THE COUNCIL • PAGE 1

A REPORT TO THE MEMBER TRIBES OF THE TANANA CHIEFS CONFERENCE

D e n a ’ N e n a ’ H e n a s h O u r L a n d S p e a k s

VOL. 28, NO. 9 OCTOBER 2003

A year ago we had approximately 900+ patients on our waiting list for dentalexams. This meant a year-long wait for just a new patient exam. The waiting list iseliminated and exam times are now available. Due to the responsiveness ofadministration to patient feedback, the following changes have been made:

• An additional dentist was hired as a result of a convention resolution.• Health administration added another ¾ time dentist.• Village field trips are more efficiently scheduled to allow better coordination andbetter use of time for treatment.

• Operation Arctic Care’s dental teams alleviated some needed care.• Children’s preventive services were re-organized to allow 100% access to care.

Call us toll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3200 to set upyour appointment. Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8-5 pm.

Dental Exams Available

Evansville Health Aide: Hannah Anderson

Your PharmacyNational Pharmacy Week: October 19-25The Village Public Safety Officers (VPSO) Program is facing an uncertain future;

as a result, several statewide organizations have developed a “Workgroup on RuralLaw Enforcement” and met recently to discuss recent state cuts, providing better lawenforcement in the rural areas, and a better means of being proactive during criticaltimes. The state is looking to cut up to $280 million in the next legislative session,putting the VPSO program at serious risk for elimination.

Several meetings have occurred recently and a one-day Rural Law EnforcementSummit will take place the day prior to the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN)Annual Convention on October 22, 2003 at the Egan Center in Anchorage. Theagenda is still a work in progress and will include several entities from instate andout-of-state. AFN has supported the workgroup by providing meeting space andseveral scheduled action steps.

For more information, please contact Carol Daniel of AFN, at (907) 274-3611 orJim Knopke, VPSO Director, toll-free at 800-478-6822 or (907) 452-8251 ext. 3236.

Workgroup to CombatVPSO Funding CutsRural Law Enforcement Summit

October 22, 2003 Anchorage, Alaska

Did you know Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center fills as many as 700 prescriptions aday? They supply 28 villages in addition to the clinic with all prescriptions, including over900 people served with chronic medications in the villages (refills).

Because of this, it’s beneficial for you to call your refills in before you actually run outof medicine. If you know that you’re running low, please allow a week to 10 days for themail to deliver your medications to your village. That means taking action two weeksbefore you run out of medicine; call your pharmacy or speak to your health aide. If youreside in Fairbanks, call the pharmacy and allow two days for your refill.

Marla Kent, Pharmacy Director, wants everyone to know that their primary goal is tohave the patient understand and know their medications as best as possible and allpharmacy personnel are willing to do what it takes to help. They’re even willing to attendyour CAIHC doctor visits if you request it. They’ve found that it helps patients gainadditional support for understanding drug interactions, the importance of finishing allmedications, and simply an extra ear to aid in understanding.

continued on page 3...

The Pharmacy staff at Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center.

continued on page 3...

By Ginger Kennedy-Placeres, Editor

Honoring Health Aides

Evansville is a small community locatedat the foothills of the Brooks Range, host toa beautiful view of purple mountains and along history of adaptability. Without avisible boundary, the neighboringcommunity is Bettles Field, named after theabandoned village of Bettles (five milesbelow). The two communities flourishduring summer tourism and sustains thewinter economy with Japanese tourists.

Amid this Koyukuk River town ofInupiaqs and Athabascans is retired healthaide Hannah Anderson. She is both hostand caretaker to its history and the legacyof her own family’s involvement inestablishing leadership and health care inEvansville. The clinic is named after heruncle, Frank Tobuk Sr., who encouraged herto enter the health care field along withsupport from Helen McConnell andHannah’s sister Rhoda. All threeapproached Hannah in 1979 as thecommunity was preparing to establish thehealth aide program. When asked if shewould move back from Fairbanks andbecome Evansville’s first health aide,Hannah asked “What is a health aide?” andbegan a 17-year-long journey full ofsurprises and proven strength.

She started her training in Anchorage,first completing three sessions. It involvedlectures, terminology, hospital rounds, andended with becoming guinea pigs as theseven newcomers practiced intravenouspunctures on one another. It was then thatHannah began to doubt her courage. “Thisis not for me!” she told Dr. Walter Johnson,founder of the Community Health Aide

Program. He said “Hannah, Iguarantee you, when you getthrough this session, you’ll knowsomething!” She speaks highly ofseveral professionals whoencouraged and taught the healthaides to become pillars in theircommunities. She spoke of Dr.Burgess, Dr. Johnson, Jim Sozoff,all in Anchorage, and mentionedwith fondness her close friendshipswith Jessie Renner and Jim Andruli,her longtime Coordinator/Instructor who still works for ChiefAndrew Isaac Health Center. Theysupported her through the difficult times,putting traumas and the memories behindher. “I really want to express and give thanksto those people who believed in rural Alaska,who recognized the need for rural healthcare,” Hannah stressed.

She remembers the boys in Bettles Fieldwho often ran their motorcycles into theground; one had so much gravel embeddedinto his back that once she sent him intoFairbanks, he had to be sedated for the gravelremoval. The other teen lost an eye due to arough landing. She complimented each boyfor their strength and bravery, once moreshowing her positive outlook on life andher gentle nature.

Hanna’s alternate health aide was herniece, Naomi Costello, who she laughs with

as they tell a story. “Naomi says I ‘told’ herto go” to a distant lake to answer a call abouttwo Wiseman guests who had some sort ofvague accident.” Naomi jumped on a planeand the pilot circled the lake several timeswithout seeing anyone, much less the twowounded people. After some time, the BigLake resident supported one injured manas they walked toward the plane. Naomiassessed the facial injuries and became moreand more confused about the story inrelation to the man’s wounds. When askedabout the second man who had injuries,she was told that he left to the DaltonHighway as he was fine enough to disregardmedical care. This was strange, she thoughtbut gathered the hurt man into the planeand flew into Fairbanks. Later, she foundout, the state trooper explained that two

PAGE 2 • THE COUNCIL • OCTOBER 2003

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Council is a monthly report to the member tribes of the Tanana Chiefs

Conference, in accordance with agreements with the Bureau of Indian Affairs

and the Indian Health Service. Letters to the editor, other written contributions

and photo submissions are welcome. However, space is limited and program

oriented news has priority. TCC reserves the right to edit or reject material.

Letters and opinions are not necessarily the opinions of Tanana Chiefs

Conference. Material submitted anonymously will not be published.

Contributions and questions may be directed to:

The Council

Ginger Kennedy Placeres, Editor

Tanana Chiefs Conference

122 First Avenue, Suite 600

Fairbanks, AK 99701

Phone: (907) 452-8251, ext. 3227

Toll-free within Alaska:

1-800-478-6822, ext. 3227

Toll-free from outside Alaska:

1-800-770-8251, ext. 3227

Fax: (907) 459-3851

E-mail: thecouncil@tananachiefs.org

Subregional OfficesYukon-Koyukuk

P. O. Box 92Galena, AK 99741

(907) 656-1326

Upper Tanana

P. O. Box 129

Tok, AK 99780(907) 883-5181

Kuskokwim

P. O. Box 169McGrath, AK 99627

(907) 524-3005

Lower Yukon

P. O. Box 190

Holy Cross, AK 99602(907) 476-7137

Yukon-Tanana

1302 21st AvenueFairbanks, AK 99701

(907) 459-3930

Yukon Flats

P. O. Box 304

Ft. Yukon, AK 99740(907) 662-2556

Tanana Chiefs Conference.................1,3-4Letters to the Editor..................................2Community & Natural Resources.........5-7Health Services......................................8-9Subregional News...................................10News for Our People..........................11-12

In This IssueIN THIS ISSUE

CORRECTION:

Thanks to Ginger Attla andBarb Philleo for finding threephotos of Odin Peter-Raboffin the September issue of theCouncil.

• The September issue included aphoto of Marie Dementoff (page 11)who was incorrectly identified as Mary.

• The front page photo of VillageAmericorps volunteers failed tointroduce Amanda Brush, Nulato’svolunteer.

Dear Editor,

The oil and gas industry has been sitting on our natural gas for far too long. NorthSlope gas needs to get to market now. Alaska is facing serious funding challenges and itneeds to come up with a plan to either tax the gas in the ground that the producers havestranded or strike out on its own and build the All Alaska Gas pipeline. Sitting on strandedgas does no good for the state of Alaska, its people, and our economy. The enormousbenefits of this project would energize our economy and help bridge the emerging budgetgap. Our state is spending more than it is taking in and the Constitutional Budget Reserveis going to run out of money in a few years unless we find a new source of revenue. Taxingthe reserves in place is one method of increasing our revenue stream. Building our owngas pipeline is the other.

We must get revenue from the people who are sitting on our wealth: our stranded gas.A tax in place would remain in effect until a gas pipeline is operating and producingroyalty income to our treasury. Once in production, the “stranded gas” tax would goaway. We need to push hard for an All Alaska Gas Pipeline. This option makes the mostsense. The over-the-top route has virtually no supporters in the state of Alaska. Legislationhas been passed against a gas pipeline that goes through the Beaufort Sea. The All AlaskaGas Pipeline is the superior route for the following reasons:

1. It will take less time to execute this project.2. There are few permits left to obtain and the 800-mile project will require much

less pipe than the other two routes.3. It is the environmentally superior route because it uses the existing Trans-

Alaska Oil Pipeline Corridor. The haul roads, campsites, and supply routes arein place.

5. It is less of a security risk. Except for some large river crossings, it will be buriedunderground. And it would be far easier to protect our own gas pipeline in Alaskaparallel to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline than trying to protect 3,000 miles of our gaspipeline in Canada.

6. More Alaskans will be trained and hired if the state of Alaska owns and controlsthe operating company that will build the pipeline. Training could occur inadvance of the construction of the All Alaska Gas Pipeline and many more Alaskanswill be and should be hired for this pipeline. It is estimated that 13,000 jobs will becreated for two years to complete the All Alaska Gas Pipeline and could start asearly as 2005. It would create between 500 and 600 permanent jobs upon completion.

7. The All Alaska Gas Pipeline does not need federal subsidies, accelerateddepreciation, and tax breaks like the over-the-top and Knowles/Ulmer highwayplan.

The All Alaska Gas Pipeline is the most economical and on a practical scale, it is theplan that provides the most Alaskan jobs, highest state revenues, and more total-in-stategas supply. Current estimated revenues to the state are in the neighborhood of $500million+ per year for the All Alaska Gas Pipeline. Money for municipalities could comefrom these revenues and new gas fields could be found using some of those funds. As newgas fields come on-line, the All Alaska Gas Pipeline Operating Company will be addingmore jobs and revenue to the state.

In light of the above, it behooves us to move quickly and diligently to secure Alaska’sfuture. Let’s build the All Alaska Gas pipeline and help our state create the wealth that itneeds to become what we know it can be! Funding is needed per the Alaska Natural GasDevelopment Authority’s request in order to identify and cultivate gas markets towardsgetting the All Alaska Gas Pipeline constructed. Please honor the request for additionalfunds to get this project off the ground. Finally, over 140,000 Alaskans passed the initiativeto create an Alaska Gas Line Authority. The request for funds to do what they want needsto be found and appropriated as soon as possible.

“Energetically yours”,Nels Anderson, Jr., P.O. Box 234, Dillingham, Alaska 99576(907) 842-2366, andora@nushtel.net

Dear Editor,

The Boys and Girls Club of Galenawould like to thank the following peoplefor their financial and moral support in ourfirst summer of fast-pitch softball:

Louden Tribal Council, who providedenough gear for the team, KIYU Radio(Shadow Steele) for $1000 worth of battinggloves, Yukaana Development Corporation($250+) toward uniform shirts, GalenaSoftball Association ($300), Tom Johnson($200), Galena Dog Musher’s ($200),Friends of Moose ($130), Kevin Munter($100), Al Hess ($100), Huhndorf ’s Store($50), TCC , Yukon Fuel Company, andLouden Tribe for gasoline, the City ofGalena, and Ed Thurmond, TomHuntington, and Charlie Green forallowing us to use their boats for team travel.

