Update from Rural Alaska
Alaska State Troopers unloading food and supplies in Nunam Iqua.
April 1, 2009
Update from Nunam Iqua
Happy APRIL FOOD’S Day!
Wow, have I had a horrible bout of illness lately. First, my daughter CC started off with it, and decided she had to share it with me and Hubby. First a nasty head/chest cold, and then a stomach bug. I am slowly, very SLOWLY recovering.
Despite being sick it has been very busy here in Nunam. First off, we had our annual Potlatch March 20 and 21, with about 100-150 guests from the surrounding villages. Attendance was much lower than I expected. I am guessing it had something to do with high fuel costs. It isn’t cheap to jump on your snow machine and travel 50-100 miles to surrounding villages for their potlatches when gas is at $7.20 or more a gallon.
I will talk more about our potlatch and include lots of pictures in a “Potlatch Story” I hope to start working on when I get some more energy back. For now, I can only do this update. Give me a little bit more time to fully recuperate and then I’ll work on a couple other posts, including one with a map of the United States, showing every state we have received donations from!
OK, so if I haven’t been just resting trying to get over this crumby crud,what have I been doing? (Believe me, I would have much rather been resting but you know what they say “No rest for the weary!”)
Last week Nunam Iqua received over 4,600 (Yes, that’s right. Four THOUSAND, six hundred) pounds of food that was airlifted out here by wonderful volunteers with the Civil Air Patrol, and Alaska State Troopers! This food was from Rep. Jay Ramras’ efforts. So fever and all, I received the call that they were coming, and like a crazed, (or maybe Tylenol fever induced) headless chicken, I start scrambling; calling tons of volunteers, finding people with snow machines and sleds and MUSCLES to help bring the food to the Community Hall, then finding even more volunteers to help sort and distribute it.
What a first day that was. We received 2,700 lbs that we sorted and distributed to 39 families here in a little over four hours. Praise the Lord for all my wonderful volunteers that day!! They braved the elements. It was only 3 degrees outside, and not a whole lot warmer in the Community Hall because it had run out of stove oil and was quite cold. But we did it and I was very impressed by the community too, every household managed one way or another to come down and get their boxes of food and we didn’t have to deliver any that day!
So what did we get? I am sure y’all are wondering! It was marvelous!! We received fresh milk (wow can’t remember the last time I had fresh milk!!) cheese, butter, eggs, lots of yogurt, canned fruits and veggies, pasta, rice, crackers, peanut butter, jelly, soup, canned meats, snacks etc.
Between the three days of distribution, every family here received about 150 lbs of food. The outpouring of gratitude from the families was simply amazing! I heard many many people comment that they were running out of food, and that this was just perfect timing. I suspect most were running low from feeding the many guests that came in for potlatch.
We even received toilet paper, and LOTS of diapers. So many diapers in fact, that I have a surplus now of the in-between sizes that we currently don’t have any babies that are wearing those sizes now. But we will, as a new resident of Nunam Iqua was just born last week, and she’ll be needing those diapers in a few months. Plus, there are several other new arrivals due to arrive over the course of this year. I think maybe there are 5-7 expectant mothers here in Nunam right now.
OK back to the update… In addition to the 4,600 lbs we received from Rep. Ramras, we also received 175 lbs in the mail:
1 HUGE box of YARN from St. Louis , MO
1 box from Palmer, AK
1 box from Washington DC
1 box from Woodinville, WA Quyana Winzelhexli!
3 boxes from Portland , OR
2 boxes from San Antonio , TX
2 boxes from New York , NY
Quyana Cakneq Mudpups and Anonymous Bloggers! Especially to or not-so-Anonymous Blogger AKM, (thanks to the underhanded behavior of Rep. Mike Doogan). If it weren’t for AKM sharing Mudflats with those of us in Rural Alaska, we would be suffering in cold, hungry silence. I, along with many rural Alaskans will never be able to thank you enough, AKM!
OK, I need to climb on my soap box here for a minute.
Normally, I refrain from making comments on Alaska politics BUT… I am truly ashamed of Mr. Doogan’s actions. It sickens me when people, especially elected government officials, think that they can just stomp all over a private citizen’s rights. There are so many of us, past and present, that have pledged years of our lives to serve this country by joining various branches of the military. We left our friends and families to serve and protect, only to come home and watch politicians piss those rights away. How many thousands and thousands of Americans have paid the “ultimate price” to protect our country and its rights, just to watch backwards, hateful, hypocritical politicians stomp all over those rights we fight/fought so hard to protect? It’s very sad. I seriously think that our elected officials need a lesson on exactly what they are supposed to be representing. You know, things like… hmm… maybe the Bill of Rights, the US Constitution, the Declaration of Independence …didn’t we all learn about those in school??
