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Nupuat
FALL 2014
www.Chugachmiut.org
www.facebook/chugachmiutALUTIIQ
Serving the Native Peoples of the Chugach Region
Chugach Mask Returned
By Rosie Gordon with Contributions from John F.C. Johnson, CAC
Recently it was reported that several tribal artifacts were saved from a Paris
Auction, anonymously through the Annenberg Foundation. The majority of the
artifacts will be returned to Apache and Hopi tribes in Arizona, but two items
saved at the auction were Alaska Native artifacts. One of the artifacts, a Tlingit
bentwood box, was returned to Sealaska Heritage Institute in Juneau. The other, a Chugach Mask, was given to Chugach Alaska Corporation (CAC).
The Paris auction house was asked to return the artifacts to the tribes that they
belonged to, they refused, saying it couldn’t be proven the artifacts were obtained illegally. Thanks to the Annenberg Foundation the artifacts will be returned to the rightful owners.
The mask will be on display at CAC’s annual meeting.
Chugach Mask, photo courtesy of
Chugach Alaska Corporation
See CHUGACH MASK, page 6
NVE 21st Annual Sobriety Celebration
By Belen Cook, Special Events/Violence prevention coordinator, Native Village of Eyak
Edited and Composed by Rosie Gordon
The Native Village of Eyak’s 21st annual sobriety celebration will be
held November 14th-16th at Cordova High School. This annual celebration includes guest speakers, drum and dance performances, a silent
auction, a memorial potlatch, and much more. The celebration is open
to the public.
Celebrating at the 2013 Sobriety Celebration, photo courtesy of The Native Village of Eyak.
The idea for the Sobriety Celebration was based on tapping into traditional methods of healing. “The Way of The Human Being” states that
the primary cause of alcoholism is not physical but spiritual.* Therefore, the Native Village of Eyak believes the cure must also be spiritual.
Healing and taking control must come from the village level. The Sobriety Celebration was originally designed to bring awareness of alcohol*Martin, C. (1999). The way of the human being. New Haven: Yale University Press.
See Sobriety Celebration, Page 5
In this issue
2
CHUGACHMIUT Nupuat
numbers and the results are incredibly positive for the organization’s ‘bottom line’. The general fund is on the upswing and will be restored quickly to levels last seen over
I invite you to join me in applauding the numerous accom- twelve years ago. The entire accounting team delivered
plishments made by the hard working staff at Chuphenomenal results to get us to this stage and are very
gachmiut. With steady guidance by the board and staff
much appreciated.
dedication, major improvements have occurred in every
division and department of Chugachmiut. While it is hard I am delighted with the progress made by the Behavioral
to select improvements to highlight, the following are rep- Health Department to restore its staffing to full capacity,
resentative of the successes!
adoption of policies and procedures and the numerous administrative improvements made in order to bring quality
A team of Chugachmiut staff, board members and Alaska services to beneficiaries of the region.
Native Tribal Health Consortium staff including the CEO,
Roald Helgesen, several of Mr. Helgesen’s executive staff, Although there is little research, there is evidence that the
and the ANMC Director of Emergency Services, Dr. Paris use of indigenous language does have positive effects on
met several times to discuss medevac procedures in the
the health and wellness of indigenous peoples. I’m conregion. During the initial discussions it became apparent
vinced that protective factors exist if there is a strong conthat the health aide needs a clear and direct line of commu- nection to language, traditional medicine, spirituality, tradinication with ANMC in order to increase positive patient
tional foods, and traditional activities. Keeping this in
outcomes and to support the health aide. One solution dis- mind and to guide Chugachmiut’s Culture and Language
cussed is to install a Vidyo connection between the ANMC Preservation efforts, a group of known experts from the
emergency department and each village clinic. A pilot pro- region was convened on August 21 & 22. The group adject was recently implemented in Nanwalek; depending on dressed sustainability of current and future efforts, a sysits success, the system will be deployed throughout the
tem to share the 17 Heritage Kits, and established commitstate of Alaska.
tees comprised of regional volunteers to address language
preservation efforts and to develop a system for regional
It is with pleasure that I announce that the Chugachmiut
gatherings and collaboration opportunities.
