Great Interview on Rural Alaska – Short and Long Term Solutions.
Check out this great interview with Ann Strongheart of Nunam Iqua, and Victoria Briggs from Pilot Point on APRN (Alaska Public Radio Network).
Groceries and fuel dollars are pouring into rural Alaska from as far away as New York and New Zealand. Village residents say the aid will make a big difference this winter. And they want the new awareness of the crisis to spur a state- and even worldwide discussion on long term economic solutions for the region.
You can hear the full audio HERE. Great job everyone!
Did I beat Fawnskin?
where is everybody?
the question i had after reading ann strongheart’s post of the other day where she describes all the go-between activities she’s been doing is, when is the state of alaska going to start paying her for the coordination work she’s doing on its behalf?
this is so great! Just heard on the Channel 2 news that BIA is kicking in, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski will be glad to help out if more support is needed……
yes, you beat fawnskin…but always check your back.
just saying.
…Notice how none of these offerings have that added religious flavor…Just plain old fashion help!
I am watching to see if Governor Palin will participate in developing long term solutions for Yukon villages’ economic viability- for all of the rural areas. After all, she is governor of all Alaskans.
Congrats to Ann and Victoria, strong passionate ladies willing to work hard and devote countless hours to help their fellow villagers. And I toast all of my fellow mudpups on all of their efforts- way to go.
Ann and Vic
I’m SO happy about this – it’s a GRAND interview! And yes Ann, it made me cry – you gonna tease me again?
I can’t wait to hear on NPR!!! Good job you two – I’m so PROUD of both of you (and your husbands who are probably feeling just a little left out right now with all that you are doing for everyone in your villages). Love you both!
Karen Marie (from last thread) 1 of 2 Humpbacks Bubble Net Feeding
wwwDOTarkiveDOTorg/humpback-whale/megaptera-novaeangliae/video-08a.html
(Sorry for the “dots” but MF won’t pass my comment any other way_
@ Karen Marie (from last thread) 2 of 2
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/07/070706-humpback-video.html
Ooops, the above links were asked for by karin in ct, NOT Karen Marie. Having a head cold makes one not very bright or observant at the most inconvenient times.
OT OT OT – check it out:
Mayoral candidate Walt Monegan speaks out about sexual assault in Alaska.
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/tundra-talk/917/917
“Every major change in history began in one place with just a few dedicated individuals who believed in something larger than themselves. Let Anchorage be that place”
Walt’s piece is not OT in MHO. This is all about rural AK, and even very tough issues need to be discussed or they will forever remain in darkness, and forever remain a tool for those who don’t want villagers to succeed (sound familiar?).
I give up – head cold is winning. What I meant to say is, that Walt Monegan knows this is an issue ALL over Alaska, including the remote villages. No matter where it takes place, we need to talk about it! G’night all.
What a GREAT interview, OUTSTANDING JOBS Ann and Victoria! Well balanced and fair, can’t say how impressed I was.
One thing I found slightly ‘bizarre’ was that was the very 1st time I’ve ever heard Nunam Iqua pronounced. Yes, I’ve posted packages and stuff, but once when I was trying to describe what was going on to an interested lady, I couldn’t even SAY the name (just had to tear off an address label to hand to the lady). lol Also felt good to actually hear Ann & Victoria’s voices, both very well spoken. Keep those interviews going!
PS- I sure hope CC and AKM are feeling better by now.
Very good to actually get to hear your voice, Ann and Victoria. Great job, well done. Thanks AKM for the link, keep warm and get well soon to all on the slippery slope of health issues.
Inventive thinking to solve remote Alaskan issues.
Primary Issues:
1) High fuel cost for heating and transportation.
2) Food shortage.
3) Low cash stream.
Solutions:
Burn less fuel by building R 50 and above buildings.
Design and Manufacture efficient ultra-low sulfur diesel snow machines, outboard/inboard powered work boats, and atv utility trucks/tractors.
Develop renewable energy systems for community food processing, dry storage, and cold storage. (thin shell concert domes)
Develop broadband language preservation, cultural exchange, web streaming/auctons, and cradle to grave coed health/activity centers.
Host native events and new popular contemporary sports like futsal. Futsal is small field small sided soccer, 5 a side soccer to keep the youth developing healthy lifestyles with the worlds game. Sports travel and sports tourism with a native alaskan twist. I played international soccer in my youth, some times we had 8 different languages on the field at the same time. They were the best games!! If the kids develop many fun social skill early in life, they man not slip into destructive social patterns.
By teaching native ways as a cottage industry, and using web to marketing
native crafts and products, from seafood to skin drums a cash stream will develop.
Just food for through.
may not man (Sorry)
pvazwindy (21:18:29) :
Did I beat Fawnskin?
***************************
LOL!! I really did.
To think a few months back I would have not known a word of what that meant! We have created quite the little community here, haven’t we?
And to friends, Ann and Vic, you gals hit it out of the park for your villages. Thank you for allowing us to count you as friends and welcoming us into your lives.
Great job, Ann and Victoria!
Hopefully, the bright spotlight of media awareness will spur political and scientific debate on long-term solutions. I’m skeptical that GINO will have much to do with any solutions but there are many people in the public and private sector who are interested.
This evening I wrote the UAF Co-operative Extension Service on behalf of Anonymous Bloggers. I bet it’s the first time the University of Alaska has had an inquiry from my “island paradise”.
OT but great goss
http://www.adn.com/news/government/story/711378.html
Oh, that is really wonderful! No hype, beautifully presented, facts, calm voices – great story. I like that kind of reporting.
A and V: With all you’ve written I figured you’d speak well and you did. Excellent interview. Next step NPR. Then Larry King Live?
Slightly OT: I’ve been researching cold weather GreenHouses, and wondering what local resources the villages may have. So, I’m looking for map of just where the natural resouces are in AK. Any suggestions?
Ann and Victoria, thanks for your sincere caring for the Natives of Alaska. You have some wonderful ideas for making the native villages more equipped to deal with the dire situations now and in the future and I applaud you. More internet dialogue to get the word out as to what is happening, grocery stores for each village (dont forget and with reasonable prices) and growing more local foods to become more self- reliant in the village areas so that the people can can and store them for the winter.
I was applauding and jumping up and down as I heard you desribe the situation and tell how total strangers , ( bloggers in pajamas} were and is working to help the Alaskans from across the nation.
Then I heard an excerpt with Gino’s voice come through and my ears started to bleed, ring and blot out her nonsensense. But thank you brave ladies for the great comeback on Gino, that what she was proposing as a solution would not work for the natives(especially since the Gov had not and would not ever attempt to live in harmony with nature), so she can never understand that the native people have a respect and harmonious relationship with the earth. Gino tries to imply that the natives dont want to work for their livelihoods and want to be taken care of and this is not true. The natives work harder than you Gino and you have your nerve and the audacity and the unmitigated gall to say that the natives should get trained and to work on the slopes/ ect, when you dont even do the job that the citizens of Alaska chose you to do.
Gino does not care about the people who want to keep the environment safe or to keep their livelihood intact,
she just wants to “drill baby drill” and keep getting richer at the expense of native people. You Betcha! She has to be stopped!
http://www.geodesic-greenhouse-kits.com/
This green house will extend the growing season a great deal, and are excellent in windy cold climates.
http://static.monolithic.com/
Homes, schools, and shops, that have a R 60 and ideal for cold harsh climates.
Green Houses http://www.geodesic-greenhouse-kits.com
R 60 Homes, schools, and shops. http://static.monolithic.com/
Useful likes for low energy structures.
Evening y’all,
Thank you for all of your support!!!! I am not a big fan of interviews, I feel like I suddenly develop a speech impediment or stutter LOL I do well speaking in public, or well I am getting much better at it these last few years. But there is something about radio interviews that still make me sweat hee hee.
Y’all should’ve heard me when I was asked to be a guest on Native America Calling to discuss Problems with Underage Drinking in Rural Alaska. Man I blew the first minute or so b/c I was soo nervous I couldn’t even answer Harlan’s question. I just repeated it back to him, stating WOW that was a good question!! LOL
I think this one was a little bit easier because it wasn’t live.
Anyway need to answer/reply to a couple of comments here….
@ karen marie (21:26:25) :
the question i had after reading ann strongheart’s post of the other day where she describes all the go-between activities she’s been doing is, when is the state of alaska going to start paying her for the coordination work she’s doing on its behalf?
Karen marie, what I am doing I do for not only my people and my village, but also for all of the Bush. Knowing that we are succeeding in our short term goal of making certain people have food and heat for the winter and then work towards long term solutions to keep this from happening in the future is more than enough “payment” for what Victoria and I are doing.
The fact that I am a small part of helping solve problems and keeping my neighbors fed, and the overwhelming sense of relief and joy I receive from being able to help even if it is in a small way. Is enough for me.
Plus ALL of the new friends and supporters and helpers I now have not only from Mudpups but also Anonymous Bloggers and people from all over the World is something that I will forever treasure and be thankful for.
@Kath the Scrappy
Glad you finally got to hear how Nunam Iqua was pronounced. What’s funny is right before the interview aired I got an email from Annie apologizing b/c she thought she said it wrong. But she said it well.
@Team Alaska
We have opened the discussion on brainstorming long term solutions on http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com
@ EVERYONE!!! LOL
Quyana Again for your support and help!! Have to say it again.. If it weren’t for all the mudpups and anonymous bloggers my neighbors would be still suffering. Quyana Quyana Quyana!!
Ann Strongheart
Nunam Iqua Food Drive
c/o Ann Strongheart
P.O. Box 7
Nunam Iqua AK 99666
nunamiquayouth(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
Palin was so stupid with her stupid advice. SHE sounds so removed from Alaska and its heritage. What kind of Governor for the state is that!? Definitely not for the people and by the people- she was trying to accuse people of not getting jobs!! I love the calmness, intellect, warmth, and articulation of Ann and Victoria. The industriousness, resourcefulness of the village residents, with some brainstorming with international bloggers– I have a positive feeling that there will be a very innovative and lucrative solution!!! Shame on SP!!!!!
