingham.

School was different during Roehl’s growing-up years — No hot lunches, no school gym

and no school buses. Roehl mushed a dog team to class.

“At noon we gave them (dogs) a half of a fish and at the end of the day we gave them a whole one,” he explained.

“You mean they didn’t have dog food then?” asked one of the attentive listeners.

Roehl also explained a simple method used to catch ptarmigan.

“We’d set a gill net between two willows, and the next day we’d have ptarmigans and did not spend a (shotgun) shell,” he said.

Ears also perked up at Roehl’s telling of a dramatic encounter with a bear while he was berry picking one fine summer day. When he looked up from his berry pail into the face of a bear, the bear was just as startled as he was.

“I ran away in one direc-tion, and he ran away in the other direction,” Roehl said.

Before he was done, Roehl

talked about the variety of Alaska berries, the five salm-on species and their various names.

At another station, chil-dren sat for a lesson in the basic steps of decorative bead-work.

Each child was given a plastic plate of colorful beads and, a small cutout felt pic-ture frame, needle and thread.

“Now take a deep breath,” intoned Julia Kakaruk, “I want you to look and listen.”

In a short time, many hands were busily at work.

Gavin Browning, 8, select-ed red, white and blue beads to trim his picture frame.

“I chose red, white and blue because that’s American, and I love the Army,” he said.

Finishing her beadwork project before the magic nomadic bell rang again, Tishera Owens, 8, smiled. “I thought we were just going to learn stuff,” she said, delight-ed with the hands-on project.

Senator Lisa Murkowski has fought hard for us these past eight years, which is why so many Native groups have stepped forward to endorse her.

She has been a leading voice on federal issues that impact rural Alaska and secured money for airport improvements, sea walls, public safety and new health facilities.

It is critical that we have a senator with the experience to bring home Alaska’s fair share.

Paid for by Alaskans Standing Together and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. Contact us at www.alaskansstandingtogether.org. P.O. Box 243454, Anchorage, AK 99524. 907-222-0770.

Write in Lisa Murkowski for U.S. Senate – and remember to fill in that oval.

EducationInnovative project brings Native culture to thousands of students


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Visit a truly authentic Alaskan Store Largest selection of tanned furs in Alaska!

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Hannah SolomonBy MARY BETH [email protected]

This story originally appeared Oct. 2, 2010.

Hannah Solomon’s lifelong example of giving, caring and sharing, intertwined with love and respect, was returned many times over at her 102nd birthday celebration Sunday.

The Athabascan matriarch was greeted with a rousing version of “Happy Birthday”

as she entered St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church hall for the afternoon party.

A stream of more than 300 people flowed in and out of the crowded church hall, extending their best wishes, love and hugs to “Grandma Hannah.”

Seated at a white, cloth-covered table accented with a bouquet of salmon-colored roses, Hannah’s apparel add-ed another spark of color.

A bright pink scarf encir-cled her neck, and her vel-

veteen jacket embossed with multi-colored flowers and leaves was reminiscent of her highly-prized beadwork.

Hannah excelled at that art form, which she learned as a girl, and examples of her beaded work can be found in museums and private collec-tions.

Speeches were delayed until everyone was fed from a heaping buffet of food includ-ing moose, caribou, salmon, goose, rabbit, porcupine, side

dishes and desserts.Tradition prevailed as Han-

nah and the many other Native elders at the gathering were served first; beginning with moose soup, followed by a wide selection of wild game and side dishes, and concluding with a variety of homemade desserts.

Hannah’s meal was pro-

longed by constant greetings from family members and friends. The centenarian looked into the face of each greeter, often asking, “Who are you?” followed by a smile of recognition.

Hannah’s table was cov-

Centenarian honored at celebrationJohn Wagner/News-Miner

Hannah Solomon kisses her great-grandson Daw-son Engler, 6, on Saturday afternoon.

Please see SOLOMON, Page 66


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ered in gift packages, including a soft blanket made by the St. Matthew’s Sunday School class and an elegant beaded cross from the Alaska Episcopal Dio-cese staff.

The longtime St. Matthew’s parishioner was among the founders of the Fairbanks Native Association. Later, she worked as a social worker for the organization.

Once everyone was served, Hannah led the speech making, in English, interspersed with her Native Gwich’in.

“I am very glad I am here with you. When they open my door and there was snow; next year when they see snow, people are going to remember me,” she said.

“God bless you. Such a long life I have, but we are not here alone. God is taking care of us.

“Be careful when you go home,” she concluded, referring to the icy roads. “I’ll say my Native prayer for you.”

Which she did, reciting the “Lord’s Prayer” in Gwich’in.•••

Many of those in attendance Sunday were directly related to the Athabascan matriarch — down to the fifth generation.