Thanks to those who housed us inKaltag and Huslia: Bev Madros, Richardand Violet Burnham, and Levina Neglaska.Thanks to Kaltag for a wonderfultournament. In Huslia: Joe and MargieAmbrose, Eileen Jackson, and the people ofHuslia. We would also like to thank thecoaches: Tom Huntington, Matt Sam, LouisDemoski, and PJ Simon. Thanks goes outto Terra Potts for keeping score and actingas an added motivational presence.

I started the team in May and practicedat the ball field nightly until we had a coregroup to begin for Galena’s annual BoatRaces. Tom Huntington came by every night

to help, volunteering his precious time toget our young men interested in somethingpositive. Participating in an active sportsteers our young men away from the likesof drugs and alcohol, which only leads to alife of despair and unhappiness. Matt Samalso started working with the team in mid-May. Louis Demoski added his time andenergy as he started with the team in Juneduring the Galena Boat Races tournament.The ages of players ranged between 14 and19; our team members are Bubba Aloysius,Ralph Sommer, Ranch Burgett, ScottBurgett, Joey Sommer, Mike Marshall, RoyWholecheese, Fred Huntington Jr., MattThurmond, Kyle Davis, Dewey Drake, AndySommer, Matt Chadbourne, and ourfaithful bat boy, Dustin Sommer.

The hardest part was at first gettingthe young men to show up consistently andsolidifying our core group for the team. Westarted without gear; with the backing ofour tribal council and others, we acquiredthe funding and donations needed to fieldour team. The Young Guns participated inGalena’s tournament, Huslia, Kaltag,Nulato, and also mixed with the GalenaNighthawks at Tanana’s Nuchalawoyya,and the Koyukuk Raiders tournament.

Our season was a wonderful success!The Boys and Girls Club of Galena looksforward to next season and will continue toadd our presence in the community withour programs that benefit our youth, forthey are our leaders of tomorrow.

Best Regards,

PJ Simon, Unit Manager

Boys and Girls Club of Galena

psimon@bgcalaska.org

The Family of Chief Peter JohnThe family would like to

extend our heartfelt gratitude to:• All of our hunters/gatherers• Those who shopped/shipped

groceries• Cooks in Fairbanks and Minto• Those who traveled and visited• Those who sent cards and called• All the Native Corporations and

organizations• St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church• Carlson Center• Minto School

There were so many peopleinvolved. Although we can’t listeveryone, we know who you are.We couldn’t have gotten throughthis time without each one of you.

You thoughtfulness isappreciated and will always beremembered. May the good Lord

bless you. Anaa’ Basee’ from Cora, Garnett, Eartha, grandkids, great- and great-great grandkids, The village of Minto

THE COUNCIL • PAGE 3

3. Technician enters prescriptioninto CAIHC system

4. Another technician fills themedication (fry cook of theoperation)

5. Prescription is thenchecked by apharmacist

6. Pharmacistinstructs patient onmedications,follow-up, andquestions

TANANA CHIEFS CONFERENCEOCTOBER 2003 •

The deadline for the FY04 Administration for Native Americans (ANA) grantswill be announced soon. This year there will be only one application deadline and thefunding limits have yet to be announced. The ANA grant has three program areas:

1. Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS)2. Environmental Enhancement3. Native America Language Enhancement

Communities and Tribal Councils should start planning to complete the FY04ANA grant application as soon as possible. We would be happy to arrange an ANAworkshop for anyone interested. Please call Dick Farris, Grants Writer, toll-free at800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3246 for details or any other grantassistance.

Upcoming Grant Deadline

The Denali Commission was createdin 1998 by Senator Ted Stevens to addresscritical infrastructure needs in rural Alaska.In June 2003, the Denali Commissionreleased a Public Review Draft of its newInvestment Policy. The Commission hasdetermined that it is not advisable orprudent to invest significant funds incommunities where long-termsustainability of facilities and services isunlikely. The Commission has identifiedspecific demographic indicators that havethe ability to determine the potential forlong-term sustainability. These indicatorsinclude:

1. Size of the community andpopulation trends (100 persons orless)

2. Imminent environmental threats(floods, erosion, etc.)

3. Proximity/access to existingservices and/or facilities

4. Significantly higher per capitainvestment (than for the averagecommunity) for all publicinfrastructure in the community

By Lissa Robertson, Grants Writer, Planning and Development

Two Return to Planning& Development

by Amber Kocsis, Economic Development Coordinator, Planning & Development

Denali CommissionSustainability Indicators

The Planning and Development Department is happy towelcome back David Desjardins and Tanya Beatus. DavidDesjardins returned as a Business Analyst after serving as theInterior Athabascan Tribal College director. David is lookingforward to working with business clients once again and withcolleagues on various business development projects. He willalso be conducting business training classes in villages inconjunction with the financial literacy workshops. Originallyfrom Maine, Dave arrived in Alaska in 1997 to complete hisMaster’s degree in Anthropology at the University of Alaska,Fairbanks (UAF).

Tanya Beatus previouslyworked in the Planning and Development Department as anintern following her sophomore year at school. She recentlyreturned home to Fairbanks from Stanford University, whereshe has been pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. Sheplans on taking a few classes at UAF to complete her degreethis spring. Tanya will be serving as the new ProgramTechnician. She will coordinate the financial literacy workshopsand various other projects. Tanya is from Hughes, Alaskaand is the granddaughter of Henry and Sophie Beatus andJohnson and Bertha Moses.

Financial Skills for Families

#1 #2Financial LiteracyWorkshopNovember 13-14, 20039-Noon and 1:30-5 pm

Business DevelopmentWorkshopNovember 12-13, 20037-9 pm

Anvik City Building

Learn how to manage checking/savings accounts,understand credit reports, achieve financial goals, and more.

For more information, contact Tanya Beatus toll-free at 800-478-6822 orlocally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3276, email tanya.beatus@tananachiefs.org.

5. Significantly higher constructionunit cost (than for the typicalproject)

6. Economic potential (includingemployment data)

7. Previous demonstration of badfaith (failure to honor previousagreements, tax arrears, etc.)

The Denali Commission will maintaina list of communities which do not meet thecriteria of the Investment Policy, and suggestalternatives for these communities to accesscritical services and utilities. This policy maybe modified or waived only by writtenagreement of the Denali Commission Chiefof Staff demonstrating that the modificationor waiver is in the public’s interest.

Any decisions made relative to thispolicy may be appealed first to the FederalCo-Chair and ultimately to the fullCommission by November 20, 2003. Formore information, please contact LissaRobertson toll-free at 800-478-6822 orlocally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3279, emaillissa.robertson@tananachiefs.org.

Your Prescription

...continued from page 1

Marla Kent, DirectorCindy Stragier, Registered PharmacistGreg Ponsness, Doctor of PharmacyTheresa Brice, Registered PharmacistDan Nelson, Doctor of PharmacyTom Wadsworth, Doctor of PharmacyDale Ramsay, Doctor of PharmacyMargaret Brophy, Registered Pharmacist

Jami DeBano, Certified Pharmacy Technician

(Manager)Diana Qualls, Certified Pharmacy Technician

Janelle Joseph, Certified Pharmacy Technician

Ginger Jenkins, Pharmacy TechnicianMary Bryant, Pharmacy TechnicianRebecca Derendoff, Pharmacy Technician

Your Pharmacy Staff:

out-of-state fugitives flew a stolen planeinto Alaska. To this day, the second manhas never been found. Hannah and Naomilaugh with relief at how risky the day became,how things could’ve been much worse. “Weget ourselves into situations sometimes,wondering how we got into (this) and howmuch we’re like everyone else, scared butjust doing our job” Hannah tells.

Hannah was responsible forcommunity health as well as some outlyingsettlements, one being a mining camp nearWiseman. A call came in about a very largeman who fell onto concrete during abuilding project. He was 230 pounds andfell, crushing one entire side of his body.Hannah and Naomi flew into Wiseman andnext jumped into a helicopter to theoutlying mine. She explains the helicopter“spiraling down into the valley” to the minesurrounded by mountains. They retrievedthe man only to get back on the plane forFairbanks.

To best attend the patient, health aideshad to sit backwards in the small planesand monitor the patient, sometimesprovoking them to stay awake. This wasthe case, having shot him up with vials ofDemerol to ease his pain, “we had to use allwe had to meet his weight dosageinstructions.” It was one of her bumpiestflights ever so when Naomi looked back atHannah, she was literally green. “I wasdoing what I was supposed to, keeping himalert, and Naomi saw just how sick I was.”They decided to take turns sitting backwardsand spent the entire day flying the mostturbulent flight of their experiences.

Hannah’s home sits at the end ofEvansville, in the midst of trees and ablueberry patch. Her home is host toseveral photos of her children andgrandchildren. Her husband was a navalpilot and they established the Bettles Lodge,working there for 17 years when themarriage dissolved. She finished raisingMary, David, and Phil in Fairbanks whilethe youngest was only six years old;daughter Patricia, passed away when shewas 16. As with her later career, Hannahspeaks of the change with grace, “I toldmyself that my family would survive andwe believed strongly in ‘love,’ that our familywas everything.” She devoted herself 100%to raising them, even moving to Las Vegaseach winter so David could pursue his careerin baseball; he went on to become the firstInupiaq professional baseball player. He

played three years for the Dodgers in the80’s before a shoulder injury changed hisplans. Her son Phil also demonstrates herdevotion to community through hisleadership in Evansville and for the Interiorregion as well. Her four grandchildreninclude Kelly, Casey, Lacy, and David Wayne.

“My first real trauma included a youngboy from an outlying settlement; he and afriend were playing with a gun, he ended upwith a gunshot wound to the stomach. Hewas so strong, that boy, the whole familywas strong, hard working people. That’swhat helped him survive, I believe. Thedoctor said the bullet ricocheted around,causing him to lose a kidney.” One of thefirst actions of a health aide is to assess thepatient, checking vitals and the area, Hannahsays “I was being told ‘do this, do that’ andmoving along so quickly that when I got tochecking his blood pressure, I said quickly,‘he doesn’t have a pulse!’” And she laughs,saying mostly to herself, “of course hedoesn’t have a pulse, he’s losing blood.” Shelaughs again as she recounted the time aman bit a hole into his tongue, Dr. Jamessaid scoldingly, “You don’t put pressure onthe tongue!” She worked hard and did herbest for each patient. This man had to bestitched twice in Fairbanks after an initialcauterization.

Hannah is a treasure to her communityand it goes without saying. She is such agentle woman, “you just don’t forget thosethings easily. It takes a long time to get theimages out of your mind.” Yet she smilesand lives in a serene home, enjoying theAlaskan birds and her cat Shadow. As shenamed off at least 15 wintering birds, herclock chimed with birdsong and declaredthe time to get on the plane.

...HANNAH continued from page 1

1. Pharmacy receives medicalchart

2. Pharmacist reviews thepatients’ history for:-Drug interactions-Allergies-Drug diseases-Ensuring the medication isbest for the condition-Follow-up appointments,needs, refill requirements-Any missing labs-Any consultations withdoctors, health aides, otherprofessionals

Hannah and Naomi Costello

PAGE 4 • THE COUNCIL

TANANA CHIEFS CONFERENCE• OCTOBER 2003

The position of Systems Designer/Analyst in TCC’s Information Systems (IS)Department has been established throughan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)grant to develop TCC’s Data ExchangeNetwork Capabilities. TCC is using thisgrant to expand and update theirinformation sharing and GeographicInformation Systems capabilities in theForestry, Realty, Transportation, Wildlifeand Parks, and Cultural Resourceprograms.

The goal of sharing informationthroughout the region in the future will beachieved via the newly constructedfoundation. This project will help address

TCC staff and Tribal leaders met withofficials of the Federal Energy RegulatoryCommission (FERC) about the proposedAlaska Natural Gas Pipeline on August 12,2003. Their visit was spurred by languagein the federal Energy Bill that designatesFERC as the lead federal agency should thebill pass and the project proceeds. With thatdesignation, FERC would take the lead forpreparing an environmental impactstatement for the project.

The environmental impact statementwould review the potential impacts the gaspipeline construction, operation andmaintenance would have to the natural andhuman environments. The preferred routeof the gas line would follow the Trans-AlaskaPipeline between Prudhoe Bay and Delta,and then follow the Alaska Highway to theCanadian border. TCC made it clear that itdoes not yet have a position on the proposednatural gas pipeline.