No “speaks from the heart” today
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/news/rural-alaska/927-emmonak-gets-funds-from-bia
Congratulations to Ann And Victoria for your excellent interview. You folks are doing so much for your villages; I hope they appreciate what time and expense you have contributed to their well-being. We are rooting for you to succeed in finding those long-term solutions. GINO is totally out of touch. I wish we could ignore her, but she’s too dangerous so we need to be vigilant.
AKM hope you’re feeling better soon.
Great interview Ann and Victoria. I really enjoyed it – Ann you didn’t sound nervous at all.
Awesome work, you lovely women.
And to my fellow Mudpups: I’ve been here since GINO was mentioned, via a search engine for information on her. And I haven’t been gone for more than a day or two since. I love it here. AKM, Thank you. You provided a place for us all to come together, with a common goal of electing President Obama, and we did it! It made no difference where each of us hailed from, only that we cared enough to get involved.
In my humble opinion, Ann Strongheart is the epitome of what “getting involved” means, and I am proud to have her as part of this gathering. If only the politicians up there were half as involved, she’d be able to take some time off without worrying who was going without.
Quayana to you Ann and Victoria. You make us all feel like part of the solution.
Re: Walt Monegan, sexual violence and Sarah Palin, new post!
http://palingates.blogspot.com/2009/03/oil-or-safety-of-women-and-children.html
Excellent interview, you both did a great job.
I agree with some of the ideas presented here. The arts are especially interesting to me, I know in the SW the arts are very profitable to American Indians (pottery, jewelry). Fur boots & hats might go over well, especially if people knew they were made from animals harvested for sustainable meats and not for furs. Love the arts idea. An arts based website for sales- you already have customers lined up from mudflats and elseware!
Of course grocery stores are needed, but I did like the personal shopper idea someone mentioned (if you have someone you really trust). Here in the lower 48 I can get pasta for 50 cents a pound. Cheaper to buy some things and mail them than buy them from anywhere in Alaska. The cost would prob even be cheaper if the villagers ordered bulk packages, 100 boxes of pasta at a time or whatever.
Palin: I see her point, yet when we are talking about a culture those ideas are the white mans solution and destroy what is left of the culture. So, keep working on longterm solutions.
Great job to all, excellent interview & you both did very well.
Stay warm & well fed.
Ann and Vic. I think that you did a stupendous job on your interviews. I agree that it is great to hear your speaking voices!I enjoyed listening ,and it made me hear a bit more meaning in the Gov.s suggestion that rural alaskans go to work.I thought that Ann’s sighs at the end were very good-no problem there for me!All the best,All.
Aussie Blue Sky – What a great idea to contact the Cooperative Extension Service! I worked for them in Bethel, and it did not even occur to me to tap them as a resource. Good work! Let me know what you hear from them.
Wonderful job, you two. I hope NPR picks it up.
Awesome job Ann and Victoria!
I finally know how to pronounce Nunam Iqua…
I also love the idea of marketing arts and crafts via the internet. Always a market for those types of items.
Itching to listen — maybe on lunch break.
Well done Ann and Victoria!! you did great!! (did they mention how to get a hold of you? I may need to listen again. We all need to thank Annie (last name sp?) and her station for airing the interview and ask that they please, please do anything possible to get the news further out. You go girlfriends! Whahoo! You’re on a roll and we’re behind ya.
State and worldwide discussion, internet dialog, (yes), Obama and Michelle would be so proud of you! Let’s send this to them. They will have a vested interest in protecting your land and native rights. And embarrass the shit out of Palin for her heartless and easy answer “solutions”.
Are you guys in contact with someone post name “seadog55″ ? sounds like our kind of person………educated, grant writer, with heart! lots of possibility there!
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/tundra-talk/9-talk-of-the-tundra/879-mcbride-on-why-she-left-rural-adviser-post
Posted By: seadog55 @ 02.28.2009 7:39 PM
McBride, you are more qualified than the man who replaced you because you are willing to think about the needs of others before yourself. As one of the Natives with an Ivy League education, I am very disappointed to see so many of them more interested in promoting their self-interest, the interests of their friends and family, ahead of the Native people. As for your successor, he doesn’t have a college degree and actively follows the policy I just outlined, which is not so enlightened self-interest. As for myself, I don’t know how to cut fish like they do in Bethel, but I can write a grant for $500,000 and get it funded. I also can jig humpies like they do in Southeast where my family is from, but we are supposed to give what we do best, I’m better at typing than I am at smoking fish.
Take care and Illegitimi non carborundum
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I’m submitting the recording and your email address to Brian Williams, MSNBC, heads up, lol. I already nominated you as a good person making a difference in theses hard times (but I forgot your email addy, ack) compared to most hard times down here, your weather and economic condition may be the roughest and harshest in the US.. You may have an opportunity to share very interesting information that so many have no clue of.
Vic, $22,000.00 to heat your 1000′ home last year? good grief! That certainly needs to change somehow. did I get that correct? so this year it will be more with the higher costs? Are they well insulated?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
suggestion……(some of these may confuse the project I don’t know, but if you get to do an NPR or tv documentary you’ll need your ducks in a row. Maybe we need an official catchy name for this project?
for future interviews, press releases (couldn’t these be submitted to news organizations world wide?)
explain to people the Native culture, how it works, how a village operates, their love of the land, their respect for elders, the community aspect. Get elders insight.
give examples of what items cost
give income examples vs. cost of living, and how much of that income comes from fishing, how short it is, make a plug for your salmon! the fact you need your own canneries, marketing and distribution system. These are not farm raised fish, this is the real deal and the environment needs to be protected to continue. explain the commercial fishing, how that works in regard to fairness, overfishing and hurtful practices.
give a visual of what winter is like, the need for snow machines and four wheelers is not recreational. btw, how far do you have to do to get wood? and did you know there are electric chain saws now? I love mine! I’m not scared of it and no messing with fuel problems.
make note that the Natives have lived in these villages and lived off the land (where they are) for however many years (I don’t know numbers) and how environmental issues have most likely affected fish supplies and clean water is directly important to all our food chain. Explain how hunting is controlled and granted, be ready with numbers needed for moose/carabue and numbers of out of state trophy hunting licenses and instances of waste and abuse at the cost of village substance.
mention the plumbing and toilet thing, express gratitude for the progress made but how much more needs to be done to bring the villages into this century, explain the funding process. Also maybe explain the mineral and leasing situation ( I don’t understand this part at all).
That is so good! I sent that immediately to my listserv of people. I know, either greenland or iceland has the most modern concepts of making energy without fuel.
Thanks so much to Anne and Victoria!
I forgot to mention, the Rasmuson foundation may be able to offer assistance in getting the arts going. Another way to look at this is through the dance festival that they have in Bethel, maybe that organization will have connections to selling art.
I for one, know that The State of Alaska needs stronger laws for the Native artists. As an artist myself, who uses the silverhands program.
Let me email you ANNE!
There is an alaska native arts website already. I really didn’t read it or look into yet. Here is there website. Don’t know what the money benefits or where it goes w/profits.
http://alaskanativearts.org/Shop/ShopByCategory.aspx?ModuleID=52&CategoryID=1
Great job, Ann and Victoria! Well reasoned, and glad to “hear” your voices, too. People, please leave comments on the ANPR site encouraging them to push for national distribution on this story.
Martha Unalaska Yard Sign (22:14:36) :
@ Karen Marie (from last thread) 2 of 2
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/07/070706-humpback-video.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Martha, thanks for that absolutely beautiful link!
where did my post go? wahhhhh, AKM, pretty please when you get a chance? rescue me?
Thanks for the link to AK Artist! As an artist, I appreciate the craft/work…lots of really beautiful work! WOW
@ Aussie Blue Sky – that was awesome to contact the Extension service. Victoria from Ugashik is writing legislators to find a possible source of funds to get her to a Sustainable Agriculture Conference & Organic Growers School in Fairbanks Mar 17-19. The Extension Service is hosting along with four or five other groups. Agenda:
http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:pjlMpv_kVK4J:interiormastergardeners.org/docs/SAREOrgAgendaUpdates2-12-09.doc+Fifth+Annual+Sustainable+Agriculture+Conference+%26+Organic+Growers+School&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us
She has submitted letters to Senators Begich & Murkowski, and will be submitting to the district Senator today, asking if there are any funding sources that might cover her expenses to the conference. Her goal is to share this information and training between villages.
Any ideas on helping Victoria to attend this conference would be welcomed heartily!
the problem child (an aunt, also) (08:05:06) :
Great job, Ann and Victoria! Well reasoned, and glad to “hear” your voices, too. People, please leave comments on the ANPR site encouraging them to push for national distribution on this story
_________________________________________________
Where on the site do you go to to leave comments to push for national distribution? I looked and can’t find a comment section to voice my opionion to this.
This would be GINO’s 2 cents on helping villagers. It’s called LEGACY. Be sure to click the link about 3/4 of the way down.
http://gov.state.ak.us/newsletter/PAF_JanFeb2009.php
here_in_PA(07:52:17) :
There is an alaska native arts website already. I really didn’t read it or look into yet. Here is there website. Don’t know what the money benefits or where it goes w/profits.
http://alaskanativearts.org/Shop/ShopByCategory.aspx?ModuleID=52&CategoryID=1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for the link, I’ve passed it on on the anonn. bloggers website, it could really be a starting point for them to showcase their Native crafts.
The crafts are beautiful BTW at the site….
@ here_in_PA – Awesome link to the Alaska Native Arts! A Southeast Alaska (where I live) artist working w/ this organization has contacted Ann – she has been following Ann’s story. Coincidence, or two great minds thinking the same thing at the same time? Excellent, excellent link and info – thank you!
@ Crystal Wolf – you are a FAST mudpuppy! You beat me hands down. Way to go posting this info on http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com/2009/02/28/rural-alaska-moving-forward/#comments
@ crystalwolf – you beat me AGAIN! I am living in your shadow.
@MT
I just responded to your email. Could you email me back please!
Quyana,
Ann Strongehart
Ann, you changed your last name!! I kinda like Strongehart.
here_in_PANo Gravatar (08:50:10) :
the problem child (an aunt, also) (08:05:06) :
Great job, Ann and Victoria! Well reasoned, and glad to “hear” your voices, too. People, please leave comments on the ANPR site encouraging them to push for national distribution on this story
_________________________________________________
Where on the site do you go to to leave comments to push for national distribution? I looked and can’t find a comment section to voice my opionion to this.
