Our Young People Go To Work
Week of July 22, 2002

Just ten months ago, Kotzebue became one of the rural community sites for the Youth Opportunity Program, which is operated on a statewide basis by the Cook Inlet Tribal Council. Now, according to local program manager Michael McBride, Kotzebue has over 100 youth employed as a direct result - making it the most active of all the 41 sites in Alaska. Ambler and Selawik are also sites for YOP at this time, as is our neighboring village of Point Hope.

The YOP, which is presently budgeted by a federal grant for a five-year span, is now in it's third year overall. The goal of the program is the same, I believe, as what should be our foremost goal here in the Northwest Arctic Borough: to promote high school or GED completion and prepare our young people for productive careers and self-sufficiency.

The program creates additional job opportunities by paying a portion of the salary of young people who are hired by local employers for at least the initial months they are on the job. As has already been the case with at least 50 of the 190 youth who have enrolled in YOP, the employers will hopefully pick up the full cost of the young workers once they have proven themselves. 60% of the program funds are targeted for out-of-school youth and the balance for seasonal and part-time employment for high school students.

A highlight of the program in Kotzebue is a joint venture with the Borough that has resulted in the snack and gift shop at the Nullagvik Hotel. This business is operated by students under the supervision of Michael McBride and is intended as a training ground for those who have interest in small business management. In addition to serving snacks, the shop features and markets the work of our region's artists and craftspeople.

The loss of our traditional Native culture and roots, especially among our young people, is a huge concern for many of us. This particular project addresses that concern very well. The staff at the Snacks and Arts N Facts and the many young people who visit the store are surrounded by traditional art, are learning more about it, and are hopefully impacted by it. For our area artists, the store provides an additional local showcase for their work. And for tourists and other visitors, the shop provides a convenient location to learn more about local culture and purchase treasured gifts and souvenirs.

As our contribution to this effort, the Borough provides most of the artwork for the store, which is acquired through our art purchase and marketing program. The shop earns revenue from the sale of the work and the City of Kotzebue receives sales tax revenue as well. We also provided a $5,000 economic development grant to assist with the start-up expenses of the store, including initial rent and labor costs.

I am proud and excited that we are getting more of our young people learning, working, and in touch with tradition. Please visit and support the new shop at the hotel as well as Arctic Blues Espresso and Gifts, another Kotzebue business that proudly features our area arts and crafts. You'll be proud too.