financial system is finally in agreement with final audited
A letter from the Executive Director
By Angela (Jan) Vanderpool
NUPUAT is a quarterly publication of CHUGACHMIUT, the tribal not-for-profit organization serving the Alaska Native peoples of the Chugach Region. We welcome submissions from
Tribal members, councils, and employees. Please share your comments and suggestions: Rosie
Gordon, Newsletter Editor, 1840 Bragaw Street, Suite 110 Anchorage, AK 99508-3463,
(907) 562-4155, rosie@chugachmiut.org
Contact Numbers
Chugachmiut, Anchorage ….........................………....562-4155
1-800-478-4155
Health Services Division ………………...……..…...224-3490
1-800-224-3076
Chugachmiut Crisis Line ……………..………………891-0444
1-844-891-0444
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Referral Hotline
1-877-907-8738
Careline Crisis Intervention ……………….…...1-877-266-4357
Dental Clinic ...……………...………………….……...224-4925
Chugachmiut Homer Field Office ...……………...…...235-0577
North Pacific Rim Housing Authority ...……….……...562-1444
1-888-274-1444
Chugach Regional Resources Commission ..…...……..562-6647
Chugach Alaska Corporation…...………….….…….....563-8866
1-800-858-2768
Chenega IRA Council…………….………………......573-5132
Chenega Clinic…..…...…….……...……….…….…...573-5129
Native Village of Eyak…….………....……....……….424-7738
Ilanka Health Clinic (Eyak)..…………...….……...…..424-3622
Cordova WIC Office……………………...…………..424-5731
Nanwalek IRA Council……….…………...……….....281-2274
Nanwalek Clinic…...…….…………………...…....….281-2250
Port Graham Village Council……………………..…..284-2227
Port Graham Clinic……….…………….………...…...284-2241
Qutekcak Native Tribe…………………………...…...224-3118
North Star Health Clinic………………..….……….....224-3490
North Star Dental Clinic……….……….……………..224-4925
Tatitlek IRA Council……………....….........................325-2311
Tatitlek Clinic…………...…………...…….…….........325-2250
Valdez Native Tribe…….……………...………......…835-4951
Valdez WIC—call the Cordova WIC Office………....835-2173
3
CHUGACHMIUT Nupuat
Announcing a New Chugachmiut Behavioral Health Crisis Line
By MICHAEL HORTON, Behavioral Health Clinical Manager
On June 25th, Chugachmiut Behavioral Health began serving our communities with a new Behavioral
Health Crisis Line that is answered
locally 24 hours per day and 365
days per year. It goes along with a
new Behavioral Health theme of
“We are there for you when you
need us.”
a bank of phones at a great distance. out reception (such as the dampening field of most hospitals), or if
The Crisis Line is toll-free at (844) they are temporarily unable (such as
scrubbing up
891in the show0444
Behavioral
Health
Crisis
Hotline:
from the
er!). The
1-844-891-0444 or 891-0444
villages
phone has
Alaska Careline Crisis Intervention:
or a local
“caller ID” so
1-877-266-4357
call at
we will call
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
back as soon
891Referral
Hotline:
As much as the small staff of coun- 0444
as we are
1-877-907-8738
selors would like to be on the scene from Anable. Howevwhenever someone is in crisis or
chorage
er, if your
needs a friendly ear, we know that
so our number should never appear phone number is blocked, please
this is not always a possibility. So, on a phone bill. The calls go to a
just leave a quick but clearly spoken
the Crisis Line provides the next
GCI cell phone carried by the Chu- message including your phone numbest thing. The counselors manning gachmiut counselors at all times.
ber, and you will get a call back as
the line- Michael, Phoebe, Cisco,
The only time that there will not be soon as humanly possible. Or, feel
and Sandra- have visited every com- an immediate answer is if the coun- free to call back when most convenmunity and are local enough that
selor is already on another crisis call ient for you.
they can respond with a bit more
(we will not hang up on anyone in
warmth and understanding than
crisis to answer other calls!), has
Chugachmiut also works alongside
someone else might who is covering temporarily hit a “dead zone” with- the Alaska Careline at
See CRISIS LINE, page 5
Get Out The Native Vote!
By Rosie Gordon, information taken from The State of Alaska, Division of Elections website and “Get out the Native Vote” website
Don’t forget: Tuesday, November 4, 2014 is The Governor/Lieutenant Governor party tickets:
Walker, Bill/Mallott, Byron (Non Affiliated)
General Election Day.
Clift, Carolyn F. “Care”/Lee, Andrew C. (Libertarian)
The election is for State and Federal Repre- Myers, JR/Rensel, Maria P. (Alaska Constitution)
Parnell, Sean R./Sullivan, Dan (Republican)
sentatives, including Governor, State and
district judicial offices, and 3 ballot
If you would like additional information on the candidates and to
measures.
find out who is running to represent your district check on-line at
www.elections.alaska.gov/ci.php
Running for US Senate:
Sullivan, Dan (Republican)
State Senator and State Representatives are voted by District.
