A Moment of - NANA Regional Corporation

The
HUNTER
May 2011 | Volume 24
A Moment of
ACCOMPLISHMENT
Published by
NANA Regional Corporation
Energy &
Sustainability
PAGE 2
Marie Greene received her master’s degree in rural
development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks
(UAF) on May 15 at the Carlson Center.
By Marie N. Greene, NRC president/CEO
Graduate Poster
PAGES 6 & 7
T
his spring, many NANA shareholders
accomplished a major goal in their
lives – they graduated. I was among
them, accomplishing my personal goal of
earning a master's degree. In the middle of
this publication, you’ll find a poster of photos
our graduates shared with us. Some don
the tiny caps and gowns of their graduating
kindergarten classes, others wear their high
school colors, and still others wear the
collegiate and post-graduate black robes – but
all shared that single moment of achievement.
My favorite part of any graduation
ceremony doesn’t take place behind the
podium or on the stage; it is the spontaneous
outburst of love and support that comes
from family and friends sitting in the
audience as the graduate’s name is called.
They yell their name, clap, stomp and whistle.
Everyone is smiling and there are plenty
of hugs and high-fives to go around.
That one moment tells a story.
It is the story of devotion; years of rides
to and from school activities; late night
homework help; calls home from college;
and last-minute science projects. It’s a tale
full of pep talks from moms, dads, aunts
and uncles. It’s the taata or aana that taught
the old ways. It’s the countless number of
family, friends and teachers who helped
provide the skills needed to achieve dreams.
While each graduate worked tirelessly
on an individual level to reach graduation,
many enjoyed a network of support that
helped them get there. They were anchored
and supported by unconditional love.
So, I want to congratulate not just the
graduates, but also the families and friends
who helped them reach this important
milestone in their lives. To our graduates,
don’t forget that your accomplishments are
not just for you and your families alone,
but for our people. With each of you, the
future of the Iñupiat grows brighter.
Aarigaa and congratulations to you all!
Catherine Greene, Kotzebue High School salutatorian
Noatak valedictorian Kristen Foster gets help during her
speech from special guest, Naqu, the turtle.
A shareholder connects with his family
By Rocky Young
Around the
Region
Editor’s note: In Dec. 2003, the NANA
Hunter ran a story about a man named Rocky
Young, from Texas, who was looking for his Iñupiat
roots. Rocky’s long search continued into 2011.
The following is the continuation of his story.
PAGES 10
Continuing
History
PAGES 12
In 2003, Rocky Young's adoption story ran in the Hunter. In 2011, he finally
was able to connect with his Iñupiaq family. Rocky (left) met his mother,
Stella, for the first time.
In 2003, I decided to search for my
Eskimo roots. But, after checking with
the adoption agency, I decided to wait
due to the expense of searching.
On March 18, 2011, my wife, Jill, was
watching one of those shows on TV that
searches for lost family members. She said to
me, “We should look for your family, again.”
We did have some information, but
needed more. That's when Jill restarted
her Internet search. She promised
me, "I will find your family."
On March 22, we went to the courthouse
in Fort Worth, Texas, to request that the
court open my adoption records. While we
waited for the court's answer, my wife found
 See Page 11, TEXAS
Energy & Sustainability
Energy & sustainability in the NANA region
E
NDC
very day we see the price of
fuel in our region climbing
and many are worrying about
the future of reliable, affordable
energy. NANA Regional Corporation
board and staff remain committed
to addressing the regional energy
crisis and we’ve been working on
many projects, both short term and
long term, that will help northwest
Alaska gain energy independence.
NANA’s approach is one of
partnership. We are proactively engaged
with our regional, state and federal
partners on a variety of projects,
including energy efficiency,
efficient design, sustainable
planning, wind, biomass,
hydropower and alternative
Graduates
fuels
development.
We are actively engaged
with our regional partners
as well, like the Northwest
Arctic Borough (NAB),
Kotzebue Electric
Authority (KEA) and
Alaska Village Electric
Cooperative (AVEC)
on wind development
in the communities of
Deering, Buckland, Noorvik,
Kivalina, Kotzebue and the
communities of the Upper
Kobuk. NANA congratulates
and supports KEA’s state and
national leadership on wind
development. Their most recent
project includes large wind turbines
and an energy storage system that is
setting the standard as a best practice.
NAB and the communities of
Deering and Buckland are moving
into a critical stage in their community
wind diesel projects. NANA is
Around the Region
working with the team on planning,
design and securing follow-on
funding from the State of Alaska.
In conjunction with AVEC and
the community of Kivalina, we are
proactively looking at wind energy and
improved energy infrastructure to help
address the cost of energy in the village.
In May, we installed wind monitoring
stations, or meteorological towers (met
towers), in close proximity to Kivalina.
The wind energy program in Noorvik
is also progressing with the deployment
of met towers. Met towers are the most
common means for measuring the wind
speed and direction at a potential
windmill
site.
NANA
is also engaged
on micro-hydro and runof-river hydropower pre-engineering
development efforts that have potential
to benefit the communities of
Shungnak, Kobuk and Ambler. Microhydropower systems usually generate
up to 100 kilowatts (kW) of electricity
and are mostly used by homeowners
and small business owners. Run-of-
the-river hydroelectricity is ideal for
streams or rivers with a minimum
dry weather flow. A hydrology team
will assess the potential of several
watersheds in the Cosmos Hills
area from May 18 - June 2, 2011.
NANA has also partnered with the
Northwest Arctic Iñupiat
Housing Authority
(NIHA) on the
assessment
of wood
energy potential, or
“biomass”, for the benefit of the
communities of Ambler, Shungnak
and Kobuk. Funding has been
secured for pre-construction and
engineering activities for a potential
integrated wood energy system.
We are also actively promoting
energy efficiency, conservation, and
weatherization with our regional
partners. Through funding from the
Department of Energy’s Tribal Energy
Program, we will be working with many
of the region’s tribal councils during
the 2012 summer season on energy
efficiency upgrades for various tribally NDC
owned facilities. In conjunction with RurAL CAP,
NANA will be implementing the
highly regarded Energy Wise Program,
beginning in August of 2011. With
the price of fuel increasing, the Energy
Wise Program will help the region
conserve energy and save money asNRC
our communities get ready for winter.
