Ann Strongheart: LOL I did NOT say I was in labor!

Y’all crack me up! After reading the comments on my post about Pres. Obama I had to laugh.  So I guess I need to give y’all a pregnancy update.

I am not in labor, wish I were but sadly I am not :-)  I had a prenatal appointment this afternoon and did find out that baby has dropped and that I am very, very, very SLOWLY dialating.  I have been having lots of contractions for many days now.  They are getting stronger and stronger.  The doctor assures me that these “practice” contractions are making my uterus stronger and will supposedly making for an easier labor (*fingers crossed*).

I was up most of the last night with very intense contractions.  They were coming and going 2-4 hours of contractions every 4 to 13 minutes and then they’d stop for a couple of hours and start up again.  Today CC went out visiting for the entire day and gave me a much needed break and I spent the day resting.

I spoke to a new friend who is also a midwife and got some tips on getting my labor going once the contractions start up again, so I’ll have to give them a try when the contractions return tonight which I am sure they will  since they like to make a nightly appearance. 

So I can use all the labor vibes y’all want to send this direction!  To say that I am miserable, exhausted and tired of being pregnant would be an understatement, but you know what they say…Babies will come when they are ready to come!

Well, I need to get going.  CC is due back from her play day in a few minutes.  Will try to update as things progress! 

Quyana Cakneq for your thoughts and prayers!!

Ann :o)

Ann Strongheart: Pres. Obama Reaches Out to American Indian Tribes

As I sit here having contractions and waiting to go into labor I was checking my email and a former high school classmate sent me this link:

Pres. Obama Reaches Out to American Indian TribesPres. Obama Reaches Out to American Indian Tribes

C-SPAN  OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TODAY (11/5/09)

Pres. Obama delivered the opening remarks at a White House Tribal Nations Conference and participated in a discussion with leaders from the 564 federally recognized tribes. The conference is addressing issues facing American Indian tribes such as economic development, housing and education. This is the first such meeting since 1994.  Washington, DC

This is a very long video that I am still watching as I type this.  I am overwhelmed!!  This is definitely a huge and wonderful step in the right direction!  I wanted to share it with y’all so that you can join me in the joyous event!!

Victoria Briggs: On the Verge of Winter

Fall sunset in Ugashik

I was traveling home the other day from reuniting CC with Ann, where they are waiting for the newest one to enter the world. (Yes, both are doing well. Enjoying some of the fun things a bigger town can offer, like fresh seedless grapes!!)

We were flying over the tundra that is starting to show signs of real winter. Lake after pond, after stream after river, after lake after pond, well you get it, mushy tundra swamp. Everything is either a shade of blue/white or brown/tan.

Up to a third of most lakes are now frozen over, mostly the southern end because the winds have been from the north lately. It had been an evening and morning of frozen rain and light snow.

Many would call this area God forsaken, many call it beautiful, and a few of us call it, home.

So many thoughts were going through my head, fast, slow, back and forth, from when I first saw this area, to pondering how the future is going to show itself.

I have been reading Erin’s (McKittrick) book, A Long Trek Home, about Alaska and the 4,000 mile trip she and husband Hig took walking, paddling and skiing which brought them through here a little over a  year ago. We had a great visit with this super couple when they stopped for a few days in Ugashik, while on their trek.

Erin & Hig leaving Ugashik last fall

Her writings of what all they saw and experienced on their trip up through SE Alaska and then down and out to the start of the Aleutian Islands keep you turning the pages to enjoy more. The beauty, the sad things, the wildlife, the loss of culture, the maintaining of cultures, all something we need to pay attention to more here in Alaska.

Since then I have tapped into Hig’s knowledge of what all is facing us here in Alaska, everything from oil drilling and mining to coal exploration.

How he, as a well trained scientist, sees us learning about and getting involved in those things which will affect everything from our fisheries, jobs, environment, to education for our kids so they can have a future.

http://www.groundtruthtrekking.org/blog/

I found myself wondering how we can use this knowledge to hold those in positions of ‘leadership’ accountable for OUR future. From our state officials but more importantly, in my mind, our local organizations and people?

How we can move past the self–interests, racism, and short sightedness?

Push past the knowledge holders instead of knowledge sharers?

Push past those who would prefer to hold back more than move forward?

How do we push past those who REALLY do NOT care about people and cultures, despite the rhetoric, and move into a future of sustainability and thriving villages?

As we move into this season of not only cold but also of getting together for holidays, village events but also meetings and working on regional issues I will be watching and hoping we can really accomplish something towards helping people learn and be able to comment on those issues dear to them.

This is the time of year when most organizations in Alaska get together to discuss not only what has happened but also what needs to happen, from businesses organizations, fishing regulation agencies to tribal organizations.  Most all meet in the next six month at one time or the other to tackle a range of issues.

