rural cap`s - Village Voices Newsletter
Transcription
rural cap`s - Village Voices Newsletter
RurAL CAP’s Village Voices WINTER 2008 4 2 3 Board President’s Message Executive Director’s Message He a RURAL CAP’S l y h t Pe o p le , Su Outmigration along the Iditarod Trail 6 Digital Television Conversion in February 2009 8 Sarah Scanlan named Deputy Director Village Voices s ta i n a b le Com ies, t i n mu Vi b r a n t C u ltures Developing socialization skills is an important part of Ketchikan Head Start Photo by David Hardenbergh RurAL CAP’s Message from the Board President: Energy Reflections RURAL CAP Board of Directors Executive Committee Andrew Ebona, President Mike Williams, Vice President Taqulik Hepa, Secretary/Treasurer Dr. Anthony Nakazawa, Committee Member Dina Rayburn, Committee Member Diane DiSanto, Committee Member Target Area Representatives Andrew Ebona, Alaska Native Brotherhood Boris Merculief, Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association Wassilie Bavilla, Association of Village Council Presidents, Inc. Ted Angasan, Bristol Bay Native Association Dina Rayburn, Child Development Policy Council Benna Hughey, Chugachmiut Robert Marshall, Copper River Native Association Steve Longley, Kawerak, Inc. Olga Malutin, Kodiak Area Native Association Louie Commack, Jr., Maniilaq Association Dr. Al Ketzler, Sr., Tanana Chiefs Conference Dewey Skan, Jr., Tlingit-Haida Central Council Private Sector Representatives Reverend David Fison, Alaska Christian Conference Mike Williams, Alaska Inter-Tribal Council Andy Harrington, Alaska Legal Services Corporation Dr. Anthony Nakazawa, Alaska Cooperative Extension Service Public Sector Representatives Representative Bryce Edgmon, Alaska Bush Caucus Paul Sugar, Alaska Dept. of Education & Early Dev. Rhonda McBride, Office of the Governor & Lt. Governor of Alaska Eleanor Yatlin, Huslia Tribal Council Diane DiSanto, Municipality of Anchorage Taqulik Hepa, North Slope Borough Ron Moto, Sr., Northwest Arctic Borough Bernice Joseph, University of Alaska by Andrew Ebona Many tribal governments, school districts, health clinics, and other businesses and organizations are looking at renewable energy solutions out of need — not choice. Rural Alaskans have an opportunity to become the leaders in implementing new and innovative technology for renewable energy. The cost of energy and other basic living expenses continues to increase. The extremely high costs of food, heating fuel, gas and propane are hurting rural Alaskans. Takotna residents, like many rural Alaskans, must purchase their heating fuel and gas in bulk before winter comes. They often buy only what they can afford, and as a result some may run out toward the end of winter. If it is a particularly cold winter, they may run out sooner. The residents of this community are fortunate in that they are able to replenish their supplies from McGrath if absolutely needed. Takotna is about a two-hour snow machine ride away or a ten minute flight from McGrath. Many remote rural Alaskan communities are not as fortunate to be near other communities and may be separated by sea, mountainous land, or extreme weather conditions. There are other challenges to accessing emergency sources of fuel. Temperatures in this area along the Iditarod Trail regularly drop to 48 below zero Fahrenheit in February, and most smaller air carriers do not travel at 40 below or colder. Delays due to extreme winter weather conditions are the norm for this and other areas of Alaska. Another challenge is that many of the fuel and air service providers doing business in remote rural Alaska have a monopoly on the market. The market is usually not large enough to support competition. 2 Monthly energy bills in remote rural Alaska are skyrocketing and as prices go up they stay up. According to a report by the Institute of Social and Economic Research, in mid-2007, “energy from fuel oil in Bethel was roughly four times more expensive than energy from natural gas in Anchorage.” Most people living in remote rural villages depend on fuel oil and electricity for heating their homes, whereas people in Anchorage rely primarily on natural gas, which is less expensive than fuel oil. Andrew Ebona, RurAL CAP Board President Basic Costs Comparison Nikolai 1 Quart Milk $3.75 18 eggs $6.75 1 Gallon Heating Fuel $6.00 1 Gallon Gas $6.75 1 Propane Tank $200.00 (100 lbs.) Takotna $3.75 $7.03 $4.20 $4.80 $250.00 McGrath $3.29 $6.00 $4.92 $5.73 $190.00 New and innovative technology for renewable energy