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State of Alaska Delays Recognition of Indian Country in Alaska
Photo Courtesy of Angela Wade
The Interior Department has agreed to expand Indian Country to Alaska, but the new Walker/Mallot administration, including the state's Attorney General, is at odds with that decision. They may even go as far as pursuing congressional action to avoid recognizing Tribal sovereignty and Indian country in Alaska.
The recognition is considered helpful to Alaska's Tribes, which would receive increased authority and access to federal programs to protect their lands and citizens, but it could threaten the state's ability to enforce its laws on Tribal lands.
"Even with a new governor, Alaska Native people's can not seem to get a "fair shake" from the state of Alaska. Our sovereign rights are still being questioned and/or ignored. Do they fear the Alaskan Native peoples because of how badly they have treated us for decades? Are they afraid of retribution? Or does it all boil down to dollars? In my opinion, I believe it is fear, said Chickaloon Native Village Tribal citizen Penny Westing!"
For more about this story visit: www.adn.com/article/20150203/state-holds-effort-create-indian-country-alaska |
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Announcements/Upcoming Events
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Ya Ne Dah Ah Valentines Day Party
On Friday, February 13th, the Ya Ne Dah Ah Students will be hosting their annual Valentines Day Party Potluck. Uncle Albert & the Sunshine Band, Paul Pike, and their teacher Tina Gagnon will be playing music and signing for the students. For more information, contact the school at (907) 745-0793.
SCF - Family Wellness Warrior Initiative
Benteh/Nuutah Valley Native Primary Care Clinic
Recovery Support is on Tuesday & Friday 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Nicotine Recovery Support is on Thursday 11:30 - 1:00 p.m.
SCF offers a more general or open talking circle on Monday and Wednesday from 1:30-3:00 p.m..
Strong People Exercise Program
The Strong People Exercise Program is again available at the Sutton Public Library and Resource Center every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. All are welcome; especially Elders. If you would like a free medical clearance, please contact the Ce'yiits' Hwnax Life House CHC.
Scholarships
If you like to learn more about scholarships opportunities, contact Leah Walker at (907) 745-0793 or leahw@chickaloon.org.
Eligibility for this scholarship has 3 requirements
1. Be a chickaloon Village Tribal Citizen and have proof of enrollment
2. Not have sufficient resources to meet the essential items defined by the bureau of Indian Affairs Standard of Assistance.
3. Meet the eligibility criteria of the specific programs of financial assistance.
If you are interested in applying for a Scholarship please contact Leah Walker at (907) 745-0793 or leahw@chickaloon.org.
Higher Education Program
Letter of intent to request a scholarship
Scholarship
Native Youth Olympics
Native Youth Olympics practice for children aged 6 to 18 is held on Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:45 - 5:30 P.M. and Friday at Ya Ne Dah Ah School from 3:45 - 5:00 P.M. If you are interested in having your child enrolled in NYO, please contact Leah Walker at (907) 745-0793 or leahw@chickaloon.org.
Public Invited to Participate in Dall Sheep Hunting Work Session
on February 13, after Wasilla Board of Game Meeting
(Wasilla) - The Alaska Board of Game will hold a public work session focusing on Dall sheep and sheep management statewide in Wasilla on Friday, February 13, at 6:30 p.m., during the evening of the first day of the board's Central/Southwest Region meeting. Both the Dall sheep public work session and the regional board meeting will take place at the Best Western Lake Lucille Inn at 1300 West Lake Lucille Drive.
The Friday evening public work session will provide a forum for public exchange and input to the board on current and proposed changes to Dall sheep hunting regulations including, but not limited to:
- Statewide, region-wide and unit-specific limited draw permits and registration permits for residents and nonresidents, motorized access restrictions, resident early seasons, bag limit changes, harvest caps for nonresidents, reduced seasons for nonresidents, archery hunts, youth hunts, and guide-client agreement requirements.
- The Department of Fish and Game's Dall sheep management plans and draft operational plans and strategy.
- Evaluation of whether a need exists to develop a Dall sheep working group.
The work session is accessible via teleconference at 1 (844) 586-9085. Audio for the meeting is scheduled to be streamed online at www.boardofgame.adfg.alaska.gov.
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Traditional Chief & Executive Director's Reports
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| If you have questions, suggestions, or comments for Gary Hay, please e-mail ghay@chickaloon.org or call (907) 745-0749. |
Department Director Reports
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Accounting/Administration
Brandy Bunner, Director
We are working on finalizing the Annual Report for 2014, which should be made available by the end of the month.