The FERC team toured Alaska on afact-finding mission to beginunderstanding issues in the state. Their tourbegan with TCC during which staff briefedthem on the history of TCC and itsrelationship to member Tribes. Thediscussion then turned to issues about theTrans-Alaska Pipeline System that relate tothe proposed gas pipeline. Randy Mayoemphasized many of the struggles StevensVillage has been engaged in regardingimpacts of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Systemduring the past 30 years. Phil Anderson ofEvansville reflected on his experiences as avillage resident concerned about impacts of

the TAPS to Evansville, a tribal memberconcerned about Native sovereignty issues,and as a construction worker on the TAPS.These topics provided FERC officials anintroduction to some of the Native issues inthe region.

The discussion focused on how Tribeswould be involved in the preparation of theEnvironmental Impact Statemement. WithTribal support, TCC could become acooperating agency for the purpose ofpreparing the environmental review process.By doing so, TCC technical staff could workin conjunction with Tribes and help preparesections of the environmental impactstatement to more accurately reflect thesentiments in the region. This would beprecedent setting for TCC and require closecoordination between Tribal leadership andtechnical staff. The advantage of being inthe position of a cooperating agency is thatTribal issues could be brought to light morefavorable manner compared to how theywere treated in the TAPS renewal process.

FERC officials also visited the Bureauof Land Management, the Joint PipelineOffice, the Interior Legislative delegation,Mayor of the Fairbanks North StarBorough, and the offices of Northern Land-Use Research. Before departing back toWashington, the contingent flew to PrudhoeBay, drove the Alaska Highway to theCanadian border and back from Fairbanks,and visited Anchorage. For information,contact Bob Sattler toll-free at 800-478-6822or locally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3343, emailrobert.sattler@tananachiefs.org.

TCC Meets With Fedsabout Gas Line

By Bob Sattler, Realty Specialist/ Archeologist, Realty Department

Information SharingThrough Technology

By Keith R. Bowman, Systems Designer/Analyst, Information Systems

Fall is always full of hustleand bustle, but when I visitedHuslia on September 9-11, itwas exceptionally busy. Itseemed that everyone wasgathering berries, cutting meatsmoking it, or out hunting forit. The subsistence way of life isabout always getting ready andit sure is time to be gettingready for winter!

It is also time for HeadStart to open up, so Sakaayhhodoghuhdelgh denh held itsparent orientation. We had agreat turnout and enjoyedourselves as we learned about

By Karen Kallen-Brown, Special Needs/Infant-Toddler, Head Start

Huslia Head StartHealth Fair

The strong turnoutshows how much

Huslia values theirchildren and theirwillingness to sup-port Head Start.

the partnership between parents and staff. We played the Roles and Responsibility gameand discovered that very little happens if parents or staff forget to do their part. Everything,even on a family visit, requires parents, children, and staff to work together. That is howchildren learn best and how we create and sustain and excellent program. Head Start is allabout building strengths—for children, families, staff, and communities. The strongturnout shows how much Huslia values their children and their willingness to supportHead Start. Parents make the decisions in Head Start, so it is very important that theyknow and understand enough to make informed decisions.

Hooray to the Huslia Head Start parents and family members who took time out oftheir very busy days and made sure the children attended our Head Start Health Fair.Special thanks to community members Doreen David, Maudy Sam, and Sophie EllenPeters who joined in and staffed centers. Children received screenings for vision, dental,growth, and social-emotional stages. Parents and children collected materials and learnedabout physical and dental health, nutrition, safety, and social-emotional wellness. Withparental consent and when age-appropriate, childrenreceived topical fluoride treatments and blood pressuremonitoring. Everyone enjoyed Arlene Farmer’s center onnutrition, where they tasted nutritious snacks, learnedabout eating for good health, put together a puzzle tolearn about food groups and enjoyed her storytime withGo, Grow, and Glow.

Head Start Health Fairs help make sure that everychild is screened each year. This helps identify potentialdifficulties when they are developing instead of when theyhave become big problems. Combatting vision problemsearly helps children to see clearly, which enhancestheir development significantly. Identifyinghearing problems (even temporary hearing lossdue to ear infections) helps children hear languageclearly as early in development as possible, sothey can build their understanding and ability tospeak. This also aids the thinking parts of theirbrain by allowing them to form concepts for thewords they hear. For example, if you want yourchildren to be bilingual, it is especially importantthat they hear both languages clearly.

We want children to be healthy, to feel goodabout themselves, be eager learners, and behappy. For more information, contact KarenKallen-Brown, Special Needs/Infant-Toddlerwith the Head Start program toll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3175.

issues and Resolutions such as 2002-50 requiring that “a cross-structure data base beestablished by the various TCC programs by departments already in engaged inidentification and collection of data.” This database structure will help in data integrationand analysis to confront concerns regarding:

1. Changes to wildlife, marine life, vegetation, and climate changes,2. Balance between spiritual and cultural traditions and mineral resource stewardship,3. Deformities, tumors, and sores in subsistence food sources, and4. Concerns over safety of edible plants and wild fruits.

With a grant obtained in July 2002 from the EPA to help ease information transfer, weare starting to lay the groundwork. The participants involved in designing the datainfrastructure include (but are not limited to) Community and Natural Resources,Information Systems, Subregional and Tribal governments. Together they will provide thevision for the design and creation of the regional “Environmental Warehouse” ofinformation.

The “Environmental warehouse” has a proposed purpose “to provide a centralrepository of internal and external natural resource data needs in order to:

√ facilitate data sharing√ provide cost efficiencies√ eliminate redundancies√ empower our internal and external constituents.

Data needs assessments within departments started in mid-August 2003 and will becontinuing through the end of the year. Visits to all interested subregional and Triballocations may begin as early as October at the Tribes’ convenience. Data designs, hardware,and software needs will be proposed in the first quarter of 2004 after all input frominterested parties has been received.

This project will provide data storage, analysis, and presentation using the Internetand geo-spatial maps. It will include strict security concerns, quality criteria, emergencyback-up capabilities, and multiple levels of network and internet access. For moreinformation, contact Keith R. Bowman toll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at(907) 452-8251 ext. 3072, email keith.bowman@tananachiefs.org.

Keith Bowman and Donna Dwiggins

TCC Christmas Bazaar TCC is looking for vendors for the 2003 Christmas bazaar, scheduled on December 3-4, 2003

throughout the day. The tables are free but it’s on a first come, first serve basis. Call soon as tables

fill quickly. You can contact Christine Cooper toll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at

(907) 452-8251 ext. 3108 or email christine.cooper@tananachiefs.org.

The Old Minto Family Recovery Campwelcomes Beccy Monsma as the new ProgramAssistant. Before this, Beccy was the OfficeManager for the Counseling Center and laterworked at the Eye Clinic of Fairbanks before herreturn to TCC. She has two cats and recentlymarried Alan Monsma. In her free time, she is theevent coordinator for the Vernon L. Nash AntiqueAuto Club of Fairbanks and the Classic Tailgatersof Fairbanks. Beccy was born and raised inFairbanks, her parents are Bonnie and EdwardSmagge. Her mother is from Arizona and herfather is from Koyukuk. To contact the Old MintoFamily Recovery Camp or Beccy, call toll-free 800-478-6822 or locally at (907)452-8251 ext. 3144,email beccy.monsma@tananachiefs.org.

New Assistant at Old MintoFamily Recovery Camp

Huslia parents watch as children try new games.

William Penn and Jennifer attend.

THE COUNCIL • PAGE 5OCTOBER 2003 •

COMMUNITY & NATURAL RESOURCES

Youth Employment Services (YES)has a lot to offer young people in theregion, from work experience to assistingwith GED fees, career exploration, toleadership camps and conferences. Oneyouth who is taking advantage of theYES program is Jessi Esmailka-Roberts.She was adopted by herpaternal grandmother EstherHayward and grandpaDelbert of Metlakatla. Herbiological mother is CelineEsmailka of Nulato and herdad is Norman Roberts ofMinto.

Jessi was hired as the YESprogram Office Assistant inJune. Since then she has beenworking on improving herclerical skills. Her tasks includetyping, filing, running errands,creating reports, greeting the public,answering phones, stuffing envelopesand other clerical duties. This short-termwork experience affords her theopportunity to improve existing skillsand gain new ones, which will carry onto her next job.

Aside from the basic workexperience, YES also providesopportunities for training. In June, Jessiwas one of 15 participants in the JobReadiness workshop facilitated by YES.The workshop included EmployerExpectations, Interview Skills, IdentifyingStrengths and basic work ethic. She alsoparticipated in the Customer Servicetraining facilitated by TCC.

Spotlight on YouthBy Rachel Graybeal, Youth Employment Services Coordinator

The Tribal CivilianCommunity Corps (TCCC)and the people of Nenanabade farewell to RamonaDouglas on Labor Day.Ramona had been servingsince July 2002 at the NenanaTCCC campus, raising fundsfor service projects andproviding program support.Many community members,Nenana elders, fellow VISTA-volunteers and well-wishersgathered in the George Hall toshare a potluck supper andthank Ramona for her work,friendship and dedication.

VISTA Volunteer MonaDouglas Excelled in Nenana

By K. Jagelski

According to Title VIII of AlaskaNational Interest Lands Conservation Act(ANILCA), “The national interest in theproper regulation, protection, andconservation of fish and wildlife on thepublic lands of Alaska and the continuationof the opportunity for a subsistence way oflife by residents of rural Alaska require thatan administrative structure be establishedfor the purpose of enabling rural residentswho have personal knowledge of localconditions and requirements to have ameaningful role in the management of fishand wildlife and of subsistence uses on thepublic lands in Alaska” (Public Law 96-487,1980).

If this holds true, we need to workclosely with tribes to manage our fisheriesresources using the knowledge and expertisefrom each of these communities. This willremain the focus of the Fisheries Programat TCC.

We have been working closely with localcommunities to collect biological data fromsubsistence caught Chinook and Chumsalmon using local youth from thecommunity. We will continue this program

The Future of FisheriesResource Management

By Kim Elkin, Biologist, Wildlife and Parks

next summer and hopefully for manysummers to come. It is our hope to expandto 10-12 villages during the summer of 2004and eventually have data collection from all42 villages in the TCC region. This is a hugeundertaking, but well worth the effort inorder to allow the region a more meaningfulrole in fisheries management. Local peopleare starting to see positive changes in theway the Fisheries Program is run and thedirection we are heading toward.

We hope tribal involvement in themanagement process will become acommon practice. We can start workingcooperatively with state and federal agenciesby collecting subsistence fisheries data andbuilding a subsistence fisheries database atTCC in which all stakeholders will be ableto benefit.

If you have any questions, feel free tocontact Kimberly Elkin, Fisheries Biologist,toll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at (907)452-8251 ext. 3489 or Michael Smith,Director of Subsistence ResourceManagement at ext. 3256, emailkim.elkin@tananchiefs.org.

From left to right: Brandon, Emery, Eric, Emmitt Peters and a friend atEmmitt’s fishcamp in Ruby.

Ramona’s final week was a particularly busy one. She could usually be foundcamped outside the Bentley Mall in Fairbanks, where the “Survive It and Drive It”competition was taking place. Ramona conceived the idea for the event and securedmany sponsors, including Gene’s Chrysler who donated the car prize. Five competitorsspent day and night in the car, gradually being voted off one by one. Not only was aconsiderable sum raised for TCCC team service projects, but through television,radio and newspaper coverage, awareness of the TCCC program, and AmeriCorpsin general, was raised significantly. Ramona was helped and supported by TCCCMembers and several Fairbanks VISTA volunteers, including Neil Gahn.

In addition to these ongoing functions, Neil is currently working on findingfunding for shipping a thousand books to the Kipnuk library, planning a MartinLuther King Jr. remembrance day, organizing a discount program for AmeriCorpsmembers at local businesses, and working with a task force to plan for a regionalyouth council during the TCC Annual Convention.

Mona Douglas and co-worker Rachel Graybealenjoy a festive summer afternoon.

TCC is now recruiting year-round for Roustabout training, replacing the oldprocess of recruiting for each class as it is announced. This new process will create apool of people for Doyon Drilling, Inc. (DDI), as additional Roustabouts are neededon their North Slope rigs.