NANA and our partners are also
investigating alternative fuels and
emerging technologies. There are
new developments with the use of
propane and disruptive combined
heat and power (CHP) system
technologies that can change
how we design and operate
our rural energy systems.
We are actively engaged
with the State of Alaska, our
congressional delegation,
and others to secure energy
funds for the region and
for our various partners.
Graduate
This is accomplished through
advocacy, grant proposal writing
and work with policy makers.
Finally, sustainable infrastructure
planning is a critical element in
decreasing long term high energy costs.
NANA is currently involved in creative
and alternative fuel delivery concepts—
developments that could decrease the
cost of energy for our communities.
The outcome from the Ambler Access
transportation study also holds potential
for decreasing the cost of energy.
We are an adaptable people. We
have always found ways to thrive
in our Arctic environment. The
energy challenge is one that we can
meet, but we must work to meet
it together. Through partnership,
strategic planning and creativity,
we can rise to the challenge.
Around the Region
NANA and NovaGold visit the Upper Kobuk
By Dr. Lance Miller
F
Dr. Lance Miller, NANA vice president of Natural
Resources
2
HUNTER
rom March 28 – 31, Jason
Rutman, NANA’s environmental
manager, and I traveled with
Scott Petsel, Frank Gish and Naomi
Scavington of NovaGold Resources,
and Walt Vering of Tetra Tech, a
consulting firm to the villages of
Ambler, Shungnak and Kobuk. After
weather delays, Rose Barr, NANA
resources manager, and Roland Booth,
former NANA board member and our
meeting facilitator, were able to join us.
Spring in the region is a great time.
I’m always amazed at the beauty of
the country when I travel through
the NANA region. While the
scenery was amazing, the weather
didn’t always cooperate. However,
we made it to all of our scheduled
stops via plane or snow machine.
The visits were conducted to inform
residents about new information
regarding the Upper Kobuk Minerals
Project (Arctic and Bornite) and to
recruit employees for summer work.
Thanks in large part to the village
IRA councils, city governments and
the NANA Resource Technicians
in the Upper Kobuk villages, our
meetings were a tremendous success.
We conducted the meetings in
an “open house” manner, which
allowed us to have more one-onone discussions with residents.
After opening remarks by Roland,
and brief project update presentations
by Scott and Jason, attendees were
invited to visit the various stations
we set-up in the meeting area.
These stations had large posters that
provided information about different
aspects of the project, including
its geological make-up, project
timelines, environmental responsibility,
NANA oversight, baseline studies
and employment opportunities.
NRC
By far, the most popular station was
the “Employment Opportunities”
station. Every time we look at
Graduates
development projects, one of the
first questions we ask is “are there
jobs for our shareholders?” There is
summer work available during this
phase of the Upper Kobuk project.
Throughout all three days of our visit,
Naomi, who works in NovaGold’s
Human Resources department, kept
busy as many shareholders filled
out employment applications.
Continuing consultation occurred
on May 12, during a Department
of Transportation (DOT) led trivillage meeting between the Upper
Kobuk communities. In addition
to representatives from the three
villages, various organizations, both
public and private, attended including
the Northwest Arctic Borough
(NAB), Alaska Department of
Natural Resources (DNR), NovaGold
Resources, Maniilaq Association and
NANA subsidiary DOWL HKM.
Discussion at the Tri-village meeting
centered around various transportation
corridors that could potentially access
future projects in the Upper Kobuk.
I want to assure you that as we
move forward with this and other
NANA minerals projects, we will
stay true to our commitments of
consultation and subsistence priority.
We welcome your comments and
questions at all times. If you wish
to contact the Natural Resources
department about this, or any other
NANA minerals project, please email
us at [email protected]
Why the interest in the
Upper Kobuk
NANA shareholders learned about the Upper Kobuk
Minerals project and DOT’s transportation routes
during March and April visits to Ambler, Shungnak
and Kobuk.
Naomi Scavington and Frank Gish of NovaGold
and NANA shareholder Guy Moyer discussed
employment opportunities at the Upper Kobuk
Minerals Project.
Graduates
There is a belt of rocks extending from east of Ambler to east of Kobuk
containing volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits. A VMS deposit is a type
of metal sulfide ore deposit that contains mostly copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and lead
(Pb), as well as precious minerals. The Arctic deposit, northeast of Kobuk, is a
significant copper-zinc VMS deposit, and the copper and zinc in the ground there
is estimated to be very high grade material. Bornite, south of the Ambler Mining
District (AMD), may also be a source of copper, which is a highly sought-after
mineral.
Around the Region
Around the Region
Jason Rutman spoke to residents in Ambler during
the NANA/NovaGold visits.
NANA Shungnak board member, Michael Tickett, and
Wallace Cleveland conversed outside during a break
at the tri-village meeting in Shungnak.
Representatives and residents from Ambler, Shungnak and Kobuk met with DOT during the tri-village meeting.
Knowledge of language
By Hans Schaeffer, Aqqaluk Trust
T
he knowledge of language
stands at the top of the
Iñupiat Ilitqusait. In fact,
the knowledge of language is a
value commonly cherished by all
Iñupiat because our language allows
us to see who we are as a people.
It is through language that we truly
know how to live, learn and love. A
piece of understanding what language
teaches us is shared through the
Iñupiaq Rosetta Stone® Project.
This important language project
grew over many years and involved
three different phases: production,
sales and distribution.
The project began in 2004 with
several participants, including
Ruth Sampson, Hannah Loon,
the Iñuunialiqput Committee,
Rachel Sherman and Linda Lee.
Through a painstaking series of
translating, editing and lesson planning,
the project steered towards production.
By 2007, the production of the
Iñupiaq Rosetta Stone® Level 1
Coastal dialect was complete and we
began gearing toward completing
the Level 1 Kobuk-Selawik dialect.
The Kobuk-Selawik dialect faced
several challenges, but the project
was finalized this past May.
Since completion, nearly 3,000
copies have been produced and
more than 300 copies have been
sold to various organizations,
government agencies, libraries,
universities and school districts.
The Iñupiaq Rosetta Stone®
has been distributed near and
far, from the Seward Peninsula
to across the Atlantic Ocean.