———
I just left a comment right at the bottom below the radio feed. Submitted just fine, but it is not appearing for me. Perhaps one has to be a member to view them, or perhaps it is really more like sending an e-mail to the station. Strange.
does anyone know “seadogg55″ ?
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/tundra-talk/9-talk-of-the-tundra/879-mcbride-on-why-she-left-rural-adviser-post
“Posted By: seadog55 @ 02.28.2009 7:39 PM
McBride, you are more qualified than the man who replaced you because you are willing to think about the needs of others before yourself. As one of the Natives with an Ivy League education, I am very disappointed to see so many of them more interested in promoting their self-interest, the interests of their friends and family, ahead of the Native people. As for your successor, he doesn’t have a college degree and actively follows the policy I just outlined, which is not so enlightened self-interest. As for myself, I don’t know how to cut fish like they do in Bethel, but I can write a grant for $500,000 and get it funded. I also can jig humpies like they do in Southeast where my family is from, but we are supposed to give what we do best, I’m better at typing than I am at smoking fish.
Take care and Illegitimi non carborundum “
the question i had after reading ann strongheart’s post of the other day where she describes all the go-between activities she’s been doing is, when is the state of alaska going to start paying her for the coordination work she’s doing on its behalf?
_______________________________________________________________________
I am sure Ann would not accept payment. She is volunteering to do this and that is wonderful! Perhaps reimbursing her for gasoline and internet costs!
Remember, many are sending money and food so in essence she and other Alaskans are benefitting…not their personal pocketbooks but benefitting nonetheless.
ROFLMAO
OOPs my fingers got ahead of me!!
Ann S T R O N G H E A R T
@martha unalaska…
could you email me re victoria’s trip?
find my email on the forum if you would.
i’m thinking that maybe we could collect a bit here and there to get her there?
@ fawnskin – cool! I’ll PM you right now.
Martha Unalaska Yard SignNo Gravatar (09:02:27) :
@ crystalwolf – you beat me AGAIN! I am living in your shadow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No Martha I am living in your shadow!
I am just eager to see the Villages get some cottage industry going, instead of GINO’s BS that they leave the village for work.
And Ann, she should get paid, that is how jobs start, you find a need and fill it, if GINO was smart, she would appoint Ann as Village coordinator, course we know that would be too mavericky for her….
Liked Paula idea also, getting a group of villagers/villages together to buy in bulk that is what co-ops do! Down here (in cali) we have lots of co-ops mostly natural foods ones, I’m not sure how they work, but its sort of like the people that belong work there in exchange for food? Not quite sure how it works exactly, I’m sure there is a mudpup here to enlighten us, but it could be like Native co-ops one in each village! Native owned/worked, providing jobs, for the people of each village.
Greenhouse’s could be used to grow local vegs. I found out recently lettuce grows like a weed, lol!
something needs to change here……..wasteful, destructive use of resources should never be tolerated. And if it brings penalties for one group it should apply to all.
Write a letter MudPups, and cc it to your Gov, she wants to help villages, aye? Murkowski and Begich, heck all of them……now is the time to push for needed change, while the heat is on and spotlight shines. Yes we can. Go get em.
and when Pebble Mine comes up remind the leg and Palin how important the Clean Water Act is for the Natives and villages. We can force the issue of protecting Native subsistence and livelihood. OOOOOh, that’s gonna make her blood boil, lol and get her panties in a twist. Gotta love it, sometimes things are just meant to happen, eh mudppups? Yep, I can see all sorts of good stuff comin out of Palin neglecting the AK Natives. Her dumb.
Subsistence vs. Bering Sea trawlers
Association of Village Council Presidents
Mar 2, 2009
Regulators of the fishery, both the Alaska Department of Fish & Game and the Office of Subsistence Management instituted severe commercial and subsistence fishing restrictions on our small group of in-state commercial and subsistence fishermen throughout the entire Yukon River drainage depriving our fishermen with the means of supporting and feeding their families.
Meanwhile, the Bering Sea Pollock trawl fishery continues to ravage our resources in a wasteful and destructive manner.
In 2007, the trawl fishery harvested 122,000 Chinook salmon while our people lived with instituted harvest, gear, time, and area restrictions. Additionally, state and federal laws and regulations prohibit us from discarding unwanted species in our subsistence and commercial fisheries with harsh penalties which may include the confiscation of our boats, nets, and harvest.
The Bering Sea Pollock Trawl Fishery, meanwhile, is allowed to wastefully and destructively discard salmon and other species without penalty.
Please join us in encouraging the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council to reduce the annual by-catch of our Chinook Salmon to 30,000 with a goal of zero by-catch. You can send me resolutions and letters telling the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council that you do not endorse and will not tolerate the continued waste of our salmon resources to the following address:
North Pacific Fisheries Management; 605 W. 4th Ave., Suite 306; Anchorage, AK 99501-2252; Fax: (907) 271-2817.
Any questions regarding this release can be directed to Timothy Andrew, Director of Natural Resources ( tandrew@avcp.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) at (907) 543-7340 or Myron Naneng Sr. ( mnaneng@avcp.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) at (907) 543-7301.
Related Articles
Wow! That is one great article from Rhonda McBride! Very hard hitting!
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/tundra-talk/9-talk-of-the-tundra/879-mcbride-on-why-she-left-rural-adviser-post
Is there anything to be done about this statement?
RM: “Great harm was done to Rural Alaskans when that agency was downsized and rolled into Commerce. That’s what former Representative Vic Kohring should be serving time in jail for. What he did to DCRA and the people of Rural Alaska was criminal.”
Anyway to hold him accountable and change that “downsizing” situation?
OT—Want a good laugh?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ6skwYNnYg&feature=related
LOL
@Martha Unalaska Yard SignNo Gravatar (22:17:55) :
hey, i’m glad you got us confused — great video!
Co-ops are nonprofits. The department of Agriculture has lots of info and funding for them. Essentially the members set the by-laws, membership costs (they can be sweat equity), what is bought and so on. Start at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ak/ for information. The fed and the states work together on much of this.
I would expect there is a ton of info to digest in order to be effective in turning up support and funding. You need to find a sponsor with some clout and know-how to steer you. You can spin your wheels to death trying to get traction on issues like this.
Cook Inletkeeper
Bob Shavelson
PO Box 3269
Homer, Alaska 99603
UNITED STATES
tel: 907.235.4068
fax: 907.235.4069
bob@inletkeeper.org
http://www.inletkeeper.org
Cook Inlet Keeper is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the vast Cook Inlet watershed and the life it sustains. The Inletkeeper programs unite individuals and groups through water quality monitoring, environmental education, and effective advocacy, to give citizens the tools they need to promote clean water in the 47,000 square mile Cook Inlet watershed.
Prince William Soundkeeper
Jennifer Gibbins
PO Box 1368
Cordova, Alaska 99574
UNITED STATES
907-424-5701
jennifer@pwsoundkeeper.org
http://www.pwsoundkeeper.org
I’m not sure which one is “better” for the Villages? Will have to check it out.
@ Say NO to Palin in Politics
I’m jumping in here because although Vic would probably let you know, I think her laptop died (can you hear her screaming???). Vic and Ann collaborated on this and have been in contact with Association of Village Council Presidents and the authors of this piece. They are trying to find out how they can include their villages in the process for input and commentary, possibly as a combined voice for each village composed into letter form for presentation. A work in progress…
Your idea for letter writing campaigns (also, too) is something I’ve had in mind for awhile. I was hoping to keep an upbeat, positive attitude in the letters and to summarize some of the important points we are working on. We would like Ann and Victoria to point us to the most effective things to ask for. Another work in progress… but you are just on top of this like a true mudpup!
I hereby nominate you, and Crystalwolf, as the charter members for “Honorary Alaskans in Support of a Sustainable and Thriving Rural Alaska”.
You guys ROCK!
Here is a link from the first post from above. I joined their list serv. It looks like they are already battling with GINO?
http://www.inletkeeper.org/pdf/2009winternewsletter.pdf
@ crystalwolf – cook inlet and prince william sound are not the correct geographical watersheds – but your idea spurred me to look up what might be the right watershed councils:
FYI – Nunam Iqua is located at the confluence of the Yukon River and the Bering Sea – the are way out there in the west!
Pilot Point is located on the northern coast of the Alaska Peninsula, on the east shore of Ugashik Bay
Ugashik is located on the eastern shore of the Ugashik River, six air miles and twenty river miles from village of Pilot Point
http://www.yritwc.org/AboutUs/AboutUs/tabid/56/Default.aspx = Ann S
http://www.agnewbeck.com/pages-portfolio/bristolbay/levelock-cp.htm =
lists an “Ugashik Water Council” but it doesn’t link to a website.
It would be good to be in touch with these organizations – at least to find out if their mission intersects with the missions of Ann and Victoria.
@ crystalwolf – cook inlet and prince william sound are not the correct geographical watersheds – but your idea spurred me to look up what might be the right watershed councils:
FYI – Nunam Iqua is located at the confluence of the Yukon River and the Bering Sea – the are way out there in the west!
Pilot Point is located on the northern coast of the Alaska Peninsula, on the east shore of Ugashik Bay
Ugashik is located on the eastern shore of the Ugashik River, six air miles and twenty river miles from village of Pilot Point
www DOTyritwc DOT org/AboutUs/AboutUs/tabid/56/Default.aspx = Ann S
www DOT agnewbeck DOT com/pages-portfolio/bristolbay/levelock-cp.htm =
lists an “Ugashik Water Council” but it doesn’t link to a website.
It would be good to be in touch with these organizations – at least to find out if their mission intersects with the missions of Ann and Victoria.
ooopss.. thought I was caught by that darn MEAN spam filter again – double post!
Well all these ideas are not going to happen overnight, but I guess with a new rural adviser+Ann/Victoria+Tribal Elders can get the ball rolling so that next winter is better for all the villages!
And GINO if your out there….You should Really consider Hiring Ann & Victoria for the state of AK!