Hannah raised 14 children in Fort Yukon before moving to Fairbanks in the early 1960s.

She also helped raise some of her grandchildren.

One grandson, Mardow Solomon Jr., traveled from Fort Yukon to attend the party, saying it was a choice between

traveling to Fairbanks now or for the Alaska Federation of Natives convention later this month.

He chose to honor his grand-mother, who took him in when he was in fourth grade and saw him through his school years.

“She made sure I was fed, and clean, and well-dressed, and that I attended school,” Mardow said. “I can never thank her enough for what she did for me.”

Elder Poldine Carlo, 89, a friend of Hannah for more than

50 years, said, “We are very close and have always been together whether it’s sad times or happy times.”

“Would you believe she is 102? She looks like she’s 80,” Carlo added, before launching into a song, “My Older Sister,” sung in Poldine’s Koyukon Athabascan language.

Hannah’s youngest son, Peter Solomon, 59, said people can spend their lives reading the Bible, but “being the Bible is far better than reading the Bible.”

Referring to his mother, Peter said, “She didn’t spend her life reading, she just did it.”

Daughter Daisy Stevens commented, “I’ve learned a lot from her. She taught me love and respect and how to treat each other.”

Elder Mo Samuelson described Hannah as “the most caring person I ever met.”

He recalled an incident many years ago, when a local “sweet, homeless man” died

and Hannah and three of her children were the only people beside himself who showed up at the funeral home for the man’s wake.

“That is how caring she is,” Samuelson said.

That caring attitude has been spread through the gen-erations. Hannah continues to live at home, cared for by two sons, Frank and Ron.

Daughter Regina Varner organized Sunday’s party, but she took no credit for feeding hundreds of people. “It just happens by itself,” she said referring to the multiple dona-tions of food that flowed in and were served by volunteer helpers.

The party’s closing prayer, delivered by Hannah’s “favorite chaplain,” St. Matthew’s pastor Scott Fisher, encapsulated the crowd’s feelings.

“In one way or another, we are all Hannah’s children,” Fisher said.

Contact staff writer Mary Beth Smetzer at 459-7546.

SOLOMON: Matriarch known for her exquisite beadworkContinued from Page 65

“I am very glad I am here with you. When they open my door and there was snow; next year when they see snow, people are going to remember me. God bless you.” — Hannah Solomon


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The Fairbanks community is invited to the following events during the

Alaska Federation of Natives Convention:

Quyana (Thank You) Nights Quyana I, October 21 Quyana II, October 22 7pm-11pm, Carlson Center Alaska Native dancers, drummers and singers perform.


The Minto Dancers perform during Quyana Alaska at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, Oct. 24, 2007 at the Carlson Center.


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Gwitch’in storiesBy MARY BETH [email protected]

This story originally appeared Nov. 7, 2009

Two generations separate the Rev. Trimble Gilbert and his grandson Mat-thew Gilbert.

This summer, grandfather and grandson spent countless hours together translating and transcribing old Gwitch’in stories recorded on tapes and cached decades ago at the Univer-sity of Alaska Fairbanks Rasmuson Library archives.

The tapes resound with stories of long ago times, preserving the voices, knowledge and Gwich’in tales of Arc-tic Village elders now gone — their Gwitch’in history, passed down orally from generation to generation through-out thousands of years.

With Trimble’s unique ability to translate the high Gwitch’in language and Matt’s desire to learn more about his heritage, the collaboration has been fruitful in many unexpected ways.

“It changed my life; I found out where I come from,” Matt said.

“In my 16 years of education, I didn’t learn anything about myself,

and in the span

of two months, I’ve learned so much.”Matt is calling the research project a

“Gwich’in Renaissance.”“I hope other people do this within

their own cultures, particularly the Gwich’in. We are in a time when our culture is dying fast. Kids are forget-ting who they are,” he said.

***The elder Gilbert, 74, is an ordained

Episcopal minister. He lives with his wife, Mary, in Arctic Village, a remote Gwitch’in village tucked in the foot-hills of the Brooks Range, 290 air miles north of Fairbanks.

Matt, 29, is a graduate student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He

was born and raised in Arctic Village but left to travel and study when he was a teenager. He returned to Alaska to earn a bachelor’s degree at the Uni-versity of Alaska Anchorage.

While an undergraduate, Matt first heard mention of the tape recordings. They piqued his interest, and later he asked his grandfather about them.

“He told me little bits and pieces about them, but things kept dragging me away from doing anything, like internships and travel opportunities,” Matt said.