sources include biomass, geothermal, hydroelectric, ocean (through tides), solar and wind. Utilizing these potential renewable energy sources is part of the long-term solution to solving the energy crisis in Alaska. These energy sources need to be studied and tested. The Alaska legislature is currently discussing ways to fund renewable energy options. Energy assistance programs or fuel subsidy programs are helping but are short-term in nature and cannot last forever. Power cost equalization helps electric utilities combat the high fuel costs, but electric utilities continue to rely on a fuel source that is non-renewable. Energy conservation is a big part of the solution to addressing the energy crisis. Communities are banding together to create regional energy co-ops to purchase fuel in bulk. Continued on Page 8... Village Voices WINTER 2008 Message from the Executive Director: AmeriCorps and VISTA Members “Get Things Done” David Hardenbergh, RurAL CAP Executive Director by David Hardenbergh While staying true to their mantra to ‘get things done’ in rural Alaska, AmeriCorps and VISTA members are making a huge difference in their communities. On February 1, 2008, I attended a ceremony to celebrate AmeriCorps members who completed their term of national service in Alaska and new AmeriCorps members sworn in to a year of service. Thirty-five new RurAL CAP AmeriCorps members and 10 new RurAL CAP VISTA members embarked on a year of service. RurAL CAP’s AmeriCorps programs respond to local concerns by designing and implementing appropriate local solutions. AmeriCorps members bring education, training, and services to their communities, while gaining valuable training, skills and experience working in their communities. They also earn an education award after completing their service. RurAL CAP supports three AmeriCorps programs and two VISTA programs across Alaska. In 2007, Ben Johnson, a second-year RAVEN AmeriCorps Member, won a $40,000 award from the Alaska Federation of Natives’ Alaska Marketplace competition. Ben’s project is to develop an alternative heating source from the large amounts of wood waste around Petersburg. Ben also created fertilizer out of compost for use with gardening and house plants. He, like many other AmeriCorps members, is working to create local solutions to local problems. Anna May Ferguson, a 2005 and 2006 BIRCH AmeriCorps member in Togiak, established the UNITY Youth Council, along with many other successful wellness initiatives involving youth. Anna May now mentors and supervises Rena Nanalook, the 2007-2008 AmeriCorps member in Togiak. Anna May currently works with the Traditional Council’s ICWA and Tribal Youth Court programs, in addition to serving as Advisor for the UNITY council. Many of RurAL CAP AmeriCorps and VISTA members are planning activities throughout the year in a community near you. Look for an upcoming health fair in or near your community. Thank you to the thousands of volunteers who have continued to help members with their projects to clean up waste, plan cultural activities, and create community plans. During the AmeriCorps ceremony, Roberta Blunka, a second-year BIRCH AmeriCorps member from New Stuyahok, said, “While serving as an AmeriCorps member, I quit smoking cigarettes and became more aware of making healthier choices in my lifestyle.” The AmeriCorps and VISTA programs help members to grow personally and professionally. They also make positive and lasting impacts in their communities. As we enter a new year, RurAL CAP applauds the difference AmeriCorps and VISTA members are making in their communities. RurAL CAP AmeriCorps & VISTA Programs Building Initiatives in Rural Community Health (BIRCH) AmeriCorps BIRCH AmeriCorps members help create healthy individuals and communities by assessing community needs, developing an awareness of resources, and identifying and teaching positive behaviors. Rural Alaska Village Environmental Network (RAVEN) Youth Development AmeriCorps RAVEN AmeriCorps members improve environmental conditions through youth education, pollution prevention, community clean-up efforts, energy conservation, recycling and other solid waste management projects across Alaska. Students In Service (SIS) AmeriCorps SIS AmeriCorps members address social and health issues, including domestic violence, suicide, alcohol and drug abuse, employment and training, teen pregnancy, corrections and juvenile delinquency, child development, child welfare, health, and vocational or other rehabilitation