Outreach coordinators or something…they are doing outstanding work, FOR FREE!
I think we should all email GINO and tell her that. I am!
OT-Rep. Kerttula gets nod from state Dems
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/030509/loc_402587716.shtml
@ crystalwolf
I’ll check in with Victoria to see if she knows these people in Pilot Point:
Group Name: Ugashik Watershed
Contact: Greg Kingsley
Contact Address: 1313 Flying Ace Drive
Pilot Point, Alaska 99649
Contact Phone: 907-797-2273
Contact Email: gregorykingsley@lycos.com
Activity:Watershed Alliance/Council
Description:Ugashik Watershed is an representative advisory group comprising the stakeholders, governmental agencies, residents and interested parties concerned with the watershed areas od Ugashik Lakes, Ugashik River and Bay, Dog Salmon, King Salmon, Cinder and Meshik Rivers and Dago Creek as well as the extensive wetlands and critical habitats of the area.The Villages, including the Tribal Councils and City Councils of Pilot Point, Ugashik, and Port Heiden are sponsoring the Watershed Group.
Number of Volunteers: approx. 20 to date
Date Last Modified: 06/10/2008
Martha, I was trying to find a detailed map to see if/which one was closest. It would be good to get in touch with them, one of them does mention the “Pebble mine”
Not being from Alaska I’m not sure of the geography, sorry
@ crystalwolf
Do NOT apologize for not being familiar with Alaska’s geography – this state is HUGE and most Alaskans are hard pressed to locate regions or the towns/ villages within them. If we gave a statewide geography test to ourselves, most of us would probably flunk it!
@ Martha so true.
@Anne, Im so glad we touched base!
As for the state programs for native artists. http://www.eed.state.ak.us/aksca/native.htm try looking up information on the Rasmussion foundation out of Anchorage as well.
Ann, you are doing an amazing job.
Nan, thanks for the feedback on the previous thread.
Back to lurking for me now with the occasional outbreak of “delurking”
OK, I did it…I emailed GINO and address her as Governor:
Dear Governor Palin,
All of us in the lower 48 have been watching and involved with the struggles of the Villages. As you’ve probably heard two Woman are involved in organizing/coordinating outreach efforts.
They are working for FREE! I know you have a State hiring freeze due to the economy but I believe their efforts started before that. I would please ask that you consider making them official employees of Alaska? That is how jobs are created…you find a need and fill it! More info on these amazing woman…
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/tundra-talk/9-talk-of-the-tundra/895-a-future-with-dignity
http://aprn.org/2009/03/04/rural-alaska-seeks-long-term-solutions-to-economic-challenges/
Thank you very much for your consideration,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I will hope she will consider all that Ann & Victoria are doing and give them a JOB!
@ Martha Unalaska Yard Sign
You said someone’s laptop died? Oh NO!
Any chance there’s a spare one lying around anywhere? I have one, but it’s heavy as sin and pretty much useless (not all the keys work).
Nan
Pardon me but… a worldwide discussion? A state-wide and national discussion, yes, but worldwide?
Puhleeze. Enough of “the whole world is watching” business Someone just give Sarah Palin and her minions a kick in the keister and let’s deal with the problem at the level in which it ought to be dealt.
@ Nan
Yep, Victoria’s died. It doesn’t look repairable due to an overheating / shutdown problem. I offered her my older laptop that I only use for travel and won’t be doing that til summer, it’s a bit slow but fine to tide someone over. Thank you – she is very frustrated with all that is going on which she needs email and Internet for right now, and sharing hubby’s computer.
@ crystalwolf
http://www.lakeandpen.com/
I found the link to the borough (county like) which includes Pilot Point and Ugashik, and it’s full of good info. Click on “Borough Communities” to see info on both villages by name (overhead maps, too). Then check out the “Pebble Mine Project”. Be sure to read the letter from the mayor to the previous governor.
There is a lot of info on the Pebble Mine out there, looking at it from a local level, it’s a lot easier to put into context. Note in the “Mining Issues and Policies Statements” under the Pebble Mine project states that ALL borough communities will be affected directly, or indirectly by development of large scale mining projects.
@ Say NO to Palin in PoliticsNo Gravatar (07:35:16) :
Wow – this first long post must have been stuck in the spam filter. Lots of good ideas! Crystalwolf thinks we should contact the First Lady, too. Did you post all of this on AB yet? If not, could you? Jane the webmaster with help from web elves is working on organizing the ideas into separate threads.
Thanks Martha, I will check it out….
I did email GINO, and posted the email but it got caught up in the tubes, waiting for mod.
But I suggested she hire Ann & Victoria for the State of Alaska.
Well they should be compensated for their hard work, IMO. Don’t know if she will respond….
@ crystalwolf aka caligrl
(11:08:36) Your post above made its way back from the tubes, hurray!
Eloquent letter by Nick T. reacting to Palin’s response to him in their meeting.
http://www.thetundradrums.com/news/story/5065
Thanks for the suggestion from someone (sorry, too lazy to scroll back) to nominate Vic and Ann on Brian William’s “Making a Difference” weekly spot; I did it here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10397946/
@ Kate in Canada
Good catch – OMG. I was teared up when I saw the video of that exchange in Russian Mission between SP and Nick Tucker. I realized at the time that he had to travel to Russian Mission to speak to her since she did not come to Emmonak to meet the person who started this entire chain of events (for this year). Now I know how hard that was, and it just makes it even stupider that Palin did not plan to address the “spokesman” of Western Alaska, Nick Tucker.
I am glad he is outraged, as were we all when we watched that video. That video of a disrespectful and completely clueless Palin telling Mr. Tucker that villagers could come be little worker bees for her large scale resource development plans, set Ann Strongheart over the edge. I do not think that Ann has ever been anything but upbeat, funny and thankful in all of her posts here and on AB. I KNEW this was as bad as I thought when I read her little mini meltdown (like the one I had over SP bashing my ex-Senator Kim Elton.
All that aside – let’s just forget the Palin DUD – she’s only going to involve herself if forced to for PR reasons. To hell with her – let’s continue our efforts with help and ideas. I also think we should write letters of support to Mr. Tucker – that has been on my mind for awhile now and it’s time to DO it. He needs to know that we heard his voice LOUD and CLEAR, and we are here to help however we can. Again, the governor is so wrapped up in her “glamor run” these days that she is completely WORTHLESS.
This needs to be about rural Alaska and its residents and culture, and that means we should examine our motives. I have done so – finding that it is not mutually exclusive to think SP is a worthless whackjob for a governor, and to care deeply about helping be a part of a bigger plan by helping my fellow Alaskans. I can completely melt down in anger at SP’s selfishness and uncouth, but once I think of what Ann, Victoria and Nick Tucker are doing to spread their wings for their villages, all is well and SP can go to he__.
Live on CSPAN right now, budget for the Interior Dept. that includes the BIA
(Senate channel)
How can we contact Mr. Tucker?
Martha Unalaska Yard SignNo Gravatar (11:46:40) :
@ crystalwolf aka caligrl
(11:08:36) Your post above made its way back from the tubes, hurray!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well I really hope she will at least “consider it” It says on the website she gives consideration to Alaska residents first priority, so I don’t know…?
I just think, hey, Ann & Victoria are doing all this hard work and basically created a job for themselves and should be compensated.
Martha…you are in contact with Ann, something I’m worried about, Ann say Sam’s purse drop contained peanut butter? I am on a FDA list that I am getting at least 10 emails a day on recalls of peanut products…its been bugging me ever since I read it…is there anyway Ann can contact Sam’s purse to make sure the peanut butter is safe? This has really been bothering me…
Nick Tucker is as angry as we were for him!
“I felt like Governor Palin treated Emmonak with most disregard and disrespect by not coming here where it all started. Instead, we had to go up to Russian Mission to meet her and followed her to Marshall.
I was there. About whom and to whom was she referring that top leadership in what village(s) should be changed? This is a blow to all rural villages telling each one of us that our past and current leadership isn’t worth being there!
Why and on what basis? This message is dismal, not of hope. “
@ joplin
I don’t have his email or PO Box number yet, but ANY snail mail will reach him at:
Nicholas Turner
General Delivery
Emmonak AK 99581
ooopss… head cold won again… Nicholas TUCKER
OT…..kinda, these creeps do influence the rural bush.
Oh goodie, goodie…..on going investigations, more corupt crooks goin’ down”
I wonder who is next in line, sweatin’ it. Round em’ up, head em’ out, rollin’ rollin’ rollin’, keep those doggies goin’, rawhide! Crack of the whip. (Rawhide theme song)
“HouseGate”…….Dum-de-DUM-dum” (Dragnet theme song)”My name’s Friday. I’m a cop.” Joe Friday says to governor Sarah Palin “Just the facts, ma’am.”
Ah yes, the good old days, when the bad guys got caught and justice reigned.
http://www.adn.com/news/politics/veco/story/711337.html
“U.S. District Judge John Sedwick accepted the most recent status report, filed under seal Tuesday by prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Anchorage. He agreed to allow the filing in secret “because it relates to on-going investigations,” he wrote in an order.
The latest delay is the strongest indication yet that the government is still pursuing its investigation despite setbacks following the Stevens conviction, including an FBI agent who claimed another agent and prosecutors violated Justice Department policy and may have broken the law.”
OMG! I feel so bad for Nick as I read his letter….Does he know we all felt the outrage too?
Does he know, we felt the total disregard and disrespect from GINO?
Probably the only thing that will get her attention….Gas under his house!!!
@ crystalwolf
I sent Ann an email w/ your question, and a current list of tainted peanut butters from the FDA database.
How about ANN for VP with Michelle in 2016, as she already has more
‘effective executive experience’ than the 2008 VP candidte?
Only partly a joke.
Mr. Tucker has more dignity than SP could ever even dream of.
i wrote this letter to the “tundra drums” in response to mr. tucker’s letter:
hello,
i am writing from california in response to mr nick tucker’s latest letter.
i so wish that there was a comment section for those of us all over the world who do respect this wonderful leader.
please forward my gratitude to mr tucker for teaching me the ways of his people. we who read and post at Mudflats.net are in awe of his courage and wisdom.
