Alaska’s Rural Villages in Crisis – Update.
15 01 2009Here’s an update regarding the rural crisis in Emmonak, Alaska that has recently been revealed. You can read the original posts HERE, and HERE.
The Alaska Report Goes to Emmonak Thanks to YOU!
Thanks to generous contributions to the effort, many coming from Mudflatters, Dennis Zaki of The Alaska Report has raised enough money to pay for travel to Emmonak and other remote villages, to talk to locals on camera, and capture footage for use by the national media. Dennis needed $2000 for his ticket, and will distribute the rest for energy relief when he arrives in the bush. As of this writing, there is $6283. in the account! His ticket is booked and he heads out for Bethel tomorrow, then on to Emmonak. Thank you for making this possible. As we have all learned this election season, getting cameras in the right place, bloggers on the same page, and under-reported stories to the national media can do great things.
To donate to Dennis’ trip and direct relief for village residents, click
Media Coverage of the Crisis in Rural Alaska
The coverage of this story is travelling up the media chain, from a local paper in Bristol Bay Alaska, to Alaska bloggers, to national blogs, and now to nice coverage in the Anchorage Daily News as a news story and as an example of the blogging community banding together to raise humanitarian issues that the Palin administration refuses to address.
Rachel Maddow will be on the phone with Cary Carrigan tomorrow morning at 8am Alaska Time on KUDO 1080am to talk about this issue. We are hopeful that other national media sources will pick up on this. I was apparently wildly misinformed about this. (waving to Rachel Maddow with sheepish grin) Please accept my humble apologies to all who were inconvenienced. (hangs head)
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski Speaks Out
Today, Alaska’s Senior Senator Lisa Murkowski delivered eloquent and heartfelt opening remarks at the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in Washington D.C., and addressed the crisis in Emmonak. She placed the letter written by Emmonak resident Nicholas Tucker that began the recent discussion into the record. Talking about the gift of fuel that some native villages accepted from Hugo Chavez, Murkowski said,
It is truly tragic that Alaska Native Villages must depend on Venezuela for their safety net. Does our nation not owe a trust relationship to these people?
Full Transcript – lisa-murkowski-statement
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Bob Poe Speaks Out
“I was deeply affected when I heard Nick Tucker from Emmonak speak today about the desperate situation in rural Alaska – the choice between food and warmth is one that we, as Alaskans, should never let our neighbors have to make.”
Mr. Poe went on to remind us that anyone who was paying attention knew this situation was coming, and that there are very large and very complicated issues that we will have to tackle as Alaskans to ensure that situations like this never happen again.
The Response from Governor Palin and Her Administration
“Alaska Newspapers Inc. published the letter on its Web site earlier this week, and statewide public radio followed with an interview. By Wednesday, the story of Emmonak’s plight was spreading across the blogosphere, and state officials and others were scrambling to figure out what was going on. “[ADN - 1/15/09]
And what about Alaska’s Rural Advisor? What do they have to say? Oh, that’s right. There isn’t one. That office has been vacant since mid-October, and nobody in the governor’s office seems to know when it will be filled.
And what about the Rural Subcabinet that the Governor told us about back in October, and formally announced a couple weeks ago? You know, the one mysteriously being headed up by Attorney General Talis Colberg? They’re going to review the situation on Friday. Comforting.
Any words of concern or support from the Governor herself? The Chief Executive of a state whose people are having to choose whether to put their children to bed cold, or hungry? Anything?
Not a peep.
On a Personal Note:
It has been amazing and wonderful to watch how progressive bloggers, radio, and other news sources have risen up to discuss this situation, and put the crisis in Emmonak and elsewhere into the national discussion. The conversation is not over yet. Voices that have not been heard for a long time have far to travel.
Also, it has been extremely moving to witness the incredible and spontaneous outpouring of donations and good wishes from readers of this blog and others, and from the wider community. When watching the news, or reading about the tragedies of the world, it is easy to fall prey to the feeling that there is nothing we can do. But the power of words, and the instantaneous and far-flung reach of the internet have proven that there is something we can do. We are all human, and in the end, that is all we need to feel empathy when others suffer, if we stop and pay attention.
I will continue to post updates and photos (if we’re lucky) from Dennis Zaki as he travels to western Alaska villages telling the story of the people, and asking why this was allowed to happen.
January 17th, 2009 at 10:40 AM
WV Democrat (06:12:28) :
My son-in-law is a postmaster and I just called him and posed this question to him. He is going to find out schedules and all for me and said he’d have my answers on Monday or Tuesday. He said that to his knowledge, mail delivery is made regularly by air and limits on packages are the same in AK as they are here in WV as it is still domestic mail. Will report back to this thread when I learn more…….
WV:
We can receive USPS mail packages just like anywhere else. We only have problems with FEDEX and UPS these packages take for ever or never make it. So packages should be sent via regular mail.
And just to clarify the reason why I posted above about hoping I wouldn’t get in trouble is b/c technically I need to ask the City Council before I jump into something like this, but we need the help NOW we can’t wait until the next meeting. And I can’t imagine that they would say no. They have always readily agreed when I was able to get help for our village. The Youth Program was able to bring in new coats for every child here right before Halloween with help from Coats for Kids, and we gave out Christmas presents thanks to Toys for Tots.