The proceeds of the CD-ROMs
go toward creating additional
levels for both the Coastal and
Kobuk-Selawik dialects.
Although the sales help ensure
the financial future of additional
levels, the Iñupiaq Rosetta Stone®
distribution began as a way to make
sure the Iñupiaq language will
continue to be spoken in the homes
of NANA shareholders. That is
why more than 1,000 copies have
The Iñupiaq Language CDs are dedicated to the memory of Ruth Tatqaviñ
Sampson, who is featured on the cover of the Kobuk-Selawik dialect CD case.
been distributed to each shareholder
household within the NANA region.
The opportunity to receive a
language CD-ROM has also been made
available to NANA shareholders living
outside of the region with as many
as 100 copies already distributed.
Shareholders are asked to fill out
a survey form and include a copy of
their shareholder card before receiving
their CD-ROM. The survey includes
information about dialect, current
understanding of the language, tribal
affiliation and contact information.
If you’d like to receive a copy
of the Iñupiaq Rosetta Stone®
CD-ROM and are a NANA
shareholder, please contact me at:
Hans Schaeffer
(907) 442-8142
[email protected]
If you are interested in purchasing
a copy, please visit our website
www.aqqaluktrust.com and
download the order form.
HUNTER
3
NDC
CONGRATULATIONS
GRADUATES
Graduates
When spring comes, many of us begin to look forward to the end of the
school year. It is hard to stay focused, but if you are about to graduate, this
is not the time to let your mind stray.
I was reminded of that challenge last month, when I had the privilege
to speak to the Alaska Pacific University (APU) President’s Forum. I was
asked to talk about NANA, our future and how we prepare for shareholder
opportunities. While planning that presentation, I thought about several of
our shareholder employees whom I know have benefited from the education
they received at APU. They are building from their education and bringing
great value to NANA as we work to become better and do more each year.
We are fortunate in Alaska to have several outstanding higher education and
vocational education facilities available in our backyard. Some people choose
to leave the state to pursue their education and training, but for many that is
a scary thought—so the ability to stay in Alaska to receive further education
is a real asset, both for the individuals and for NANA.
I am so grateful for the wisdom of our leaders, both past and present, for
their commitment to education and training. Many years ago, NANA created
the Aqqaluk Trust, a non profit, named and created in honor of the first
Chairman of NANA Regional Corporation, Robert Aqqaluk Newlin. The
Trust focuses on empowering the Iñupiat people through language, culture
and Around
education. In the
past decade
alone, NANA has contributed more than
the
Region
$20 million to the Aqqaluk Trust. In 2010, the Trust awarded more than
$800,000 to more than 350 students. Investing in our people is what the
scholarship program is all about.
For those of you wondering what your next step should be, think about the
incredible opportunities that will be there for us tomorrow. We encourage
you to follow your dreams, and to seek training and other educational paths.
We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. What we do know though, is that
the more prepared we are the more likely we will be to succeed.
Congratulations to all of those who are graduating this year, and to the
families, mentors and friends who supported our students on their journey!
Sincerely,
Helvi Sandvik
NANA shareholders get a
behind-the-scenes glimpse of the film industry
As Alaska’s blossoming film industry
takes the spotlight, NDC is preparing
shareholders for roles in front, and
behind the camera. NDC’s partnership
with production company Evergreen
Films positions NANA to provide
support services to movies shot in
Alaska. Films require everything from
talent in front of the camera to the
crew behind it, catering, security,
transportation and logistics. To support
its role, NDC formed a new venture
called Piksik. Piksik is an Iñupiaq
word that means “rebound” or “spring
back,” an important trait for a company
that must be quick and responsive.
NDC wants to use this company to
prepare our shareholders to fill the
hundreds of jobs each movie creates.
With more productions headed to
Alaska this summer, NANA contracted
with Alaska Crew Training to provide
training for about 25 shareholders
who gathered at a warehouse in
South Anchorage. They learned the
lingo and how to get a front-row
seat in a film – as cast or crew. NDC
wants to make sure shareholders
are part of the crew for “Walking
NRC
NANA shareholders learn the tricks of the filmmaking trade.
with Dinosaurs 3D.” Evergreen and
BBC Worldwide will produce this
feature film, with much of the filming
occurring in Alaska. Alaska Crew
Training is a nonprofit organization
that offers training to meet the specific
skills needed for film and video Gradu
productions working across the state.
Robin Kornfield, NDC’s vice
president of communications and
marketing said “We’ve come to the
point where some people might want
to do computer graphics, or they
might want to learn post-production.
 See Page 11, FILM
Around the Reg
Greg Kern of Alaska Grip and Lighting works with NANA shareholders to learn how to achieve the illusion of
a French café through lighting.
A teacher goes back to school - a long way from home
Hadley practices for her presentation at a Penn State
ethics conference
4
HUNTER
As she sips a cup of coffee and talks
about her college experience, NANA
shareholder Lynda Hadley’s passion
for education comes through in her
cheerful laugh which brightens the cafe
where she sits. However, her desire to
get a master’s degree in education was
put to the test about two years ago
when she went to the East Coast for
school. The change was intimidating. “I
had never used a thumb drive,” she says
tugging at her black scarf. “I moved
from my husband, across the country
into a dorm with people much younger
than me…the classes were challenging,
extremely difficult.” But she made
it; she will graduate this summer.
The soon to be alumna of Penn State
N
University explains her philosophy of
education like this: “Students have to
be part of the equation. We have to
use their environment to help them
learn. We have to find ways to lessen
the dropout rate, and asking what
they think is part of the answer.”
During her practicum at Kotzebue
Junior/Senior High School this
winter, watching the principal guide
the school, Lynda’s ideas and goals
became clear. The experience was a
good one and reinforced much of
what she knew about schools in rural
Alaska. “The parents along with the
community need to be a part of the
school, now more than ever. The
schools are currently far too separate
from the community. In order for
everyone to get involved, it will take
leadership from the community and
school system to work together,” and
that, says Lynda, is no easy task.
Education was an escape while
she was growing up in foster homes
and going to school at Mount
Edgecumbe and Wrangell Institute.
“My teachers were helpful and I just
wanted to learn as much as I could.”