How do we work to show a complete picture of what village life is like,  work against those who stack the meetings/testimony (using monies that SHOULD be going to help) with only those who speak to only one side of an issue and move into REAL addressing of issues??

I hope, maybe, after the last 18 months or so and all the ‘outside’ attention we have garnered as a state it will make people realize we ARE on a world wide stage.

That our decisions and the directions we choose will impact many and for years to come.

Watching, and at times participating, has made me all the more determined to help others learn what they need so they too can speak up.

We need the tongues and feet of many to move forward.

Letting someone else always speak for you, even if you do not totally understand, is not acceptable.

To help people realize they have a right to by-laws, to minutes, to resolutions of their village governments, tribal governments and regional organizations.

If you are a member of an organization and you can’t get this information, ask WHY!!  Better yet ask, “WHY THE HELL NOT?”.

The “information holders” have to go!!

We have to move toward the people who are “information sharers” so we can ALL move forward.

~ Victoria

Ann Strongheart: Breaking News…A step in the right direction!

Obama seeks changes in Alaska hunting, fishing oversight

First off, I need to give credit to two mudpups who helped bring this to my attention.  Quyana Gramiam and GreatGranny in Kentucky who found this breaking news.  I was visiting Mudflats Chat tonight and Gramiam shared it with me, after she had read the link from GreatGranny in Kentucky.

Quyana Cakneq to two marvelous mudpups for helping keep us current on rural Alaskan event!!

Feds seek to reshape hunting and fishing rules

‘SYSTEM IS BROKEN’: Interior Secretary proposes to revamp oversight of subsistence in Alaska.

By KYLE HOPKINS

khopklins@adn.com

Published: October 23rd, 2009 11:03 AM

Last Modified: October 24th, 2009 04:19 PM

The Obama administration is launching a rapid, sweeping review of the way the federal government manages subsistence hunting and fishing in Alaska, Interior Department officials said Friday.

“The system, frankly, today is broken,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced in a video shown at the annual Alaska Federation of Natives convention in downtown Anchorage.

Subsistence rights — the battle over who gets the first opportunity to hunt and fish on state or federal land — is a headline issue at this year’s convention. For decades, the debate has pitted rural Alaskans and Alaska Natives, who say they hunt and fish to survive, against sports groups and urban hunters and fishermen, who argue everyone should have equal access to fish and game.

The state makes hunting and fishing rules across Alaska. But the feds regulate subsistence on federal lands, creating a confounding, overlapping system.

In contrast to the state Constitution, a 1980 federal law guarantees rural Alaskans priority when it comes to subsistence. Some Alaska Native leaders say the feds haven’t done enough to protect that right, and are proposing a resolution at the convention today that calls for broad changes to subsistence management.

AFN leaders met with Interior officials at least twice in the past four months, outlining some of those requests, said state Sen. Albert Kookesh, an AFN co-chairman who praised Friday’s announcement.

READ the ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE!!!

Well this is definitely a step in the right direction!!  I am doing a happy dance this evening :-D well kinda…it’s kinda hard to do much dancing when you’re nine months pregnant :-D

Quyana Again to Mudpups GreatGranny and Gramiam for making my day!!!

Ann Strongheart

Writing in forever loving memory of my beloved Segundo!

PBS Documentary: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska

My Google news alert for rural Alaska has been pretty active in the run-up to the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention that started today in Anchorage. One news item mentioned there would be streaming video which intrigued me so I checked it out.

The video stream has a live chat next to the video window which was interesting – everything from chatters trying to get tickets to Quyana Night dancing to speculation about whether a speaker was chewing gum.

I got to the site just as the group broke for lunch and a screening of a new PBS film, The End of Jim Crow in Alaska, was about to begin for those remaining in the hall.

The film wasn’t shown on the video stream but a pre-taped interview conducted by Alaska’s US Senator Mark Begich was. He spoke with the film’s producer Jeff Silverman and participating advisor Rosita Wohl about the making of the film and a powerful preview was aired in which actress Diane Benson pleaded for the rights of Native families to settle in urban neighborhoods .

The film, which will be aired nationally in November, traces the quest of Alaska Native People seeking equality in Alaskan cities twenty years before the civil rights movement in the lower 48. Senator Begich is hoping it will be used in a new Native curriculum soon to be introduced in Alaska’s public schools.

Watch for it – it’s a proud tribute to the First People of Alaska.

~ Jane

Apple Orchards in the Bush?

The University of Alaska’s Cooperative Extension Service lost an important member of its team last June. Forest Specialist Bob Wheeler passed away on June 29 following a short battle with cancer.

One of Bob’s last projects was developing cold tolerant apple trees that would grow and thrive in the Interior. His project involved grafting 31 varieties of apples onto rootstock of cold tolerant Ranetka crabapples, a Siberian tree known for its ability to withstand cold winters.