programs. VISTA Village Council Management Prog. (VCMP) VCMP VISTA members build administrative and management capacity of rural city and tribal councils through community planning and needs assessment, computer training, and proposal writing. VISTA Energy Program VEP members work to reduce the burden of energy costs in their rural communities, through projects like energy efficient education and home energy auditing. AmeriCorps Members at 2008 Oath of Service (Left to right, front row) Justin Katheak, Nome; Taren Jones, Quinhagak; Rose Alexie, Russian Mission; Roberta Blunka, New Stuyahok; Elana Habib, Anchorage; Keri Kane, Seward; Esther Yagie-Munson, Perryville; Brandy Christensen, Petersburg; Jennifer Belisle, Cooper Landing. (Second row) Elizabeth Steven, Kwigillingok; George Keene, Kasigluk; Deanna Etukmelra, Manokotak; Michelle Bell, Hooper Bay; Colleen Weter, Huslia; Anuska Sears, Manokotak; Amanda Paxton, Takotna; Keri Burk, Nenana; Alexa Moore, Chignik Lagoon; Ami McLelland, Sterling; Anabell Deutschlander, Seward. (Third row) Carrie Williams, Cooper Landing; Lanyce Smith, Tok; Charlene Tuluk, Chevak; Selina Sam, Huslia; Breanna Griechen, Pilot Point; Eliza Meier, Oscarville; Christine Grangaard, Tok; Nita Madsen, Executive Director of Alaska State Community Service Commission; Angelina Estrada-Burney of Dept. of Commerce, Community and Economic Dev. (Back row) Mabeleen Christian, Arctic Village; Ben Johnson, Petersburg; Keith Aguchak, Scammon Bay; Franklin Evan, Napakiak; Heidi Young, Naukati; Wanda Clark, Valdez; Amber Stephens, Seward; Sadie Ulman, Seward; Andy Bacon, Seward. 3 RurAL CAP’s Outmigration along the Iditarod Trail Trail through Takotna by Angela Gonzalez grew slowly or lost population between the 2000 Census and 2007. Of the 28 boroughs, 10 gained population between 2000 and 2007 (State of Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development recent release). Outmigration is a complex Alaskan issue. Small villages are shrinking and the impacts on Alaska are enormous. As the cost of living increases with few jobs and educational opportunities available, people are leaving Alaska’s smallest communities for urban areas like Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the Mat-Su borough. Many remote rural schools across Alaska are closing or on the verge of closing because of low enrollment. South of the Iditarod Trail is the Lime Village School. Once a bustling school, it closed its doors in the fall of 2007, because its enrollment dropped below 10 students. If a school has less than 10 students, the district loses significant state funds to keep the school open. Carole Absher of Takotna says, “we’re all feeling the pinch – no not pinch – squeeze” of the economy. The shelves of village stores are covered in dust, not from the typical dusty roads of villages but from lack of use. Schools are locking their doors for good and once overcrowded community centers are empty and dark. Until 1976 there were few high schools in rural areas, and students had to attend boarding schools far away from their homes to get an education. The Molly Hootch case revolutionized education in Alaska Native villages. The court ruled in the plaintiffs’ favor and 126 villages Current data tracking the outmigration of Alaskans from rural to urban areas indicates most of Alaska’s boroughs and census areas Population of Alaska by Labor Market Area, Borough and Census Area, 1990-2007 Area Name Net Migration (In-Out) 4/1/00 to 06/30/07 Anchorage Mat-Su Region Gulf Coast Region Interior Region Northern Region Southeast Region Southwest Region Alaska - TOTAL 4 17,025 -2,433 -1,496 -3,161 -7,404 -4,707 -2,176 Natural Increase (Births-Deaths) 4/1/00 to 06/30/07 Population Change 2000 to 2007 27,249 4,182 9,547 3,025 3,650 4,579 52,232 44,274 1,749 8,051 -136 -3,754 -128 50,056 Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section, and US Census 2000, 1990. were granted high schools. Students could stay with their families – learning valuable cultural traditions while also getting an education. Now things are changing again. Alan and Helen Dick moved to the Mat-Su area when the school closed in Lime Village in order for their grandson to attend school. Helen was born and raised in Lime Village and Alan has lived there for 41 years. They enjoy the rural way of life and the life they have built for themselves in Lime Village. If they had a choice, they would live there today, but their grandson needs to go to school. 