A View of Rural Alaska – Part 1
Here is the first of several videos to come from Dennis Zaki’s trip to rural Alaska. Dennis’ trip was absolutely invaluable in bringing awareness to those living outside rural Alaska of the region, the people, and the unique challenges faced by their fellow Americans in that region of the country.
As the topic of rural Alaska finds its way to wider and broader media sources, we should all remember what former Commissioner of Public Safety Walt Monegan had to say about this. Walt was born in rural Alaska, and has seen all sides of the issues facing residents, and the state. I asked Walt what he thought of the situation this winter, and the magnitude of the crisis started by the collapse of the salmon fishery, in which rural residents are having to choose whether to keep their children and elders warm, or fed. The situation was spotlighted by an open letter from Emmonak resident Nick Tucker in the Bristol Bay Times earlier this month.
‘Standing amidst disaster is not the time for blame, it is a time for action. Mr. Tucker’s letter was a call to arms, and everyone who can should help our fellow Alaskans. Let’s get our neighbors out of danger now and work collectively to ensure that no Alaskan ever has to face such dire choices again.’
It was a wonderful day!!! We gave food to 30 families!!! It took me and my volunteers 4 hours to sort, inventory, and fill boxes and deliver them to those who couldn’t come and get them. I am on a food drive/giving HIGH right now LOL. I am soooo proud of all of you muddflatters and others for making it possible for us to help my village
Quyana Cakneq (Yupik for THANK YOU VERYYYYY MUCH!!!)
Ann Strongheart
nunamiquayouth(at)yahoo.comP.S. CNN is picking up the story, they already spoke to Nicholas Tucker, in Emmonak and I received a request for an interview!
Quyana Cakneq to all those involved in sharing this story. Awareness is always the first step in solving a problem, no matter how complex it may be.
Yes, indeed! So proud to be a part of this awareness. Thank you, AMK
make that AKM…sticky fingers
I thought Governor Palin gave each citizen a check.
Quyana Cakneq to all involved! It’s folks like you that make this world a bright and beautiful place.
Thanks, also…too.. AKM for spreading the news…
I finally managed to get my 2 boxes off to Ann this morning.
Unfortunately, we are dealing with layoffs here but our circumstances are so much better than what you have up there.
So we shared what we had from here.
With much love from Michigan.
Good karmic wishes to all who donated time, food, money or whatever they had. And KUDOS to the MSM for picking up on this story.
People in this country DO care about their fellow citizens. When we put our heads together, we CAN help. Glad to hear there is a bit of progress being made.
http://www.adn.com/news/politics/story/672791.html
Senator Lyman Hoffman proposes a cap of $3 gallon for heating oil in the villages, with the state paying any amount over that.
OK, I’m crying. Can’t type when you are crying!
@Martha Unalaska –
I’m with you. The caring & support that were shown during this time of crisis by citizens (not the government, mind you), reading this brought tears to my eyes.
Maybe it just me, but I would think that if Palin is going to run again for Gov. or try and run for the Senate or the Presidency that she would be doing a hell of a lot more than she seems to be doing to help the rural communities.
Martha I am crying too! Those sweet faces of the children in the video set me off!
Ann thank you for keeping us informed about what is happening in your village! Love that help is arriving! You are fantastic.
Warm hugs to all in rural Alaska, and to all mudpups who sent goods, wrote emails, browbeat friends to donate, withheld coffee from spouses until they coughed up some dough (heh heh), came up with ideas…every little bit helps.
Thanks for the video, AKM:-) A great TGIF moment-
Correction to #’s above…. TO DATE I have distributed over 1,000 lbs of food here in Nunam Iqua
FYI got another request from the press. The Seattle Times is asking for information. Although they want to know specifically who sent boxes from Seattle. And I don’t know that it’s appropriate to give out that information but I will be contacting each individual and asking if I can tell the Seattle Times their names
Quyana Cakneq EVERYONE for all of your help and support!!!! Without y’all none of this would be possible and Nunam Iqua would still be hurting!!
Ann
Tis a fine day to be a Mudpuppy! Thank you AKM for what you have done and continue to do for the great people of Alaska. The Mudflats community is a very strong force!
I contributed to Dennis’s trip and I think there should be a special fund set up for journalism like this. Alaska doesn’t have good investigative journalism, (ADN won’t fund that), and we need to come up with creative alternatives.
Ahemm…I can type now. I want to say a whole lot about this because I’m just brimming with how important these issues are to Alaska – but I will save everyone a huge post.
I LOVED that this teacher’s focus is on preparing the village children for life OUTSIDE, and shares her vision that for many, college OUTSIDE would be next, with them hopefully returning home bringing renewed vigor and ideas to their village. To be strong and proud of their culture, but able to live in both worlds.