Trees were planted in high tunnel greenhouses near Fairbanks two years ago. Today the AP has good news about the success of Bob’s project.

Fruit was harvested a year before expected.

“They’re a little tart, but they’re good,” said research technician Kendra Calhoun as she bit into a tiny yellow Ukalskoje apple.

Read Bob’s overview of the project here.

Ann Strongheart: A Response??!! Really??!! Well Kinda, Sorta, Maybe…You can decide for yourselves!

Well it’s a late night for me here at the Anonymous Bloggers Ugashik Office!!  Umm, does a laptop on the kitchen table constitute an office??

So I spent a leisurely evening visiting Vic’s tonight, I had made a chicken casserole and had dinner at her house.  Cecelia played with the dogs and had a lot of fun.  We ate, then jumped in the shower to clean off the casserole and cottage cheese.  No, I was not covered in either but CC was ;-)

We went back to the house with goodies in tow, because I had received three boxes from I am assuming a mudpup that were filled with all sorts of goodies for not only CC but me too!    I got CC ready for bed and was doing a little bit of online Christmas shopping.  I was just about to shut my computer down for the night, and go crawl into bed with a good book BUT then I decided hmm maybe I should check my email.

To my GREAT surprise I see THREE emails that I was totally NOT expecting.  The first two were from Jollie, Tara L (CED) and the last was from Moller, John (GOV). 

HOLY COW!!! (cow was NOT the word that flew out of my mouth :-) )  Responses?? REALLY??  On a SATURDAY??  I rub my eyes and check again!  Yep!  They are there!!  Not only has Ms. Jollie responded but low and behold SO has Mr. Moller!

After my first stunned initial reaction I click on the first one from Ms. Jollie.  Here is what I saw/read:

“I will be out of the office until October 22. If you are emailing about fuel supplies in remote Alaska, this is the most current information as of October 9, 2009.

 The Division of Community and Regional Affairs (DCRA) is working to ensure adequate fuel supplies are available in Alaska’s remote, off road, villages. To that end, DCRA has made, and continues to make, an intense effort to contact off road communities regarding the status of fuel deliveries to their community. DCRA does not influence the selling price of fuel.

DCRA has identified 583 entities that cannot receive fuel delivery via the road system. These entities include Cities, Village Councils, Corporations and Schools that must stockpile large amounts of fuel for winter use. As of 9/29, DCRA has made 1,188 attempts to contact these entities. Of the 583 total entities, DCRA has successfully contacted 517, or 89%. Of the 583, 442, or 76%, report they have received their winter supply of fuel, or are in their normal cyclic delivery schedule with either a source internal or external to the community. Our work continues.”

In my absence please direct questions to Scott Ruby, DCRA Deputy Director. Scott may be reached at 269-4569 or at scott.ruby@alaska.gov.

Tara Jollie

Director

Division of Community and Regional Affairs

Hmm. Ok OBVIOUSLY a AUTO RESPONSE! Let’s move on to number two:

“I will be out of the office until October 22. If you are emailing about fuel supplies in remote Alaska, this is the most current information as of October 9, 2009.

~SNIP~

In my absence please direct questions to Scott Ruby, DCRA Deputy Director. Scott may be reached at 269-4569 or at scott.ruby@alaska.gov.

Tara Jollie

Director

Division of Community and Regional Affairs

The exact same  AUTO RESPONSE! OK, well let’s see what it has to say aka I am going to analyze it!!

(*Note these are NOT direct responses to emails that I sent, these are responses to emails that were sent by other concerned people that were cc’d to me*)

First thing I notice is that the first auto response is sent at 10:16 p.m. but the original email was sent at 2:27 p.m.  (Counting on my fingers… 2:27, 3:27, 4:27 etc..)  OK that’s like nearly 8 hours later.  Last time I checked auto responses were sent IMMEDIATELY when the email is received, right??  Unless this is some wierd State of Alaska/Government email anomally.  But then if you were going on vacation or whatever would you have it start on a Friday NOT a Saturday?  I’ll let y’all ponder that….

So let’s look at the first sentence:

“I will be out of the office until October 22. If you are emailing about fuel supplies in remote Alaska, this is the most current information as of October 9, 2009.

OK there’s the dead give away that it’s an auto response as if having it repeated a second time in another email didn’t give that away. October 22nd. Ok SURELY this is a coincidence right?? I mean she is going to be out of the office until the day I leave Ugashik to go and wait to have this baby. Coincidence I am certain.  Just like I am CERTAIN that there must be some legitimate pressing personal matter that is taking her out of the office…surely she just isn’t tucking tail and running away because of a few emails….Right?  Noooooo I am certain there must be a legitimate reason or she must have had this leave time scheduled in advance and just forgot to turn on her email vacation response prior to 10 p.m. on a Saturday. 