100 miles north from Lime Village is Nikolai, a Dena’ina Athabascan village. The Iron Dog snow machine and the Iditarod Dog Sled races pass through this area. Helen and Alan Dick from Lime Village Village Voices WINTER 2008 Over the last 25 years Nikolai’s population has slowly dwindled from 150 to 75 people. Not only has the school enrollment dropped by 20% since 2004 for the Iditarod Area School District (IASD), but utility costs are rising at excessive rates which is putting additional pressure on schools. Joe Banghart, IASD Superintendent, says, “the cost of heating fuel has gone up 100% in the past three years.” Currently, 28% of the district’s budget goes to maintenance, including electricity, heat, water, and sewer utilities. The district is expecting a large increase in the cost of heating fuel for the 2008-2009 school year, and is forced to dip into reserves and consider staff cuts. Banghart says the school board has been working to come up with longterm solutions, including energy audits, renting unused space in schools, identifying alternative water wells, and using solar energy. Banghart says, “energy costs are hitting every citizen; it is not just a school issue.” Master hunting guide and Elder, Phillip Esai, is seeing less hunters because “gas is so expensive right now.” When fuel prices rise, everything else goes up. As airfares rise, travel drops, and freight increases push up the cost of food and other supplies. With fewer hunters, Esai’s business is down. John Runkle, Nikolai’s local advisory school board chairman, says, “people are moving away because there are not enough jobs to go around. For the most part, there are no opportunities for young people, and those 25 and younger have left for Anchorage or the Lower 48 for education and other job opportunities.” Agnes Tony, the tribal administrator for the Nikolai Edzeno’ Village Council, says, “If you don’t have income, it is hard to raise kids. You have to go elsewhere.” There are 11 students enrolled at the school in Nikolai. At the top of everyone’s mind in Nikolai is the student enrollment number. For the past few years the school has hovered just above 10 students; this raises annual concerns as to whether the school will remain open. “We’ll have to move if there is no school. I don’t think I can home school my children,” explains Tony. Will Thomas be able to continue his education in his community of Takotna? Phillip Esai’s son, Dan, says, “to live out here, you have to do different jobs like heavy equipment and construction.” Dan Esai works at the Nixon Fork mine on a ‘two and two’ schedule. His employer pays his way between Anchorage and the mine, and it is his responsibility to pay the $750 airfare to Nikolai. Paying that every two weeks is not reasonable for some. Nikolai resident, Nick Petruska, says, “with rising airfares, people cannot afford to go home. They end up living in Anchorage.” According to the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER)1, “Alaska Native women of working age are more likely to live in urban areas. The numbers of working-age Alaska Native men and women statewide are about equal. But in Anchorage, there are 14% more women and in remote areas 9% more men.” Working age is defined as those between the ages of 20 to 64, which includes a high number of women of reproductive age. Steve Colt, ISER’s Interim Director and Associate Professor of Economics, says the “overall number of births have dropped. That is the main reason there are population declines in some places. The total number of people is declining in some places, at least looking back 20-30 years.” Dan Esai says he would stay in Nikolai full-time if he had a “family and a good steady job” to keep him there. People may also be leaving villages to search for companionship and to start families. Further west on the Iditarod Trail is Takotna. The community was founded about 100 years ago and was the farthest place a steam boat could make it up the river. It served as a bustling supply center for the Iditarod and gold mining operations. Today, Takotna’s population has dwindled to around 50 people. There are a few full-time jobs with benefits and according to principal/teacher, Bob Absher, the “school provides most of the steady jobs.” Continued on Page 6... Denis Gardella, the principal/teacher, and his wife Joyce Gardella, the elementary teacher have only lived in Nikolai for a year and half, and have seen people leave because of lack of jobs. There are few full-time jobs with benefits. Joyce says, “everything