So thanks for asking the questions about USPS and I hope that you got your answers. For whomever it was that posted about “ADOPT A NATIVE FAMILY” I will try to get permission from the families here to provide their names and addresses and family size and needs to anyone/organization that would like to help. If anyone would like that information once I comply it you can contact me at nunamiquayouth@yahoo.com
I know there have been references to scams so please feel free to look us up online. Nunam Iqua Program for Youth. I was featured on NAC, Native America Calling last year addressing underage drinking in the Bush. And we are listed with the State of AK as one of their grantees. So you can verify the mailing address and email adress I provided.
Thank you again for all of your help!!!
Ann
January 17th, 2009 at 10:44 AM
AKM,
If you think it’s not appropriate to publish the e-mail I sent to the MSM, it’s ok.
I realy want to help the villages, and if we get rid of the governor in the process, so much the better.
But if I post anything that may be unhelpful, you’d know better, you know the territory…
I don’t expect this one to appear, but I can’t see a way of sending it privately.
Cheers!
January 17th, 2009 at 10:48 AM
I was totally impressed when I received Barack’s thank you letter in the mail after the election; gonna frame it even if it is a form letter. But, just imagine my amazement when sitting here in Tallahssee. FL when I received a letter labeled “From The Office of The Governor of Alaska”!!! and, the letter is signed by none other than Sarah herself (last thing I ever wanted in my house).
I get a FREE Travel Guide!
How much more rediculous can things get? Native Alaskans starving and freezing and they can spend the money to mail me spam and offer a free travel guide.
Seriously, are these people trying to set the record for public stupidity? Call the Guiness Book folks so that they’ll stop! They won already! I’m honestly dumfounded, words frikken fail me.
January 17th, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Tristan57No Gravatar (10:48:03) :
OMG! Guess Sarah’s fired or run off the competent people in the Gov’s office. LOL.
January 17th, 2009 at 11:08 AM
For Tristan57 –
Just imagine my amazement when here in St, Paul, MN, I received a letter labeled “From The Office of The Governor of Alaska”!!! and, the letter is signed by none other than Sarah herself (last thing I ever wanted in my house).
A FREE Travel Guide???
How much more ridiculous can things get? Native Alaskans starving and freezing and Sarah and AK State Govt. spend money to mail me unwanted and unasked for junk mail. To keep her name out there?????
Do you suppose that these were sent to EVERYBODY in the lower 48?????
January 17th, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Grandma,
Color me gobsmacked, dumbfounded, befuddled, whatever. This inanity totally escapes me. How do these frikken people get elected!?!!?
January 17th, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Ripley in CT (08:18:41) :
CRFlatsNo Gravatar (12:39:22) :
Are they the UConn Huskies???
YES, and I am a proud Alum of the University of Connecticut!
Go Huskies!!!
**************************************
Wouldn’t that be a nice connection? If you have an alum organization that could be contacted. The folks in the real Yukon (Emmonak and other small villages are in the Yukon/Kuskokwim River Delta, referred to as the Y/K Delta) need help.
January 17th, 2009 at 12:19 PM
re: Ann
And just to clarify the reason why I posted above about hoping I wouldn’t get in trouble is b/c technically I need to ask the City Council before I jump into something like this, but we need the help NOW we can’t wait until the next meeting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I would think as a private citizen, you are able to act on your own. If not blame the crazy whabbit and say she was going nutty.
I agree, you, we, all need to act now. Thank you because THAT is what just made me finally melt down. NOW!!! That’s what I’m talking about!
I know what it is like to suffer greatly and have no one help you. I suppose that is why I am freaking out. Maybe I am reacting to an insane situation with a normal fluffing reaction. Sarah “The Gash” Palin could take a lesson in humanitarian actions.
You’re right AKM “insert preferred insult here” works just as well as your “the worm”. AND I LIKE having the title tied to her name every single time I use it. VERY cathartic!
January 17th, 2009 at 1:28 PM
OK, I complied a list of everyone here in Nunam Iqua. I spoke to all but one household here and Have a list of what is needed. I got permission for my Youth Center to receive/distribute any donations that come in. So they can be mailed to:
Ann Strongheart
Nunam Iqua Program for Youth
c/o City of Nunam Iqua
101 Mudd Street
P.O. Box 26
Nunam Iqua, AK 99666
OR if you would like to send boxes directly to needy families I have a list of families including their family size and needs and their PO Box #’s you can email me at nunamiquayouth@yahoo.com if you would like a copy.
Here is a list of things that are desperately needed, since we have no store here in Nunam Iqua we are really struggling to get food and groceries here.
If you would prefer to send a check you can make it payable to:
City of Nunam Iqua
and send it to the above address.