That inspiration drove Lynda to be
an educator. She taught English as a
second language and other subjects
over nine years in the Anchorage
School District, the Northwest Arctic
 See Page 11, SCHOOL
NDC
The bottom line
Shareholder Employment and Development & Junior Achievement team up for students
NRC
Achieving success in business starts
with understanding what it is and
how it works. NANA Development
Corporation’s (NDC) Shareholder
raduates
Employment and Development
Department is working with Junior
Achievement of Alaska to teach
students in the NANA region just
that. In late April, four NANA/Junior
Achievement teams – eight people
total – traveled to all 11 villages in the
region and taught elementary school
students the basics of business. The
group included Tami Krukoff, Ron
Adams, Kristina Patrick, Kristine
Couse and Annette Zella from
NDC Shareholder Employment
and Development, Jamie Clark and
Sheila Hill from NDC Accounting
and Becky Zembower from NMS.
The group split up to be able to
reach all the villages. In each school,
they spent about three hours with
mostly fourth graders, but also some
students from other grades. After
the interactive sessions, the groups
played a game called “The Bottom
Line” to help reinforce what students
learned. The questions covered
natural, human and capital resources,
where they exist in the NANA Region
and around the country, and why
they are important in a business.
They also included describing what
makes a business product or serviceoriented and where and how money
flows into and out of a company.
Tami is an NDC shareholder
development coordinator who helped
organize the trip and develop the
curriculum. “The students soaked the
information in and picked it up real
fast,” she said. Tami’s face beamed
when asked what she thought of the
trip. “It was great to experience that, to
be able to contribute to their learning,”
she said. “It is exciting that I am able
to help today’s student…it was great
to experience. It was really fun.”
While Tami enjoyed the encounter,
judging by student and classroom
teacher reaction, it is easy to say
the kids had more fun. Many of
the students wrote letters thanking
the visitors for coming and inviting
them back next year. Mary June
Cleveland of Ambler wrote, “I
know what’s in my future, I want to
work for NANA or be a teacher.”
Graduates
round the Region
Students from June Nelson Elementary School in Kotzebue hold up certificates of success after completing the
Junior Achievement class. Fourth row, in the back, left to right: Tami Krukoff, Andrew Bergan, Joseph Gallahorn,
Alanna Conwell, Zoe Nelson, Gabriel Thomas. Third row left to right Clara Walker, Frank Sheldon, Kassandra
Goodwin, Aurora Adams, Michael Viglione, Emily Hoke, Chris Schaeffer, Emil Kubalack. Second row left to right:
Kirsten Pete, Tom Miller. First row, (l to r) Raymond Brown, Kristine Couse, Gabriel Stalker
June Nelson Elementary School students from Kotzebue smile as they learn about business and NANA. (l to r)
Kirsten Pete, Clara Greene, Emily Hoke, Zoe Nelson and Alanna Conwell
Around the Region
Training equals global opportunity for shareholders
Ten shareholders who completed
technical training in Kotzebue are
now ready to work on Navy ships
and facilities building information
technology infrastructure for combat
systems, voice data systems and
several other technical needs.
NANA Shareholder Employment
and Development worked with Ki,
LLC,Virginia Operations, a NANA
company based in Colorado Springs,
Colorado, the City of Kotzebue and
the Alaska Technical Center (ATC)
to create the educational opportunity.
Students attended a safety training.
“The training went very well, we were
very happy with the shareholders we
worked with,” said Joy Hilton, the Ki
quality manager, who was one of the
instructors. After the two-week training,
all the attendees graduated with three
technical certificates that will allow then
to work for Ki, Virginia Operations on
projects across the globe. “They are
now part of 'Team Ki'!" It was a great
experience to do this kind of training
and see Kotzebue, as well as get to
meet people who live in the area. I
look forward to seeing these folks out
on our job sites soon,” Hilton added.
When employees are deployed, Ki
pays for transportation to and from the
installation site and provides housing
and a daily stipend (per diem) to cover
meals. Work teams are housed not
on the ship, but in a nearby hotel or
apartment, depending on the length
of deployment. The pay ranges from
$12-$14 per hour. Locations include
Hawaii, Japan, Washington state,
California, Florida and Mississippi.
Shareholder Alicia Madsen builds a cable connector as part of the training.
“What a great opportunity” said
Kristina Siiqsiniq Patrick, shareholder
employment and development manager.
“This kind of training opens a world
of employment options for people
from our region. I look forward to
similar trainings to provide technical
skills that can help shareholders grow.”
NANA shareholder training took
place from April 26 through May 6
at ATC in Kotzebue. Ki, a NANA
company, helped with the training
for NANA shareholders so they
could work with the company on
out-of-state and overseas jobs.
HUNTER
5
CONG
NANA is proud of the students who completed the school year. We thank
each and every one of you and your parents and those who supported you
throughout your school years.
NANA-tkut pipikautigigaitch aglaktuat naatchilhatni ukiuvak. Iluqasri
quyanaqtusri suli quyagivut afayuqqaasri atlatlu nayummiqsruqtifuruat
naatchifaijlapsitei.
Ambler
n
Sheldon, Toni Rae Johnso
Gerald Cleveland, Jayde
y Jones
Diana M. Cleveland, Kath
Kobuk
Rhinehart Sun, Herbert Wood, Delbert Ward
Shungnak
Johnathan Ward, Eugene
Kotzebue
Lee, Charl
Dee
Manayuk Beck, Tarruq K. Schaeffer, Tarruq M. Schaeffer, Pakik Goodwin
Saina McConnell, and Dakota McCafferty (Not pictured Aagayuk Moto)
Andrea Iyatunguk & Kris
Kobuk
d
rd, Lori Heavyrunner, Jare
Ashley Rexfo
Kenny Snell, Ella Horner,
Lottie Ballot, Andrea Henry, Bri
Harvey
an Ramoth, Tess Ramoth, Grace
Kotzebue
Smith
Ferguson, He
Landis Iyatunguk, Adam
n Nelson,
Catherine Greene, Darily
Selawik
Noatak
Brett Kirk, Kristen Foster, Gordo
n M. Mitchell, Rosa Ahvakan
a, Robert Sherman,
Martha Smith, Thurston Mitch
ell, Samantha Mills, Victor On
alik Jr.