I mean this HAS to be an auto response right?  It’s not like she’s sitting at her computer firing off a COPIED response to all the emails she’s receiving hours after receiving them.  (* Found out that someone else who had been cc’d on an email received the same COPIED Auto Response to an earlier email one minute after I got mine*)

Next sentence…hmmmm. (GIGGLE, SNORT, GIGGLE if I weren’t 8 and a 1/2 months pregnant I’d be ROFL) If you are emailing about fuel supplies blah blah blah…..OK so obviously she has received a few emails inquiring about fuel supplies….ya think?? 

(HIGH 5 to all the Anonymous Bloggers and Mudpups!!!  Well done!!  Way to send those emails!!!)

 Moving on…

The Division of Community and Regional Affairs (DCRA) is working to ensure adequate fuel supplies are available in Alaska’s remote, off road, villages. To that end, DCRA has made, and continues to make, an intense effort to contact off road communities regarding the status of fuel deliveries to their community. DCRA does not influence the selling price of fuel.

Has made, continues to make, an INTENSE EFFORT!!  Wish I could know what Ms. Jollie’s or the DCRA’s definition of INTENSE EFFORT is?  Because not responding for months and months to inquiries seems lacking to me…JMHO ;-)  Hmm DCRA does NOT influence the selling price of fuel…doesn’t that sound like what I had in my email to her?  Let’s check…

From: Ann Strongheart <nunamiquayouth@yahoo.com>

Subject: Fuel Watch

To: “Tara Jollie” <tara.jollie@alaska.gov>, “John Moller” <john.moller@alaska.gov>, “Attorney General” <attorney.general@alaska.gov>

Date: Friday, October 2, 2009, 11:30 AM

Ms. Jolie

~SNIP~

I expressed my concern that even if these communities have or will receive the fuel they need for the winter that I am concerned about at what cost and how will people be able to afford the fuel. You stated that it was not your departments job and/or responsibility to set fuel prices. Which I understand but I am still concerned and would HOPE that you would bring this to the Governors attention. That simply because a community has fuel available that does not ensure that residents will be able to afford said fuel. Especially due to the poor commercial fishing this past summer.

Yep that pretty much looks like something I had in my email to her.  The next section throws out a whole lot of statistics.  Wow that’s a lot of numbers!  1,188 attempts to contact, 517 contacted, 442 reporting that they have their fuel or look to have it delivered.  Then we finish it off with…Our work continues!  Can you really say OUR when you are leaving for unknown reasons? 

So 442 reporting that they are set or will be set for the winter which is 76% of the villages or wait how did she word it…it was such a mess of important sounding words….aww yes here it is…Alaska’s remote, off road, villages that includes: Cities, Village Councils, Corporations and Schools. 

Is it just me or does it seem like there are a whole lotta numbers and a whole lotta words that don’t really answer any questions?  Ok I know they say that they are calling around and they have all these numbers and percentages but other than saying:  OUR WORK CONTINUES…ummm whatelse is the DCRA doing? (besides staying up late on a Saturday evening sending out COPIED Auto responses to emails?  Guess I am NOT the only one up late on a Saturday sitting at the computer!)

Then Ms. Jollie goes on to say: In my absense (no she is not tucking tail and panicking and running away!) Please direct questions to blah blah blah.  Contact information blah blah blah.  Passing the buck!!! Not going to answer all of these emails, caving under the strain blah blah blah

And there ya have, the DCRA’s Director’s Response!!!  Taaa Daaa!!  Yes taa daaa b/c it seems like magic that we even got this much of a response.  Or well COPIED Auto NON response! 

Well let’s move on to Mr. Moller’s response shall we?

(taking a quick break to take a tylenol and rub my temples from the headache that is forming from trying to decipher Ms. Jollie’s COPIED Auto response because the chocolate and peanuts in the goodie boxes don’t seem to be doing the trick!  Would suggest y’all do the same :-D  because it doesn’t get any better and the following could lead to banging your head on your computer and incoherent muttering of choice words, but that could just be a pregnant/hormonal side effect also :-P )

From: Moller, John (GOV) <john.moller@alaska.gov>

Subject: RE: Fuel Watch Meeting Oct 2, 2009

To: “Ann Strongheart” <nunamiquayouth@yahoo.com>, “General, Attorney (LAW sponsored)” <attorney.general@alaska.gov>, “Jollie, Tara L (CED)” <tara.jollie@alaska.gov>, “ombudsman ak” <ombudsman@legis.state.ak.us>

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2009, 9:54 PM

Dear Ms. Strongheart:

I understand your concerns with the continued high cost of energy. There are a number of programs that are available to help Alaskans in need. Attached is information about programs available through the Division of Public Assistance, which includes help in paying for heating expenses through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs (LIHEAP) and the Alaska Heating Assistance Program (AKHAP).

