Creating Opportunity
Week of August 5, 2002

At the end of each fiscal year, our Economic Development Commission presents its annual activity report to the State of Alaska. After reviewing our report for the now completed FY02 (ended on June 30, 2002), I would like to report to you on our achievements since I took office in October of 2000, and primarily for just the past 18 months.

The Borough's Small Business Grant program is intended to assist our residents who are engaged in a small private business or attempting to start one. We especially encourage development of those businesses in the villages, where there are few jobs available. Over the last year and a half, we have issued 77 grants totaling nearly $117,000. That number compares to six grants for $23,000 that were awarded in the year prior to my administration. Grants included costs of tools, equipment, and supplies, materials for construction or art and crafts, fees for educational workshops and other related expenses. Our Small Business Revolving Loan Program was new to the Borough in 2001. Since its inception in February of that year, we have issued 136 interest-free loans totaling about $150,000. The loans are most commonly used for purchase of inventory for resale, materials for arts and crafts, tools, and start up costs in excess of our $1,500 grant limit for individuals. While we have been the only place in Alaska that offers such a program, other regions are planning to introduce it. It has been exciting to watch so many people invest in their own ideas and talents.

Also unique to the Northwest Arctic Borough, is our Arts Purchase and Marketing Program. Since the program started, we have purchased about $200,000 worth of arts and crafts from 128 residents of our area. It has proven to be challenging to operate, as we need to successfully market the art we purchase in order to make the program work. I have seen improvement in both the quality of much of our art and the number of active artists since this program started.

In order to develop more artists in our region, we sponsored seven workshops for adults, with four of those at villages outside Kotzebue. We also sponsored two-day art classes at Noatak and Buckland schools and a full day at Deering. We plan to have workshops at all of the other schools in the year ahead.

We worked toward our goal of creating community work sites for artists in each of our 11 villages by starting a shop in Kotzebue and sending essential tools to Noatak, Ambler, Selawik and Buckland, where they have identified locations for artists to work. I hope to see art shops in every village before I leave the office of Mayor.

In total, we have worked directly with hundreds of residents representing all of our villages. Many people from around the region visit or call our Borough office every day with regard to these programs and that is the way I want this administration to function. In that spirit, please pass along your thoughts on economic development for our region at any time by calling me or my staff.

As a final word, I would like to thank Siikauraq Whiting for her work here at the Borough over the last ten months. She has decided to leave her position in our Economic Development department in favor of spending time at home and camp for the next year or so. We wish her the very best in all she does.

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.

In the past week, Lincoln Saito, Director of the Chukchi Campus, his staff member, Ruth Iten, and my staff have been preparing a grant proposal to the federal Housing and Urban Development agency for construction of an Inupiaq Cultural Arts facility in Kotzebue. The facility would become a permanent home to the arts and crafts production and learning center that I have dreamed of having for our region.

The proposed site is Borough property on Third Street just south of the Chukchi campus. It would serve many valuable functions for Kotzebue and the region. A location in close proximity to both our schools and the University would allow programs of each to be incorporated into its operation.

As proposed, the building would be largely workshop space for arts and crafts. It would allow us to house contemporary equipment that would both facilitate high quality art production and provide air quality control for artists. Right now, most carving is done in the homes of artists, where it is both difficult to work without interruptions and where the dust generated by carving can be harmful to the artists and others. The building would also provide a needed tourist attraction for Kotzebue, where visitors could view artists at work and purchase regional products.

An important component of our proposal is the involvement of the Maniilaq Addictions and Support program. Already the Borough has assisted a number of residents-in-treatment with the acquisition of tools and materials for artwork, but an actual facility would represent far more potential. The MASS program would help with the operating costs in return for having workspace, equipment and training for their clientele. I believe this would be a very sound addition to their rehabilitation program.

Use of the shop would be limited to artists willing to join and abide by the operating procedures of an artists' cooperative, which would be formed to manage public use of the facility. The shop would also be used for educational workshops presented by the Borough, the National Park Service and others.

The building would be constructed using foam panels from the Nunavik plant here in Kotzebue. It is important that we all make every effort to utilize Nunavik products for construction in the region. The plant, which employs our local people, can succeed only if we fully support it.

While we are hopeful that this grant request will be approved, we will continue to pursue this or a similar project regardless of the immediate outcome. I greatly appreciate the efforts of all those who so willingly provided letters of support for the project, including NANA, the Kotzebue IRA, Maniilaq, the U.S. Park Service and the NWAB School District.

Vika Owens joined the Borough staff on August 7 to fill a position vacated by Martha Whiting. Vika, who is well known for her artistry in both scrimshaw and traditional dance, will bring valuable insight to the arts purchase and marketing program. She will also organize and administer workshops for the region's adults and school students.