Kiana erra Sampson, Brad Reich II, Naiomi Harris, De
Si
Kivalina er, Eunice Ramoth, Clarissa Koenig, Alexis Hawley, Virgil Adams
Oran Barg
6
HUNTER
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Deering
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Robert Moto & Gilford Ba
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Houston
Kenzi Richards
Birchwood l
Christian Schoo
Melissa Noell Panitchiaq
Yaŋi Kramer
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Matt Rae
erbert Allen, Tim W
Gallahorn, Eryn Schaeffer
Bobi Newlin, Vera O’Hara,
Christina Fields, Heather
Noorvik
nise Adams, Lee
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ewlin, Janice Ada
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HUNTER
7
Graduates
Graduat
CONGRATULATIONS
College & Trade School Graduates
Around the Region
Alaska Technical Center (ATC) graduates await their diplomas and certificates on May 12, 2011.
For a complete list of graduates, see the graduate name insert.
A Valuable
Lesson
By Crystal Breithaupt
Vera Sheldon (who accepted her late son, Derek's Construction certificate), Dorthy
Brown, Lena Hannah, Sonja Schaeffer and Lucy Nelson at the Chuckchi College
graduation.
Michael A. Scanlan and mother, Sarah, at the UAA graduation on
May 1, 2011.
Becoming a teacher was one of my goals
from the time I was very young. Then I
became a young mother and wife, and put
it on the back burner. I have such a passion
to teach others the love of learning as well.
I had started my teacher education degree
while my children were still young, but
then just went part-time to finish. Now,
20 years after high school graduation, I
finally did it! My oldest son, David is in
college already. My youngest son, Justin
is a sophomore in high school and my
only daughter, Hailey, is in eighth grade.
I have to tell you, telling others your
goals for your future is a huge key to
success. My mom and dad truly helped
me to see the value in serving others and
education, so I am so pleased that I stuck
with it, and am now a fully certified English
teacher. I couldn’t be more pleased. I
just want to encourage all the young kids
out there to share your dreams and your
goals, because once people know what
Around
you want to do and what
you want to the
become, it helps keep your dreams alive.
I have bigger dreams and bigger goals
from this point forward; this is not the
end for me. I want to become a published
author, and a motivational speaker. By
sharing it, I am accountable to all of
you. So, go out there, set goals, and
realize your dreams. It is a possibility!
I live in Forks, Washington, now
with my family, and I completed my
student teaching here. I hope to get
a position teaching here for the time
being, but would love to eventually
move back to Alaska and teach.
Being a good example to Iñupiat and
Natives is very important to me. My
husband has been a youth pastor for more
than 13 years, and we have been working
with youth together throughout that
entire time. Youth are our future
and they mean the world to me.
There are scholarships out there
for all of you to help realize your
dreams. I never could have made
it without the Aqqaluk Trust
Scholarship, the KIC scholarship,
the Frank R. Ferguson scholarship,
and the Kotzebue IRA scholarship.
These are resources to help
you further your education. So
go out there and do it! The only
thing holding you back is you.
(Right: Crystal Breithaupt is the daughter of
the late Sen. Frank R. Ferguson and Sophie A.
Ferguson of Kotzebue. She graduated from Grace
University in Omaha, Nebraska with a bachelor's
degree in English education on May 7, 2011.
She intends to pursue her master's degree.)
Hilary Qutiluraq Upicksoun graduated from UAA with
a bachelor's degree in adminstration management in
Anchorage on May 1, 2011.
8
HUNTER
Regio
Graduates
Dream big!
A keynote speach to the Alaska Technical Center graduating class in Kotzebue on May 8, 2011
round the Region
By Kristina Patrick
Paglagipsi. Uvanga atiga,
Siiqsiniq. Aarigaa!
G
ood evening modern day
hunters. It is my absolute
pleasure to be here today.
My name is Kristina Patrick. My
grandparents are the late George
Miller of Kotzebue and Lena Koenig
of Point Lay. My mother Maria
DeBruin was born in Deering and
raised in Kotzebue. My father is the
late Arthur Prentice of Virginia.
Taikuu Cheryl for inviting me
here. Taikuu to Alaska Technical
Center for being such a great
place for our people to learn.
I work for NANA Development
Corporation as their shareholder
employment and development
manager. Shareholder Employment
and Development (SHED)
provides career and education
services to our shareholders.
Alaska Pacific University (APU) graduates Tasha Marie
Ryder and Lucy Mae Lambert at their graduation
ceremony April 30, 2011.
Katherine Paul and her brother, Joseph Zuend, on
the day of her college graduation from Lewis & Clark
College in Portland, Oregon.
My job allows me to see
success every day.
Our branding for our department
is modern day hunters; that really
represents people like our graduates
today. Modern day hunters embrace
their history and their culture; use the
tools and values we have used for years,
like hunter success, humility, humor,
hard work. Modern day hunters also
use modern tools available to us today
– like technology and education, and
taking full advantage of opportunities.
When I think of a modern day
hunter, I think of Aqqaluk Newlin.
His vision was for his people to know
their culture, their language, but at the
same time embrace education. He
was a great leader, and is still admired
by many. I’m sure he would be
amazed at what he would see today.
I’ve had success in my life but
I’ve learned that success is not
easy. In fact, the road to success
is difficult, but invigorating. Being
successful is a choice and it is a way
of life. It is a path we choose to
follow despite life’s challenges.
I’ve had many challenges in my life,
especially as a child, but I didn’t let that
stop me from achieving my dreams.
I come from a broken family.
Alcoholism, physical and sexual abuse
plagued my earliest experiences. Due
to those struggles, I was raised in a
foster home from the age of 13.
I remember crying myself to sleep as
a teenager asking myself, “Why did this
have to happen to us?” It was a very
difficult time for me and my family.
It’s difficult to succeed when you’re
facing adversity. But you can’t give up.
By the time I entered high school, my
life was beginning to stabilize but I was
still just getting by. My first two years
in high school I passed my classes, but
for the most part, received Cs. I made a
decision when I finished my sophomore
year in high school; I knew I could do
better and that I would do better. I
studied hard, did my homework, and
prepared for tests. It was a lot of work,
but I was getting As in all my classes.