In some areas of Alaska , these programs are operated by Alaska Native organizations. Attached is a flier that provides information about Heating Assistance, and it includes the list of Alaska Native Organizations that are operating Tribal LIHEAP/Heating Assistance programs. Kodiak Area Native Association and Bristol Bay Native Association’s programs are new this year and they are in the process of getting their offices ready to begin accepting applications.

The Women, Infant’s and Children’s program is administered by community grantees. Bristol Bay Area Health Corp. in Dillingham operates the WIC program in the Bristol Bay and Dillingham area. They can be reached at 842-2036. Families can get more information about the WIC program and how to apply at http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/programs/nutri/wic/Participants/Default.htm

I hope all Alaskans apply for these programs that apply to them if they are in need. I hope you find this information helpful.

Regards,

John Moller

Rural Advisor

Office of Governor Parnell

907-465-3500

 Before I start analyzing this one I’ll share my reply:

Mr. Moller,

Quyana for your response to my email. You offered some information about some programs which I will be sure to pass along.

 Although, I can’t help but notice that you didn’t answer a single one of my questions. So here they are again. I hope that you will be able to address them. I am assuming that since you are the Rural Advisor to Governor Parnell that you will have access to the necessary information to answer them, even though they were originally directed at the DCRA and Ms. Jollie.

 What is the fuel status for rural Alaska ?

After reading report #5 from your dept. I am assuming that only those 13 communities identified in the report are having fuel issues?? I am assuming the remaining 567 are all set fuelwise for the winter? Would you please clarify that.

I expressed my concern that even if these communities have or will receive the fuel they need for the winter that I am concerned about at what cost and how will people be able to afford the fuel. You stated that it was not your departments job and/or responsibility to set fuel prices. Which I understand but I am still concerned and would HOPE that you would bring this to the Governors attention. That simply because a community has fuel available that does not ensure that residents will be able to afford said fuel. Especially due to the poor commercial fishing this past summer.

What is the current status of the the villages listed in report #5 from your dept? Are they all set and have their fuel for the winter?

Does the public have access to the whole database? I would like to review it to ensure that all communities were identified. I am concerned b/c I don’t see Alakanuk nor Kotlik nor other YK Delta Villages listed.

Could you please include me on your mailing list for future reports on the fuel watch. I am working on a post for my blog and would like to be able to keep up to date on current fuel information. I will be going into wait to have this baby here in a few very short weeks and intend to fill my time actively advocating for rural Alaska .

Quyana Cakneq in advance for your response and attention to this matter.

Ann Strongheart

Ugashik Village

King Salmon, AK 99613

email: nunamiquayouth@yahoo.com

http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com

writing in forever loving memory of my Segundo!

Ok so let’s take a closer look at Mr. Moller’s response.  Rather than analyzing it like I did Ms. Jollies response I thought I’d paste it here again and put my thought/translations to what I am reading…actually reading AND reading BETWEEN the lines.  Remember these are just MY opinions!  Which will be in blue!

Dear Ms. Strongheart: (I know I am widowed but shouldn’t it still be MRS. Strongheart?)

I understand your concerns with the continued high cost of energy.   (I am tired of receiving emails and hearing about your complaints concerns! ) There are a number of programs that are available to help Alaskans in need. (I am giving you all this information in hopes of distracting you and getting you off of my back !  No it is NOT passing the buck to another government agency in hopes that you will pester them with your steady stream of emails and questions!) Attached is information about programs available through the Division of Public Assistance, which includes help in paying for heating expenses through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs (LIHEAP) and the Alaska Heating Assistance Program (AKHAP).  (Please contact them and stop emailing me! because it’s hard work coming up with such a long run-on sentence that seems this impressive with lots of words!)

In some areas of Alaska , these programs are operated by Alaska Native organizations. (If you don’t already know your AVCP does this type of stuff for the Y/K Delta!)  Attached is a flier that provides information about Heating Assistance, and it includes the list of Alaska Native Organizations that are operating Tribal LIHEAP/Heating Assistance programs. (Please print these out and distribute them and quit pestering me to do my job!)  Kodiak Area Native Association and Bristol Bay Native Association’s programs are new this year and they are in the process of getting their offices ready to begin accepting applications.  (Maybe you can help them too since you are in Ugashik for the winter and hand out these flyers for me!)

The Women, Infant’s and Children’s program is administered by community grantees.  (WIC, you are pregnant and have a toddler!  Let’s see if I can distract you by throwing them in this email also!) Bristol Bay Area Health Corp. in Dillingham operates the WIC program in the Bristol Bay and Dillingham area. They can be reached at 842-2036. Families can get more information about the WIC program and how to apply at http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/programs/nutri/wic/Participants/Default.htm (You are in that area now, so I am going to put their specific contact information here just for you!  DISTRACTION!! DISTRACTION!!! Leave me alone please! DISTRACTION!!)