Begich, Mark (Democrat)
Listed are districts that maybe of relevance to our readers.
Fish, Mark S. (Libertarian)
Gianoutsos, Ted (Non Affiliated)
House District 9 - Senate District E
Valdez
Running for US Representative:
McDermott, Jim C. (Libertarian)
House District 29 - Senate District O
Young, Don (Republican)
See VOTE, page 7
Seward
Dunbar, Forrest (Democrat)
4
CHUGACHMIUT Nupuat
Get Up! Stand Up! – 2014 Elders & Youth Conference
Information from the First Alaskans Institute Website
2014 marks the 30th anniversary
of the Elders & Youth Conference, and the 10th year that the
First Alaskans Institute will support and manage the event.
The purpose of the gathering is to
develop leadership in our Native
youth, strengthened with the experience and wisdom of our Native Elders. For many participants (ages 13-18), the conference is their first opportunity to
attend a statewide gathering and
to engage in serious dialogue on
issues relevant to Alaska Natives.
The 2014 conference theme is
“Get Up! Stand Up!” and is focused on catalyzing and growing
the voice and spirit of our youth
and our Elders as critical leaders
in our communities. The theme
AFN Annual Convention
Information taken from AFN Website
calls to inspire and engage participants to elevate solutions they
create to the challenges of our
time by amplifying and utilizing
our Native knowledge, cultures,
and values. This is a movement
to strengthen our advocacy for
one another, empower our collective voice, and celebrate the vibrancy of who we are as indigenous peoples!
The Annual Alaska Federation of
Natives (AFN) Convention will
be held in Anchorage this year at
the Dena’ina Center, October 2325. The theme is “Rise as One.”
Each year, the AFN Convention
draws between 4,000–5,000 attendees. The proceedings are
broadcast live statewide via television and radio and webcast to
70 countries worldwide.
Additional information on the
conference can be found on the
First Alaskans Institute Website
http://firstalaskans.org/
Registration for Elders, Youth/
Students, Chaperones, Observers,
Presenters, Arts & Opps Showcase Exhibitors and Vendors can
be done on-line at:
http://2014eldersandyouthconfere
ne.eventbrite.com
The Convention is a private gathering of selected delegates and
membership but AFN welcomes
visitors to all the central activities
including the assembly sessions
with speakers and forums, and the
Alaska Native Customary Art
show and sale, the AFN Exhibit
Fair. There is no registration for
visitors, but Quyana Native
Dance performances and the AFN
Banquet require the purchase of
tickets.
Chugachmiut Wants to Know…
Is your community doing any-thing to strengthen Elder/
Youth relationships? We’d love to hear about it!
Submit your stories, articles and/or pictures for a chance to be
featured in the Nupuat*, email us, Facebook us, or give us a
call for additional information or questions.
Email: rosie@chugachmiut.org
Facebook: www.facebook.comChugachmiutALUTIIQ
Call us toll free at 1-800-478-4155
*We reserve the right to edit submissions as deemed appropriate or
necessary. By sub-mitting you are granting Chugachmiut per-mission to
reproduce any or all of the sub-mission in the Nupuat. We will always
give credit on submissions.
The keynote speakers this year
are Miriam “Kaniak” Aarons and
Mao Tosi. Additional information
about the convention or keynote
speakers can be found on the
website:
www.nativefederation.org
including the Agenda, Quyana
and Banquet information, delegate registration and FAQs.
Will you be participating?
Let us know about it on Facebook: www.facebook.com/
ChugachmiutALUTIIQ
Share your pictures or experiences at AFN with us.
CHUGACHMIUT Nupuat
5
Sobriety Celebration, from page 1
ism to the community, and to celebrate through cultural Native dance, arts & crafts, traditional song and dress, hoshealing for those suffering from the disease.
pitality, and a subsistence feast. Each year there is a traditional sobriety “count-down” of how long each participant
Each year the participation rate increases as more commu- has been clean and sober. Each participant in the countnity members and guests become clean and sober and want down receives a sobriety coin to represent their sobriety.
to be involved. In the community-centered approach to This special event is a celebration of prevention and freesubstance abuse prevention, we can create a network of dom from dependency.
safety and caring
relationThe theme of this
ships. The netyear’s celebration
work is made
is “Soaring in the
available to our
Spirit of Sobriecommunity and
ty,” the winning
outlying villages
logo will be preso that everyone
sented at the celecan be strengthbration. Both the
ened to satisfy
theme and the
needs and solve
logo are selected
problems conthrough an annual
structively.