I graduated from high school
with a B average. I was proud of my
accomplishment and it was the result of
my first conscious decision to succeed.
Because of my success, some people
at school talked to me about college.
My grandma (my foster parent who
Lynda Maurer, RN supervisor, Practical Nursing
Program presents Paul Zoller with a diploma of
practical nursing in Middletown, Pennsylvania.
raised me) really wanted me to be a
teacher. But that wasn’t in my heart.
What was in my heart was moving
out. I wanted my independence.
Without any additional training,
I was working three jobs in order
to pay the bills – the rent, car note,
groceries. I delivered newspapers
from 3 a.m. – 5 a.m. every morning. I
cashiered during the day and cleaned
a bar at night – cleaning toilets and
shampooing carpets. I knew I wasn’t
happy. I wanted more for myself and I
chose to do something about it. I went
to school and earned a certificate for
bookkeeping from Charter College.
I worked in my field for a few
years. In 1997, I was looking for
a new opportunity and my friend
told me to apply at NANA. That
had never occurred to me. But
I took her advice and put in my
resume. I was hired in a temporary
position in Human Resources as an
administrative assistant. I was really
looking for a bookkeeping job, but
NANA didn’t have that at the time.
I have always been a hard worker.
I’m not sure if it is because I had to
work to survive. I had to look after
my little sisters and brother. Cook,
clean, go to school, change diapers.
I had to work hard. I didn’t have a
choice. That same work ethic I had
growing up carried over to my work
life. I have always wanted to do the
very best I could. One time when
I was maybe 14 or 15, I asked my
grandma, “Grandma – does it ever
get easier to get up in the morning?”
She chuckled at me and smiled and
told me, “No, honey. It doesn’t.”
I was always at work. I showed
up on time and took on extra
projects with a smile. My work
ethic allowed me to get noticed and
I was encouraged to apply for an
internship in the legal department.
I applied for a paralegal internship,
but I was scared. The postion required
me to work full-time while attending the
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
part-time and maintain a B average. I
knew it was an excellent opportunity.
I recently looked at a journal I
used to keep at that time. I wrote in
it about my struggles and the happy
times in my life. I wrote quite a bit
about work. I found one of my entries
dated July 21, 1998. It was just after
I accepted the internship position. I
wrote: “I am getting nervous about
school. I am afraid of failing. I am
afraid that once I get into this paralegal
internship that everyone will know
that I am not as good as they think I
am. I know that no matter what, I will
put more than 100 percent effort into
it. But what if that is not enough? I
am used to being at the bottom of the
ladder, and now that I’m taking a step
up. I am scared. It is comfortable at
the bottom. You can’t fall down.”
Five years later I earned my
associate's degree and paralegal
certificate from UAA. As I continued
to grow professionally and learn
about myself personally, I came
to realize what I wanted to do. I
knew I wanted to do something
meaningful to me. I knew in my
heart I wanted to be doing something
where I could help our people.
I went to the person at NANA who,
at the time, was in my position. I told
Around
theguidance;
Region
her I wanted some
I wanted
a career change, but wasn’t sure what to
do. When she asked me what I wanted
to do, I told her that I wanted her job.
A year later, she was promoted,
and I was promoted to shareholder
development manager. A friend
of mine always tells me, “don’t ask,
don’t get.” That is the truth!
In my journal I wrote about
being scared to fail. Sometimes that
little voice in our head is enough
for us to turn away and not take
an opportunity. I think of all the
things I’ve overcome and I’m proud
to be here in front of you today.
Now that I look back on that journal
entry from 1998, I realize I wasn’t afraid
of failing – I was afraid of succeeding.
When we succeed, we are held at a
higher standard. People look to us
and watch us; people expect more.
I am thankful for everything God
has given me. Yes, I have had adversity
in my life. But no matter what, no
matter how low I may feel or how
much struggle I’m going through,
I must thank God for everything I
have. Sometimes, being thankful is
the only thing that got me through.
I am thankful for all the
opportunities NANA has given me.
I chose not use my life challenges
as excuses to fail, but as reasons
to succeed. I could have very
well chosen another path. I chose
success – just like our graduates
today have chosen success.
Success isn’t doing something at
one point in time. It is a series of
positive choices we make. It is getting
up after you have fallen. Sometimes
half the battle is showing up. We all
know how life is, sometimes you have
good days, and some are bad. We all
experience hardship at one time or
another. The road to success is ever
changing and we are rewarded for
hanging in there, for not giving up.
We are rewarded for our good work.
We are rewarded by a sense of pride,
accomplishment, and knowing in our
hearts we did the very best we could.
Do what is in your heart – follow
your dreams. You define your success,
not anyone else. Take full advantage
of every opportunity. Don’t be afraid
to step outside of your comfort zone
– that’s when you are going to grow.
Marianne Williamson’s words were
 See Page 11, DREAM
HUNTER
9
Around the Region
AROUND THE
REGION
NANA Vice President of Shareholder Relations, Doll Garoutte (left), pictured here with One-foot High Kick
winners (L to R) Jorden Lisec (3rd) Alice Strick (1st), Marian Wamsley (2nd), Thanee Esparza (4th ) and Autumn
Ridley (4th) NANA Regional Corporation sponsored the event during the Native Youth Olympics in Anchorage.
(L to R) Chester Ballot, Angela Simmons, Ida Ballot
at Kotzebue's Walk for LIfe.
1
Lavelda and Hannah Snell of Kobuk pause for a
photo on a spring morning.
2
Walkers of all ages, including little Aaron J. Henry,
walked in Kotzebue to raise awareness about
sucide prevention.
Ted Mala, Jr. (left) pictured here with Willie
Hensley (center) and Ossie Kairaiuak (right), at the
successful book launch of "Eskimo Star: From the
Tundra to Tinseltown - the Ray Mala Story" by Lael
Morgan.
Digging in at the Kobuk 440 musher's banquet in
Kotzebue.
Evelyn and Shylena Monroe dance at the Kobuk
440 Musher's banquet. NANA Regional Corporation
sponsored the race this year.