In order to fulfill their hiring requirements, DDI works in conjunction with TCC’sEmployment and Training Department. Doyon shareholders interested in applyingfor Roustabout should make note of the following:

• Applications require information outlining a detailed training/work history andcompletion of a check-off list of ability to use various types of equipment.• Applicants will be asked to submit an “individual employability plan” that listsstrengths, community and volunteer work and short and long term training andcareer goals.• A resume and two letters of reference are required.• Persons not initially selected for training or the pool based on their originalapplications will be encouraged to submit information updates; i.e., new workhistory, training completed, certifications obtained, change in personalcircumstances, etc. (People sometimes apply several times before being selected.)• Gloria Riley, Employment and Training Coordinator, (ext. 3187) is the contactperson for application packets and to answer questions.

As DDI identifies the need for new trainees:

• TCC and DDI will score all completed applications and select a varying numberof individuals to be considered for training.• Applicants selected to be interviewed should be able to document their trainingand employment history and to outline the skills they possess to apply for oilfieldwork.• Applicants selected for training will be required to undergo pre-employmentdrug and alcohol screening.

Individuals selected for training should know that simply completing the trainingdoes not guarantee a job. Employment in oilfield work is highly cyclical and nopredictions can be made as to the eventual needs of Doyon Drilling. On the other hand,there are Roustabout trainees who have gone to the Slope straight from graduation fortheir first two-week hitch. Should employment not be readily available with DoyonDrilling, TCC’s Employment Department will assist Roustabout graduates in identifyingavailable opportunities with other companies.

The drilling industry is high-paying, high-tech and exciting. If this sounds like anopportunity you would be interested in, Doyon Drilling is looking for long termcommitment and we look forward to reviewing your application package!

Watch The Council and the Doyon Newsletter for Roustabout updates. For moreinformation, contact Gloria Riley toll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251ext. 3187, email gloria.riley@tananachiefs.org.

Announcing Year-RoundRoustabout Recruitment

By Donna Scott, Director, Employment and Training

Aside from her role as the YES OfficeAssistant, she also holds the Youth Seaton the Denakkanaaga Board of Directors.The YES program sent her toDenakkanaaga in Shageluk as a YouthDelegate/Mentor, which proved to beanother learning experience for her. Youth

delegates interested in being onthe Denakkanaaga Board arerequired to complete a speechin front of the Elders. After thespeeches, the Elders selectedJessi as the new Youth Delegate,serving on the DenakkanaagaBoard for a two-year term.

As the DenakkanaagaYouth Delegate, she wasconcerned about theunidentified duties her rolepresented. After askingDenakkanaaga staff to help her

identify those duties, she found there wasno written criteria for the Youth Delegatein the bylaws because it’s a fairly newposition. Along with her responsibilitiesto be a role model, she will also help theBoard identify the role, responsibility andcriteria of the Youth Delegate position sofuture Youth Delegates are aware of theBoard’s expectations. Her two-year termgives her plenty of opportunities to learnmore about Denakkanaaga and her role.She will also stay active in the YESprogram, learning additional skills andproviding a voice for the youth. Forinformation, contact Rachel Graybealtoll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at(907) 452-8251 ext. 3193.

PAGE 6 • THE COUNCIL

COMMUNITY & NATURAL RESOURCES• OCTOBER 2003

Interior Athabascan Tribal College(IATC): Language Program

Athabascan Language Institutes wereheld in May and June 2003 for the followinglanguage areas: Deg Xinag/Holikachuk,Dena’ina, Gwich’in, Koyukon, LowerTanana (Minto) and Tanacross/UpperTanana (Northway). They were sponsoredby the Denaqenage’ Career LadderProgram, Alaska Native Language Center,which are funded through the United StatesDepartment of Education–Career LadderProgram grants. Program partners includethe Interior Athabascan Tribal College(IATC) and the following school districts:Gateway, Galena City, Iditarod, Lake andPeninsula, Yukon-Koyukuk, and YukonFlats.

Upper Tanana/Tanacross AthabascanLanguage Development Institute (ALDI)Gary Holton, Assistant Professor, Alaska NativeLanguage Center

The Upper Tanana/Tanacross tookplace May 27-June 10 at the University ofAlaska, Fairbanks-Tok Center. The class metdaily, including weekends; weekend sessionwere held as retreats at the old Tanacrossvillage site. The morning language class wastaught by Irene Solomon-Arnold,Instructor of Athabascan, with assistancefrom Elders Laura Sanford, Isabel John,Ellen Demit, and Avis Sam, as well as linguistGary Holton, and student intern AongusMurchadha.

The 2003 session was the first of itskind held in the TCC region. The highlightsof the session were the field trips to severalsites, including Old Tanacross Village,Deadman Lake, and Moon Lake. HerbiePaul provided transportation to the oldTanacross Village. These trips wereextremely beneficial as Elders seemed morewilling to use the language with students,and students were able to learn in a hands-on environment. Lessons in cutting fish andharvesting plants were invaluable.

Planning for the 2004 summer sessionis underway and will include more field trips

and hands-on learning experiences. Anyoneinterested in the summer session or in theUpper Tanana and Tanacross languageprogram please call Irene Solomon-Arnoldat (907) 474-6263 or e-mail fnila@uaf.edu.

Holikachuk/Deg Xinag LanguageDevelopment Institute

Beth Leonard, Language Coordinator-Instructor,IATC

The first part of the Institute took placein Grayling from May 22-25, 2003. GraylingElder instructors/participants included BedeDeacon, Edna Deacon, Henry Deacon, MaryDeacon, Wilson Deacon, Rose Golilie andHannah Maillelle. Shageluk Elder instructorsincluded James Dementi, KatherineHamilton, and Lucy Hamilton. LouiseWinkelman of Anchorage also attended andhelped with activities and language learning.Career ladder students included AngelaYoung, Malinda Chase, Marilyn ChaseJones, Jeanette Dementi, LaVerneDemientieff, William Painter, and JuliaWalker. Students and participants fromGrayling learned how to a make birch bark/willow root barrettes and mini baskets, andhow to weave/knot twine to make nettingfor a dipnet.

Student William Painter worked withElders and Nelson Deacon to gather woodfor the handle and crosspieces of the dipnet.While working on their projects, studentswere encouraged to converse with speakersusing Deg Xinag or Holikachuk, and askfor new phrases appropriate to the context.In the evenings, UAF instructors VirginiaNed and Lolly Carpluk facilitated aworkshop focused on promoting languagelearning within families and communities.Many thanks to the Grayling communityfor hosting this event, and those memberswho helped coordinate activities includingShirley Clark, Debbie Deacon, NelsonDeacon, and Giulia Oliverio.

The second part of the Institute tookplace in Anvik from May 26-29, inconjunction with the Deg Xinag DictionaryGathering sponsored by the Anvik Tribal

Interior Athabascan Tribal College SuccessBy Beth Leonard, Instructor/Coordinator, Interior Athabascan Tribal College

Council. Grayling Elders Hannah Maillelleand Edna Deacon participated, as well asthe Shageluk Elders referenced above. EllenSavage and her daughter Dorothy Josephcame from Anchorage to teach Nativedancing to the youth. There were two one-credit classes offered; one in recording andtranscribing Deg Xinag Athabascaninstructed by Donna Miller-MacAlpine, andthe other in documentary filmmaking/videography, instructed by DianeFredericks.

Students often worked late into theevening on their transcribing andvideography projects. Students engagedElders in conversational language and spentseveral hours each day recording andvideotaping Elders talking in Deg Xinagabout personal and community histories,mask dance ceremonies, and traditionalbeliefs. Speakers also provided an Englishtranslation of their presentations. Inaddition, students worked with Alice Taffand speakers in the process of reviewingand revising dictionary entries and soundfiles. We are grateful to the community ofAnvik, especially Tami Jerue, the Anvik TribalCouncil, and Donna Miller-MacAlpine ofthe Anvik Historical Society, for organizingand hosting this event.

The final two days of the Institute tookplace in Shageluk on May 31–June 1. Duringthis time, career ladder students met withthe Shageluk Elders, working on terms forgames and cooking. Students also preparedfry bread and fish ice cream to share duringthe Denakkanaaga conference. Manythanks to the Shageluk community forhosting this event, the Innoko River School,and James and Jeanette Dementi forhousing students and providing meals.

Malinda Chase also contributedgreatly to the planning process and providedmany valuable language learning games andother materials for use during this Institute.For future workshops, I will plan toadvertise and coordinate more closely with

the school personnel and communitymembers so we have a more inclusive cross-section of the community, andintergenerational participation.

Collaborative Program with Yukon-Koyukuk School District

Beth Leonard, Language Coordinator-Instructor,IATC

The Yukon-Koyukuk School District(YKSD) was recently awarded a UnitedStates Department of Education grantentitled “A Collaborative Partnership toImprove English Language Skills and NativeAthabascan Language in a Rural AlaskaSchool District.” This funding supports afour-year project, and establishes a formalpartnership between YKSD, IATC, and theAlaska Native Language Center (ANLC).The Native language strand includes tuitionsupport for teachers and aides to completecertificates, degrees, and/or endorsementsin Native Language Education. Otheractivities will include cultural camps forstudents in 6-12th grades, summer languageimmersion camps providing college coursesand credit for high school students, andcollaboration with the IATC FamilyLanguage Program workshops tostrengthen ties between communities andschools.

Susan Paskvan has been hired as theAthabascan Language Coordinator for theproject. Patrick Marlow (ANLC) and BethLeonard (IATC) are currently partnerliaisons and will be working with Susan forthe project. If you have any questions aboutthe program, please call Susan at (907) 374-9400 or e-mail spaskvan@yksd.com.

For more information please contactBeth Leonard, Instructor/Coordinatortoll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at(907) 452-8251 ext. 3287, emailbeth.leonard@tananachiefs.org.

Real Estate ServicesDepartment

Real Estate Services, under compact (contract) with the Department of theInterior, provides Realty Management services to the owners of restricted Nativeallotments and townsites lots. If you are a restricted landowner, please see us if youhave any questions regarding your Native allotment or townsite lot. We provide freeassistance for restricted landowners with the following services: Gift Deeds, LandSales, Gravel and Timber Sales, Leases, Land Exchanges, Subdivisions, Mortgages,Right-of-Way, Trespass Issues, Notary Public, Wills and Probates. We have 12employees who specialize in meeting your real estate needs.

We will follow up with articles describing the special status of allotments andrestricted townsites and the special protections that shield restricted lands. Animportant issue affecting allotments and tribes recently has been the selling ofallotments. We will explain the process of how allotments are sold and the impact ofsales, as well as possible solutions for sold allotments to transfer under ownership oflocal tribes. The selling of allotments is a controversial issue and the Realty program

By Tanna Carter, Appraiser/Realty Specialist

The trials were plentiful, the competition stiff, but when the dust settled, Ms.Stephanie English was the proud new owner of a 1993 Cougar XR-7. The CougarXR-7 was generously donated by Gene’s Chrysler as the grand prize for the TribalCommunity Civilian Corps (TCCC) 1st Annual Survive It and Drive It Contest.There were four contestants in a heated competition to see who could survive threedays crammed into the vehicle.

Each of the contestants submitted a short essay explaining how they wouldspend their time stuck in the car with the other contestants. Judges picked thecontestants based on the merits of their essay and then starting at 6 pm on August28, 2003 the contestants entered the car. Three days later, Ms. English emergedvictorious at 6 pm on August 31, 2003.

The other three competitors were eliminated by Stephanie’s friends andcommunity members donating $1.00 to TCCC on her behalf. In other words, this$1.00 donation allowed them to put in a vote to eliminate the other contestants. Eachday at 6 pm all the votes were tallied, and the contestant with the most votes had toexit the vehicle.

The contest was a successful fundraiser for TCCC, as a direct result of theassistance from the following businesses:

• Gene’s Chrysler• Bentley Mall• Alyeska Pipeline Service Company• Fox-7 KFXF• The Edge 104.7 KKED• Fairbanks Daily News-Miner• Kinko’s• Shirt Shop• Food Factory• Quizno’s• Safeway• Burger King

A big “thank you” to all these businesses is extended on behalf of TCCC. Plansare already in the works to make next year’s Survive It and Drive It Contest evenbigger and better. Start working on your essay, and maybe next year you’ll be theproud winner of a new vehicle. For more information, please contact Neil Gahn toll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3281.

Survive It and Drive ItContest Results

By Neil Gahn, Fund Development Coordinator, Americorps VISTA

Real Estate Services StaffFront Row left to right: Tom Gamza, Bob Sattler, Elvin Dayton

Second Row: Sheri Hardman, Merna Wharton, Clara Mayo, EuphrasiaDemoski, and Eileen Stone

Back Row: Paul Mayo, Tanna Carter, Hans Axelsson

continued on next page...