With that I leave you with one of my favorite lines in the Declaration of Independence:
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
Which to me translated basically says: When we the people know that something is wrong and we have the ability to change it, we then have the RESPONSIBILITY to challenge our governments and insist change to protect our future and our children’s futures.
In my humble opinion, THAT is exactly why we need people like AKM, and anonymity, as a necessary means to keep our government and its officials in check! OK, I am stepping down off of my soap box now.
Quyana Cakneq AKM and Mudpups and Anonymousbloggers!!! Please don’t forget to visit us at Anonymous Bloggers and help up come up with long term solutions to hopefully prevent this type of crisis from happening in Rural Alaska again.
Quyana Cakneq,
Ann “Qasqanayak” Strongheart
Nunam Iqua Food Drive
c/o Ann Strongheart
P.O. Box 7
Nunam Iqua, AK 99666
nunamiquayouth(at)yahoo(dot)com
[Addendum] Due to circumstances beyond my control aka Redoubt our mail here as pretty much completely stopped. There have been no planes going to or coming from Anchorage which of course is the only way we receive mail here in Nunam Iqua. So please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see an update with your boxes listed. I haven’t received any boxes since last Wednesday thanks to Redoubt 
I guess we all have to take a back seat to Mother Nature.
Sorting food into boxes at Nunam Iqua's Community Hall.
I am very, very glad.
Any updates on the other communities? Any townships still in need besides Nunam Iqua?
Awesome, absolutely awesome. Let me be the first (heh heh) to congratulate Rep. Ramras’ efforts to alleviate a desperate situation. He knows the importance of supporting all of his fellow citizens.
(rats) I second 0whole1; anyone else need a lot of help?
We have an update from Victoria who is distributing food in Ugashik and Pilot point. She will also be attending the NPFMc salmon bycatch meeting in Anchorage this week and speaking on behalf of Ann’s village, as well as her own.
http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/vic-ann-salmon-bycatch-gardening-more/
Way to go Ann !! Glad you’re doing better.
Waving to Ann. Hope you are feeling better!
great work – !! thanks so much for sending us some news from Nunam
What a great update! Hope everyone is on the road back to better health, Ann!
Ann, thanks for the update. It is great news to know that the help is still coming. I hope you feel better soon, and that your mother does as well.
The soap box was well done, and I agree with you wholeheartedly.
An extremely wonderful update, except for the lingering illness…. feel better!
I spoke about you today, with regard to the work that this blog has done to help you in your quest to feed the hungry there. When I say it all out loud, it seems so surreal and so incredibly powerful. Thank you for all you do.
Hooray for Jay, Ann and all the Mudpuppies !!!!
OT on a happy thread, but reposting from last:
CBC’s “As it Happens” was all over Alaska again tonight — ADN reporter Richard Mauer on Ted Stevens.
The segment probably started about 7:30 local time (Atlantic) and will cycle thru the time zones. You can listen at the appropriate time here: http://www.cbc.ca/radio/
Ann~ God Blss ya..Sooo good to hear your feeling better..You are a very cool lady..I sre Alaska appreciates what you’ve been doing.. Unlike some people there…(((HUGS))) to ya..:)
Ann take care from all of us in the lowe 48! And thanks AKM for being here for all of us.
OT but worth the viewing:
Shepherd Smith on Beck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9JE5SBm9UU
Colbert on Beck:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/01/stephen-colbert-rips-apar_n_181673.html
Beck continues his crying act:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuV1XG517cc&feature=related
What great news for Nunam! Ann, I hope you didn’t make yourself sicker, but as you say, no rest for the weary when the weary have shouldered such awesome responsibiities. Thank you!
Such Great News!
Hope Ann feels better soon.
Well at least there is one member of the legislature to be very very proud of. Thank you rep Ramras. Thanks to the Civil Air Patrol and Alaska Troopers too. Nice to know that there are civic-minded people other than anonymous bloggers and hard working village folks and mudpups with capes.
I am glad to hear you were able to be provided with some FRESH food, not just dried/canned stuff!