I wouldn’t be here if my Aleut grandmother had been able to embrace, even remain, in her village and culture. Instead she was “kidnapped” by a Russian Orthodox family and dropped into culture and spiritual shock. She ran away, was retrieved, then left again to raise 11 children with her white husband in the Matanuska Valley. Several hundred dust bowl families relocated to the valley, resulting in the ridicule and torment of native kids for being different than the outsiders. I’m only here because she didn’t get the chance to live her own life.
I have been reading and following this story since AKM first wrote about it, and I am amazed that Governor Palin has done zip to help in this situation.
Any normal person would want to help, and she just blows it off.
Jeannie See – Remember how SP’s voice was dripping with sarcasm and hate during the campaign when she was ridiculing President Obama for being a “community organizer”?? Sarah Palin does not give a flying f**k about helping anybody but her pathetic,delusional self. Karma will not be kind when it comes knockin’ on the door……
Damn.
Martha, I am certain that you are only *one* of the good things that came from that grandmother. And I’d bet money that she knows it too.
Bless her,
Nan
What do you want to bet that once this story gets some serious national attention, SP will step into the spotlight to try and take credit for any good that’s been done?
In the Fairbanks Daily Newsminer today there’s an article about Rep. Jay Ramas spearheading a food drive in Fairbanks for Kotlik on the Yukon River Delta, may Sarah could take a few tips from Jay!!! Like caring about your fellow Alaskans!!
Lee (13:08:58) :
I have been reading and following this story since AKM first wrote about it, and I am amazed that Governor Palin has done zip to help in this situation.
Any normal person would want to help, and she just blows it off.
________________________________________
$20. bucks says during her next campaign she’ll brag about the $3. fuel. Alaskans, make sure you call her out.
Loved the video. Glad food is rolling in
OT -but maybe kind of relevant (in a bigotry way) -Today the GOP voted in their first black leader. I could have vomited. Last week they’re all enjoying Obaman the Magic Negro, this week, embracing a black man. Do they really think we will suddenly beleive they have become the party of diversity? In a week? Give me a break.
Next thing you know Palin will adopt a Mexican orphan.
I just love this
Nunam Iqua = The end of the tundra
Nunam Iqua, Alaska, is at the mouth of the Yukon River on the Bering Sea. The village is a traditional Yupik Eskimo village that participates in many subsistence activities.
And people wonder why villagers stay here? Can you imagine the absolute beauty and power felt and seen being at the confluence of the Yukon River and the Bering Sea?
Maybe SP’s niece could get some more stuff from the Gov., put it on Ebay and send the $$ to help the rural villages!
Or maybe the local Republicans could get the clothes from her and do the same…. just sayin’
OK HELP!!
I keep seeing y’all say OT what does that mean??
LOL
Ann (the seriously lacking first time blogger!!) ROFL
Ann, OT = “Off Topic”
We have a tendency to go there…
OOOH LOL was thinking it meant OVER THE TOP hee hee.
Thanks
Paula Cochran (13:18:42) :
Why wouldn’t they think they could substitute one black man for another, they tried it with HRC and SP. Didn’t work then, but they are not known for learning from their mistakes.
Glad for all the good news from the villages.
@ Struggling_in_Nunam_Iqua
Dear friend, I hope your interview goes perfectly with CNN! Keep us posted!
Maybe you guys could sell PALIN on ebay? I am sure some southern hillbilly would pay top dollar for her. Fuel for everyone -and the wicked witch is gone, all in one chorus
Seriously happy (oxymoron?) that MSM is finally picking up on this. I really hope they emphasize that the help DID NOT come from the governor but from people who care.
Hey, how do I upload my pet pics to the forum (not that nerdy…yet).
Is anyone shocked? >>>>>NEWS NUGGET: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) has hired Becki Donatelli to handle her brand-spanking new Sarahpac, according to sources familiar with the move. Donatelli is the chair of Campaign Solutions, a Republican consulting firm that specializes in fundraising and Internet strategy. Donatelli was intimately involved in both of Sen. John McCain’s (Ariz.) presidential bids and her work with Palin suggests that reports of the two camps’ distaste for one another might be (slightly) overblown. The hiring of Donatelli also is evidence that Palin understands she must overhaul her image among the Republican professional class in Washington if she wants to be taken seriously as a presidential candidate in 2012.
>>>>Keep the cameras rolling folks. This woamn is working to make things happen. Stomp out the sparks before that fire ignites.