THE COUNCIL • PAGE 7OCTOBER 2003 •

COMMUNITY & NATURAL RESOURCES

Steering Committee members RandyMayo (Chair), Kenneth Charlie (ViceChair), Almira Beetus, Bill Derendoff,Herbie Moses, Jerry Nollner Sr., SarahOskolkoff, Harding Sam, and Shirley Fields,sitting in for David James met recently inFairbanks. Technical contributions weremade by Dewey Schwallenberg (on behalfof Stevens Village), and TCC staff LarryBredeman, Donna Dwiggins, Lisa Jaeger,and Jim Knopke.

The Committee functions as a workinggroup, studying the structures in place thataffect use and management of traditionallands and natural resources. This was thethird face-to-face meeting since theCoalition was formed in November 2002.The first meeting, a teleconference,discussed the establishment of the Coalitionand it was decided to keep the organizationrather informal. Beyond election of a Chairand Vice Chair, and deciding on a purpose(reported on previously), the groupfunctions as a working committee to “hashout” issues, understand structures, identifypolitical influences and legislation, andinvestigate other conditions that affect Triballand management. The group is alsostudying models and examples of successfultransference of lands, and the assumptionof Tribal sovereignty over traditional lands.

At the most recent meeting, the grouplooked at how Stevens Village re-establishedits sovereignty over its traditional lands,which the village corporation resides in. Inthis example, the Tribal government regainedits authority through the traditional landsuse plans, rather than relinquishing it to thecorporation. It was a collaborative effortbetween the Council and the corporationthat emerged during development of landuse plan and ensuing ordinances. Toaccomplish this, Stevens Village changed itsconstitution and bylaws, adding ordinancesthat restrict authority to the Tribal Council.Laws were passed that promoted Tribalneeds and empowered the Tribal Councilto manage the lands surrounding the village;natural resources management has nowbecome a function of the Tribe, rather thanof the corporation. In other words, thevillage corporation may develop theirnatural resources, but they are obligated toabide by the ordinances instituted by theTribal Council to ensure that thedevelopment is in accordance withTraditional values, and for the welfare andbetterment of its Tribal members.

Fort Yukon was also mentioned as anexample of collaboration for traditionalauthority that moved land managementfrom corporation to Tribal Council. Theircorporation turned land back to the TribalCouncil.

An important element in making thissystem work is having tribal police officerswho are fully trained and certified by theState to back up the ordinances, but the lawenforcement officers work for the Tribe.This re-structuring is working well fornatural resource management in StevensVillage because they do not have to dependon getting State enforcement officers to thevillage to enforce poaching and trespasslaws.Summit Planned

There is increased need to combineforces to understand relevant issues andadvocate effectively for protection ofTraditional use areas if Tribes wish topreserve their subsistence base. For thisreason, plans are being formulated to meetwith other groups that are studying theissues surrounding oil and gas development,and roads and highway development.

Few of TCC’s tribal constituents havea comprehensive grasp of all of the issuessurrounding natural resource managementand these ‘development’ initiatives. As an Oiland Gas Coalition has been formed, and aTransportation Coalition is in the works,the Natural Resources Coalition believesthat all constituents in the Interior may bemore effective in managing and safeguarding our natural resources by workingmore closely together. Thus, the Inter-TribalNatural Resources Coalition is discussingholding a general summit on all of the issuestogether: Oil and Gas, Highways, andNatural Resources management.

The Summit on Development andNatural Resources Management [workingtitle] is tentatively slated for January 2004,but plans will not be finalized until mid-October. If you are interested in learningmore about these plans, the Inter-TribalNatural Resources Coalition, the Oil andGas Coalition, or the TransportationCoalition, please contact Randy Mayo(Stevens Village), or Donna Dwiggins orLarry Brederman at TCC. For information,contact Donna Dwiggins toll-free at800-478-6822 or locally at(907) 452-8251 ext. 3394, emaildonna.dwiggins@tananachiefs.org.

Inter-Tribal NaturalResources Coalition

By Donna Dwiggins, Ph.D, Program Manager, Cultural Resources

Trainees from left to right: Eileen Holmes of Anderson,Fannie Carroll of Fort Yukon, and Jacob Luke from HealyLake.

Village residents attended a training through the Office of Environmental Healthwith TCC from September 15-9, 2003 in Fairbanks. This was a 32-hour course toprovide Utility Managers of small water and wastewater facilities in Alaska a basicunderstanding of the principles and practices involved in managing their facilities. Ifa village or city only has a community watering point, then it has a water utility.Topics covered include: organization, planning, personnel, operations, and finances.For further information, please call Melva Traverso, Training Coordinator, toll-freeat 800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3437, emailmelva.traverso@tananachiefs.org.

Utility ManagementTraining

Managers Gather in Fairbanks

Trainees from left to right: Monica Williams of Hughes, AnnaJoseph of Beaver, and Natalie Baumgartner from McGrath.

InstructorsEileenKozevnikoff andIrene Catalone,State of AlaskaDepartment ofCommunity andEconomicDevelopment.

Participants listen closelyduring the Septembermeeting. From left toright: Randy Mayo,Steering CommitteeChair from StevensVillage, Jerry Nollner Sr.,representing the LoudenTribal Council in Galena,and Harding Sam fromAlatna is represetingAlatna TraditionalCouncil.

Please submit pictures in addition to any short facts concerning culturaltraditions, language, and traditional stories. The types of pictures we are lookingfor include: historical black and white photos and new pictures that illustratewellness and Alaska Native pride. Pictures of artwork and other Native traditionsare also encouraged.

Please send all submissions (which will be returned) to: The Planning andDevelopment Department, Attn: Tanya Beatus, 122 First Avenue, Suite 600,Fairbanks, AK 99701. Please do not forget to attach contact information to thepictures! The deadline for all submissions is November 15, 2003.

We Need Pictures for the 2004 Calendar!

It’s time to begin planning for your community’s Administration for NativeAmericans (ANA) grant funding proposal. A successful ANA grant requires:

♦ a solid, well planned budget♦ long-range goals♦ an objective work plan

A community also needs a Community Strategic Plan to include with the grantin order to earn a high enough score to warrant funding.

Grant Tip of the Month

will seek possible solutions for the owners that want to sell allotments. In the last 30years, only 2% of the entire allotment inventory has been sold in the Doyon region atthe election of the owner. This issue is ongoing and the Realty program has beendirected by the tribes to find ways for allotments to remain under the control of theTribes.

A common misunderstanding with allotments is that Doyon, TCC, or othercorporations will buy allotments–this is not true. There is no funding to buy allotmentsand landowners are encouraged to keep their allotments for future generations.

If you have immediate questions, call Paul Mayo, Realty Director, toll-free at800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3261. You can email him atpaul.mayo@tananachiefs.org or any of the staff at realty@tananachiefs.org.

...REAL ESTATE continued from previous page

PAGE 8 • THE COUNCIL • OCTOBER 2003

HEALTH

Effective March 1, 2003 the Weekend and Holiday Clinic at ChiefAndrew Isaac Health Center are as follows:

Clinic Hours:

Monday-Thursday 8:00 am-7:30 pmFriday 8:00 am-4:30 pm

Weekend Clinic:

Friday 5:00 pm-8:00 pmSaturday & Sunday 10:00 am-5:30 pmHolidays 10:00 am-5:30 pm

The clinic is closed the last Friday of each month from 8:00 am-9:00 am.

Pharmacy Hours:

Monday – Thursday 8:00 am 6:00 pmWednesday 9:00 am 6:00 pmFriday 8:00 am 4:30 pm

The pharmacy is closed weekends/holidays, prescriptions can befilled after hours at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.

Chief Andrew Isaac HealthCenter and Pharmacy Hours

Walk-Ins needto checkin 45minutesprior toclosing.

The Big Dipper Arena fee is paid for all eligible TCC Health Services Beneficiaries.Just sign in at the Big Dipper on the roster provided with your name and TCC HealthServices chart number.

Walking Program HitsFull Stride

TCC Health Services Diabetes Program1049 Mile Fitness Walking Program wasestablished three years ago, and is still goingstrong. This program designed toencourage TCC Health Servicesbeneficiaries to adopt and sustain aprogram of regular recurring physicalactivity now has 452 participants with sixpeople already walking the entire distancefrom Anchorage to Nome and earning thecoveted 1049 Mile Fitness Walking Programfinisher’s patch.

This is a walking program that will takefrom one to two years to complete; the goalis to walk the equivalent of the Iditarod Trail.Registrants can travel by walking,snowshoeing, jogging, or skiing. Eachregistrant will receive trail logs andcheckpoint logs for tracking progress alongthe trail.

The walking for fitness takes place inyour own community or where ver you maybe visiting. Each time you go out for fitness

By Walter Palkovitch, Director of Nursing, Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center

Walking at the Big Dipper Arena

walking you log the miles traveled on acheckpoint log. When you have walked therequired number of miles for thatcheckpoint, the completed checkpoint logsare sent into the diabetes program fortracking progress of walkers along the trail.

Incentives are given to walkers atsignificant ‘check points’ along the trail; withyour registration you will you will receive aFitness for Life T-shirt to identify you as a1049 Mile Fitness Walking Programparticipant. Other incentives, such as thecoveted aluminum-thermal travelers cupawarded at the Knik check point, will bemailed out once you reach variouscheckpoints along the trail.

The 1049 Mile Fitness WalkingProgram is open to all TCC Health Servicesbeneficiaries. See your Health Aide, TribalAdministrator, or call John Martin, DiabetesProgram, toll-free at 800-478-6682 or (907)451-6682 ext. 3773 for a registration form,email walter.palkovitch@tananachiefs.org.

Start Slow, and Work Up

For the greatest overall health benefits,experts recommend that you perform 30to 50 minutes of aerobic activity three ormore times a week and some type of musclestrengthening activity and stretching at leasttwice a week. However, if you are unable todo this level of activity, you can gainsubstantial health benefits by accumulating30 minutes or more of moderate-intensityphysical activity a day, at least five times aweek.

If you have been inactive for a while,you may want to start with less strenuousactivities such as walking or swimming at acomfortable pace. Beginning at a slow pacewill allow you to become physically fitwithout straining your body. Once you arein better shape, you can gradually do morestrenuous activity.

Moderate-Intensity Workout

These activities can be done in shortspurts-10 minutes here, eight minutes there.Alone, each action does not have a greateffect on your health, but regularlyaccumulating as many minutes of activityover the course of the day will result insubstantial health benefits. To become moreactive throughout your day, take advantageof any chance to get up and move around.Here are some examples:

• Take a short walk around the block• Rake leaves• Play actively with the kids• Walk up the stairs instead of taking the

elevator• Mow the lawn• Take an activity break-get up and

stretch or walk around• Park your car a little farther away from

your destination and walk the extradistance.

Make the most of the opportunities youhave to be active, and soon you will belooking forward to the pleasure andrewards of being on the move.

When and How to StartBy John Martin, Physical Activites Coordinator

Aerobic Activity

Aerobic activity is an importantaddition to moderate-intensity exercise.Aerobic exercise is any extended activity thatmakes you breathe hard while using thelarge muscle groups at a regular, even pace.Aerobic activities help make your heartstronger and more efficient. They also usemore calories than other activities. Someexamples of aerobic activities include: Briskwalking ; Jogging; Bicycling; Swimming;Aerobic dancing; Racket sports; Rowing; Iceor roller skating; Cross-country or downhillskiing Using Aerobic Equipment (i.e.,treadmill, stationary bike).

To get the most health benefits fromaerobic activity, you should exercise at a levelstrenuous enough to raise your heart rateto your target zone. Your heart should bebeating within your target heart rate zone.If your heart is beating faster than yourtarget heart rate, you are exercising too hardand should slow down. If your heart isbeating slower than your target heart rate,you should exercise a little harder.

When you begin your exercise program,aim for the lower part of your target zone.As you get into better shape, slowly buildup to the higher part of your target zone. Ifexercising within your target zone seems toohard, exercise at a pace that is comfortablefor you. You will find with time, you willfeel more comfortable exercising and canslowly increase to your target zone.