I hope all Alaskans apply for these programs that apply to them if they are in need. ( can you mumble that again???  I hope ALL Alaskans apply?  blah blah blah  hmm is this word salad leftovers?)  I hope you find this information helpful.  (Please don’t notice that I didn’t answer any of your questions and that I am simply trying to placate you and distract you and hopefully get you to start pestering another government agency and leave me alone!)

Regards,

John Moller

Rural Advisor

Office of Governor Parnell

907-465-3500

OK well I think that that is enough for tonight.  It’s after 1 am and I need to head to bed.  I will discuss these responses or LACK THERE OF in the future!

Ann Strongheart

Forever writing in the loving memory of my beloved Segundo!

Ann Strongheart: Enough Fuel for the Winter? Don’t Expect the DCRA to Answer!

Nunam Iqua's Fuel/Tank Farm, picture taken Spring Flood '08

Well for those of you who visit us here at Anonymous Bloggers you know that we have been trying for MONTHS to find out whether or not the villages in rural Alaska have enough fuel to make it through this winter.  After last years crisis, we wanted to ensure that everyone got their fuel deliveries and are set for the winter. 

Now this in no way means that the residents have enough money to buy fuel and food for this winter.  We first wanted to make sure that fuel was simply available.  That can’t be that hard of a question right??  Surely that State of Alaska has a program to monitors this type of thing, especially after last winters fuel issues across rural Alaska, right?

They do!  Honest!  It’s called Fuel Watch and it is run by the Department of Community and Rural Affairs (DCRA)  In fact even Governor Parnell wants to know what the fuel situation is….read here.

So I tried sending out an email to get answers:

Dear Mr. Parnell, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Moller, and Ms. Jollie;

Waqaa!  I am writing to inquire as to whether or not any of your offices have completed fuel inquiries for rural Alaska?  There was mention that villages were being contacted to assess their fuel situations and preparedness for this winter.

Additionally, what happened and/or what is the status of the Yukon Fisheries Disaster Declaration that was sent to DC?

Any information you could provide me about these issues would be greatly appreciated.  I am gravely concerned that this winters crisis in rural Alaska will be far worse than last winters, is there anything you can tell me that is in the works or under consideration to avert another crisis in bush Alaska  this winter?

Quyana Cakneq in advance for your help in this matter.  Please feel free to contact me at the below contact information.

After sending that email one of the staff here at AB found  this report  thanks to ADN’s Kyle Hopkins. 

So I read the report and had some questions.  So since the report clearly states at the top:

Division of Community and Regional Affairs (DCRA)

Report to the Commissioner

September 18, 2009 

From Director Tara Jollie

Ms. Tara Jollie, Photo from KTUU

I thought well I’ll contact Ms. Jollie, I mean it does say it’s from her right?  I had some questions.  So I called her.  I about fell off of my chair when she actually answered the phone!!  So I asked her my questions.  Specifically related to clarifying HER report.  Did I get answers?  NOPE!!  Instead I got the run around and a broken record response of … “We are having a meeting today (Oct. 2, 2009) and I was planning on answering your email after this meeting.” 

 

Ok, well now I am getting some where right??  Well just to make sure that she didn’t forget my questions I immediately sent a follow up email:

 

 

Ms. Jollie,

 

Quyana Cakneq (Yup’ik for Thank you Very Much) for speaking with me earlier on the phone.

 

I am glad to hear that you are meeting today to discuss the FUEL WATCH for rural Alaska.

 

I look forward to your email in response to my questions.  Here is a recap with a few extra questions:

 

What is the fuel status for rural Alaska?

 

After reading report #5 from your dept.  I am assuming that only those 13 communities identified in the report are having fuel issues??  I am assuming the remaining 567 are all set fuelwise for the winter?  Would you please clarify that.

 

I expressed my concern that even if these communities have or will receive the fuel they need for the winter that I am concerned about at what cost and how will people be able to afford the fuel.  You stated that it was not your departments job and/or responsibility to set fuel prices.  Which I understand but I am still concerned and would HOPE that you would bring this to the Governors attention.  That simply because a community has fuel available that does not ensure that residents will be able to afford said fuel.  Especially due to the poor commercial fishing this past summer.

 

What is the current status of the the villages listed in report #5 from your dept?  Are they all set and have their fuel for the winter?

 

Does the public have access to the whole database?  I would like to review it to ensure that all communities were identified.  I am concerned b/c I don’t see Alakanuk nor Kotlik nor other YK Delta Villages listed.