But every now and then the story

Gilberts collaborate to preserve traditional tales, language

Please see GILBERTS, Page 70


lines would come back to haunt Matt — stories about woolly mammoths, rivers fro-zen to the bottom, the Ice Age, climate change and restoring peace between the Gwich’in and the Inupiat people.

“Years later, I thought I

have to do something with those,” Matt said.

Last year, while pursuing a master’s degree in rural development, Matt realized he could wait no longer. He wrote a grant to underwrite the proj-ect, which was funded by the Alaska Humanities Forum.

“My grandpa is getting

old, and he’s the only person alive who can translate the old Gwitch’in well,” Matt said.

Trimble explained that he understands the dialect because he grew up with elders.

“They talk to each other different than we talk today. They talk fast, teasing and all

that,” Trimble said.Matt said he understands

his parents when they speak Gwich’in but has a difficult time understanding his grand-parents when they speak to each other in their Native lan-guage. As for the taped stories, he can’t understand them.

“They speak high Gwich’in; only my grandpa can under-stand them,” Matt said.

“He is the only elder alive that really knows the stories too. All the old storytellers are dead except my grandpa. They were the last elders of old. He is one of the last Gwich’in who knew the nomadic life.”

***During the many hours

spent working together this summer, Trimble translated and Matt transcribed the sto-ries recorded by two different women during the 1980s.

Fairbanks author Debbie Miller and her husband, Den-nis, taught school in Arctic Village from 1975-1978, when

there was one emergency phone, “Trapline Chatter” on the radio and no TV or com-puters. Most evenings were spent visiting.

“It was a wonderful place to live and learn about one of the most remote cultures in North America,” Miller said. “I just loved hearing the stories.”

Miller was so fascinated by the many interesting tales that she went back in 1980 to record them with the assis-tance of Albert Gilbert, Trim-ble’s brother.

Seven years later, UAF librarian Rosemarie Speranza interviewed Arctic Village elders on tape as part of her graduate fieldwork in anthro-pology. When her master’s thesis topic didn’t fit with the fieldwork, she eventually aban-doned it for a different topic.

“I thought my fieldwork was a failure,” Speranza said, “but Matt and other scholars have used it. I am

11376107-10-17-10AFN

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GILBERTS: Stories about woolly mammoths, deep freezesContinued from Page 69

Please see GILDBERT, Page 71


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real happy for that. It is a great thing for him.”

Both the Gilberts are grateful for the women’s foresight.

“It was lucky the white ladies taped for us,” Trimble said. “I don’t want to lose a lot of good stories.”

***The summer’s work was long and

arduous. Trimble was in Fairbanks playing the fiddle for tourists in the evenings at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center and being called upon to minister or visit the sick. But Matt stayed on his grand-father’s trail, meeting with him daily wherever he was staying — a hotel or a dorm room.

“I followed him home for a week to Arctic Village because my grandmother was missing him,” Matt said.

The many hours together were spent with Trimble translating the

tapes and Matt writing them out, ask-ing questions and drawing pictures to clarify details.

Matt now understands his grandfa-ther’s life experiences in greater detail.

It was a time when every bullet counted, and residents couldn’t run out of bullets because the closest store or airstrip was 120 miles away and transportation was via dog team. It was a time when burning birch fungus was carried from camp to camp as a

fire starter.

Matt also learned about his great-grandfather who smoked his family’s clothes outdoors over a fire every day during the flu epidemic to keep his family alive when many others in the village were dying.

After a particularly dramatic story about a man who overcame huge odds to save his starving family, Matt said his grandfather told him, “This is where you come from. This is the kind of work people put in so you are here today.”

“I was speechless all day. I was really humbled,” Matt said.

Whether the stories will be pub-lished, hasn’t yet been established.

“Some of these stories are sacred to us,” Matt said. “I think I’ll have to have them reviewed by a traditional advisory board before I publish them.”

Bill Schneider, who started the oral history program years ago at the UAF Archives and is one of Matt’s advisers for the Alaska Humanities Forum, is enthusiastic about the Gilberts’ coop-erative effort translating the tapes.

“So often oral tapes will just sit on a shelf waiting to be discovered,” Sch-neider said.

“For those of us at the university seeking to reach out to rural Alaska, to have someone like Matt doing this is very exciting.”

For the foreseeable future, Matt is pursuing graduate studies in anthro-pology to concentrate on cultural and Native historical revitalization and archaeological work in his area.

GILBERTS: Matt more understanding of his heritageContinued from Page 70

“He is the only elder alive that really knows the stories too. All the old storytellers are dead except my grandpa. They were the last elders of old. He is one of the last Gwich’in who knew the nomadic life.” - Matt Gilbert


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Alaska Federation of Natives Convention 2010

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