1
2
4
3
(l to r) Replogle Swan, Richard Sage,
Andrew Koenig, David Swan, Jr., Tommy
Swan, Brian Barger, Joe Swan, Jr., and
Byron Swan pull in the beluga once they
located it the following day. The whale was
shared throughout the entire community.
Photo credit: Bertha Adams
10
(l to r) Vernon, Stella, Arthur and Katelyn Atoruk
walked as a family at the Walk for Life.
SPOTLIGHT
Replogle, Byron and Tommy Swan look for a
beluga they struck the previous day. The whales
sink and hunters search for them by looking
for whale oil on the surface of the open water.
4
Ruth and Willie Goodwin at the Kotzebue Walk for
Life.
(l to r) Galen Swan, Roy Adams, Jr.;
Roy Adam, Jr. (floor) and Galen Swan
(sled) get some much needed rest in their
tent after searching all night for beluga.
HUNTER
Nyla Ivanoff, Sarah Seeberger, Sarah’s pet, Alaska, and Mysell Karmun
at the Kotzebue Walk for Life, an event to raise awareness about suicide
prevention.
Subsistence
(l to r) Josie Koenig, Andrew
Koenig, Replogle Swan, Brian Barger and
Cyrus Koenig, part of the 77 Swan Crew
of Kivalina, head down to the ocean to
hunt beluga and bowhead. The whales
are a major food source for the village.
Around the Regio
3
Around the Region
An Iñupiaq Corporation
NANA is a shareholder-managed corporation that is guided by a board of directors, comprised of our people, and a skilled
senior management team. Each Hunter, we’ll introduce you to a different member of your NANA leadership.
Lowell Qalutchuq Sage, Jr.
Director, Kivalina
Noatak School has a new lynx mascot!
NANA Resource Technician, Jackie Smith, at the
Noatak "Choose Respect" event.
TEXAS
From Front Page
some websites that help people in
our situation and registered me.
The following Tuesday, March 29, I
went before the judge and she agreed
to open my records, but I had to pay
for someone to search for my family.
That night my wife said a "search
angel" from the adoption Web site
had responded to our post. Search
angles are people who help connect
people with their families out of
the kindness of their hearts. The
search angel said that out of four
records found, my birth certificate
matched one of them. The name
listed was Colonel Riley. I knew that
must be mine because I had always
been told my last name was Riley.
My wife sent a message to my
search angel saying the birth certificate
matches. Sadly, the next message
contained information that they
located my father, Colonel Earl Riley,
Sr., but, that he passed away in 2007.
However, the obituary listed my
mother and siblings. They were right
here in Texas! That night, I found
out that I have five older siblings and
they all lived an hour away from me.
My mother, Stella Sheldon Riley, is
from Selawik, and my father was from
Shugnak. We found my mother’s phone
number listed and a friend called saying
she was searching for my lineage. Stella
Alice Irraguraq Moore
Director, Buckland
Lowell Qalutchuq Sage, Jr. was
elected to the NANA Regional
Corporation board at this year's
annual meeting in Ambler.
Qalutchuq currently works as pastor
of the Kivalina Friends Church and is
superintendent for the Alaska Yearly
Meeting. In addition to his duties
at NANA, he serves as a council
member for the Kivalina IRA Council
and Maniilaq Association Behavioral
Health Community board. Qalutchuq
also works to help the NANA region
address the issue of suicide through
his service on the State of Alaska's
Suicide Prevention Council.
Alice Irraguraq Moore is an Iñupiaq
from the Native Village of Buckland.
Her parents are Edith and the late
Ingram Melton Sr., grandparents are
the late George and Maggie Melton and
the late Paul and Jessie Hadley. Alice
has 5 children and 14 grandchildren.
She was appointed to her seat by the
NANA Regional Corporation (NRC)
board of directors on May 10, 2011.
She will fulfill the remainder of the late
Lester Hadley, Sr.'s three-year term
When not fulfilling her duties as a
director, Moore works in the Office of
the President at Maniilaq Association.
verified that she was Iñupiat and had
given a son up for adoption. I sent a
letter and pictures a mere two days after
learning of my birth information.
Saturday, April 2, I heard my
mother's voice for the first time
and she said, “I love you.”
I have been reunited with my
family and they all say they knew
I would find them some day.
The film industry took off after
the Legislature passed an aggressive
tax incentive program that goes as
high as 44 percent. The credits are
transferable, which means production
companies can sell the tax credits to
Alaska companies for reductions in
their state corporate income taxes.
Since the introduction of the credits,
29 active projects totaling $88 million
in Alaska spending have been preapproved for the credit, including the
film “Everybody Loves Whales.”
SCHOOL
From Page 4
Borough School District as well as the
University of Alaska Anchorage, but it
has been a few years since she has been
in front of a classroom. She is not sure
when she’ll be working with students
again; due to family responsibilities,
but it will be as soon as she can.
Lynda says the support system she
developed at Penn State is helping
today. “I made friends with students
who were from France, Pakistan
and the United Arab Emirates." She
says it is inspirational how well her
friends functioned without knowing
English well. “It helped me realize
I could finish, I could do this.”
JULY
From Page 4
These are skills that aren’t your typical
resource-extraction job that we’ve
traditionally offered in Alaska.”
DREAM
From Page 9
true – she said, “As we let our own
light shine, we unconsciously give other
people permission to do the same. As
we are liberated from our own fear, our
presence automatically liberates others.”
Thank you, graduating class of 2011,
for being modern day hunters! Thank
you for being fabulous and amazing.
You inspire me and others around
you. Congratulations! Dream big!
EVENT
LOCATION
1-2
Qatnut Trade Fair
Kotzebue H.S. Gym
4
July 4th Celebration
Kotzebue
21
Red Dog Management
Committee Meeting
Anchorage
28
NRC Board Meeting
Deering
Edited by
NANA Regional Corporation's
FILM
Born in Buckland, Moore returned
to the village to fulfill the Iñupiat
Ilitqusiat by caring for her family
and people. “I have envisioned our
Inupiat people taking a step back
in history, working together to
provide and help one another with
respect and dignity.” Moore said.
Moore currently serves on the
Village Economic Development
Committee and the Buckland/Deering
Article VIII Land Committee.