How about SENATOR or REPRESENTATIVE Ann Strongheart!
sauerkrautNo Gravatar (11:17:30) :
Pardon me but… a worldwide discussion? A state-wide and national discussion, yes, but worldwide?
………………………………………
That’s because there’s a world of good ideas out there, it’s just about discussing ideas, many countries, sadly (for us), are more advanced and further ahead of the US in technology changes, building green and also have a better grasp on the ideas of preserving resources. The people of the world can help each other. The better ideas we have, the stronger push we have. Also, too, many other civilized countries don’t treat their citizens as second class citizens.
Martha reading the link you posted…found this
http://www.lakeandpen.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={E4E1AF70-DAB9-4462-942A-C4B21F8A2D31}
Commercial fishing and fish processing are the most significant sectors of the economy within the Borough, which contains three of the State’s most important salmon fishing districts: Egegik and Ugashik on Bristol Bay, and Chignik on the Pacific coast. The majority of Borough residents rely upon commercial fishing as a primary source of cash income. Seven shore-based processors and numerous floating processors operate within Borough boundaries, generally importing their workforce.
Tourism and recreational activities are the second most important industries in the Borough, and are rapidly increasing in economic importance. The Borough contains over 60 hunting and fishing lodges. Approximately 100 professional guides are registered to operate within Borough boundaries.
“generally importing their workforce” I don’t understand, where are they getting their workforce? Shouldn’t the Villages have priority on those jobs?
And ” 60 hunting and fishing lodges. ”
This could be expanded easily I would think? OK, I don’t live in Alaska, don’t really understand the politics here, but this site has much info, planning commissions and lots of stuff, but why isn’t it working? It seems to me that they are basically “on their own” out there and I wonder why?
There is this guy…The Community Development Coordinator, Jordan Keeler? I mean looking at this website its looks all nice and tidy, but WE know its not. I’m getting close to the “talk me down point, here”?
what I meant by my last sentence was not directed towards you, sauerkraut, please know that! what I meant was our country has work to do, we need to get over race, religion, gender differences. evolve and advance, lol
I have been learning from Ann Strongheart’s posts; but it’s hard to put in perspective the 30-mile trip to the store. Quite a journey!
I finally got out of my own cartography work to look up Nunam Iqua and Emmonak on an online map service. Google’s maps are good; I personally prefer http://mapper.acme.com/, which in addition to Google’s map, satellite, and terrain views, shows USGS quads at various scales. Like all map viewers, it’s the sort of graphic-intensive website that works better with DSL or broadband than dial-up (though might work if you’re patient).
And all I can say is WOW!!!! I have always been in awe of river deltas, meanders, puddles, and bush plane country; it’s one of those things that unfolds when you zoom out to explore the vast Yukon Delta, or zoom in to see the villages (Ann, is your roof silver, blue, or red?), and understand it through Anne’s stories of daily life, and the care with which one has to move through the landscape (or waterscape).
When I searched for Nunam Iqua the “pushpin” was in the middle of a Kwiklokchun Channel – scroll down a screen and you’ll come to the village of Nunam Iqua – on the USGS maps it is labeled Sheldon Point; the online map gives both names. Zoom out, scroll north about 30 miles and you’ll find Emmonak on the opposite side of the river.
Zoomed in pretty close, the black grid with the numbers in the middle are 1-mile sections — zoomed out on the metric map series, the squares are the 6-mile township and range grid. (Jefferson’s grid writ large).
Kate in Canada: Thanks for the link to the Tundra Drums letter by Nick T. in Emmonak!
While looking at other articles in the paper I used to have to type a weekly article for (long ago!), I was interested in learning that the fellow (John Dickens) on the Emmonak City Council who said the food/fuel shortage was a scam, was also a Palin appointee:
“Dickens is still working for Grant in Anchorage. This summer, Gov. Sarah Palin re-appointed him to the Alaska Council on Emergency Medical Services.”
Could this be why he debunked the whole idea? The reporter didn’t agree with him. Go to the Tundra Drums link and look under “Opinions”.
Martha Unalaska Yard SignNo Gravatar (12:50:38) :
@ crystalwolf
I sent Ann an email w/ your question, and a current list of tainted peanut butters from the FDA database.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you Martha, I will feel better when I know it checks out
fawnskin mudpuppy (12:57:36) :
i wrote this letter to the “tundra drums” in response to mr. tucker’s letter:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fawnskin: excellent idea, thank you for doing that, maybe they will post it as a response and Nick will see it…
@ben in sf (13:09:06) :
The town’s “white” name was Sheldon Point; the locals have gone back to, and had it officially changed to, Nunam Iqua a few years ago, so it’s not too surprizing that both names still show up on maps, esp. with the older name on the USGS one, as they’re not updated very frequently.
Yeah, those pesky Sheldons were all over the state!
dear friends am so excited to hear anne and victoria on audio. i am worried that in our excitement we are not listening closely to the people who actually live and work in the villages. mrs. strongheart has made it clear that what she is doing is donating her time and energy to help her people. she does not want a job working for palin co-ordinating anything. we mean well but sometimes well meaning people cause problems when we DO NOT listen not only to what is spoken clearly and loudly but continue to insist on having our own way. that is an unforgivable arrogance.some things money cannot buy….love is one them..b
Alex DeMarban, a reporter at Tundra Drums sent me a reply to my email re mr tucker.
he is forwarding my comments to our hero.
@Martha Unalaska Yard Sign (13:25:12) :
Was it named for Sheldon Jackson?
@ InJuneau
This is all I know – maybe Ann knows?
A man called Sheldon owned and operated a fish saltery at the site in the late 30s and early 40s. The saltry was later operated by Northern Commercial Company. The village was first measured in 1950 by the U.S. Census, which recorded a population of 43 residents. The City of Sheldon Point was formed in 1974. In November 1999, residents voted to change their name to the City of Nunam Iqua.
bubbles:continue to insist on having our own way. that is an unforgivable arrogance.some things money cannot buy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bubbles, I am not insisting “on having my own way” Sorry you feel that way. Ann S has accepted money for her snowmobile/gas to continue to do her work, Victoria’s computer broke, I’m sure that they could use some type of compensation.
Knowing GINO the way we do, Do you honestly think there’s a million in one chance she would hire them? I’m thinking no. But GINO should be aware Village people are working like Hell, for FREE, to help others. She has disrespected Nick with her callous disregard. Has not even acknowledged Ann or Victoria. Sorry maybe its just me, but that upsets me.
The taxpayers of Alaska pay GINO and who does she help? Herself and her family.
@ Kate in Canada (11:53:42) “Eloquent letter by Nick T. reacting to Palin’s response to him in their meeting.”
http://www.thetundradrums.com/news/story/5065
——————————————————————-
Beneath Mr. Tucker’s politeness and courtesy toward Palin on her “village visit” was the heart of a warrior who was outraged at the governor’s insults and lack of respect.
Not to put too fine a point on the situation, her disparaging and ignorant comments about the “leadership” of the villages were a direct slap in the face. Where I come from that’s called throwing down the gauntlet. Salute to Mr. Tucker for picking up the gauntlet and responding.
Palin will not respond to reasonable discussion or advice. She’s demonstrated that her vulnerable spot is her vanity. If she doesn’t “look good” in the media, she will finally (kind of) address a problem that she’s avoided. Keep up the public pressure on this vain, ignorant, and disrespectful excuse for a politician until she’s run out of public office for good!
Way to go, Mr. Tucker! We have your back.
OT……sign the petition to help Obama pass the health care reform without lobbyist interference and influence. They also want to know your health care situation.
“Don’t let the insurance lobbyists delay health care any longer. In this economic crisis, we can’t afford NOT to pass quality, affordable health care for all this year.”
http://pol.moveon.org/thisyear/?id=15692-14873239-QTcR_ex&t=3
@ Kate in Canada 11:53
Eloquent letter by Nick T. reacting to Palin’s response to him in their meeting.
http://www.thetundradrums.com/news/story/5065
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I too read Nick’s letter in the Tudra Drums and am appalled at the lack of basic courtesy SP, aka GINO, has for the Native People in AK. The disrespect shown on the video while spewing “her idea’s & thoughts” without consideration for those in the trenches, the “waiting” for 6 weeks before getting her “photo op” with Christian Right to come “save the day”.
I am sorry Nick, Ann and other Native People that she is not only the Gov. of Alaska, but that she is (I’m, sorry to say ~ ) a member of the human race.
As noted in many posts since she was tapped in late Aug. this “woman”,
Sarah Palin, does not represent me in any of her beliefs or actions, however, I am shocked for the way she has treated (or not treated) this issue – I apologize on her behalf.
@Martha Unalaska Yard Sign (13:58:21) :
Huh, okay, so not for Rev. Sheldon Jackson then!
Here’s the new Rural Advisor, John Moller, weighing in after returning from Western AK
http://www.thetundradrums.com/news/show/5067
Is this just me, but do these answers just sound kind of vague? Nothing really “clicks” when I read it (I’m sure the propane is a BIG deal and definitely worth looking into). I want to like our new advisor, but I’d sure like to hear something more concrete than this. And he should be following up with Nunam Iqua very soon, if he hasn’t done so yet.
@ InJuneau
You don’t think that the good Rev. Sheldon Jackson opened a saltery? Just kidding – although my hubby thinks the Sheldons are related.
Anne and Victoria–you women are amazing. Great job.
Martha UAYS–thanks for the humpback links. They are such awe-inspiring creatures. I was saw a mom and her calf once and I’ll never forget it. They swam right alongside the boat and looked at us with their enormous eyes.
Martha Unalaska Yard SignNo Gravatar (14:19:40) :
Here’s the new Rural Advisor, John Moller, weighing in after returning from Western AK
http://www.thetundradrums.com/news/show/5067
Is this just me, but do these answers just sound kind of vague? Nothing really “clicks” when I read it (I’m sure the propane is a BIG deal and definitely worth looking into). I want to like our new advisor, but I’d sure like to hear something more concrete than this. And he should be following up with Nunam Iqua very soon, if he hasn’t done so yet.
they are too, busy paying for fuel and food to have any money left over….grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kind of makes me want to go grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
“The caveat is there’s no economy. Nobody can pay for his services necessarily. ”
Yes
He did get this:
“Did you get a feel for the prices (of food)? Are they much higher than here in Anchorage?
