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November Headlines:
AFN Recap Martha Whiting Angela Joule |
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P.O.
Box 1110 Kotzebue, AK 99752 (907) 442-2500 Fax (907) 442-2930 |
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Mayor's
Corner
The Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention was noticeably different this year. I found the atmosphere and discussions to be very non-controversial. While there are important issues before the Native people of the state, there seems to be overwhelming agreement on them. AFN has been very active in the ongoing fight to maintain subsistence rights in the past year. Native leaders have become frustrated with the continued stalemate at the state legislative level, and are seeking other avenues to settle this ongoing issue. AFN President Julie Kitka has done an outstanding job as our ambassador for Native rights and has represented our cause at the federal and international level. Wade Henderson, the Executive Director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, stated that Julie has represented the Alaska Native human rights cause exceptionally well. He also referred to Katie John as the "Rosa Parks" of Alaska Natives. In my opinion, Father Michael Oleska put the issue of subsistence in the proper light. In making his point, he referred to his first three village assignments as a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church. The first village taught him "the beauty of language." The second taught him "the beauty of working together." The third taught him "the beauty of hard work." Subsistence is all that and more, a complete way of living connected to the language, community, spirit, culture and social aspects of Native life. I felt that this was a wonderful observation on his part and I appreciate the wisdom he has gained in a lifetime of work with our people. Coincidentally, he made a cross-cultural presentation in Kotzebue the week prior to the convention. I was pleased to see that AFN involved youth in the keynote address. Francesa Marr'aq Sutton of Togiak gave a compassionate (if somewhat nervous!) speech on ending the vicious cycle of alcohol and drug abuse. Among her memorable remarks was the following: "I see before me a roomful of Alaska Native leaders, showing the same intelligence as our ancestors . . . as an ingenious people. This same genius still exists. I stand here as testimony to that fact. We have the potential to stop this intergenerational cycle within our generation." I hope everyone was listening closely. The recipient of the Roger Lang Youth Leadership award was Zazell Staheli, a sophomore from Kiana. As many in our region are aware, Zazell is very active within her school and community and is a very positive young lady. In making her acceptance speech, she addressed the adults with the words: "When you talk about leadership to youth, its important that we learn from what you say as well as well as how you act." She received a standing ovation from the crowd. I would like to congratulate Zazell for receiving her award, as well as Sally Harvey of Noorvik for receiving the Health award and Reggie Joule for receiving the Public Service award. It was a great year for our region.
A "Joule" of an Employee The Northwest Arctic Borough's newest employee is no stranger to government. Not only does Angela Joule's father Reggie serve as a Representative in the State Legislature, her mother Linda used to work as aide to the Borough mayor. "It's fun meeting new people through politics," says Angela, who began working at the DMV in September. "Everywhere I go, people say, 'Aren't you Reggie Joule's daughter?'" Angela graduated from Kotzebue High School last spring. Of the classes that helped prepare her to work for the Borough, working as an aid to secretary Ada Cleveland and two years of photography stand out the most. "I worked in the office answering phones, making copies, faxing
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Whalebone sculpture presented by the Borough
to Maniilaq.
things, entering daily attendance into the computer,"said Joule. "Basically, I just helped out wherever I could. I also took two years of photography, so picture-taking is a personal favorite." She also excelled in extracurricular activities, starring in Native Youth Olympics, volleyball, basketball and cheerleading. Angela competed at three State NYO competitions. In her freshman year, she qualified in the kneel jump and seal hop. In her junior and senior seasons, she competed in the kneel jump and one-arm reach. The transition from high school to the DMV has been a smooth ride. "The ladies from the Anchorage DMV are really nice and very helpful," said Joule. "The typewriter is so cool, it's my first time using one, so it's fun! I even like working the cash register. I guess playing store when I was younger really paid off!" Joule's prescription for success in the long term will include more school. "After a school-to-work program in high school, I found myself interested in becoming a pharmacist," said Joule. "It will take six years of college, but I think I can benefit in the long run." How about a career in politics? "I think about it sometimes," said Joule. "Some days I think yes, other days no. It all depends on which committee they put me on!" |
Borough Welcomes Siikauraq Whiting After a long tenure as an economic development administrator for the NANA Regional Corporation, Siikauraq joined the Borough staff in October. Prior to coming to the Borough, she served as chairman of the Borough Economic Development Commission for the last year. "I am delighted to be part of Ross Schaeffer's administration," Whiting reports. "He has introduced some important programs to the region, such as the Revolving Small Business Loans and Arts and Crafts development, and I am excited to be part of it all. I think we can make a real difference for many families." Siikauraq has a nine year old daughter, Denali, who attends Kotzebue Elementary School. Her husband, Alex Whiting, is an Environmental Specialist for the Kotzebue IRA and a trapper extraordinaire. During the last year, Siikauraq orchestrated NANA contributions of $50,000 to the Borough's Small Business Revolving Loan Program and $25,000 to the Arts and Crafts Revolving Purchase Fund. She will continue to serve as a member of the Economic Development Commission.
2002 Trail Staking The Northwest Arctic Borough regional trails, also known as the inter village winter trail systems within the Borough, consist of the historical trails our ancestors used in the past. Whether they cover land or ice, these trail systems received the highest priority of all projects discussed during our village meetings. The Borough consists of approximately 440 land miles and 340 ice miles. The need for permanent and temporary trail staking is very important for safe travel from village to village. Trail staking for the fiscal year 2002 is rapidly approaching and village IRAs should begin planning for inter-village trails. This year marks the first time the Borough is asking villages to stake willows on all ice trails at a distance of 30 feet apart (or approximately 30 paces) and permanent land tripods 150 feet apart. The Borough's new trail staking standards are presently under review by the Planning Commission and will be posted upon approval. The planning staff would like to ask villages to please be considerate and stake your trails to the best of your abilities. Maniilaq Association Supports Borough Arts The Borough Revolving Arts Purchase Program received a boost on November 1st when the Maniilaq Association Board of Directors approved a $25,000 donation to the fund. The Borough's request was represented by Board member Guy Adams, who also serves as chairman of the Borough Economic Development Commission, and Siikauraq Whiting, the Borough's Arts Program Development Administrator. The Revolving Purchase Fund, which has now reached over $95,000, is utilized to purchase arts and crafts from Borough residents. Those products are then resold by the Borough on behalf of the artists. Receipts from sales of the art are returned to the fund, enabling continuing purchases from the artists. "If we want to develop more artists and a higher quality of art," said Mayor Ross Schaeffer Sr., "we have to provide an incentive to the artists. Getting paid for their work at the time it is completed is real incentive." Siikauraq Whiting presented Maniilaq Association with the pictured whalebone sculpture in appreciation of the cash donation. The beautiful carving is the work of Sam Goodhope of Shishmaref. |
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Northwest Arctic Borough Staff Directory Mayor’s Department Finance Department Planning Department Public Servies Economic Development Borough Clerk’s Office 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 |