Here’s the list:
Diapers Sizes 1, 3, & 6
Similac Advanced Formula Powder
Canned Evaporated Milk
Dry Powdered Milk
Powdered Eggs
Crackers ( Sailor Boy Pilot Bread unsalted tops are the most used here)
Rice (minute rice)
Noodles
Peanut Butter
Honey
Jam
Juice
TOILET PAPPER (everyone is running out)
Flour
Sugar
Coffee
Cereal
Crisco
Coffee Creamer
Pancake Mix
Tea
Canned Vegetables
Dried Fruit
Instant Soups
Ramen Noodles
Cup a noodles
Just basic pantry staples. Even salt, pepper, etc.
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide. We greatly appreciate it. Our weather is getting wierd here, it got really hot here last night up to 36 degrees, if it keeps up we will be unable to travel upriver by snowmachine to get food, b/c the river will be unsafe to travel on.
Again if you have any questions or what more information please feel free to contact me at nunamiquayouth@yahoo.com
Sincerely grateful,
Ann
January 17th, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Struggling,
I appreciate the info and will be emailing you later tonight as I am typing this while I am fixing a nice dinner in a warm home in WV which makes me feel guilty. Do you have any info for the other villages?
You other Mudflatters should get on this as well. Sending food and paper goods via US Mail will be best as even if you send money, the way I understand it, there are few if any places to purchase food.
Thanks….
January 17th, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Thank you for the update! It’s very good news. My Alaskan and Alaskan-adjacent family and friends are all upset about this (my dad is particularly peeved about the ongoing neglect of the natives).
I called the office in Emmorak yesterday and gave a donation. The people I talked to were very nice and very charming and I wish them the best.
It’s sad that any random anonymous blogger in pajamas armed with only a keyboard and a credit card has done more in five minutes to help these First Alaskans than Palin and her $200,000 wardrobe have done in two years. You guys need a new governor.
Good luck you guys…
January 17th, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Ann, Please post as a diary on Daily Kos. Also, contact the Emmonaks. they should be willing to share and they’re going to be over-flowing with contributions from everything I’ve heard.
January 18th, 2009 at 12:36 PM
I posted earlier (two days ago) and thought I’d check in. We just met a couple from Alaska. They said Anchorage was not a great place to live. They chose to live way out in the country. I told them about this situation. They said it happens a lot up there. They said that during the warmer seasons, their village (sometimes they lived in places where there were less than 10-15 people, and sometimes up to 500 or more) would collect wood, cut it, and store it for times just like these. They had oil as well, but it was not reliable and was costly.
They insisted that small villages in remote areas need to always use extra time in preparation for the winters. I read one comment above describing how they would burn up expensive fuel to go out and get wood for their wood burning stove, thereby taking money away from food and heating oil, etc. I told the couple from Alaska (husband is Native from Alaska) about this comment and they said that the village needed to be more organized. They needed to put a foodbank together with storable food for the community. That’s what they did. They had a hard time believing that this current crisis just “happened.”
While they agree that aid is necessary right now, the people in remote areas need to be even more vigilant and prepared than those in larger towns. They also had their “general store” collapse, more than a few times. They did have to take a few snowmobiles to a nearby village to get some supplies, especially food. But after the one time, they prepared for the winter during the good weather times of the year.
He was curious as to how the people were able to produce an income for living and other necessities and, if they didn’t work, what they did to share in the responsibility of winter preparedness.
Don’t count on politicians for a permanent fix. The people need to come together and ensure their village’s survival through local gathering of resources as well as bought goods. They are also the ones who’s responsibility it is to link up with others and apply for government aide, programs, grants, etc.
He, being Native Alaskan, also said that he still feels connected to his ancestral roots as he has family there and returns each year to visit. But economic necessity brought him to the lower 48. And now that his own children are grown (and live here in Hawaii and in Alaska), he is content to live a simple yet “wealthy” life here in Hawaii.
I, having never been to Alaska (we hope to visit soon), can’t speak for anything that is happening up there. But I can speak for similar conditions that are happening here. Again, while we don’t have the life and death struggle of your winters, there are so many in the small town I live in who can not afford to even get out of sight.
Leaving is not an option. There is an extremely high incidence of diabetes, alcoholism, other drug use, especially “ice.” It seems endemic in these areas where most live with little hope. 80% of the people are on public assistance of one kind or another and the beaches are filling up more and more with families without a traditional roof over their heads.
Yet the government does very little. O’ahu is not a big island and it might surprise you to know that clearly 80% of the one million people on this island have never been out here. We get the landfills, but not infrastructure improvements. I walk to the store and even though I’ve lived here most of my life I still will get robbed every now and then by meth’ed out kids. I know who their families are and they pay me back and apologize, but so many of the kids are so hooked on drugs that they’re out of control. THEY HAVE NO HOPE FOR THEIR FUTURE.
Clearly, your state government, the one that can keep the money for a bridge to be built to nowhere, with federal assistance, can help the remote, lower income areas in Alaska. I was always under the impression that Alaska gave their citizens a lot of money each year. Shows ya how little I know.
Surely things are looking up more by now. As the couple we met on the beach this morning said: go after it and don’t stop until something is in place that will ensure your survival as a village and be ready to go to work to get it done. He’s hard core all the way.