Stretching and Strengthening Exercises

Stretching and strengthening exercisessuch as weight training should also be apart of your physical activity program. Inaddition to using calories, these exercisesstrengthen your muscles and bones and helpprevent injury.

For more information, contact JohnMartin, Diabetes Prevention Program, toll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at(907) 452-8251 ext. 3773, emailjohn.martin@tananachiefs.org.

The Tundra Swan Inhalant TreatmentProgram began operations in September2001. The Outreach was one of the firstcomponents to be implemented and beganin November 2000 while the ResidentialTreatment component took its first childrenin during September 2001.

Outreach Components

The Inhalant Treatment Program hasa statewide focus providing information,assessment, training and treatment. TheOutreach team accomplishes this throughthe services described below.

Statewide Advisory Council

Family members of inhalant abusers,persons who have abused inhalantsthemselves, service providers, and leadersin the healthcare system provide perspectiveand input.Annual Inhalant Prevention Conference

The Tundra Swan Program takes partin the educational components of theconference and program planning.

Referrals for Assessment

The Inhalant Program OutreachCoordinator working in cooperation withthe community provides the opportunityto identify persons in need of interventionservices. The residential treatment programaccepts a maximum of fourteen youngpeople. The coordinator may assist inobtaining interim interventions toindividuals with immediate needs, as wellas facilitating the admissions process toresidential treatment.

Training

Inhalant abuse treatment expertsprovide training programs at conferencesand workshops. Training is provided forvarious groups within the communityincluding health care providers, schoolpersonnel, parents, community leaders,business owners, clergy and others who areinterested. Programs teach providers aboutthe resources available through the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation InhalantProgram and assessment and referralmethods for utilization within homecommunities.

Community Outreach Program

Outreach staff travel to areasthroughout the state to provide a variety ofearly intervention services. The host

community is responsible for obtaining alocation or site for services and acommitment from at least five communitymembers that are willing to meet with theInhalant Staff. Once these commitments areobtained the staff will schedule the visit anddiscuss the services to be offered.

Community Meeting

This informational meeting is designedto raise awareness and educate adults aboutinhalant abuse. This time can also be usedto identify community strengths and beginformulating a plan of action.

School Presentations

Staff is available to provide classroompresentations to children in grades K-12.Most presentations are 30-45 minutes inlength. The lessons are age dependent andfocus on healthy living. Inhalants are notpresented as drugs; instead they are definedas neurotoxins or poisons. Staff discussesthe effects of poisons on the body, refusalskills, and responsibilities of friends andaccess to community resources.

Early Intervention

Inhalant staff will work withcommunity providers to interview andassess youth, with family involvement, todetermine the need for further inhalantintervention or treatment. If a group ofyouth in one community are identified, amore extensive 3 –5 day camp can beprovided for children who have beenidentified as abusing inhalants. Services areoffered to children ages 8 –18. The InhalantStaff work with local providers to facilitatethe clinic/camp program. In addition toeducating children on the detrimental effectsof inhalants, time is spent identifyingunderlying causes of abuse, and buildingself-esteem and a healthier life style.

Requesting Outreach Services

If you would like to further discuss theservices available to your community, pleasecontact the Tundra Swan InhalantTreatment Program at either our Bethel orAnchorage locations.

For more information about theseservices, contact Jim Henkelman or GladysJohnson toll-free at 866-483-3464 or inAnchorage at (907) 646-0778. Email eitherof them at: jim_henkelman@ykhc.org orgladys_johnson@ykhc.org.

Tundra Swan InhalantTreatment Outreach Services

How Much Exercise is Enough?

THE COUNCIL • PAGE 9OCTOBER 2003 •

Art “Lee” Nash, Social Worker, Home Care ServicesRegina Weston, Cashier, Business OfficeWanda M. David, Health Aide, TetlinJohn Etter, DentistJamie Noble, LPN, Chief Andrew Isaac Health CenterChristina Schneider Ackerman, Mental Health ClinicianFlorence Jimmie, Home Care Provider, NorthwayJalene John, Home Care Provider, TanacrossMelissa Peter, Home Care Provider, ChalkyitsikDelores Saunders, Home Care Provider, AllakaketBarbra Solari, Home Care Provider, BeaverMatthew “Matt” Rogers, C/I II for the Kuskokwim Subregion

Health ServicesNew Employees

HEALTH

At Home Care Services, we hope toprovide the best guidance to the caregiversthat care for our living heritage–our Elders.A “family caregiver” is any family memberor other non-paid provider who cares foran older individual (age 60 and older). Alsoincluded are grandparents (age 60 andolder) who are primary caregivers that havea child less than 18 years of age or adevelopmentally disabled person. Tosupport the caregivers, our departmentprovides for a solid mix of services whichinclude education, assistance, referrals,respite, and other supplemental services.Our goal is simple-locate, contact andsupport caregivers as they care for Elders!

In March, Art Nashattended the nation’s onlyIndian Geriatric EducationCenter for the purposes ofputting together lessonsappropriate to teach ourcaregivers topics relating to thecaregiver’s needs. He alsoattended The NationalResource Center on NativeAmerican Aging to become certified inteaching healthy behaviors, which will bemixed in with the caregiver training.

This past summer with the help of theCommunity Health Aides and the HomeCare provides in each village, acomprehensive list of caregivers have beenput together. From the list of caregivers abrochure with information on the NationalFamily Caregiver program have beenmailed out to all the TCC villages. Art istracking the responses and following up ascaregivers who contacted him for moreinformation. A caregiver’s resource centeron health topic is being compiled at the

Home Care ServicesStrengthens its Educational

Material, Knowledge

Home Care department. These books,videos and newsletters will be available forin-office viewing when caregivers are inFairbanks. Health articles and informationcan be mailed to caregivers upon request.Plans are in place for Art to travel to thevillages to provide village forums andschool presentations in hopes to educatefamily caregivers on the natural changesthat come with aging with the hopes ofmotivating them to understand the needsof their Elders.

It’s all too natural for us to think ourparents don’t need help because they havealways been our helpers. But as they beginto age, their physical and mental abilities

start to decline. Before theyknow it, they can’t clean theirhomes, pack wood andwater, read the writing on themedication bottle and startto forget where they putthings. It is our hope thatthrough education, thefamily caregivers will becomeaware of the changes an Elder

is going through and learn the skills to helpthem age successfully in their own homesand villages.

Finally, there is a continuedcollaboration with different universities,Denakkanaaga and TCC Home Care toproduce Caregiver training video tapes thatwill focus on village residents providing careat the village level.

For information on Home Care–Family Caregiver Services, contact Art Nashtoll-free at 800-478-7822 or locally at (907)452-8251 ext. 3445 or Margaret Craft atext. 3440, email art.nash@tananachiefs.org.

By Art Nash, Social Worker, Home Care Services

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a medical diagnosis for a permanent conditionresulting from pre-natal alcohol exposure causing brain damage, growth deficiency andspecific facial abnormalities. These children suffer from learning problems, sensory motorintegration difficulties, difficulty with cognitive functions, speech and language problemsand resultant emotional issues.

Studies have shown that children with FAS often have severe eye and visiondisorders. Many papers have been published documenting the fact that over 90% of thesechildren have specific ocular disorders. Unlike many other problems found in these peoplemany of the vision disorders can be corrected if caught early enough. Often times theprovision of appropriate eye care can have a dramatic effect on the child’s functionalabilities. Due to the specific nature of the eye problems found an eye exam can often beused as a diagnostic tool if the diagnosis of FAS is in doubt. Some of the most common eyeconditions found in these children are:

•High refractive error (critical need for glasses correction)•Amblyopia (Lazy eye; usually preventable if caught early) often in both eyes•Focusing problems•Eye Teaming problems (Crossed eyes, strabismus, etc)•Eye tracking problems (Cannot keep eyes on a moving target)•Corneal Curvature abnormalities (Can cause severe astigmatism and amblyopia)•Optic Nerve hypoplasia (under developed optic nerve casing vision loss)•Visual perceptual problems

Unfortunately, parents, the general community, many health care workers, and evensome eye doctors are not aware that these children often have these visual disorders. Dueto the nature of FAS the children themselves often do not complain of any problems andany symptoms that may be observed can be obscured or miss-interpreted by the othereffects of FAS on the neuro-development of the brain. We encourage every care giver,parent, and teacher who works with FAS children to be sure the child gets eye care as soonas possible. To make an appointment at the Eye Clinic, call toll-free 800-478-6822 orlocally at (907) 452-8251 ext. 3220.

By Charles Jaworski, OD, FAAO

Identifying Sight Problemsfor Children with Fetal

Alcohol Syndrome

Persons at Increased Risk for Complications-Persons 65 years and or older.-Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities housing persons of anyage with chronic medical conditions.

-Adults and children who have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascularsystems, including asthma.

-Adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalizationduring the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetesmellitus), renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or immunosuppression (includingimmunosuppression caused by medications or by Human Immunodeficiency Virus).

-Children and adolescents (ages 6 months–18 years) receiving long-term aspirin therapy(might be at risk for developing Reye syndrome after influenza infection).

-Women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the influenzaseason.

Persons Age 50-64 Years

Influenza vaccine is recommended for persons 50-64 years of age to increase the lowvaccination rates among persons in this age group with high risk conditions.Persons Who Can Transmit Influenza to Those at High Risk

-Physicians, nurses, and other personnel in both hospital and outpatient-care settings,including emergency response workers.

-Employees of nursing homes and chronic-care facilities who have contact with patientsor residents.

-Employees of assisted living and other residences for persons in groups at increasedrisk.

-Persons who provide home care to persons in high-risk groups.-Household members (including children) of persons in groups at high risk.

Other Groups

Influenza vaccines can be administered to any babies at or younger than six monthsto reduce the probability of becoming infected with influenza. Because children betweensix- and 23 months are at substantially increased risk for influenza-related hospitalizations,vaccination of all children in this age group is encouraged when feasible.Persons Who Should Not Be Vaccinated

Influenza virus vaccine should not be administered to persons known to haveanaphylactic hypersensitivity to eggs or to other components of the vaccine withoutconsulting a physician. Persons who have a history of anaphylactic hypersensitivity tovaccine components but who are also high at risk for complications of influenza canbenefit from vaccine after appropriate allergy evaluation. Persons with acute febrile illnessesusually should not be vaccinated until their symptoms have abated, although minorillnesses with or without fever do not contraindicate the use of the influenza vaccine.Neither breast feeding or pregnancy is a contraindication to influenza vaccination.

Influenza VaccinationsTaken from the State of Alaska Epidemiology Bulletin

Walter Willet of Harvard Public Healthmay have started this new talk about dietaryfats in his latest publication “Eat Drink andbe Healthy,” and now every week it seemsnews articles are shouting the news: “TheEnd of the No-Fat Diets Has Come.” Thenew message tells the truth about fats weneed and fats we don’t. The fats we want toreduce as much as possible are the saturatedand hydrogenated fats. These are the fatsthat increase the artery-damaging LowDensity Lipoproteins (LDL). Saturated(bad) fats are found in greatest amounts inbeef, pork, and dairy products.

Hydrogenated (bad) fats are man-made from liquid oils that are heated,exposed to a metal and transformed into ahard fat similar to saturated fats.

These hydrogenated fats have replacedthe good polyunsaturated fats in manycanned and boxed products to extend theproduct shelf life. Although hydrogenatedfat has been banned in some countries, itstill lingers on United States store shelves.However, as the public knowledge increasesso does the outrage; The New York Timesreported that Kraft Foods was going to besued because they use hydrogenated fats inOreo Cookies, a product frequentlyconsumed by our children. We can avoidsaturated fats by reading food labels as we

buy products. Finding the hydrogenated fattakes more detective work. We have to puton our reading glasses and go through fineprint of the ingredient list to see if it is there–no amounts are given.

By including a small amount of healthyfat with protein each time we eat we can feelsatisfied for longer, and avoid feeling hungryevery few hours. Less appetite helps us tohave small portions and to lose weight. Sohow do we find fats that are good? The fatswe need are the unsaturated fats, bothmono- and polyunsaturated fats (polyincludes Omega three and Omega six).These good guys begin to reverse thedamage started by bad fats by increasingthe High Density Lipoproteins (HDL)-good cholesterol, and providing the essentialfats the body requires for health and life.The Monounsaturated fats are found inolive oil, avocados, peanut butter and nuts,while the Polyunsaturated and hard to find;Omega three are in flax, fish-salmon,walnuts, and canola oil.