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Education
Lisa Wade, Director
Language
Thanks to Sondra Shaginoff Stuart, the Ya Ne Dah Ah students have another tool for learning Ahtna! Sondra is teaching Ahtna through UAA, and the school has been able to access some of that information for our language studies. It's really exciting to have a new tool for learning the language! Tsin'aen to Sondra for your dedication to Ahtna language studies. We're all benefiting from your hard work! ~ Tina Gagnon
NYO
We had a lot of fun on our trip to Kenai for the Kenaitze Indian Tribe NYO Invitational. All of our Athletes tried their best and worked really hard to beat their own personal goals, many of them medaling in their events. After the competition and pot luck we all enjoyed the Pamyua Concert put on at the Soldotna High School Auditorium. The kids enjoyed it and they even got up on stage and danced with them. Everyone had a wonderful time, and we are looking forward to our next competition! I hope you all enjoy the pictures from our competition as much as I do, I couldn't post them all but here one of our favorites. ~Leah Walker
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Environmental Stewardship
Jessica Winnestaffer, Director
The Student Conservation Association in Alaska is currently recruiting hight school students age 15-19 for summer trail work and environmental restoration projects throughout the state. Students from all over Alaska convene to camp out, build trails, cookout, and share work skills and life skills with each other. Teams of eight crew members are supervised by two adult crew leaders. Students are given a $500 stipend at the successful completion of their four weeks of based transportation stipends are available to Anchorage, where crews will launch.
To apply, students must fist www.thesca.org/akcrew and thoroughly complete a Youth: Crew application. Applications submitted prior to February 15 will be given priority for the April orientation. After that, crew member openings are open until filled.
For help with the application and an application fee waiver, contact SCA Alaska recruiting coordinator Jeff Chen at jchen@thesca.org or call/text 907-717-8414.
This week I listened to an interesting webinar on Chemical Brain Drain- how contaminant in our environment impair brain development, presented by Alaska Community Action on Toxics.
Here are a few of the main points I noted:
- Chemicals in our environment do affect human brains.
- Chemicals in our environment affect the brains of our youngest people the most.
- Chemicals in a pregnant mother's environment affect her unborn child's brain a LOT.
- The placenta does not protect the unborn baby.
- Chemical poisonings are not reversible- impacts to brain developments are permanent.
- Human brains are the most complicated of all animals' brains.
- The brain determines behavior, IQ, bodily functions, and who we are.
- Exposure to chemicals or toxins in our environment may reduce our cognitive abilities.
- Know environmental toxins are: arsenic, lead, methyl mercury, ethanol, toluene, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), fluoride, manganese, tetrachloroethylene, chlorpyrifos, DDT/DDE, brominated diphenyl ethers.
- Environmental toxins can be found in many household products including furniture, cleaning products, fuels, solvents, paint, and carpets.
- Many flame retardant and flame resistant products contain toxins to humans.
Mothers and all of us can make choices to reduce our exposures, such as eating organic foods and minimizing (or eliminating) contact with toxic products.
If this subjects interests you, I encourage you too listen to the 1-hour recording of the webinar which will be posted soon at http://www.akaction.org/
ATV Workshop - March
Wasilla Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting a best management practices training for fish friendly ATV and salmon stream crossing construction. Sessions are March 18th and 21st with presenters from Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Mat-Su Borough and more. Content will include salmon biology and crossing impacts, relevant state rules and regulations, update on status of crossings in the Mat-Su Borough core area, ATV rider survey results, and contact the District manager, Wasilla Soils & Water Conservation District, distmgr@wasillaswcd.org/ 357-4511 to register. Space is limited.
Statewide Trails Conference - April
Save-the-date. Alaska Trails is hosting a trails conference April 23rd -25th in Wasilla. Content will include sessions on the economic and social value of trails in the Ma-Su Borough, how to build an ATV trail, potential impacts to fish where ATV trails cross salmon streams, appropriate design to mitigate impacts to fish, and much more. Stay tuned, for information to be posted on the Alaska Trails website http://www.alaska-trails.org/.
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Health & Social Services
Lisa Wade, Director
Elder's Lunches are Every Thursday at 12:00 P.M. at the Ne'iine' Hwnax (Government Building) in Sutton. All are welcome! For more questions, please contact Barb Leepanen at (907) 745-0704.
C'eyiits Hwnax Life House Community health Clinic (CHC)
Ben Olmedo, PA is now available to take schedule appointments for Department of Transportation (DOT) examinations. If you job requires you of have DOT examination you may call the clinic to schedule an appointment at (907) 631-7665.