Yeah, I got prices of items out there. To the degree of how much more expensive they were wasn’t a realization until I went back to Juneau.
In some cases, (food prices were) 75 percent more expensive in rural Alaska. The one item that just really caught my eye, that really sticks out — and one might consider it a staple — that’s two-cycle oil for their outboards and for their snowmachines.
These things don’t run without the oil. In one of the stores it was just under $38 a gallon and another it was $44 a gallon for two-cycle oil.
The last time I bought a gallon in Juneau it was less than $10. ”
And made this statement:
I have made a commitment though that every chance I get I’ll visit every community in rural Alaska that I can.
That’s hopeful. I hope.
I’m just getting to the “talk me down point”….or eating tyres….
crystalwolf. i know you are outraged with palin and her associates. i am with you all the way. the governor of alaska is a raving narcissist. she is dangerous.her supporters,enablers,syncopants are even more dangerous because by herself she is nothing.the people who are using her for their own ends will do whatever it takes to keep her in power.we got to be real careful about how we expose our loved ones in rural alaska. they can’t get to me or you.we are safe and warm and well fed. i heart the beautiful wolf….loveb
bubblesNo Gravatar (14:37:28) :
crystalwolf. i know you are outraged with palin and her associates. i am with you all the way. the governor of alaska is a raving narcissist. she is dangerous.her supporters,enablers,syncopants are even more dangerous because by herself she is nothing.the people who are using her for their own ends will do whatever it takes to keep her in power.we got to be real careful about how we expose our loved ones in rural alaska. they can’t get to me or you.we are safe and warm and well fed. i heart the beautiful wolf….loveb
Thanks ?b 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know….
Phil Munger’s report on yesterday’s UAA Subsistence Community Forum
http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2009/03/wednesdays-uaa-subsistence-community.html
@here_in_PA (08:54:21) :
This would be GINO’s 2 cents on helping villagers. It’s called LEGACY. Be sure to click the link about 3/4 of the way down.
http://gov.state.ak.us/newsletter/PAF_JanFeb2009.php
—————
Thanks for posting that link – haven’t had the ‘pleasure’ of getting those newsy publications.
This LEGACY thing sounds good on paper, but there was no real mention of *rural* communities. Guess they are included by default. Members of the committee (or whatever she called it) are all administration people – no requirement for input from anyone else. Should be required to have some Native community representation and also perhaps a bush mayor or two.
Did you notice the date on the document? Jan. 21, 2009. Wonder how much it was back-dated.
Ann and Victoria – very well said! One thing I noticed GINO slipped (via her pal Noah) into discussion about this new mini gas pipeline in the ADN article was “Providing natural gas to homes would not be enough to make the project viable, he warned. Commitments from Railbelt utilities, the now mothballed Agrium fertilizer plant in Nikiski, and perhaps the Kenai Liquefied Natural Gas facility would be needed as well. Noah also mentioned potential mines in western Alaska as likely users of the gas.
“We will continue to seek out large users of gas to make this project viable,” he said.”
In other words, if Alaskans want affordable energy they have to allow mining in Western Alaska – a heck of a price if you ask me. It is by no means clear how profitable (or not) such a mini pipeline may be even IF the Pebble mine goes ahead. For all we know oil may be cheaper 2 years from now
And about those Northern slope jobs GINO keeps blathering about – aren’t some of these companies now laying people off?
I also have a couple of ideas for cottage industry but there doesn’t seem to be a relevant thread on AB to post it to.
1) eco-composting toilets – solves the honey bucket issue and you get excellent compost for your gardens and greenhouses.
2) NZ possum pelt clothing – different to US possum. A complete pest here (not native); they used to poison them en masse but now we have quite a possum pelt/fur industry here. The market for furs generally has dropped but I bet people in Alaska and other extremely cold places would love possum pelt clothing. See here: http://www.nzpossumproducts.co.nz/sherwood/index.htm
@ crystalwolf
From Ann: It was all Jiffy peanut butter that is on the safe list !
@ crystalwolf
ALL the peanut butter that came in the boxes was JIffy P/B. So we aren’t being poisoned!!
EVERYONE ELSE….
Sorry I haven’t been keeping up in here. It’s ALL Martha UnAK Yard Signs fault!!!! She bought me this WONDERFULLY MARVELOUS BOOK….
Parallel Logic a memoir
A New Yorker’s take on life in an Eskimo Village!
I can’t put it down, well except when I am laughing so hard I can’t read anymore or when I throw it down b/c If I don’t make a mad dash to the bathroom I will pee my pants from laughing so hard.
I started it last night and I am nearly done. Been reading like mad in between chores and taking care of CC, read it until 1 am this morning. I only have 20 pages left. So I will be back this afternoon to work on updates to my diary on anonymous bloggers and also a food donation update.
We are having SEVERE BLIZZARD Conditions here on the YK Delta today, everything is closed. The wind is blowing so hard it’s shaking the house and making me jumpy. So if I don’t make it back today it’s because the phone lines go down.
Talk to y’all later!
Ann Strongheart
http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com/
waving to bardette…
i bought a few pieces of possum clothing when i was in kiwiland.
love it there
Say NO to Palin in Politics (13:08:59) :
what I meant by my last sentence was not directed towards you, sauerkraut, please know that! what I meant was our country has work to do, we need to get over race, religion, gender differences. evolve and advance, lol
_____________________
No offense taken. I’ve been here long enough to not misunderstand.
And, while I agree in principle with what you wrote, I’m more inclined to look at things in a local or regional context rather than worry about what people in other lands are doing. Or even if those folks are doing things in a better fashion.
To a family with no fuel for heat, it doesn’t matter that parts of Japan are more green than the US. To a woman who is short on food for her kids, it doesn’t matter if Switzerland treats its citizens better than some US cities treat large segments of their respective populations. And to a man who has no job with which he is able to provide for his family, it doesn’t matter if Ireland has the cutest freckled redheads or Sweden the most beautiful blonds with sparkling teeth.
What matters is what is happening to the families, the children, and to the men and women of the various native and non-native places throughout Alaska. For them, I suspect that what’s really having an impact on their lives is a reprobate governor who is more interested in finding the limelight than she is in fulfilling even the most basic components of her job.
Just my opinion, mind you, but my opinion nonetheless.
gggrrr… pesky spam filter!
Martha Unalaska Yard SignNo Gravatar (15:00:48) :
@ crystalwolf
From Ann: It was all Jiffy peanut butter that is on the safe list !
******
Ann StrongheartNo Gravatar (15:09:04) :
@ crystalwolf
ALL the peanut butter that came in the boxes was JIffy P/B. So we aren’t being poisoned!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Was worried ! I am on a FDA list I am getting @ least 10-20 emails a day re: peanut products being recalled! From protein bars, ice cream, everything! So I was worried.
Ha! The book sounds funny, good thing you have it to keep your mind off the blizzard! How is CC?
…and furthermore..
I suspect that GINO deliberately chose to avoid Emmonak and adjacent villages as a way to snub the architect of the media awareness campaign, Nick Tucker.
As Nick said in his letter, he had to chase her down…..whereupon GINO and GINO-Lite did their Big Bwana act….with insulting ignorance.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrr
I think a media follow-up of the guv.’s village visit should include Nick Tucker’s response splashed all over ADN and similar publications. Get CNN back on the story. The rural Alaskans’ response is as important as her shlocky PR photo-op visit.
Food and fuel should not come at the expense of people’s pride and self-respect. Give generously and without strings, evangelism, and lectures. Period.
Bardett (14:59:19) :
I also have a couple of ideas for cottage industry but there doesn’t seem to be a relevant thread on AB to post it to.
1) eco-composting toilets – solves the honey bucket issue and you get excellent compost for your gardens and greenhouses.
2) NZ possum pelt clothing – different to US possum. A complete pest here (not native); they used to poison them en masse but now we have quite a possum pelt/fur industry here. The market for furs generally has dropped but I bet people in Alaska and other extremely cold places would love possum pelt clothing. See here: http://www.nzpossumproducts.co.nz/sherwood/index.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bardett-you should post your excellent suggestion there anyway, I think they are trying to sort out stuff and make different threads.
@ Ann S
Just fostering your amazing creative talents m’dear!
@ Bardette and everyone
Yes, please post your ideas at AB here:
http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com/2009/02/28/rural-alaska-moving-forward/
We will work on sorting into new topics / categories if you don’t see one already listed on the right side links. We can field all of these to Ann and Victoria so they can let us know which ones make sense, and which ones don’t. Right now, those two amazing women are answering ALL of the questions posted over there as time permits, but the site is definitely growing (thank you everyone) so we need to make sure to capture all of these ideas so that they are ALL considered and none lost.
I’m pretty sure that Ann and Victoria would like to have clones of themselves right about now so that they had more rural Alaskan input on these ideas! Super Village Advocates! Super Village Organizers! Super Village Voices! Super everything.
Muddpuppies, want to call your attention to a very important issue on Regina’s blog.
http://palingates.blogspot.com/2009/03/oil-gas-and-village.html
It originates from a AD story, that palinista’s with their comments on AD have managed to spin…as being nonsense and unimportant & “just one persons opinion”! Comments are being taken by Department of the Interior until 3/16. We don’t have much time and you know they have all sent THEIR comments, re: “drill, baby, drill”
@Martha Unalaska Yard Sign (11:21:02) :
@ Nan
Yep, Victoria’s died. It doesn’t look repairable due to an overheating / shutdown problem.
———–
HEY, it might be salvageable! This happened to my desktop machine last fall. The power supply died. I sent the CPU to a computer place in Fairbanks … they fired up the CPU (hooked up the wires, etc.), put all of the data on a USB external hard drive, mailed me the drive, and bingo! I was back in business. As I recall it only cost about $100, and that included the USB external drive.
i have been truly blessed.
i’ve just received an email from mr. tucker:
“Your comment is a one rare flower of its own, a heavenly design, coming from God’s beloved creature. May God bless you most abundantly. ”
Nicholas Tucker
Emmonak
@ yukonbushgrma
Great suggestion!