 

Could you please include me on your mailing list for future reports on the fuel watch.  I am working on a post for my blog and would like to be able to keep up to date on current fuel information.  I will be going into wait to have this baby here in a few very short weeks and intend to fill my time actively advocating for rural Alaska. 

 

Quyana Cakneq again, I look forward to your response.

 

  Surely I’ll get a response right, I mean Ms. Jollie told me on the phone that she’d respond! 

~~Note to self~~ just because Ms. Jollie SAYS she’ll respond to an email doesn’t mean she actually intends to follow through!~~

 

So I give her 7 days to respond, then I send a courteous reminder (*giggle*):

 

 Dear Ms. Jollie, (AG and Mr. Moller see below)

 

It has been 7 days since I not only emailed you about the Fuel Watch meetings/information but also spoke to you on the phone.  You assured me that you were going to respond to my email when I spoke to you on the phone.  I have attached that email again.  I look forward to hearing your responses to my questions.

 

Like I mentioned I am working on a post for our blog (http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com/) and I had hoped to include information about the meeting that you said was happening on Oct. 2.  But since it looks as if you will not respond to my emails I will just include what information I have managed to gather from other sources and will also mention that I have been unsuccessful getting any type of response from you or your office/department.

 

I plan on putting that post up tomorrow, Oct. 9, 2009 and following it up with an interview I am doing for APRN.  I would really like to include POSITIVE information that I have received from you and/or your office but since y’all don’t seem to want to respond to my emails…..sigh.

 

I really would like to include up to date information concerning the fuel watch meeting that you said occurred on Oct 2.  I am anxiously awaiting your response to my email below.

 

Quyana Cakneq in advance for you assistance in this matter.

 

AG Sullivan and Mr. Moller,

 

Would either of you be able to offer any answers to the questions below? 

Ann Strongheart

Ugashik Village

King Salmon, AK 99613

email: nunamiquayouth@yahoo.com

http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com

 

Well I sat here with bated breath (NOT!!) and waited for her to respond.  Hmmm, well that never happened.  And I suspect it never will!

So with all of that said I invite all of you to try where I have failed!  Yes I am woman enough to admit I failed….I failed to get any additional information.  So I remain clueless as to whether or not rural Alaskan villages have enough fuel for the winter.  My questions will probably go forever unanswered….sigh.

BUT I thought maybe Y’all would like to try where I have failed!  Whatcha think??  How would you like to try to get answers about the fuel situation in rural Alaska?

Here’s how!!!  YOU  yes YOU TOOOOOOOOOOO can email Ms. Jollie and ask her (friendly reminder: don’t hold your breath waiting for a response tho!)  if you are so inclined you can call her too!!! 

Here’s Ms. Jollies contact information:

Email:  tara.jollie@alaska.gov

Phone:  907-269-7959

YOU TOO can JOIN the quest for answers!!!  Now this isn’t the first time that Ms. Jollies contact information has appeared online…. here or elsewhere….sooo don’t think we are picking on her!  LOL  Plus her email is listed on the DCRA website also, so y’all could’ve easily researched it yourselves and found it, I just saved you the time :-D

Additionally, I always like to include the AG and Mr. Moller in my emails that I send out, so here’s their email addresses also….

“Attorney General” attorney.general@alaska.gov

 ”John Moller” john.moller@alaska.gov

Quyana Cakneq in advance to y’all who decide to brave the mighty internet and email to try to seek the truth!!  Please feel free to post any replies that you receive here in the comments or email them to me at: nunamiquayouth@yahoo.com

Quyana!!!!

Ann Strongheart

Forever writing in the loving memory of my dear Segundo!

P.S.  Just a thought….I am wondering if maybe my emails have been TOO complicated.  Maybe we should refrain from “OPEN ENDED” questions??  Maybe the questions should be simple YES or NO questions??  Multiple choice??  (*grin*)  Ann :-D

Ann Strongheart: Segundo’s 40 Day Feast Part 2

This was CC helping while I cooked, thank goodness Vic's puppers love her!

 Well the day of Segundo’s 40 Day Feast was spent cooking and CC as you can see entertained herself with Victoria’s dogs.  Don’t worry when they get tired of CC they get up and move but they love her!

CC and the Pups helping prepare the feast!

 More of CC and the Pups LOL  They had a good time together.  They played together and then begged to sample everything that was being cooked.  Turns out CC and the Pups love raw bread dough!!  Also we learned the Victoria’s dogs are truly Yup’ik!!!  They LOVE akutaq what dog wouldn’t mmmm crisco, sugar, fish and berries…Nothing better.  CC and the Pups licked all the bowls clean as we spent most of the day cooking.

There’s CC

 Here’s CC all dressed up and ready to eat!  We had Gundo’s Feast at the Community Center here in Ugashik.