contest. The winning theme was
The
Sobriety
submitted by CaCelebration is
sey Pape and the
focused
on
logo contest winproviding eduner is Cadence
cation for alcoWren Moffit; both
hol and subcontest winners
stance
abuse.
will be recognized
Education
on
at the celebration.
prevention
is
provided through well-known Alaskan speakers and edu- T-shirts and other promotional items, designed with the
cational workshops.
winning logo, will be for sale at the celebration and after
the celebration. If you’re interested in attending, purchasThis event is provided by the Native Village of Eyak to, ing promotional items or would like additional information
Cordova and other residents throughout Alaska. This is an you can check the website www.eyak-nsn.gov or contact
opportunity to promote and share cultural events through Belen Cook at (907) 424-7738.
Crisis Line, from page 3
1-877-266-4357, another 24/7 Alaska-based Crisis
Line. If you call that number and you want a call
from one of our local counselors, they will call us, and
we will quickly return your call. Another number to
keep on hand is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 just in case you, family,
friends, or neighbors ever need an extra ear. Also,
remember that our Domestic Violence Regional Coordinator, Meg McKinney carries the Behavioral
Health Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault referral
toll-free hotline at 1-877-907-8738 and will also answer 24/7.
All calls are, as with any counseling visit, confidential. If you, as the caller, want to just give a first name
or even say, “This is John Doe,” that works for us.
This is not about billing, making money on the calls,
or anything other than just one more tool to keep people safe and to have a warm voice when needed. In
coming weeks, you will be seeing more promotion of
the Crisis Line through useful tools and warm, comfortable clothing- just in time for the winter months.
6
CHUGACHMIUT Nupuat
Electronic (e-) Cigarettes and Secondhand Aerosol
Submitted by Trudy Valenza, Tobacco Prevention & Control Program Coordinator
Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights, © 2014
Constituents of Secondhand Aerosol
E-cigarettes do not just emit
“harmless water vapor.” Secondhand
e-cigarette aerosol (incorrectly called
vapor by the industry) contains nicotine, ultrafine particles and low levels
of toxins that are known to cause cancer.
E-cigarette aerosol is made up of a
high concentration of ultrafine particles, and the particle concentration is
higher than in conventional tobacco cigarette
smoke.
Exposure to fine and
ultrafine particles may
exacerbate respiratory
ailments like asthma,
and constrict arteries
which could trigger a
heart attack.
used as a base in e-cigarette solution and is one of the primary components in the aerosol emitted by e
-cigarettes, which causes:
 Short term exposure causes
eye, throat, and airway irritation.
 Long term inhalation exposure can result in children
developing asthma.
tained particles. The concentrations of
nine of eleven elements in e-cigarette
aerosol were higher than or equal to
the corresponding concentrations in
conventional cigarette smoke.
E-cigarettes cause exposure to different chemicals than found in conventional cigarettes and there is a need for
risk evaluation for both primary and
passive exposure to the aerosol in
smokers and nonsmokers.
Even though propylene glycol is
“If you are around somebody who
is using e-cigarettes, you are
breathing an aerosol of exhaled
nicotine, ultra-fine particles,
volatile organic compounds, and
other toxins,”
Short term use of ecigarettes has been
shown to increase respiratory resistance and
impair lung function,
which may result in
difficulty breathing.
Overall, e-cigarettes are
a new source of Volatile
Organic Compounds
(VOCs) and ultrafine/
fine particles in the indoor environment, thus
resulting in “passive
vaping.”
At least 10 chemicals
states Dr. Stanton Glantz, Director for the Center for Tobacco Control
identified in e-cigarette Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco.
aerosol - the compounds that have already been identified in mainstream
FDA approved for use in some prod(MS) or secondhand (SS) e-cigarette ucts, the inhalation of vaporized nico- E-cigarette aerosol is a new source of
aerosol include: Acetaldehyde (MS), tine in propylene glycol is not. Some pollution and toxins being emitted
into the environment. We do not know
Benzene (SS), Cadmium (MS), For- studies show that heating propylene
maldehyde (MS,SS), Isoprene (SS),
glycol changes its chemical composi- the long-term health effects of eLead (MS), Nickel (MS), Nicotine
tion, producing small amounts of pro- cigarette use and although the industry
marketing of the product implies that
(MS, SS), N-Nitrosonornicotine (MS, pylene oxide, a known carcinogen.
these products are harmless, the aeroSS), Toluene (MS, SS).