If in Fairbanks, you can come to a smallgroup nutrition class at Chief Andrew IsaacHealth Center. If not, start investigating yourfood labels closely or call toll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 451-6682 ext.3670 to learn more about your health.

Good Fat v. Bad FatBy Madeline Patterson-O’Dell, RDE, Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center Nutrition

Services

A caregiver’sresource center on

health is beingcompiled at the

Home CareServices.

PAGE 10 • THE COUNCIL

SUBREGIONAL NEWS• OCTOBER 2003

The Little Sraqay Center

For the last 15 years a Cultural Camphas been held at Albert’s Lake,approximately 15 miles east of Holy Cross.Each year a proposal is submitted toYukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation(YKHC) on behalf of the Tribal Councilsof: Anvik, Grayling, Holy Cross, andShageluk, which was funded again this year.We held a camp from September 8-11, 2003with approximately 12 students from theages of 12-18 and included teacher Jeff Bader,Elder Edna Deacon of Grayling, Hamil andLucy Hamilton of Shageluk, Vaska andPhyllis Gregory of Holy Cross, DonnaMcAlpine of Anvik, Rudy Hamilton ofShageluk, and Richard Peters of Shageluk.

The students learned of the old waysthat our grand- and great-grandparentslived. They learned how to make birch barkbaskets, how to care for and clean Pike fish,even learning to make Agutuk, fish icecream. They learned about the different kindof plants and trees we have. Since it washunting season, most of the studentswitnessed the taking of a moose, watchinghow it was cut up and cared for. They also

Holy Cross Cultural CampBy Phillip Demientieff Sr., Director, Lower Yukon Subregion

Holy Cross Head Start began on September 2, 2003 and “home school” lastedthrough the month. The first day of classroom sessions was October 6, 2003.

The parent committee was elected with the following results:

Troy Turner, Chair

John Capsul, Vice Chair

Tessi Paul, Secretary/Treasurer

Eugene Paul, Policy Council Rep.

Sue Barrett, TCC’s Head Start Coordinator, assisted at the health fair onSeptember 9, 2003. The children were screened for vision, hearing, dental, and bodyweight/height. They were given information on nutrition, health, and safety.

We have 12 children enrolled, another child will join later this month. Our staffincludes: Yvonne King, Lead Educator, Doris Turner, Family Services Assistant/Educator, and Sandra Sims, Nutritionist/Educator. We are ready for a great schoolyear; please stop by the Little Sraqay Center for a visit, you are always welcome.

By Rosalie Wulf, Head Start Parent

The TCC 13th Annual Agricultural Fairwas held in Holy Cross from September12-14, 2003. This year’s fair included gamesfor all ages with cash prizes, rifle shoots formen and women, canoe races for men andwomen, an agutuk (ice cream) contest, acribbage and pool tournament, exhibits ofvegetables, plants, salmon strips, jarredsalmon and jams, arts and crafts fromyouth and adults, raffle items, and a potluck.

The raffle winners were: Roundtripticket-Margaret St. John, Hunting box-Sharon Whitley, Handheld radio-RonTurner, Drum of oil-Alvin Demientieff, Rodn’ reel-Gloria Rhodes and Chaz Sims, Fooddehydrator-Phyllis Gregory, GeorgeForeman Cooker-Alexander Samuelson,Microwave oven-Ethan Schutt, Drum ofgas-Karen Ann Whitley, Grass cutter-Phyllis Gregory, Six-Person tent-NicholasWulf, and Foodsaver-Cecilia Turner.

On behalf of the committee, I wouldlike to thank the following agencies thatmade this year’s fair successful: Holy CrossTribal Council, Holy Cross City Council,Bush Tell, Incorporated, Tanana Air Service,

Holy Cross Agricultural FairBy Phillip J. Demientieff Sr., Agricultural Fair Committee Member

I am the new Environmental Technicianfor the Upper Tanana Subregional office inTok. In the past, I worked one and a halfyears for the Yukon River Inter-TribalWatershed Council as the Education andTraining Coordinator. Prior to that I workedfor the TCC as an EnvironmentalTechnician for a total of seven years and asAdministrative Assistant for two years atthe Upper Tanana Subregion. In addition, Ihold four State Certificates as an Operatorin Training in Water Treatment andDistributions and Wastewater Treatmentand Collections. I also possess extensiveknowledge regarding solid waste issues andconcerns, including operations andmaintenance of these types of facilities. Iam currently enrolled at the University of

By Diana L. Ervin, Environmental Technician, Upper Tanana Subregion

Environmental TechReturns to Upper Tanana

Southeast, Sitka Campus working on an Associate of Arts degree in EnvironmentalTechnology.

As the new Environmental Technician I am responsible for improving operation andmaintenance of existing solid waste disposal facilities in rural villages in the Interior, tosafeguard the health of the population and support the community’s efforts to keep theirlandfills safe and sanitary. This will be accomplished by: 1) educating and providing triballeaders, school children, and village resident’s information and training on solid wasteissues and solutions, 2) provide on- and off-site training and technical assistance, and 3)assess solid waste sites to determine community solid waste priorities.

I will be contacting your village councils in the near future to coordinate travel to yourvillages. Please call me toll-free at 800-478-5182 with any concerns or suggestions of howI may assist your community in addressing any solid waste issues.

AT&T Alascom, Tweedie’s Store, Holy CrossOil and Building Supply, Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, Pen Air,Frontier Flying Service, and the communityof Holy Cross. Thank you all so much!

We would also like to thank thefollowing individuals and agencies whovolunteered to coordinate games, judge theexhibits and sell raffle tickets: Judi Walker,Angela Demientieff, Rosalie Wulf, ClaraDemientieff, LaVerne Turner, Margaret St.John, LeAnn Samuelson, Tina Gregory,Debbie Miller, Pat Frank, Heidi Sutter, EvaEdwards, Jim Lacost, Margie Edwards,Mathew Burkett, Vaska Gregory, Jeff Bader,Shageluk IRA Council, and there were manyyouth who assisted with setting up thecommunity hall for the exhibits andpotluck.

Thanks to all who cooked and broughtfood. We want to thank the students fromAnvik Blackwell School who traveled duringrainy weather on the first day of the fair toparticipate. Thanks to volunteers and those Ididn’t mention! We look forward to nextyear’s Agricultural Fair as well.

The Boys and Girls Club of Galena andthe Galena City School District recentlysponsored a basketball camp featuringUniversity of Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF)Assistant Coach Frank Ostanik. HelpingCoach Ostanik during the three day campwas UAF girls’ basketball player AndreaDurney, who is from Nulato, Alaska. Wewere very fortunate to have two such quality

Successful Basketball Camp for Galena YouthBy PJ Simon, Unit Manager, Boys and Girls Club of Galena

people as instructors for the camp.

The 1st Annual Boys and Girls ClubBasketball Camp was held August 20-22,2003 at the Galena City School gymnasium.Three days of intense drills and new moveswere the norm for all who enrolled. Theparticipants walked away knowing how tolive and sacrifice their time as studentathletes on and off the court. Coach Ostanikalso conducted a one-hour lecture to allparents and interested parties on how tonurture young athletes and further alongtheir game.

Coach Ostanik shares, “There are a lotof people who run camps and do nothingmore than get the kids on the floor andhave them play games,” said Coach Ostanik.“Often times they will have guest instructorswho are amazing athletes. These instructorswill put on dunk shows and do all kinds ofcool things with a basketball, but in the end,the kids haven’t learned anything. Ipersonally find this to be unacceptable.

“I was very fortunate to have someonelike Andrea who is committed to teachingall the little things that go into being a betterplayer. When I do a camp we play very fewgames and do very little scrimmaging. Wespend an inordinate amount of timeworking on the fundamentals of the game.

Summer Basketball Camp Coach andUniversity of Alaska, FairbanksAssistant Coach Frank Ostanik

I want every young boy or girl to leavehaving worked hard and learned somethingnew. However, the key to a successful campis to make the learning fun.”

It was obvious watching CoachOstanik for the three days that he lives toteach and preach the game to all who areinterested. Having conducted camps in over40 Alaskan communities, he has a proventrack record of successful basketball campsthroughout Alaska.

“I have a special place in my heart forthe rural schools of Alaska,” said CoachOstanik. “My first teaching and coachingjob was in Kaltag, Alaska and my next jobwas in Northway, Alaska. I have very fondmemories of both communities and cherishthe time that I spent in each. While mycoaching career has led me to the Universityof Alaska, I still try to get out as much aspossible to rural Alaska.”

With over 40 participants broken intoage groups according to elementary, juniorhigh, and high school, Coach had age-specific drills for each group. Galena alsohas a charter school, the Project EducationResidential School with an enrollment ofabout 75 students this year. Several of thesestudents attended the camp as well. I believeour youth were very fortunate to have an

individual like Coach Ostanik. His time-tested drills, innovative ideas, and his strongphilosophies regarding basketball and lifewere extremely beneficial to all of the campsparticipants.

“I feel if all a player learns at one of mycamps is how to dribble or shoot better,than I haven’t done a very good job,” saidCoach Ostanik. “I want to teach life skills asmuch as basketball skills. I want kids tounderstand that life is a competition, and ifyou aren’t working at it, you aren’t going tohave the same opportunities in life assomeone who is.”

The Boys and Girls Club of Galena alsoplans to run outdoor programs liketraditional snow-shoeing, trapping,snaring, and caring of skins, outdoorsurvival, and traditional Athabascanactivities that relate to our seasons,strengthening our ties to the land and gainmuch needed knowledge to subsist in the21st century. By offering these activities tothe youth of Galena, we at the Boys andGirls Club are promoting communitywellness and contributing our best effortsto serve our youth as responsible, concernedcitizens. For more information, you canemail PJ Simon at psimon@bgcaslaska.org.

learned about the different parts of theanimals’ body, internally and externally.

During our short days of camping, theyounger students from grades k-8th had theopportunity to come out and visit our campfor a couple of hours. Everyone had a greattime at camp and enjoyed themselves. Theweather was beautiful with three sunnydays.

I would like to take this opportunity tothank the guests from the surroundingvillages for attending this years’ camp: thepeople named above, Holy Cross TribalCouncil, James Sims, and the youth whoattended; they made the camp possible.Lastly, thanks to the people in thecommunity who donated food and helpedwith transporting the camp gear to andfrom the beach. Thank you to JohnAloysius, Eugene Paul, Randele Demientieff,and Ernie Peters for the use of their boatswhich was used to transport the studentsand gear to and from the camp. As always,we look forward to next year’s CulturalCamp.

THE COUNCIL • PAGE 11

NEWS FOR OUR PEOPLEOCTOBER 2003 •

On August 16, 2003, race boat captainLeda Cruger with crew members GingerKennedy Placeres and Mary Huntingtonraced the boat “Predator” in the “Big” sprintraces at the Chena Pump campgrounds.This is the first time that the FairbanksOutboard Association has had an all-woman racing team.

When Wes Jr. first made the suggestionto put together an all-woman racing crewto me, I thought he was just kidding. I haddriven small tin boats before, but nothingever capable of doing 60 plus miles per hour.

We had a few training runs. As withany training, drift and debris was hit andwrong turns were taken. In the beginning Ineeded help getting the boat on step andproperly trimmed. After I was comfortablewith driving the boat and looking for debris,gravel bars and making turns, Wessuggested that I learn how to start up andget going myself. This is where patience wasput to the test. Captains have their workcut out for them; learning how to fine-tunea race boat is an art that only gets betterwith time and practice.

After several practice runs andbecoming a little more comfortable with myability to operate the boat safely, GingerKennedy-Placeres and Mary Huntingtonwere asked to join the team. Our practiceruns weren’t without their mishaps. Wespun out and lost control around a corner

once and I forgot to switch fuel tanks whichcaused the motor to quit. I didn’t know therewere so many details to running a race boat;you really have to be on your toes. In fact, itleft me second-guessing my decision to run.A captain accepts a lot of responsibility fortheir crew members. Crew safety was mymain concern. It’s not only physically tough,but mentally challenging too.

I didn’t get much sleep the night beforethinking about the race day ahead of us. Ireceived a call from Christine Cooper. Shesaid my name was mentioned in the paperfor racing with an all-woman crew. Severalmore phone calls came shortly after. Peoplewere excited to see an all-woman teamattempt to run a race boat.