Yeah Mr. Ramras, C.A.P. and A.T.!!! You all rock!!! (And you show you care w/o having to be prompted and w/o having to prosyletize like *SOME*one aptly named GINO…)
Hope you feel better soon, Ann!
Ann I am really glad you mentioned the price you have to pay for fuel.
Most people just have no idea what “rural” communities have to pay for their commodities.
They think city life is expensive!! It doesn’t even come close.
7.20 a gallon?! Jehosaphat!
Two boxes of yarn were sent on the same day, so you should be getting another one soon.
A. Nonny Moose
I just saw on the side of one box “Eggs – perishable – Keep Refrigerated”
That just cracks me up!
Nan
who really doesn’t get out much…
If I’m not mistaken, the Potlatch is where we get the word (and the concept) “potluck” from.
Praise the Lord that more and more people are bringing in food! We will always have to deal with people like Doogan, Palin, Stevens, and their ilk, but as long as we exercise our freedom of speech to communicate the needs of others, we will be able to keep helping those who need it. Way to go Bloggers!!!
It’s always to so wonderful to read your posts and hear the latest news from there. I’m sorry you have been ill and so glad you’re feeling better.
We left our friends and families to serve and protect, only to come home and watch politicians piss those rights away. How many thousands and thousands of Americans have paid the “ultimate price” to protect our country and its rights, just to watch backwards, hateful, hypocritical politicians stomp all over those rights we fight/fought so hard to protect?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amen Sister!
PS I like your soapbox.
OT but the Senate has rejected Gruesomedorf! =)
Ann, hope you & the family feel ‘much’ better soon…another box from Berkeley too also
Dorfy rejected by Senate Democrats! Whoo Hooo
Thats good news. Now, do they have a say so over the AG? Can they overturn GINO’s choice on “that one”?
yes Blooper and empish, YES! sanity prevails! Justice prevails!
http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2009/04/grussendorf-is-rejected.html
Lori: Hopefully this is not a cruel practical joke, heh.
Ann, I have been following your situation on Mudflats and the update is encouraging. Your joy and loving spirit are so evident in your words. I hope your recovery and warmer weather come quickly….and, of course, a long term and respectful solution for rural Alaska.
OT, KO to report on Palin announcing she would have accepted the speaking engagement if they had waited for her.
So true what Ann said; young men and women in military who fight for the freedom of citizens to be able to express their opinions, and anonymously, too.
KO misled…….it was Meg Staple…. who put out a statement that Palin Probably would have said yes if they waited. Keith is questioning why she is going to the Indiana events.
@ 0Whole1 and CO Almost Native and anyone else …
YES there are other villages that need help. Please visit http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/alakanukanother-village-in-need-askes-for-help/
and
http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com/another-village-in-need-of-help/
for information on Alakanuk and Pilot Point and Ugashik who all need help, especially Pilot Point and Ugashink they have no store
Quyana,
Ann “Qasqanayak” Strongheart
Dog Salmon it ate my comment!!!
Ok for those of you that want to help other villages visit:
http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com/another-village-in-need-of-help/
LOL oops no it didn’t there must be a lag SORRY for the double post!
Jumping up and down, eager for a new thread!
The Senate Dems voted against Grussendorf (don’t know how Lyman Hoffman, his boss and my Senator voted – but he did say that he’d most likely support whomever she appoints? WTH?)
How will this fall out with the AG appointment and the Stimulus vote due Friday?!!!
Myron Naneng of AVCP, the region’s social non-profit is really out for Palin on anything and everything (much like she reads) cause he’s really ticked at her response to the energy crisis to date – but he wasn’t happy with the BOG appointments not including Natives in the beginning – and the AFN board just voted to oppose WAR.
Will the Cookie-Ambassador-of-Goodwill (but not State Resources) to-her-Third-World-Citizens-living-in-poverty/cold-and-hungry pass the Compassionate Conservative Governor test in Iowa and beyond?
That little cutie on your avatar is always worth seeing again, Ann. Glad to see you are doing better and that some things are still getting there, via special delivery. I keep wondering when your next shipment of fuel may be due. Will it have to wait until spring thaw? Gas here in northern ID is still sitting at $1.94 per gal and I keep wondering how to send you some, but don’t think it would go through the mail and now with Mt. Redoubt doing the rumble dance, I will give up that thought. And go to work visualizing long term solutions…or at least a better way to help you get supplies stored up this summer, so next winter is not a repeat of this one. Many blessing and give that little cutie a hug, also the big cuties…all those great volunteers.