Many of the elements identified in the sol that e-cigarettes emit is not purely
E-cigarettes contain and emit proaerosol are known to cause respiratory water vapor.
pylene glycol, a chemical that is
distress and disease. The aerosol con-
About Chugachmiut’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Program
The Tobacco Prevention and Control Program is designed to increase the awareness of tobacco and its effects. Tobacco prevention educators work to eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke, prevent the initiation of tobacco use among
youth, promote quitting among adults and youth, and identify and eliminate tobacco-related disparities among Alaska
Natives in the Chugach region.
CHUGACHMIUT Nupuat
7
VOTE, from page 3
House District 32 - Senate District P
Chenega Bay
Cordova
Nanwalek
Port Graham
Seldovia
Tatitlek
If you aren’t sure
what district your
community is part of
you can find out on
the State of Alaska
Divisions of elections
website www.elections.alaska.gov
You can also view sample ballots and find the nominees for your district.
Ballot Measures:
Ballot Measure #2 (13PSUM) - An Act to Tax and
Regulate the Production, Sale and Use of Marijuana
Ballot Measure #3 (13MINW) - An Act to Increase
Alaska’s Minimum Wage
Ballot Measure #4 (12BBAY) - An Act Providing for
Protection of Bristol Bay Wild Salmon and Waters
Within or Flowing Into the Existing 1972 Bristol Bay
Fisheries Reserve
A description for each ballot measure is available
on the elections website, listed above.
If you aren’t sure where to vote or can’t get to the
polls you can always cast an absentee ballot by
mail or electronic transmission here:
http://www.elections.alaska.gov/
vi_bymail_byfax.php
Remember your vote matters! The people
elected represent you and your community.
According to “Get out the Native Vote” in 2008
about 34% of eligible voters (those 18 and older)
were not registered to vote. The Native Vote campaign seeks to reach out to Native Voters and inform
them about their responsibility and right to voice their
opinion and encourage Native people to take a stand
at the polls this November.
For additional information about “Get Out the Native
Vote” Campaign go to their website
www.nativevote.org
Chugachmiut doesn’t endorse any candidates or ballot
measures, this is just a reminder to do your civic duty
November 4th (or earlier through absentee ballots)
and “Get Out the Native Vote!”
Chugach Mask, from page 1
A message from John C.F. Johnson, Vice President of Cultural Resources, Chugach Alaska Corporation:
I have recently returned from Los
Angles, California where I met with
the board of directors of the Annenberg Foundation and was presented
with a Chugach mask that was
saved from an auction house in Paris, France. Gregory Annenberg
Weingarten was instrumental along
with others in secretly outbidding
the other participants.
Many sacred artifacts were removed from the homelands of the
Hopi, Apache, Tlingit and Chugach
Photo, courtesy of the Annenberg Corporation,
Pictured: Gregory Annenberg Weingarten (left)
and John C.F. Johnson (right) with the mask
many years ago with little or no
history on how they were removed. It was with great pleasure
and honor that I got to personally
thank Wallis, Gregory and Charles
Annenberg Weingarten for their
great efforts. The Annenberg Foundation is like a shining star that has
made a positive difference in this
world. I admire individuals who
have the knowledge, power and
ability to see an opportunity and
act upon them for the benefits of
others.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit No. 595
Anchorage, AK 99508
CHUGACHMIUT
1840 Bragaw Street, Suite 110
Anchorage, AK 99508-3463
www.chugachmiut.org
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
We want to hear from you!
Help us keep our newsletter relevant and up to date. We want to know what’s going on in your
community. Submit ideas, articles, stories and/or pictures for use in the Nupuat or Annual
calendar.
Contact Rosie for additional information at 1-800-478-4155 or email rosie@chugachmiut.org
Chugachmiut is the tribal consortium created to promote self-determination to the seven Native communities of the
Chugach Region. We provide health and social services, education and training, and technical assistance to the Chugach
Native people in a way which is acceptable to Native cultural values and tradition in order to enhance the well-being of
our people by continuing to strengthen the tribes and increase self-determination opportunities for community operated
tribal programs.
CHUGACHMIUT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Port Graham
Francis Norman, Chair
Chenega Bay
Larry Evanoff, Vice Chair
Qutekcak
Arne Hatch, Secretary
Valdez
Jim Ujioka, Treasurer
Eyak
Robert Henrichs, Director
Nanwalek
John Kvasnikoff, Director
Tatitlek
David Totemoff, Director