Prior to the race we were rushingaround the garage to get the boat ready forthe race. Fuel had to be mixed, the practiceprop was installed, the boat was vacuumed,wiped down, unnecessary paddingremoved, cables secured, bottom checkedover, then the trailer was hooked up to thetruck. We tried to make the boat as light aspossible by removing any un-needed items.We also had to make sure all the safety gearincluding life jackets, goggles and helmetswith clean shields were ready to go.

I spent some time with the crewreviewing our practice runs. We discussedhand signals and leaning techniques. Gingerand Mary sat in the tucked down

1st All-Women Crew Makes Race Boat HistoryArticle by Leda Cruger, Housing Program Coordinator

Photo by Wes Alexander Jr.

2003 Gwich’in LanguageDevelopment InstituteBy Kathy Sikorski, Instructor of Athabascan, Alaska Native Language Center,

University of Alaska, Fairbanks

National Violent DeathReporting System

aerodynamically. In the left-hand turnGinger had to lean across the brace behindme and rest on Mary while she was leaningover her side of the race boat. These motionsare done quickly and sometimes leavebumps, bruises and battle wounds.

Our practice runs went well, muchbetter than the night before. Wes Jr. changedthe prop prior to the race; it was much betterfor racing than the practice prop. The firstrace was against Bill Page, a long time racecaptain. This is where I became nervous.The Riverboat Discovery pulled up andannounced the all-woman crew to thetourists. We had to wait a few minutes forthe waves from the Discovery to dissipate.The race was started with a “dead in thewater” start. That means complete stop tofull throttle. We got off to a great start with

fans hollering in the background. We beatBill Page out of the hole and through theslough, but were passed in the turn on theupriver leg. After the race, the adrenalin rushwas so bad that I could barely get out of theboat. I was excited to have a good run andto return the crew safely.

The second race was against ArchieAgnes in his boat, “Village Trash.” We beathim out of the hole but were passed by thetime we got to the fish wheel at the first turnby the bluffs. We just about ate his roostertail on that one! The rooster tail is thepowerful spray that shoots up behind themotor. If you drive through it the force islike a fire hose right in the face, but I backedoff power to save our hair dos! Ginger, Maryand I completed the “Big” sprint race inmemory of Morris Thompson in 5th place.

The Gwich’in Language Development Institute was held in Fort Yukon fromMay 27-June 13, 2003 through the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). A multi-ageBeginning Athabascan Gwich’in course was offered, and a total of 12 students–twofamilies and two adults–ranging in age from six- to adult signed up for the course.This was the highest enrollment for a Gwich’in language class during the history ofthe Athabascan Language Development Institute, most likely due to the fact that thiswas the first time it was offered in the village instead of at the Fairbanks campus.

Students were eager to learn even very rudimentary Gwich’in. The class is taughtso that students are able to use the conversations and verbs immediately throughoutthe community. One funny story occurred when students were taught to introducethemselves. One student went up to an Elder and introduced him/herself. After s/hewas finished, the Elder looked at the student and said, “Yeah. I know who you are!”Even though this is funny, it is a good example of the application and use of thelanguage. This also means the student was understood.

A second class, Gwich’in Literacy, was offered for those who spoke Gwich’in.There were only two students in this class but they learned to read and write in thelanguage. This may sound easy and straight forward, but if you consider that Gwich’inuses tone, then that makes it a little more difficult to differentiate when listening tofluent speakers.

Hopefully in the future, more language classes will take place in the communitieswhere the languages are spoken. It gives villagers direct access to learning their language,and requires no travel or inconvenience.

The instructor for both classes was Hishinlai’ (Kathy Sikorski), who is a Gwich’inlanguage instructor at the UAF. She was assisted by Qwynten Richards, who has beenlearning the Gwich’in language for about six years. For more information, you cancontact Kathy Sikorski, Instructor for Athabascan Languages, Alaska Native LanguageCenter at (907) 474-7875 or Beth Leonard, Instructor-Coordinator, InteriorAthabascan Tribal College toll-free at 800-478-6822 or locally at (907) 452-8251 ext.3287, you can email Beth at beth.leonard@tananachiefs.org.

The Alaska Department of Health andSocial Services received a grant of $170,747from the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention in Atlanta (CDC) to develop aNational Violent Death Reporting System(NVDRS), Commissioner Joel Gilbertsonannounced today. The NVDRS will allowstates and communities to develop a systemto collect timely, complete, and accurateinformation about violent deaths. Alaska isone of seven states to receive this fundingthis year. Colorado, Georgia, NorthCarolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island andWisconsin are also being funded and are inthe process of developing the NVDRS fortheir communities.

“This funding enables Alaska toaddress a critical information gap andestablish a system to collect data aboutviolent deaths in our state,” Gilbertson said.“Linking data to learn about all facets ofhomicide and suicide is a critical first stepto stop violent deaths. This is an importantopportunity for both the State and Alaskancommunities to better understand violentdeaths so that we can prevent these deaths.”

The State will compile informationfrom death certificates, medical examinersand coroner’s reports, police department/law enforcement reports, and crime labs forAlaska’s NVDRS. Linking these sourcesenables the state to gain a betterunderstanding of the circumstances andfactors that affect violent deaths.

Alaska to Compile, Contribute Data“Creating a national violent death

reporting system helps us to make sense ofhomicide statistics,” Sue Binder, MD,director of CDC’s National Center for InjuryPrevention and

Control said. “It will help us to identifytrends to stop these senseless deaths andreduce the toll of violence for our Nation.Linking state-level data and sharing it withothers is a crucial first step. If we can capturethe fragments of data in all agencies thatwork in this arena and link each violent deathand injury, then we can identify what worksto stop it and begin save lives in the future.”

Alaska was selected from among 17applicants following a rigorous objectivereview by public health experts. CDCfunded a total of 13 states to develop andimplement the NVDRS. States alreadyreceiving funding are Maryland,Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, SouthCarolina, and Virginia.

The CDC hopes to develop a nationalsystem similar to the Fatal AnalysisReporting System (FARS) operated by theNational Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration, which has led to numerousimprovements by researchers and othersin motor vehicle safety.

For more information, please contactRoss Soboleff, Public Information OfficerIII, Department of Health and SocialServices at (907) 465-1611.

Alaska Federation of NativesAnnual Convention:

October 23-25, 2003

*TCC Agricultural Calendar lists incorrect dates

From left to right: Wesley James, Rachel Fleener, Jeremiah James,Instructor Hishinlai’, Rachelle, Charlotte, Rochelle, and CraigFleener Jr., Evelyn and Bruce James, and Sunny Mahler.

PAGE 12 • THE COUNCIL • OCTOBER 2003

NEWS FOR OUR PEOPLE

Alaska Pacific University Challenges Rural Students

Nenana Celebrates Mary C. Demientieff’s 97th Birthday

Grandma Mary sang for the residents andguests who came to celebrate. “Pistol Packin’Mama” is her trademark song!

The Demientieff family and Nenana residents gathered on September 12th to honor and enjoy a happy occasionas Grandma Mary turned a youthful 97-years-old.

The Nenana Inter-Tribal Dance Group includes (not in order) Haley and Jaime Tyler, KimberlyGreenway, Josh Mayrand, Daniel Marks, Brook and Chantz Edwin, Michala Coghill, Kiana Peter, CalenSunnyboy, Anna Marta, and Angel Mayo.

My name is Melinda Peter and Iam a Gwich’in Athabascan from FortYukon, Alaska, and I am a singleparent of two sons. In addition, I workand go to school full-time, and I amabout to complete my second year ofcollege at Alaska Pacific University(APU) through the RANA DistanceEducation Program.

I have always wanted to attendcollege, but since I was a single parent,I felt like it was more important forme to be working to raise my childrenthan it was for me to go to college.When I found out about the RANAProgram, I was excited because it wasa good opportunity for me to get adegree and stay at home, work, andraise my family.

Student Melinda Peter of Fort Yukon.My name is Karma Ulvi, and I am theRecruitment Counselor for theRural Alaska Native Adult (RANA)Distance Education Program at AlaskaPacific University. I am Han GwitchinAthabaskan, originally from the small townof Eagle Village on the Yukon, where Ilearned the value of family and theimportance of education. It’s a hard task totie those two together living in Eagle, so Idecided to move to Anchorage and workand get my education.

In July 2000 I started working for theRANA program as the Assistant to theDirector; I am now the RecruitmentCounselor. I am also working towards mydegree in Organizational Management.Throughout my three years here, I haverealized just how important it is to keepfamilies together in their hometowns,raising their children, working and living

their cultural lifestyles. These keeptraditions alive and the communityprospers.

The RANA Program allows ruralstudents to remain in their homecommunities and earn their degreesonline; APU is the only higher educationinstitution in Alaska that offers studentsthe opportunity to complete their entiredegree program online. Entering its sixthyear, RANA offers a certificate, associate’s,and bachelor’s degree in K-8 Educationand bachelor’s in OrganizationalManagement (OM), or OM with aNonprofit Emphasis.

Each semester students are requiredto come into Anchorage for the WellsFargo RANA Residency, a weeklong on-campus experience involving registration,meeting faculty and fellow classmates,and activities.

Students begin their classes in thetraditional classroom before returning totheir villages and continue their coursesonline. RANA is like a personal familyand we all support each other with thehelp of family, co-workers and friends.One of our most cherished students isMelinda Peter. A very dedicated student,Melinda is truly an asset to our programand is on her way to receiving her degreein Organizational Management.

I challenge any of you to join us andmake the choice to go back to school. Itwill make our people stronger and wewill be able to hold the jobs that we shouldas the next generation of leaders of ourcommunities. Masii’ Cho

Karma Ulvi, Recruitment Counselor

Online at:http://rana.alaskapacific.edu/

Arctic Village Leadership ConferenceSharing and Preserving their Lifestyle and Land

I know there are a lot of intelligent Native people in our region who would liketo get a degree, but at the same time who don’t want to leave their home or theirfamilies and work. I would encourage you to look into the RANA Program and seeif it would work for you. Juggling all of these roles is challenging at times but I knowit will definitely pay off in the long run.

To learn more about RANA or to talk tothe recruitment counselor, please calltoll-free 800-252-7528 ext. 8222 or emailkarma@alaskapacific.edu.

In late July and early August of 2003, Itrekked to Arctic Village and a corner of theArctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The event was the 2nd Annual K’eejitNaii Kheekwaii leadership conference inArctic Village. About 42 Athabascan youthfrom Arctic Village, Beaver, Fort Yukon,Minto, Nenana, Venetie, and Old Crow,Yukon Territory attended this successfulconference.

First Chief Evon Peter and the ArcticVillage Council planned, organized,and presented sessions on: Athabascanculture; subsistence; environmental issues;beading; camping; mapping of traditionaluse areas; Elders’ stories; education; andwestern and Native views on leadership.

Earl Polk, from the Bethel area, deservesa big thank-you for his insights onmotivating the youth and being the discjockey for the evening dance.

Kious Peter, 73, easily climbed amountain with the youth. Mr. Peters said“you must hunt for money.” He talked ofshowing up for work on time, doing yourbest (even if you don’t like your boss), beinghonest, and helping others less fortunate.

We went up the Chandler River, on localvillage boats, and camped out a warmsunny day. The youth ate blueberries, tastysalmon and moose. They learned to set fishtraps, build a wood trap, and how tosurvive in the Alaskan wild; they were taughtby the local residents, who live, fish and

By Oscar Frank Jr.

Participants enjoyed the land and itsbounty during the summer conference.

hunt off this pristine land.

Our visit to a corner of the ArcticNational Wildlife Refuge was a vast andbeautiful wild place. Thanks to Angela Peter,Tribal Administrator, Art the cook, TrimbleGilbert, Elder, for sharing stories, Evon Peterand his wife Enei for their generoushospitality, and the villagers for sharingtheir food and kindness. And thanks toAccess Alaska, a non-profit organizationwhich serves disabled people in InteriorAlaska, and TCC’s YOG for sending KellyHancock of Nenana to attend K’eejit NaiiKheekwaii.

I, along with Ethan, my six-year-oldson, went as a chaperone; it was his firstvisit to the wilderness. High up on the

mountain side, above the tree line, Idiscovered a seashell imprint on a rock.Millions of years ago this land was underwater. Eons later till now, Arctic Villagebattles to preserve this special place calledhome of the Neets’aii Gwichin.