"The arts are key to the economic and spiritual growth of Borough residents," according to Lee Stoops, EDC Director. "Arts and crafts represent more new village income opportunities than any other vocation. We will continue to do everything possible to encourage that development. Vika grew up in an artistic environment (Uelen, Russia) and has so much to offer."

Nearly 700 Inuit delegates from delegates from the United States, Canada, Greenland and Russia are scheduled to meet in Kuujjuaq, Canada August 12 for the ninth general assembly of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference. Key issues to be addressed are global warming, human rights and the state of Arctic languages.

The host community of 2,000 residents is bracing for the week-long summit, which is touted as the "largest and most important international event in the Inuit world."

During one session, NWAB Mayor Ross Schaeffer will join ICC President Aqqaluk Lynge, former ICC President Sheila Watt-Cloutier and Mary May Simon, Canada 's ambassador for circumpolar affairs, to explore the many challenges of sustainable development in the Arctic.

An international elders conference will be held simultaneously throughout the week, and a full slate of cultural exhibits and entertainment has been worked into the busy schedule.

The name of the mascot should represent the people it should represent. Our high school team is Shishmaref Northern Lights. Because of our cold temperatures we often have northerns lights above the village. The name identifies the people.

George Olanna, Sr.

Native Americans, either of the lower 48 or Alaska, have the right to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality. Displaying us in a manner of such disgrace and stereotyping will no longer be tolerated. One more point, the word Eskimo means raw meat eaters, to my understanding it is not a Inupiat word, so its only respectful to refer to Native Americans from their individual tribes.

Elsie Ann Nelson

That is an interesting and humorous article. I think people are taking life too seriously when they spend their time on this issue. It reminds me of some people who don't like being called Eskimos and prefer Inuit or Inupiat. They say that Eskimo is an Indian word meaning raw meat eater. I don't mind being called an Eskimo because I don't mind being called a raw meat eater. I do eat frozen raw fish and frozen raw caribou once in a while. At least that way, you get your digestive enzymes for better digestion.

However, in a way I can sympathize with the lower 48 Native Americans whose culture and language has practically been stripped from so many of them. It's like one more added insult and symbolic of years of outsiders taking advantage of them. It all boils down to respect. When we are respectful of one another, we consider how others might feel before we act.

That is when we should always remember the Golden Rule. Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

Ruth Sampson

Edward “Lowell” Ward of Kotzebue has established himself as a premier knifemaker and carver.

Every blade is a uniquely functional, custom creation, tempered locally to ensure the highest level of durability. Each handle is a work of art! Lowell’s carvings and sculptures are among the most unusual and beautiful to be found in Alaska. His unique birch wood, baleen and ivory mask creations earned highest honors at the 2002 Arctic Small Business Gathering arts competition.

Each piece lends testimony to his formula for success— attention to detail and pride in his work.

Art Work For Sale

Artwork Currently FOR SALE at the Northwest Arctic Borough Office
(Located on the 2nd floor of the National Guard Armory in Kotzebue)
For Telephone Sales, contact Vika Owens at (800) 478-1110 (toll free in Alaska) or (907) 442-2500 M-F 8:00-4:30

Traditional Walrus Gut Umiak made to actual scale 30" x 18" x 6" $1,000.00

14" x 3" Solid Ivory Fisherman $550.00; 15 1/2" x 5" Whale Bone with Ivory Face & Fish Fisherman $325.00

8" x 4" Ivory Beluga with Caribou Antler Calf on solid Jade Base $500.00

35" x 20" Moose Antler Bald Eagle Carving $400.00

Solid Ivory Knife, Sheath and Display Stand $600.00

Northwest Arctic Borough Staff Directory

Mayor's Department
Ross Schaeffer Sr., Mayor
Valarie Romane, Assistant to the Mayor
Jake Stoops, Information Coordinator

Finance Department
Tula Lie, Comptroller
Judy Hassinger, Finance Director

Planning Department
Noah Naylor, Director

Public Servies
Tom Bolen, Director
Toni Evak, LEPC/PSC
Angela Joule, Receptionist/DMV

Economic Development
Lee Stoops, Director
Vika Owens, Arts & Crafts Coordinator

Borough Clerk's Office
Helena Hildreth, Borough Clerk
Geri Jones, Deputy Borough Clerk

Northwest Arctic Borough P.O. Box 1110 Kotzebue, AK 99752 (907)442-2500 (800)478-1110 Fax:(907)442-2930

(c) 2001 Northwest Arctic Borough All rights reserved