The C'eyiits' Hwnax Life House Community Health Center (CHC) is hosting a Women's Wellness Clinic on Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Southcentral Foundation Medical Director Shanda Lohse will be available to see women needing pap smears, pelvic exams, labs (if needed) and breast exams. This is open to all women who may not have had a Women Wellness exam in the past three years. Please contact the Life House CHC and schedule an appointment (907) 631-7665.
The Wasilla Vet Center will be available at the Life House CHC every third Thursday of the month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to meet with Veterans with questions about VA benefits and services. They will also be available from 1-3 p.m. at the Sutton Public Library. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment, please contact SCF Program Coordinator Kari Shaginoff at the Life House CHC (907) 631-7665, or call Nancy at the Sutton Library at (907) 861-7640.
SCF at Mat-Su Valley Homeless Connect
Employees from the Benteh Nutah Valley Native Primary Care Center (NVPCC) and the C'eyiits' Hwnax Life House Community Health Center (CHC) joined 50 other agencies on Wednesday, Jan. 28th to participate in the Mat-Su Valley Homeless Connect event. The VNPCC Dental Department supplied almost 200 dental bags including a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and mouthwash. Dental employees also informed community members of the Dental Assistant Training program available at Southcentral Foundation (SCF). The Life House CHC also attend the event and informed community members of services available to peoples living in the Mat-Su Borough between Palmer and Eureka.
SCF Program Coordinator Kari Shaginoff and RN Case Manager Vicki Kindseth from the Life House CHC provided information and materials for services in the Mat-Su Borough between Palmer and Eureka.
Health and Elder Transportation
The Health and Social Service Department provides transportation to medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health appointments in Anchorage and the Valley. For more information please call Caire Hursey or Jane Martin at (907) 745-0704.
Anchorage Native News
Alaska Native People Shaping Health Care
Volume 15 Issue 1 December 2014/January 2015
Tsin'aen Dr. Mala
Dr. Ted Mala, Southcentral Foundation (SCF) Director of Tribal Relations and Director of Traditional Healing at Alaska Native Medical Canter, retired in January from an Alaska Native health care career that spanned 40 years. Dr. Mala will enjoy his retirement with his wife, Dr. Marjorie, in Hawaii and Alaska. Thanks you, Dr. Mala for your many years of dedication to Alaska Native wellness and your steadfast commitment to honoring our diverse cultures and healing traditions.
Congratulations to Katherine Cottlieb
The Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award has announced that Dr. Katherine Cottlieb, Southcentral Foundation (SCF) president/CEO, will be the 2015 recipient of the Harry S. Hertz Leadership Award. Established in 2013, this award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exemplar qualities consistent with the Baldrige Core Values, including managing for innovation and customer-focused excellence.
How to sleep better
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Are You Having Trouble Sleeping?
You are not alone.
Many people have problems falling or staying asleep. Sleep problems can be caused by your body, mind, or outside factors. When you're lying in bed at night and can't fall or stay asleep, here are some possible reasons.
Body: You could be overstimulated by your pre-bed workout or cup of coffee with dinner.
Mind: You could be anxious about an important presentation or excited for a party.
Outside Factors: Maybe you are awakened by a neighbor's dog or a loud thunderstorm.
Don't let sleep cause you STRESS!
There are things you can do to sleep better. You can improve common problem areas, create a good sleeping environment, and establish a healthy sleep routine.
Common Problem Areas
Findings suggest that poor sleep can cause weight gain and lead to developing diabetes.
- Food: Eating too close to bedtime, heavy meals, or foods that upset your stomach can negatively affect your sleep. Some people find a light snack at bedtime helps them sleep.
- Exercise: Regular exercise can help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. Time your exercise to end over 6 hours before your bedtime to avoid trouble sleeping. Boredom and too little physical activity during the day can make it harder to fall asleep. Talk with your health care provider before beginning an exercise program.
- Electronic Devices: The artificial light generated by a laptop, tablet, or cell phone screen can interfere with your body's sleepiness cues. Turn off all electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
Sleep disorders can have a negative impact on physical and mental health if left untreated.
How to Establish A Healthy Sleep Routine.
- Get up at the same time every day, even on the weekend or during vacations.
- Avoid taking naps. Limit napping time to less than 1 hour. Never take a nap after 3 p.m.
- Have a regular schedule for meals, medications, chores, and other activities. This will help your inner body clock run smoothly.
If you continue to experience problems after trying these solutions, talk to a health care provider.