NEWS NUGGET: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) has hired Becki Donatelli to handle her brand-spanking new Sarahpac, according to sources familiar with the move. Donatelli is the chair of Campaign Solutions, a Republican consulting firm that specializes in fundraising and Internet strategy. Donatelli was intimately involved in both of Sen. John McCain’s (Ariz.) presidential bids and her work with Palin suggests that reports of the two camps’ distaste for one another might be (slightly) overblown. The hiring of Donatelli also is evidence that Palin understands she must overhaul her image among the Republican professional class in Washington if she wants to be taken seriously as a presidential candidate in 2012.
A SHOUT OUT to Judith Michaels as well for being such a fine, involved and caring teacher. I enjoyed listening to her soft, soothing voice.
so much better than SP’s chatter about nothing/herself
Speaking of disasters, I just called CNN and said I thought it was remarkable Palin is leaving Alaska while a volcano within 100 miles or less of most of our population is preparing to erupt. The last time Redoubt erupted it caused 160 million dollars of property damage. There is a real imminent threat.
Perhaps we should rename Sarah Palin “Katrina” Palin. Self-promotion comes before all else. She couldn’t give a damn about us.
Thanks for the video and the update. Looking forward to more.
oops, sorry, I meant to say within 100 miles or less of MOST of our population.
I hope that the MSM emphasizes the “community organizer” aspect of this & the “anonymous blogger” aspect. SP can stick that in her pipe & smoke it.
First I would like to say thank you to Dennis for the video, can’t wait to see the others. Ann I am so glad that the donations are still coming in and thank you and all your helpers for taking the time to distribute it all. I love this site, I come here so often it is first on my drop list, even before my own newspaper, lol.
I loved seeing the the kids, especially the little kid waddling down the road as soon as I so him/her I thought of a penguin to cute. Or the kids in the classroom in back of the teacher clowning around as she talked great footage…..
That was so inspirational, thanks for the video. More later, is there a way to transfer funds so they can get help faster?
ROFL ok y’all and your abbreviations and acronyms was trying to figure out MSM meant and ended up on a diet website had to google “what is MSM?” now I got it!!!
Hee hee
Ann
p.s. ok what other acronyms and abbreviations am i missing??
POTUS = Pres of the US
SWMNBN = She Who Must Not Be Named
Thank you Martha my friend.
I knew POTUS remember I was USN for 8 yrs
LOL
SWMNBN so is that SP??? or what LOL
Lots of hugs from Nunam!!
Ann
FANTASTIC!
Martha Unalaska Yard Sign (13:24:29) :
And people wonder why villagers stay here? Can you imagine the absolute beauty and power felt and seen being at the confluence of the Yukon River and the Bering Sea?
……………………………………………..
Sent chills up and down my spine. What a spiritual feeling that would be to be there in your highest alertness,the stillness & completely present in the moment. Awsome
@Paula Cochran (13:39:20) :
I think there’s a thread that tells you how to load photos. I’ll go find it for you.
Ah, here is some help and advice. On the eighth post down in the thread, there are links to other help threads: http://www.themudflats.net/forum/index.php/topic,5284.0.html
@Struggling_in_Nunam_Iqua (14:46:33) :
Yup, SWWNBN is SP!
@Struggling_in_Nunam_Iqua , she is also, also, also and a few other names….
Bless you for all you do…Ann = SNI , I didn’t like SINI, do you have a better one?
ROTFLMAO:
rolling on the floor laughing my a** off
‘Standing amidst disaster is not the time for blame, it is a time for action.’
The Repugs in our nation’s House and Senate could use such wisdom.
@ Paula Cochran
RE: Do they really think we will suddenly beleive they have become the party of diversity? In a week? Give me a break.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
C’mon, Do they really believe we thought The Gash meant they like women?
@Martha-
Grammy DID live her own life…
She laughed, she cried, she suffered, she overcame…
And she ran that dang moose right out the cabin door
with a stick of burning wood from the stove when it tried to come in…
And then she laughed a lot…
You are younger,
I remember how much Grammy laughed,
And how dadgum tough she was…
I remember…
@AkM, Martha lil sis and Ann Strongheart and all who have helped-
I hear Grammy’s laugh today…
I live in GA and I sent money to help, but I’m still confounded about SP not doing something to help out. Couldn’t the state legislature have acted at SP’s request to respond to an emergency like this? A concerned governor can at least take steps to help citizens who are suffering. Maybe I am expecting too much and am thinking of what I’d do if I were governor.
According to tax records revealed during the presidential campaign, the Palin family income is over $1 million per year. If I were governor with this income, I would have gladly sent a minimum of $10,000 if the state couldn’t do anything.
But, then, you have to care in order to take action.
@maji-
It’s hard to tell what REALLY could be done even IF the ghastly gov were at her post and really trying to do her job.