Well I was trying not to sound morose when I mentioned it, because her hard drive died, and hubby was just going to put in a new one and reload the operating system. He can’t get the laptop to stay on long enough to do that, and the battery isn’t charging either. So BOTH the hard drive (and all data) AND the laptop itself died. Is that bad luck or what? They are going to try to retrieve her files w/ some specialized software, and then see about the laptop – whether hubby (who is pretty darn cool himself by the way) can find one and reload everything for her.
@ fawnskin mudpuppy
You MADE Mr. Tucker’s day with your email – that is just priceless! I’m going to do a snail mail letter because I found a lovely card from MY part of Alaska and want to include that.
i feel like a rabid fan who just got a kiss from a rockstar.
blush.
@Bardette (14:59:19) :
Ooo, that NZ possum stuff is great. My parents brought me some a couple of years ago after their trip there. Warm and soft and lovely!
i just shared my response from nicholas tucker with alex demarbon, the reporter from the tundra drum who got me in contact with mr tucker.
a very responsive journalist, i must say. he got right back to me.
it’s nice to see responsible journalism.
fawnskin mudpuppyNo Gravatar (16:05:53) :
i have been truly blessed.
i’ve just received an email from mr. tucker:
“Your comment is a one rare flower of its own, a heavenly design, coming from God’s beloved creature. May God bless you most abundantly. ”
Nicholas Tucker
Emmonak
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That is awesome Fawnskin! I am so happy for you, and blessed by a Elder!
fawnskin, now that you have Mr. Tucker’s email, how about we all post our warm thoughts for him and you compile and forward them? Just a thought — he may have dial up, probably doesn’t want his e-mail published, and we really shouldn’t pester that nice journalist to forward our emails for us? What say you?
Sorry, that should have read “all pester”. Not to imply that what you did was anything like that.
bubbles – Thanks for your post about listening closely. There have probably been a lot of comments between then and now but I haven’t caught up yet.
I sent an email to the Tundra paper immediately after reading NickTucker’s letter and requested they share it with him.
Listening closely and respect is what our friends need most. I haven’t commented much lately for fear of being misunderstood but will continue to send what I can, food, new ideas and moral support. So pleased to see Ann and Vic pursuing the future.
@ Crystal Wolf (15:45:37) “Muddpuppies, want to call your attention to a very important issue on Regina’s blog.”
http://palingates.blogspot.com/2009/03/oil-gas-and-village.html
————————————————–
Huge thumbs-up! Regina’s blog is beautifully researched and written. A must visit blog!
Lee323No Gravatar (17:29:54) :
@ Crystal Wolf (15:45:37) “Muddpuppies, want to call your attention to a very important issue on Regina’s blog.”
http://palingates.blogspot.com/2009/03/oil-gas-and-village.html
————————————————–
Huge thumbs-up! Regina’s blog is beautifully researched and written. A must visit blog!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yes…she is very meticulous and articulate like our AKM
Speaking of AKM, I hope she is doing better? Hope you are feeling better AKM
?
i would be very willing to email comments for mr tucker if it is the consensus of our alaskan bloggers that in doing so we show our respect.
could all of you do so?
i meant could all of you be so kind as to give me your input.
Fawnskin–holy mackeral! You have been given an amazing blessing by Mr. Tucker. I hope you feel virtual hugs from all of us for your kind heart.
SarahGates of Hell said Teal
“…Notice how none of these offerings have that added religious flavor…Just plain old fashion help!”
I’m late getting started reading the comments tonight so I am still at the top.
Isn’t that what the Bible says? When you do good to not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing.
If someone only helps because God makes them help and they have to, in effect admit as much publicly, is that really a sign of the depth of their faith?
Not to distract, but Ann Strongheart has posted some descriptions of Alaskan native cuisine involving fish, moose (Brian cover your ears) and seal, at anonymousbloggers.wordpres.com .
fawnskin mudpuppyNo Gravatar (17:55:24) :
i would be very willing to email comments for mr tucker if it is the consensus of our alaskan bloggers that in doing so we show our respect.
could all of you do so?
I think he knows, KNOWS, that he’s got “people”! He is after all a elder and they Know things…! I’m sure he felt the explosion and outrage we all felt when we saw that video and how GINO treated him. She owes him a BIG apology! In person, In Emmonak!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fawnskin, I would love to respond, but I don’t think I could add to what you’ve already wrote! You said what we would all like to say to Mr. Tucker…
OT. This would have been appropriate on the prior post. But, should be fun to see the clever mudpuppy ideas for a Rush billboard–very near his house.
http://www.democrats.org/page/s/submitslogan
Peaceful Granny
“Slightly OT: I’ve been researching cold weather GreenHouses”
Be sure to look at reflective mylar film. Line the green house with thin highly reflective surface to catch sunlight and heat and keep it bouncing back and forth across the plants. Also helps keep heat in.
You might look at http://www.mirrorsheeting.com, Nielson Enterprises.
I used it on the windows in the trailer I rented in NE Maine. Reflected out in the summer (even in Maine a tin box on a pile of gravel in full summer sun gets up near 100 deg.) and flipped the sheets over and reflected in this last winter. It was still too cold for this Texas gal (I gave a whole new meaning to the concept of dressing in layers ((indoors no less)), but it raised the temp from 5 to 10 degrees inside the trailer on sunny days.
@ fawnskin – how cool is that!
@ michigander
I did too – as soon as I read his response to the Gov, I wrote the paper and asked them to forward the message
I think it would be wonderful for you to forward our thoughts to him (as long as we don’t overwhelm him).
For myself, I have enormous respect for the man. What the exchange between Mr Tucker & the gov showed me, was the dignity he has, while also showing the lack of same by the gov. He came out way ahead in my book.
Nan
Ugashik and Pilot Point district map. You have to zoom in to find them – they are right about in the center of the Lake & Peninsula Borough.
http://www.elections.alaska.gov/maps/districts/dist37.pdf
Nunam Iqua district map – they are in the very bottom left corner.
You can also see many villages of the route of the Iditarod!
Marnie(18:27:08) : Marnie Ann S has a post about that you might want to post your idea over on this thread
http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com/cold-weather-gardeninghelp/
ooops… here’s the link
http://www.elections.alaska.gov/maps/districts/dist40.pdf
You guys are awsome…Youv’e certainly bought attention to Alaska..That is a GOOD thing…Love your blog…God Bless ya all..
Queen Taliban Gino is testing the waters to see what her approval rating is in Alaksa. Here in Southeast Alaska some of my friends have been getting automated phone calls doing the survey. It seems it is being originated out of Washington DC, a 202 area code. Thanks InJuneau for letting me know where it originated from.
She most likely won’t run against Senator Murkowski, Lisa Murkowsi is doing a very good job at being our Senator….it would be a hard sell to Alaskan’s. She knows she has to be in some level of State Government….State Governor to be seriously considered as a nomination. Our goal needs to be in the Alaska Primary, we knock her, Queen Taliban Gino, to the moon!!! Don’t even want to see her name on the ballot in the General Election.
@ Women Who Run With The Wolves
Thanks for reminding me – I forgot to post that we got that poll call re: Sarah Palin. My husband was yelling NO NO NO at the top of his voice! He had some other words, too – but the auto response wasn’t programmed for those (heh heh). He said it was definitely a pro Palin poll, but they sure didn’t find a pro Palin household here.
This from the Alaska Ear/ADN about the phone poll:
http://www.adn.com/politics/story/706282.html
["ONE WORD ... A Juneau earwig reports as follows: "Thursday evening, 2-26-2009, about 6:20 p.m. I got a one question political poll: do you have a favorable opinion of Governor Sarah Palin? Once I said "no" there were no further questions."
Darlings, if you know what that was all about, give Ear a shout-out."]
My guess the poll originates with SarahPac. Testing the waters.
Me thinks Greta is in bed with SP…Weird stuff going on there…
@ fawnskin
IF you do a collaborative letter, here is mine. If not, I will send to Mr. Tucker because he deserves to know that we care.
Dear Mr. Tucker – You have touched the lives of many people, in Alaska and around the world, through your published letters. There are a great number of us who have HEARD you loud and clear, even if the state has not. The Governor will be gone in a year and a half, and we will still be here listening to you, if you will continue to talk to us and tell us what “outsiders” can do to help.
I’m Alaskan, but I’m still an outsider because I do not know village life. Nor did my Aleut grandmother, who was removed from her village near Kodiak as a young child by a Russian Family. In her memory, I am dedicated to helping rural Alaska in any way that I can.
Thank you again for you letters, although I am sorry that they were born of sorrow and worry. Because of your letters, I have met some of the most wonderful Alaskans living in the bush who tell me of their lives while we share ideas about how to help bush villages thrive once more. I have “adopted” a small family in Nunam Iqua in order to help this family help their own village. I would adopt you as my grandfather if I could!
a couple of OT things of note –
- HuffPo has a nice piece about MichelleO serving food at a soup kitchen today, with photos. I couldn’t help but compare that to GINO’s ‘humanitarian mission’ … Michelle stressed the importance of service, do what you can to help … What a contrast.
- (where did I see this?–HuffPo, I think) 9 Repub senators voted with the Dems against John McCain’s proposed amendment to the omnibus budget bill – 9 out of 42! Guess who one of the 9 was?–our very own Lisa Murkowski.
Good Evening All,
What a day. Sorry I couldn’t be online today. #1 The weather was REALLY REALLY bad, COMPLETE absolute WHITE OUT conditions, couldn’t even see the snow machine outside the window only 10 feet away. #2 Then we had two men go missing. One for 8 hours another for 4 hours. Had to stay off the phone line in case they decided to try to send out search and rescue. My hubby is the first one they call for search and rescue.
So anyway, all is well now. We are snuggled up inside, trying not to drive each other crazy while CC is very much getting over her illness and is CONSTANTLY demanding to go for a snow machine ride, not understanding the weather. ALL day she has been blowing sort of like raspberries which is her imitation of a snow machine motor kind of a wet brrrmmmm brrrmmm. So she’s getting tired of being cooped up inside too.