The Feast :-D

 

More of the food

 We enjoyed lots of yummy food honoring Segundo.  We had Moose meatballs, Salmon, Rice, Coleslaw, Fresh roasted carrots, fruit salad, fried bread, akutaq, potato chips, cake, juice, tea and coffee. 

The crowd ;-)

 Nearly every resident of Ugashik showed up.

Me and baby bump...yes I painted those glasses on b/c I had my eye's half closed when Vic snapped the picture LOL

 OK I keep getting asked….When will we get to see a picture of your baby bump??  Here it is.  Didn’t realize until I uploaded it that my eyes were half closed and I looked half asleep so I painted sunglasses on it LOL.  But there y’all go now you have seen me and unborn!!

Well that was the Feast here in Ugashik.  I am going to have to do a part 3 to let y’all know what happened in Nunam Iqua.  Due to generator and phone issues I haven’t been able to call home to see what they did.  But once I do I’ll let y’all know.

Well I need to get this posted, have been fighting internet connection all day.  It’s getting late and I need to get Cecelia down for the night. 

Quyana Cakneq everyone for sharing with Segundo!!! 

I was kind of getting jealous when I read not only here but also on mudflats all the wonderful food that was being shared with my Beloved Segundo!!

Quyana Cakneq!!!!

Ann Strongheart

Writing in forever loving memory of my Segundo.

Ann Strongheart: Segundo’s 40 day Feast Part 1

Segundo Strongheart Nov. 27, 1970 - Aug. 18, 2009

You are invited!  Segundo Strongheart’s 40 Day Feast!

When: Tomorrow, Saturday, September 26, 2009

Where:  Here at Anonymous Bloggers! :-D

Well according to Yup’ik customs/tradition it is time to honor and remember Segundo.  We will be having Segundo’s 40 day Feast here in Ugashik and in Nunam Iqua.  The 40 day feast is held on the 40th day after Segundo passed away…Saturday, September 26, 2009.

I knew that I needed to do this but then it occured to me ummm WHY do we do it?  So I emailed my friend/elder Nicholas Tucker and asked.   Here’s our emails:

On Sep 13, 2009, Ann Strongheart wrote:

Waqaa Nick,

 I know you are busy but I am hoping you could take time to answer a question for me.

 OK as you know I have been on the Yukon for a little over 5 years now. And I have learned many of our traditions, some of our language and culture. I have been to several 40 day feasts but just realized I never asked why 40 days?

 If you have time could you explain to me the reasoning behind 40 days? I am working on getting supplies in to here (Ugashik) for Gundo’s 40 day and if asked would like to be able to explain why a 40 day feast.

 Quyana Cakneq for your help.

Ann :-D

Nick Tucker wrote:

Waqaa:

The 40-day feast is fairly new and isn’t our Yup’ik traditional feast. It is a Russian Orthodox Catholic tradtion that the villages picked up. It is based on our Lord’s Ascension into heaven, forty days after Easter. It is a wonderful tradition that has been incorporated into our tradition. After all, Yup’iks have always believed in life after death, and even before Christianity, we believed in a place where there was no longer suffering, thirst and hunger; the other place was where you were forever hunger and thirsty. So, it made sense to incorporate this Christian truth into our tradition.

Nick

After Nick’s explanation I felt kind of foolish for not making the 40 day connection.  So like I said we will be having Segundo’s 40 day feast here in Ugashik and in Nunam Iqua. 

If you will recall after Segundo passed I asked people to “FEED” him.  It is Yup’ik tradition that when ever we eat or drink anything we share it with the ones that came before us and feed them.  This can be done by taking a minute piece of each item we are going to eat and either placing it in a crack on the floor or placing it outside.  Also just simply the gesture of doing so…pretending to give food to the person is adequate.

Everyday, every meal Cecelia and I share it with Segundo.  Cecelia and I say a little prayer and then I show Cecelia by taking a little bit of each of the foods on her high chair and telling her “SHARE SHARE DADDY.”  Another way I will be sharing is by handing out gloves, socks and tobacco tomorrow at the feast. (yes I know what you’re thinking… TOBACCO?….but we aren’t the first culture that tobacco plays a huge part in traditions)

So for those of you that would like to participate you can do so by giving Segundo an offering as I described above. 

Here is what we will be sharing with Segundo tomorrow at his 40 day feast:

Moose meatballs, rice, fry bread, cake and akutaq in addition to things that the villagers bring to this potluck dinner.

I would love to hear/read what y’all share with Segundo.  SO if you are so inclined please SHARE with all of us what you fed my dear husband in the comments section below.

I will be doing a Part 2 to this post hopefully on Sunday that will include pictures and happenings here in Ugashik and Nunam Iqua.

Quyana Cakneq!   I look forward to sharing this with y’all!!

Ann Strongheart

Forever writing in the loving memory of my beloved Segundo!