Thank you for the update Ann and your words in regards to AKM moved me to tears. May the Lord bless all of you. Take care of yourself sweetie.
Hugs and lots of love (o:
AKM, Ann and all of you mudflatters are an inspiration. You all show that the spirit of the United States is alive and well. Hopefully all this collaboration will lead to sustainable solutions. Here is to being able to live as our founders wanted us too.
I sent a case of pasta… did it not arrive?
http://thepoliticalcarnival.blogspot.com/2009/04/todd-palin-couldnt-give-rats-ass-about.html
I’m guessing you guys already saw this, but just in case… Toddry gave an interview. We now know he couldn’t give a rat’s ass about clothes.
OT, but Cliff Groh has a great post on the Stevens “vacation”. http://alaskacorruption.blogspot.com/
Ann, you continue to amaze me! Bless your kind and loving soul.
Dorf has been rejected! see progressivealaska.blogspot.com
“There are so many of us, past and present, that have pledged years of our lives to serve this country by joining various branches of the military. We left our friends and families to serve and protect, only to come home and watch politicians piss those rights away. How many thousands and thousands of Americans have paid the “ultimate price” to protect our country and its rights, just to watch backwards, hateful, hypocritical politicians stomp all over those rights we fight/fought so hard to protect?”
Amen, Sister!
None of the “backwards, hateful, hypocritical politicians” ever served. The list is so long…………Bush , Cheney , right on down the sorry ass line.
Good news. Glad to see so many putting new meaning into “Yes We Can!”
Feel better, Ann and family!
OT: Re: An interesting pair of comments about AICPAC and the push polls in Ohio / Newhampshire by ‘inmyopinion’ posted at 03:27 PM on 03/31/2009.
“Just checked Alaska campaign law, and “Groups” (including PACs) and ‘non-group entities” that are based outside of Alaska — such as this particular PAC — are prohibited from donating to candidates. Period. Not one cent is allowed. A poll that is conducted, a push-poll, no less, by a PAC with an explicit expressed goal of re-electing Sarah Palin is an absolutely illegal campaign contribution.”
Interesting, if it’s true.
OT OT
Excellent article at Alaska Dispatch:
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/tundra-talk/9-talk-of-the-tundra/1093-war-on-wildlife
‘WAR’ on wildlife?
by Mark Richards
…….”This hunter hopes things don’t get even worse.”
Mark Richards is co-chair of Alaska Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
http://www.alaskabackcountryhunters.org –
“We are for prudent fish and wildlife management based on what’s best for the ecosystem as a whole.”
——–
Mark lives on the Yukon, not too far from me. He presents a good take on resource management, with a few choice political zingers thrown in too!
My dear Ann,
You can get up on that soapbox and preach to me until the cows come home!
You betcha!
Ann….thanks for the update. As usual, very interesting and informative. Hope you get to feeling yourself again soon. Your “soapbox” comments were spot on, especially from your military background perspective.
Thanks also to Rep. Jay Ramras’ efforts in mobilizing the food drive. That demonstrates a real “servant’s heart.” See the need and get it done. No huge media and photo-op event like Betty Off Her Crocker Palin.
Dammit!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was out shopping for CC clothes and the update was posted while I was out. In other words, dammit dammit! I didn’t get to make my rural AK update jokes! Oh, I forgot – those were poop jokes I was making about Palin and DooMan. Well, I’m sure I could still come up with some fourth grade jokes about the bush just to keep things lively (as though I really need to help along the LIVELY lines w/ Ann Strongheart around!).
Ann – your update was full of cheer, and good humor, The thankfulness for the abundance of support for your village came through loud and clear – even when you are sick, the light which you shine on our world comes through and illuminates the whole room! My heart sings for the grace you have bestowed on my urban life by bringing your village into my world. We LOVE you, Ann!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and we love CC and Segundo and the Postmistress, too!).
Proper use of punctuation is completely overrated.
Martha UYS–You are FUNNY, girl!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rep. Ramras ROCKS!
Oops. It woulda’ helped if I had mentioned which story, re: my comment #52 , wouldn’t it? Haha…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/geoffrey-dunn/huffpo-exclusive-right-wi_b_180283.html
A map with the states that have sent food. I’d have hoped that all 50 had sent food by now.
You did all that while you were sick?????? What are you made of? I would have been whimpering in my bed feeling sorry for myself and you went and organized food distribution?
I´m like so totally, over the hill, throug the looking glass and so on awed by you! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (for good measure tons of exclamation marks)