I am exhausted from pacing and worrying and trying to clean and cook and watch CC and finish my book all at the same time. So I am off for the night! Good Night all!!!
Quyana Again Mudpups for all of your help and support!!
Ann Strongheart
Nunam Iqua Food Drive
c/o Ann Strongheart
P.O. Box 7
Nunam Iqua, AK 99666
nunamiquayouth(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com/
@Martha Unalaska Yard Sign
Well I am starting to feel a little left out! I still haven’t recieved that phone call….ya’ll know I am just waiting for it!
Everytime they try to dial my number a, “Danger, Danger, Warning” sign must flash….and they realize there just may be a crazy woman on the other end of the phone line. . . That’s my reasoning for no phone call from area code 202.
@Fawskin Mudpuppy – yes possum fur and pelts are lovely and warm – and “politically correct” too what’s more. Here is my feedback:
Dear Mr Tucker
Thank you for bringing the plight of Alaskan remote villages to the world stage (along with the various blogs – especially the Mudflats blog). I realise that reaching out must have been a very difficult option for you and have the utmost respect that you spoke out when you did and served the villagers so well in their time of need.
I too was outraged by Gov. Palin’s dismissal and highly disrespectful demeanour towards you. Here, our village elders are Kaumatua, and any politician behaving like that towards them would be taken to task in all media arenas (and most likely made to resign). Mrs Palin may not realise that the world’s eyes are firmly upon her over this matter and that she has embarrassed Alaska and Alaskans (bloggers excluded) in her shoddy response to you.
Peace and prosperity be with you Mr Tucker and bless you from as far away as New Zealand. And “ehara koe i a ia” (lucky we have you).
Warmest regards
Cathy in New Zealand
@Ann – I finally found Nunam Iqua on Google Earth – a little shiver down my spine to see where you actually live – as in it makes me feel more connected.
@ Bardette
Your letter is lovely! Since I hadn’t heard back from fawnskin (and we Alaskans always appear to stay up later due to the time differences), I just now emailed my letter to Mr. Tucker using the Tundra Drums “contact us” link. I just asked the paper to forward it to Mr. Tucker since I did not have his email address.
Thank you for writing!
new thread
Ann I saw your comment too late. Poor you and CC for being cooped up. I don’t think I would have coped (years ago) with 2 kids under 2 years without being able to take them outside to burn off energy.
A uniquely New Zealand (and cool) indoor toy is heading CCs way.
Martha UYS – you are most welcome. I truly feel that Western societies have trashed their elders for too long.
The Maori here in NZ could teach people a thing or two (or a million).
Other societies (esp. places like Japan) treat their elders with respect. It’s one of my biggest bugbears! I spent many of my nursing years caring for older adults. I HATE the term “geriatric” and refuse to use it. Don’t get me started on that issue – I’d have to take over the whole blog.
Mutter… mutter… mutter…
@ Bardette
Ditto, ditto, ditto!
guys and gals… Nicks email has been on AB for over a month
@Women Who Run With The Wolves (18:50:06) : and Martha Unalaska Yard Sign (19:04:38) : and CRFlats (19:36:28) :
I GOT THAT CALL TONIGHT. Yeah, it wouldn’t recognize the word I kept saying before “NO”, so I had to keep going back and just saying “NO”. It asked about whether I supported what GINO was doing (NO); if in spite of the liberal bashing of her I would support her for reelection (H*** NO, it would only recognize NO (LOL)); if I thought marriage should just be between one man and one woman (NO); have I ever donated $ to a political campaign, church, or civic organization (well, duh, YES), if I was male, if I was over 50 (no to both). It was funded by some group called AmericansInContactPAC. I think I might just have to go and search out their website to see what’s up, assuming they don’t make me register to do so!
AND, to be ON topic–way to go Nick Tucker! I’d read his letter earlier today on the Arctic Sounder site, but I also saw the story on it tonight on KTUU. All I have to say is, what a amazing Native Elder he is, and what a dork we have for GINO.
Well, well, well… how in the bejeebeez did they get my number?
AICPAC
Mission Statement
The mission of Americans in Contact PAC (AICPAC) is to identify social and fiscal conservatives throughout America and engage them at the Grassroots level in the political process of elections and legislation at all levels of Government (local, county, state and federal).
The goal of Americans in Contact PAC (AICPAC) is to identify the political opinions and preferences of the 120,000,000 homes in America that are contained in proprietary databases to which AICPAC has access.
The vision of Americans in Contact PAC (AICPAC) is to activate, educate, mobilize, as well as turnout to vote, those it has identified to support an “One Nation Under God,” that will “hold certain truths to be self-evident and support the fact that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776)
Interestingly, AmericansInContactPAC uses a company called ccAdvertising to do their polling. One of ccAdvertising’s OTHER clients in none other than… the Alaska Republican Party! (and Starbucks, the Washington Capitals, Burger King, Answers in Genesis (WTF?), McDonald’s, Americans for Tax Reform, Absintence Clearinghouse (?), and any number of others including quite a few congressmen/women). Make of that what you will…
OT …….this article is about the out of control Mexican drug lords and their connections in the United States which is of major concern. I wonder which corrupt bastards are going to get their butts busted under the Obama administration. Let it rip. Get rid of them. Clean house.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/03/20093519328243356.html
“Drug trafficking in the United States is fueled by the phenomenon of corruption on the part of the American authorities,” he said on Wednesday.”
“It is not an exclusively Mexican problem, it is a common problem between Mexico and the United States,” he said.
“I want to know how many American officials have been prosecuted for this [corruption].”
But he said recent talks with Barack Obama, the US president, had provided “a clearer, more decisive response, one which matches the magnitude of the problem which we face,” he said.
This is why Palin does not want to support or have dialog with the Natives, she must view them as the enemy. And wow, listen…….this is good! Salazar met with a large group of AK Natives. This makes me feel much better. There is hope.
Awe, he says he’s so happy now he could dance for two days……that’s cool.
http://aprn.org/2009/03/04/alaska-natives-weigh-in-on-offshore-drilling-with-the-obama-administration/
Species recognized as needing protection are put on a candidate list of 200 and they don’t get onto the Endangered Species list because they don’t have time? And the state of AK uses the excuse of not transfering those from the “purgatory” list to Endangered is because “so few petitions” are received. I wonder how true that is.
Senate clears way for changes in Endangered Species Act
Thu, March 5, 2009
Posted in Alaska News, Top Stories
The Senate has cleared the way for the Obama Administration to reverse changes made to the Endangered Species Act under President Bush. Today the Senate voted down an amendment sponsored by Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich that would’ve slowed down the reversal process.
http://aprn.org/2009/03/05/senate-clears-way-for-changes-in-endangered-species-act/
Somehow I missed this thread the last day or so AND time is flying by.
Couple of things – I have had an offer for housing and to wave the cost of the conference in Fairbanks March 15-18. We are part way there!
Airfare is the biggest challenge so far. (so everyone is aware although I am trying to start things in our area of AK I am also keeping in mind how we can help Ann’s area – about 1000 miles north of us. See the gardening ‘thread’ on the anonymous bloggers if you want to join the discussion – it is ACTIVE:-)
On our NPR interview – you heard it right; $22,000 to heat and generate our own power. The village I live in, Ugashik, does not have a grid so we each produce our own power. We do have a small windmill and battery back up system we bought 3+ years ago. We figure it saves us about 1/3 on fuel so you can imagine what it would be without it:-)
Our house is a two story, less than 1000 sq ft home. Overall it is warm and well insulated. We do need to replace two windows, scheduled for this summer which should help some. The biggest imporvement was getting drafts plugged the last two years with foam and other draft prevention things.
The house is about 20 years old and in good condition so that helps. We also have done a number of things to cut down on our energy use of all kinds.
I have seen homes this past winter that make ours look like a palace when it comes to warmth and draft free.
Also I can’t find it but believe there was the question raised on if our schools have interactive video conferenceing?
Yes, but it is brand new as of this fall. Our borough is looking to see if we can tap into it as it involves using a governement Internet rate called an ‘e rate’ meant for schools only. Our borough is over 350 miles long so getting to a borough meeting means a 2 day and more than $500 to attend one. We would all love to have the system so more people could interact.
We are looking at if there is a need for a federal exception made where interacitve goverement groups – like our schools which are partly funded by our borough, be able to use the rate too.
Also we were able to a quick run to PIP yesterday and get food unpacked and out.
Had over 225 pounds of food out to residents. I will get an updated list of the boxes we have gotten so people can check to see if their’s arrived.
Trying to stay up since my computer died a day or so ago. Am fighting with my husband for his:-)) Sent him off for a nap- been a sick pup the last day or so- so I could checkup.
THANKS for all your support and ALL the ways you have encouraged Ann and I.
Victoria
OK – catch up from the March 5th of these post.
Let me clarify a few things;
Jordon K – at the L&P Borough is brand new!! The man before him was very good with what all he did in his job and was a great help in getting things accomplished in the borough.
Please remember L& P Borough operates off a VERY low tax base and as a whole is very business friendly.
The Ugashik Watershed is a group I have never heard of a meeting for. Please remember that Pilot Point Tribal is based in their village and very involved in helping the residents.
Ugashik Tribal Council is based in Anchorage with only 2 of 5 members even living in the state. As of this past year we have one who lives in the village but the years previous we did not. They, as a whole, are more involved in tribal matters that take their focus elsewhere.
On importing most of the cannery, lodge and guide workers. As far as I know most companies give preference to residents but most are tied up fishing or in support work.
Our population swells in the summer by untold numbers. Our hub town of King Salmon/Naknek has about 500 year around residents and we bring in 15,000 people to fish and work the industry. NO one who wants to work or can work in the summer is jobless but that only last about 8 weeks at the longest.
Most of our process workers are minimum wage jobs and full time residence do things that they can earn more and use a skill for.
Let me keep reading and will update as I can.
Victoria
Announcement!
Victoria is back in business on a lap top. Hubby got my laptop “blown out” and it seems to have solved the over heating issue.
The hard drive is toast so will send it in to try and pull info off.
We happen to have another hard drive, from attempts to repair a friends laptop earlier in the year, and put it to work.
So far, so good.