For more information, Visit www.sleepeducation.com
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Housing & Facilities
Samantha Ange, Director
Notification of Housing Availability in Sutton: All interested applications are encouraged to apply, Rental Housing is limited to Low-Income Alaska Native/American Indian families. Applications are available at our housing office at 21117 E. Meyers Ave., Sutton, Ak or on our website at www.chickaloon.org.
Do you or someone you know currently lack water and sewer service in a Native owned home? Alaska native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) receives funding from Indian Health Services (IHS) to provide water and/or sewer service to Native owned homes. These funds can be used to provide well and septic systems to homes that are not located within water and sewer utility service area (not within community to city public systems).
Funding eligibility requirements include:
1. Home must be Native owned.
2. Continuous source of eligibility of the home.
3. New or like-new condition home.
4. In-home plumbing provided in the home.
5. Thermostatically controlled heat source in home.
6. The cannot be constructed using NAHASDA funding.
ANTHC is asking us for assistance in collecting this information so they can serve as many homes as possible. You can contact me with this information or if you have questions or comments. Please call me at (907) 745-0749 or email at samantha@chickaloon.org with your housing needs. If there is Native owned homes that will be constructed within the next year and will meet the eligibility criteria, please let us know.
If you have any questions please contact Samantha Ange, Housing Director at (907) 745-0749 or samantha@chickaloon.org.
TOYO STOVE NEWS- Here are some tips or reminders to help ensure you Toyo Stove continues to function properly and produce heat in the cold winter months. IGNITOR CLEANING- Cleaning the ignitor is important to prolong ignitor life. It is recommended that the ignitor to be cleaned once a week. You can either do this automatically or manually. Automatic Cleaning: If the clock is set, the heater will automatically clean the igniter for ten (10) minutes every day at 2:00 A.M. and display "CL;10" on the digital indicator if heater is running at that time. Manual cleaning: #1. Press the "HOUR" button and "MINTUE" button at the same time for more than three seconds when ON/OFF switch is "OFF". #2. Display will appear "CL;10" on the digital indicator. Cleaning will began and end without any additional input.
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Justice
Scott Chafin
Officer Angela Wade has been in training in Fairbanks this past week and will be returning soon.
Officer Matt Schwier has almost completed DARE training with students from Glacier View, Sutton, and the Ya Ne Dah Ah School.
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Transportation & Transit
Brian Winnestaffer
Governor Walker presented his revised FY16 Capital budget. The state match for public and community transportation is still in the capital budget and is funded at current year funding level. ($1million). The Governor's capital budget will be reviewed by the State House and Senate Finance Committees. I would encourage you to contact your legislator over the next few weeks and let them know how important the public and community transportation program is to you and your community.
Congratulations to new AKDOTPF Commissioner Marc Luiken! We look forward to a continued productive relationship with the new commissioner! ~ Gary Stevig
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Chickaloon Village Traditional Council (Nay'dini'aa Na') Job Opportunities
Position Title: Court Clerk
Department: Justice Department
Position Summary: Full-time position working with the general public and performing a variety of general office support tasks for the Tribal Court, Tribal Judges, Justice Director, and Justice Department staff members. Although the Court Clerk will have specific assigned tasks, this position also requires flexibility as responsibilities can change daily, depending on the needs of the department.
Applications are available on www.chickaloon.org website or by contacting Jennifer Bogar at (907) 745-0749 or via email at employment@chickaloon.org.
Employment opportunities at Southcentral Foundation!
Learn about positions by visiting our website at www.southcentralfoundation.com.
Visit www.ciri.com to learn about there Employment opportunities.
Volunteer Opportunities Available If you have little extra time on your hands, please consider volunteering at the Ya Ne Dah Ah School or with our Elder's lunch program. Your support is what makes these programs a success. Volunteering is fun, and our Elder's and youth appreciate you for giving the gift of your time. We are presently seeking some special assistance for one of our Ya Ne Dah Ah Students who has some special needs and could use some one-on-one support and tutoring while in school. If interested, please contact Lisa Wade at (907) 745-0793.
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From Terry Snyder Mat Su Coordinator Smoke Free Workplace Campaign.
We are proud to have a resolution of support for Smoke-Free Workplaces from the Chickaloon Tribe.
We need legislators to understand that Alaskans agree everyone has the right to breathe smoke-free air.
Please take just a few minutes today to tell your legislators they need to speak up for the majority of Alaskans who don't want to breathe secondhand smoke or e-cigarette aerosol of any kind. It's time for a smoke-free Alaska!
Winds of Change ~ Anonymous
For days now...
Four days now...
The arctic winds have been howling...
The winds batter the trees and my face...
I awake to the chill...
I wonder about the winds of change???