It’s starting to feel like we shot ourselves in the foot again . About 10 years ago disaster-rules-of-declaration were rewritten to largely exclude economic disasters. Wrangling over the wrong parts of this situation and inaction last year added to the development of this humanitarian crisis.
Various remedies WERE proposed last year but not followed up on.
As kateincanada (12:37:32) : brought in here today-
http://www.adn.com/news/politics/story/672791.html
Senator Lyman Hoffman proposes a cap of $3 gallon for heating oil in the villages, with the state paying any amount over that.
was a remedy proposed last year. Glad to see it back.
If we are going to exclude economic disaster – we must demand that NO thing in state activity or policy adds to economic distress.
Sisters Martha Unalaska and Alaska Pi…
Grammy would have smacked the Queen in her fake balls. I’m through being nice. The Queen is trash. My grammy was Native Pure. Ghost of grammy, please return and melt the wicked witch.
Martha, Pi and Sardine Can,
I love that you sisters are all talking to each other and to us here. I have fun imagining what you look like and how you came to be where you are now.
Thank you!
Sarah Palin “Katrina” Palin…………….
I think that would be a kick a commercial; the villagers, the volcano, cold houses, hungry lite faces -then where’s Sarah? Roll ‘em. What a bimbette. Whoring herself for a lost cause that is she.
Here I am again with my ‘OLD DOG’ thoughts….what do y’all think about this.
I have been stuck in my house (lots of snow and a bad heart) for about 4 weeks….and I know I have ‘miles to go before spring’….but I have a great young white man (29 years old) who shovels the snow and calls me the ‘N’ word when he thinks I can’t hear him and I pay him in cigarettes and Mountain Dew soda cause he won’t take any real money and….. HE doesn’t know it….but I LOVE him….thats life……
So I may be a little ‘cabin’e fevered’…BUT..I am sick of the MSM and what THEY THINK we want to see or what we want to know about..ie…two crooks wrapping themselves around a pole after escaping jail…Rush Limbaughs’ brainless rants etc.
Let’s see some ‘COMMUNITY NEWS’N,…the story of the native’s plight needs to be in the news so that we can stop this ‘LOWER 48′ stuff and start saying the UNITED STATES. After all Alaska is not our ’1st COUSIN’….ALASKA IS OUR SISTER.
I,personally, would rather see more human interest stories than watch what some movie star is doing and what award they are up for.Let’s give those awards to people who ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING TO MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE…NOBEL PEACE PRIZE….for….COMMUNITY SERVICE….GOLDEN GLOBE..for…BEST ANONYMOUS BLOGGER SITE (AKM in mind)…THE OSCAR….for…NATIVES WHO ADAPT TO LIVING IN TWO (count’m 2 worlds)…NOW…those would be awards that would inspire ordinary people to strive to achieve.
Just my thoughts….what do you think…..
I emailed NPR and Dick Gordon, he does “The Story” on NPR
for “Insight Radio” to take up this situation, but so far no response.
This community certainly does bring tears everyday…both from
laughing and weeping. Thank you all, especially now telling of
your grandmother, Martha, and the lovely responses from others.
It is such a privilege to listen.
Silverfox67,
I second that motion!! LOL I too am tired of the MSM, we only get ARC’s (Alaska Rural Communications?) Channel here in Nunam Iqua and they jump back and forth between various networks. Altho I can’t figure out why we have to watch the BBC every night at 5p.m.???? I dread the nights they show Fox News after the BBC or at 10 p.m.
ok OT Well I am off to clean up my baby, she just got done eating her lunch. And I am sure many of you know what a mess that can be with a Toddler. Especially since recently her favorite pastime has become seeing which food works best for hair mousse!! LOL OOOh and I have to share my toddler CC is learning that she can walk “BACKWARDS” today LOL she’s been “BACKING” around the house all moring LOL
Catcha y’all later,
Ann Strongheart
Nunam Iqua Food Drive
c/o Ann Strongheart
P.O. Box 7
Nunam Iqua, AK 99666
nunamiquayouth@yahoo.com
Hi! Today I contacted ramusa .org . They provide Free medical,dental veterinary assistance to rural places. Stan Brock replied that his (wonderful) organization is aware of the situation in Alaska , would like to fly in with a great team, but cannot because the Gov. will not give permission for them because they do not hold Alaska Medical licenses.He asked if we(anonymous bloggers) could do anything. This news sucks ….Ram usa was featured on 60 Minutes and it is possible to view it at their site. If you have time please pay a visit to the site. Then if you feel as I do that this would be great for folks in rural Alaska we might start letting people know how idiotic it is to exclude these generous people from donating service.