else is piecemeal, part-time work for only 2-3 hours a day, and not that many jobs to go around.” Many jobs are temporary and/or seasonal. Denis says, “the school is not going to keep a village alive. People need to band together to survive and thrive.” Phillip Esai’s daughter, Jacqueline, is currently attending Yale Law School. Jacqueline thinks people move away because of lack of educational or career opportunities, and says, “That’s why I went to school. After that I will have to practice law in urban areas.” While Jacqueline does not see herself coming back to the village to live, she will definitely come back to visit family. Many small schools in Alaska are facing declining enrollment 5 RurAL CAP’s Continued from Page 5... Students like Laura have access to many of the same tools as those in urban areas, but their schools are facing low enrollment Nell Huffman, Takotna Tribal Council environmental coordinator and IASD school board member, says, “it is up to every community to keep schools open and to be proactive about it.” She’s worked with others in the community to develop solutions to outmigration. “If you live in Takotna for a year, you can apply for a community council membership and can receive one acre of land,” explains Huffman. The community hopes that this type of ingenuity will draw people to Takotna and curb outmigration in their region. Carole Absher, Takotna Tribal Council tribal administrator, says there are “part-time and seasonal jobs available, but full-time jobs with benefits are hard to come by.” The tribe is trying to bring jobs into the community one-by-one. Tribal members are securing funding to clean up the toxic waste located around Takotna. Absher says they are going to clean up “100 years of junk, including batteries, junk cars, old three- and four-wheelers.” A single job doesn’t sound like much but in a small village it can be the difference between a family staying or leaving, which can mean the school is open for another year. Elder David Miller thinks people leave after high school because “there’s not enough work in the village. They go to Anchorage and Fairbanks to find employment and better their education. But Takotna will always be here because there is still lots of hunting, fishing and trapping.” Farther down the Iditarod Trail, about 20 miles from Takotna, is McGrath. Even though McGrath is larger than Takotna and Nikolai with about 400 residents, the community suffers from outmigration too. Donne Fleagle moved to Anchorage in 2004 to spend time with family and to pursue career and educational opportunities. She is now the Acting General Manager of MTNT, Ltd., an Alaska Native Corporation representing McGrath, Takotna, Nikolai, and Telida. She has been commuting to McGrath from Anchorage since January 2008. Fleagle says younger people “want more opportunities personally and professionally, and employment opportunities must offer upward mobility.” Faced with a difficult situation, McGrath is taking the bull by the horns. Tilly Dull, McGrath Native Village Council tribal administrator, spoke about the “collaboration of different businesses and organizations that has created a strategic plan to create a good economy in order for people to survive.” They realize the cost of doing business and the cost of living is going up. The community will work together to update a plan established in 1981. A survey has been sent out to community members to determine the focus for the updated plan. Natalie Baumgartner, McGrath City Administrator, is creating a brochure to promote the businesses, organizations, and the community overall. Community members will work to create a solution that works for them. Businesses in the “community are trying to cope with the energy costs” in their own way, explains Dull. She goes on to say, “and it will take the involvement of a lot of people and creative ideas” to reverse outmigration. “I am hopeful for the future that things will turn around.” For centuries, many Alaska Natives were nomadic, moving from one place to another each season for survival. They often had winter and summer camps to subsist off the land. Migration is nothing new to Alaska Native communities. It’s just more complicated with the necessary requirements for a stable cash economy. It is apparent that communities need to proactively seek ways to decrease the rate of outmigration by increasing educational and career prospects. Each community has its own unique challenges and opportunities, and must create solutions