EDITOR'S NOTE: If you have family events, stories, or things to celebrate, please send me an e-mail and we will be glad to publish in the Mini Chick!
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URGENT AND EMERGENT CARE IN THE MATANUSKA-SUSITNA VALLEY
By SCF Public Relations
Southcentral Foundation's (SCF) Benteh Nuutah Valley Native Primary Care Center (VNPCC) provides primary care, but not emergency services. How can you know if you are in an urgent or emergent situation? An urgent situation is an event that needs immediate attention that would otherwise become an emergency if not treated. An emergent situation is an event that presents an immediate threat to one's life.
What should I do if I live in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and I am in an urgent or emergent situation?
Don't put yourself at risk! If there is reason to believe your situation needs immediate attention and you have the thought "I might not survive a trip to Anchorage," call 911 to be escorted to the nearest emergency department.
To ease the process of reimbursement, please tell the practitioners in the emergency room all details regarding your emergency visit to the non-Indian Health Service (IHS) facility, including concerns such as:
- Chest pain
- Excessive bleeding
- Trouble breathing
- Severed limbs
If documentation shows your visit was indeed based on an urgent of emergent medical condition and if you meet the reimbursement requirements* - you may be eligible to receive IHS coverage of hospital charges outside of an IHS emergency facility.
If the nearest emergency department physician recommends hospitalization, ask if you dare stable enough to be transpored to the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC). If you cannot be transported to ANMC, you or your family should contact ANMC Purchased Referred Care at (907) 729-2570 to report you are being hospitalized at a non-IHS facility. If you are experiencing a non-emergent situation, please contact your primary care provider to set up an appointment at the VNPCC. If an event occurs on the weekend and you feel that you cannot wait until Monday, you can be seen at the Anchorage Native Primary Care Center on Saturday 8 a.m - 4:30 p.m or at the ANMC Emergency Department at any time of day. *Requirements include being an eligible Alaska Native or American Indian customer-owner and may include applying for, and if qualified, using Medicaid, Medicare, Denali KidCare and/or other payment programs.
Living with Autoimmune Conditions
What should I know about autoimmune conditions?
Your immune system is the network of cells throughout your body that act together to defend you from infection. Sometimes problems with your immune system cause it to identify your body's own healthy cells as invaders and then attack them. This is called am autoimmune condition. Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are two examples.
How can I recognize an autoimmune condition?
Some Native Americans, especially Native American women, are at increased risk for certain autoimmune conditions such as lupus. You can help yourself and your loved ones by knowing some of the common symptoms. A common sign of autoimmune disease is inflammation, which can cause redness, heat, pain, swelling, rashes, and fatigue. If the condition affects the joints, you might also experience stiffness in the joints.
Find out more!
The Federal Government has free, easy-to-read information about autoimmune conditions.
- Understanding Autoimmune Diseases
- Lupus: Easy-to-Read Fast Facts
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Easy-to-Read Fast Facts
Download or order these and other titles and topics from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Visit www.niams.nih.gov/multicultural, of call toll free at 877-226-4267 (TTY: 301-565-2966). Many of these publications are available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. ~National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Dating violence can happen to any teen in a romantic, dating, or sexual relationship, anytime, anywhere. Each year, 1 in 10 American teenagers suffers physical violence at the hands of a boyfriend or girlfriend, and many are sexually or emotionally abused. But it doesn't have to happen at all. Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is a national effort to raise awareness about dating violence, promote programs that support young people, and encourage communities to prevent this form of abuse with the goal of decreasing the prevalence of dating violence among young people. Dating violence can inflict long-lasting pain, putting survivors at increased risk of substance abuse, depression, poor academia performance, and experiencing further violence from a partner. Although girls and young women ages 16-24 are at the biggest risk dating violence can affect anyone. This is why everyone must learn the risk factors and warning signs. While healthy relationships are built on fairness, equality, and respect, dating violence often involves a pattern of destructive behaviors used to exert power and control over a partner. It can include:
- Constantly monitoring
- Isolating, or insulting a partner
- Extreme jealousy, insecurity, or possessiveness
- Or any type of physical violence or unwanted sexual contact
The repercussions of teen dating violence are impossible to ignore - the issue affects not just youth but their families, schools, and communities as well. To promote National Teen Violence Awareness and Prevention Month please review and share the resources below.
Resources
Alaska Network of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
State of Alaska, Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
State crisis lines and national phone numbers:
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Chickaloon Village Traditional Council
Chickaloon Native Village
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21117 East Meyers Ave, Brown Bldg.
Sutton, Alaska 99674
907-745-0749
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