Communications Department
Taikuu NANA Resource Technicans
for your help. Special thanks to
ATC, NWABSD and to all of those
who shared photos or stories
with us!
Contributors:
Hans Schaeffer
Kristina Patrick
Alexandra McClanahan
Crystal Breithaupt
Cana Crosby
Jay Hermanson
NDC Communciations
Red Seeberger
Graphic Designer:
David Barnes
HUNTER
11
NANA Continuing History
Villages led the way in cooperation by merging with NANA
By Alexandra McClanahan and Cana Crosby
C
ooperation
has always been History
successfully as independents. All their
NANA
Continuing
12
HUNTER
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Office: 907-265-3775 › Mobile: 907-602-9827 › Email: [email protected]
NANA Regional Corporation, 3150 C Street, Suit 150, Anchorage, AK 99503
Office: 907-265-3775 › Mobile: 907-602-9827 › Email: [email protected]
NANA Regional Corporation, 3150 C Street, Suit 150, Anchorage, AK 99503
Graphic Designer
›
David Barnes
Graphic Designer
›
facebook.com/nanaregionalcorporation
David Barnes
P.O. Box 49
Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
Around the Region
twitter.com/nanacorporation
PAID
Anchorage, AK
Permit No. 444
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
one of the critical values
funds from the land claims act will go
of Iñupiaq culture, helping
to paying administrative costs, with
to ensure that the people not only
very little opportunity to start any
survived but thrived. Early in our
significant profit-making businesses.”
corporation's history, NANA
And while there was concern
Energy & Sustainabilityabout
leaders and shareholders realized
whether business operations
that this value would need to be
would succeed or fail, the real fear
extended to corporate decisions.
was that failure could lead to loss
In the earliest years of the Alaska
of land. A village without money
Native Claims Settlement Act
could be forced to sell off part of
(ANCSA) of 1971, the 11 villages
its land to pay taxes. Such a scenario
in the NANA region each had its
could have led to village corporation
own corporation. They included:
assets being owned by non-Natives.
NDC
Within about a year, ten of the
• Ambler, Ivisaapaagmiit Corporation
• Buckland, Nunachiak Corporation
• Deering, Deering Ipnatchiak
Corporation
• Kiana, Katyaak Corporation;
• Kivalina, Kivalina
Sinuakmeut Corporation
• Kobuk, Koovukmeut, Inc.
• Kotzebue, Kikiktagruk
Iñupiat Corporation
Grant Ballot, Vince Schuerch and Emerson Moto
• Noatak, Noatak Napaaktukmeut
attended a merger meeting held in Kotzebue in 1974
Corporation
prior to the vote.
• Noorvik, Putoo Corporation
• Selawik, Akuliuk, Inc.
villages within the NANA region
• Shungnak, Isingnakmeut, Inc.
endorsed the merger through a vote
of their boards of directors. In some
Early leaders realized that if
cases the vote was close, and in others
Graduates
each
village had its own staff and
it was a strong majority. Kotzebue
administrative costs, that overhead
opted not to merge, which was not
could quickly eat up any benefits of
surprising given its much larger size.
having a corporation. As early as
Merger was actually supported by
1974, plans for a merger with NANA
Congress in the form of legislation
Regional Corporation were discussed.
amending ANCSA that addressed
“The board of NANA Regional
numerous changes to the act, including
Corporation feels that a merger of
merger authority. Known as the
NANA and village corporations
“Omnibus Amendments Act,” it was
may be the only way the region can
signed Jan. 2, 1976, by President Ford.
survive,” it was stated in the December
NANA had given strong support to the
1974 newsletter. “Individual village
legislation and lobbied on its behalf.
corporations have too little money
Congressional reports urging
and experience to continue to operate
enactment of the legislation noted:
• Many of the 220 Village
Corporations in Alaska
created under ANCSA lacked
financial wherewithal and
trained manpower to become
economically viable entities.
Eventually following suit were most of
the villages in the Ahtna region, which
merged with Ahtna, Inc. Also, a number
of villages merged with each other to
form larger corporations of anywhere
from two to nearly a dozen villages.
NDC
NRC
Alfred Karmun (left) and Bert Greist (right) hold up an improvised map of the NANA region for
then-president, John Schaeffer at a merger meeting in the winter of 1974.
Arthur Douglas, Sr. (seated), Sigwien Savok
(standing) and Grant Ballot (writing)
attended a merger meeting in the winter
of 1974.
• Since many Village Corporations
had relatively few shareholders,
their monetary allocations
from their respective regions
would be quite small and they
would derive little income from
development of the surface land.
On March 29, 1976, NANA
shareholders approved the merger
of 10 of the 11 villages in the
region, all except for Kotzebue, at
the annual shareholders’ meeting
in Kotzebue. Sixty-eight percent
of the total eligible voters in the
region approved the merger.
As a result of the merger, each
merging village gained an additional
seat on the board, giving NANA
a 23-seat board of directors.
When it came to village merger issues
on a statewide level, NANA led the way.
John Shively, a NANA executive
who worked on merger issues in the
early 1970s, said he believes that the
merger benefitted villages by relieving
them of the task of maintaining
high administrative costs, but it also
benefitted NANA. He said the merger
went a long way in allowing NANA
to expend funds on social and cultural
programs at a time when funds were
tight and the merger nearly
doubled
Graduates
NANA Regional Corporation's capital.
He also stressed that even though
it was something strongly supported
by NANA Regional Corporation
leadership, the effort never would have
been pursued if it had not been for
strong support at the village level.
“If in the beginning we’d gone out
and the people said, ‘No, we don’t think
merger is a good idea,’ then that would
have been it. But there was interest, and
we put the legal part of it together.”
Writing in his annual chairman’s
report in the 1976 annual report,
Robert Newlin talked about the
effort and cooperation required to
make such a significant change:
“Our long planned merger became
a reality in 1976, with the majority of
the village corporations joining to make
one Around
larger, strongerthe
firm inRegion
NANA.
The move took a tremendous amount
of cooperation and trust, plus time and
expense, all of which we hope to return
to you in the form of a better life and
more control over your own future.
“The merger gives us a larger board
of directors and, with it, a stronger
commitment to work together, because
our survival depends on it. Without
your support and understanding, none
of this would have been possible.”