that will work for them. Fleagle says the solutions are “going to involve leadership and recruitment of our children’s generation.” She says if we want them to remain in the villages and to come back, “we need to take our children’s ideas very seriously.” End Note: 1. Goldsmith, Scott. (2008, January). Understanding Alaska’s Remote Rural Economy: UA Research Summary No. 10. Institute of Social and Economic Research. Anchorage, Alaska. Available online at http://iser.uaa.alaska.edu/ Publications/researchsumm/UA_RS10.pdf Correction A previous issue of the Village Voices used the word “retired” in reference to the conclusion of Bill Hess’ role as editor. Please know that Bill Hess is actively working as a journalist, photographer, editor, and producer through his Running Dog Publications. Please contact Bill directly at 907-376-3535 for more information. 6 Welcome to Nikolai Village Voices WINTER 2008 Will you be ready for the Digital Television Conversion in February 2009? by Angela Gonzalez What is digital television (DTV) transition? In 2005, the federal government mandated all television broadcast stations transition from an analog to digital signal as a part of the deficit reduction act. The transition will take place on February 17, 2009, and will impact every station across the country. If you receive TV via an antenna and your TV is not digital, you will need to convert by February 17, 2009, in order to continue to receive programs after that date. For each analog TV you own, you need to decide how you will continue to receive programming after the transition. What are my options? 1. Buy a convertor box that will plug into your current TV; 2. Buy a TV with a digital tuner; or 3. Connect the analog TV to cable, satellite or other pay service. Many Alaskans pay for cable or satellite service, and the digital TV transition will not affect them. Why is it important for rural Alaskans to know about the digital conversion? Rural Alaskan households have a higher over-theair broadcast signal than urban areas. They are going to be hit hard by this change if they are not prepared. It is important for remote rural Alaskans to know there are resources out there to help them. What is the federal voucher program? This is a federally subsidized voucher program to offset the cost of the digital transition. Each household can get two vouchers worth $40.00 each to go toward the purchase of two separate digital converter boxes. Vouchers are given on a first come, first serve basis, not determined by income, and are only available until funds run out. The vouchers should come with instructions on Playing games at a school in Nikolai Sonia Kim at Crosby Volmer Digital Television Transition what converter boxes you may obtain and where you can purchase them. Rural Alaskans can buy them over the Internet or by phone. You will have to apply for the coupon first, then purchase the converter box once you receive the coupon. Where can I get more information? More information about the digital TV transition can be found online at www.DTV2009.gov or by calling 1-888-388-2009. The www.dtvanswers. com site is a one-stop shop with the most frequently asked questions, including important links on the voucher applications. If you would like to learn more about how to get the word out in your community, you may contact Sonia Kim at (202) 232-6799 or [email protected]. Sonia Kim is an account representative of the Crosby Volmer International Communications working on behalf of the National Association of Broadcasters on a nationwide outreach effort to inform the public about the upcoming switch to digital television (DTV) and the federally funded voucher program tied to the transition. Calendar Mark your calendars for upcoming conferences! For more information, visit RurAL CAP’s website: www.ruralcap.com Action in the Last Frontier Region 8 and 10 Community Action Conference May 28-30, 2008 Girdwood, Alaska 2008 Rural Providers’ Conference June 2-6, 2008 Copper Center, Alaska Leading Change: Blending Indigenous and Western Planning Tools October 1-3, 2008 Marriott Anchorage Downtown Announcement View RurAL CAP’s 2007 Annual Report at: www.ruralcap.com 7 RurAL CAP’s Village Voices WINTER 2008 Reflections RurAL CAP names Sarah Scanlan Deputy Director Energy Continued from Page 2... Photo by Chris Arend by Angela Gonzalez The Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc. (RurAL CAP) recently named Sarah Scanlan as Deputy Director. In addition to her responsibilities for program planning, implementation and evaluation, she will also oversee administrative, development, and communications functions, serve as a member of the senior management team, and act as an external liaison for the agency. Sarah will also be the editor of RurAL CAP’s Village Voices newsletter. “I am excited about joining RurAL CAP because of its dedication to tracking measurable outcomes of those it serves and its effectiveness in the delivery of services,” said Scanlan. Scanlan most recently served as the Deputy Director for the First Alaskans Institute through the end of 2007 where she developed Education Summits, Leadership Development programs, including the Summer Internships and the Elders and Youth Conferences, and the Community Engagement Awards program. Prior to that she consulted for several years with tribal, non-profit and ANCSA organizations and was an executive with NANA for 20+ years. “Sarah’s experience in program development and management makes her a great fit for our team,” said David Hardenbergh, RurAL CAP Executive Director. “Plus she knows almost everyone in Alaska. I’m especially excited about her experience working with rural Alaskans and her long history of service with volunteer boards, committees and councils throughout the state.” A participant of the Boarding Home program and graduate of Lathrop High in Fairbanks, Ms. Scanlan attended Stanford University and graduated from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Ms. Scanlan is from Kotzebue, a member of the Kotzebue tribe, and a NANA shareholder. She and her husband and son currently live in Anchorage. Village Voices Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc. 731 East 8th Avenue PO Box 200908 Anchorage, Alaska 99520 (907) 279 - 2511 www.ruralcap.com While it might take an act of the legislature to really bring these renewable energy sources to life, it will have long-lasting effects in the future. Norway has a progressive energy policy that promotes efficiency, renewable energy sources and new technologies. Currently, 99% of electricity is produced by hydropower. Norway’s highly efficient use of hydroelectric power has resulted in an energy surplus and that allows residents to leave their lights on all night if they choose. However, they choose not to because of their focus on energy efficiency. In its efforts to bring rural issues and rural perspectives to the forefront of people’s minds, RurAL CAP strives to keep a pulse on what is happening in the villages. High energy costs are one of many issues facing our rural communities. Another is outmigration and the effect it is having on several communities along the Iditarod Trail. New energy policies are needed to address the energy crisis in the short- and long-term. Village councils, local city councils and school districts are worried about how to keep the lights on when their main focus should be on providing services, building and maintaining their communities and educating children. As the days are getting longer and brighter, we are burning less fuel and getting a reprieve from the high fuel costs. I am hopeful of the new solutions to come. Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit # 99 Anchorage, AK RurAL CAP Deputy Director, Sarah Scanlan She has served on a number of volunteer Boards, Committees and Councils during the past 25 years, including theAlaska Native Heritage Center, Business Education Compact, Youth Success Working Group, Workforce Investment Boards, Vocational/Technical Education, Commonwealth North Workforce Development Study, Section 29 Native Advisory Board, Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, Communities in Schools, Reinventing Schools Coalition, Southcentral Native Educators Association, Literacy, Teacher Preparation, Get Out the Native Vote, KNBA Fundraising, Tundra Times Board, World Eskimo/Indian Olympics, Alaska Board of Game, Rural/Urban Group, YWCA, and the Anchorage Women’s Political Caucus. To receive the Village Voices for free, join our mailing list! Contact Angela Gonzalez: Attn: Village Voices Mailing List RurAL CAP PO Box 200908 Anchorage, AK 99520 (800) 478-7227 ext 7301 (907) 279-2511 ext 7301 [email protected] 8 Healthy People, Sustainable Communities, Vibrant Cultures RurAL CAP 731 East 8th Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99501 David Hardenbergh, Executive Director Sarah Scanlan, Editor Angela Gonzalez, Communication Coordinator Alisha Drabek, Design and Layout Photos by David Hardenbergh and Angela Gonzalez