Ann Strongheart: The birth of a Strongheart!

 

Glenna "GG"

 

Well Glenna Gabriella, GG, is now 5 days old.  She began her life in Dillingham, Alaska.  We have since come home to Ugashik and are settling in here.  So much has happened this year it’s all very overwhelming.  From food/fuel drives to food drops to making 100’s of new friends to new jobs in new places.  From the death of my beloved Gundo to the birth of beautiful GG.  A lot of happiness and hard work mixed with a lot of pain and loss. 

GG’s efforts to come into this world early (pre term labor) resulted in me having to be medivac’d from Ugashik to Dillingham on October 17.  (wow that was a month ago today!  seems much longer than that)  So off I went to Dillingham as Victoria and CC waved from the car.  I was having lots of contractions but thankfully I wasn’t in actual labor and with a couple of IV bags of fluid they stopped.  But since this was the 2nd time in a couple of weeks that this had happened the doctor decided that I had to go into waiting and remain in Dillingham.  This was nearly 2 weeks earlier than expected since I wasn’t scheduled to go to Dillingham to wait until October 29th.

So there I was stuck in Dillingham early!  Couldn’t pack anything and bring it with me on the medivac let alone could Cece have joined me.  So now what?  We had made plans for Cecelia and I to move to Dillingham to await GG’s birth.  We were going to stay at the SAFE DV Shelter, but there I sat released from the Kanakanak Hospital and sent to the “Maternity Home” and Cece was still in Ugashik with Victoria.

Victoria and her hubby were getting a crash course in “Life with a 2 year old”!  Cece being Cece was making certain that this “crash course” was very in depth and challenging!  (grin)  Victoria related stories about how fast Cece could get into things.  How much fun playing in the dogs water dish was.  How surprising her dogs took to being helpful Cece sitters/watchers when Vic was trying to get house/computer work done.  How her hubby learned that in the blink of an eye Cece could disappear from his sight and run into the bathroom to help Vic take a shower. 

My favorite story that Victoria told me about her dear hubby’s crash course into toddlerhood was when she told me how she went to change CC’s poopy diaper and her hubby went running out of the house muttering something about the smell and that that is just disgusting.  Also he was heard vowing something about “I do NOT!!! do poopy diapers!!”

So needless to say Victoria and her hubby learned a lot the days they watched Cece.  Victoria escorted Cece into Dillingham to join me that Thursday.  I moved from the maternity home to the SAFE Shelter on Thursday before they arrived.  Victoria and Cece arrived Thursday evening and we spent the evening trying to settle in and get some sleep and the next morning bright and early Vic headed back to Ugashik.

Cece and I filled our days playing, reading, cooking and waiting.  And waiting, and waiting and waiting….did I mention we were waiting?  I had many nearly sleepless nights filled with lots of contractions.  A couple of times there were late night trips to the hospital because I thought I was in labor.  They always resulted in being sent back to the shelter.  Gotta love false labor!  NOT!!

During these late night trips Cece would be packed up and dropped off at new found friends homes to await the birth of her baby sibling only to be carted back and dropped off with me again when I found out that it was another false alarm.  As you can imagine all of these nearly sleepless nights with contractions that didn’t seem to be doing anything but irritate me and keep me awake was tiring and the novelty was quickly wearing off.

On November 12th I was up early having gotten very little sleep from a false labor trip to the hospital that lasted until 2 am, Cece was at a friends house and I sat in the living room watching Regis and Kelly on the TV.  I was sitting there feeling unbelievably irritated and frustrated and saying some choice words to my late husband Segundo detailing how tired I was of being pregnant.  I sat there wanting to cry and going through names of people I could call and simply cry to. 

Then in the middle of my lil self pity party SOMETHING happened.  OOOOH what was that I thought to myself?  Did I just pee my pants?  Ooooooh I know what that was!!!  My water broke!!  Well I guess either God or Segundo heard my pleas and decided that it was time to have a baby!!  I remained calm, knowing that the birth was still probably many many hours away and started making phone calls.

Victoria had come into Dillingham for a class and was due to fly back to Ugashik that morning so of course she was the first on my list to call.  But first I had to keep from making a watery mess anywhere I walked so I went and told the SAFE advocate to call her.  After taking necessary measures to contain my water (sorry if this is too much information but any mom who has gone through this knows what I am talking about *wink*)  I started going down my list of necessary phone calls.

In between phone calls I had to reassure the SAFE advocate that everything was under control and try to keep her calm.  I explained that this was not the first time that I had done this and that I wasn’t even having any real contractions yet so we had time to get things done.  I made all the necessary calls.  Ensured that Cece would be taken care of and finished packing my bag for the hospital.  Victoria arrived from the hotel she had been staying at for her class.  I made arrangements for a ride to the hospital and then remembered that maybe I should call the hospital and let them know I would be coming in.

So Victoria and I headed to the hospital thanks to a ride from one of the SAFE staff.  I got checked in and they verified that my water had broke.  They wouldn’t take my word for it and had to check, after they confirmed that I did know what I was talking about they hooked me up to the monitors and made sure that the babe was doing well and that I was dialating even if my contractions weren’t happening very often (about every 10-20 minutes at this point).

The doctor decided that I could get up and walk around hoping that walking would intensify my contractions.  So off Victoria and I go, wandering all over the hospital.  The doctor and nurses having given me instructions to return to my room if anything changed or in an hour.  We wandered the hospital stopping every three to eight minutes when I’d have a contraction.  After an hour of this the doctor checked me again and sent me off to walk again instructing me to wait 2 hours unless something changed.  So Victoria and I were off wandering the halls of the hospital and found the stairs.  Victoria waited on one of the landings and I proceeded to go up and down the stairs hoping to get my labor to progress.  Down three flights of stairs, turn around and head back up, stopping on each trip up the stairs as my contractions were coming about every 3 to 4 minutes.  Breathe, try to relax, visualize the baby dropping and moving down, breathe and then off I’d go again. Up and down the stairs.  I don’t know how long we were there but after I’d guess over an hour I was getting tired so we returned to my room. 

Sat in the bed with the monitors connected, my laptop out as I chatted with friends, and on the phone while I ate some lunch.  Yep I was still multi-tasking and trying to blog while in labor LOL!  Unfortunately the hospitals free wireless internet had restrictions on it so I wasn’t able to access our blog, Anonymous Bloggers, or the Mudflats but that was ok as my contractions were getting a little bit too strong to try and blog/type through.

chatting, eating, talking and laboring

Well without going into anymore specific details about the labor as I am sure most of you are saying ok this is too much information :-D  my contractions intensified and at about 9 p.m. it was time to start pushing.  Then at 10:08 p.m. all of my hard work paid off and Glenna Gabriella Kegginacengaq Strongheart was born.  Weighing in at 8 lbs 12 oz and 21 and 1/4 inches long.  Victoria got to cut the cord as I was simply to tired to even try.  They placed Glenna on my tummy and I got to see my new daughter for the first time.

newborn GG

Wow even only minutes after her birth and I could see my little Segundo!  She looks just like her daddy!  She of course will proudly carry on her daddy’s Yup’ik  name: Kegginacengaq (rough pronunciation KEY nutch Nuk) meaning “Small Face”.  I held her and welcomed her into this world with a little teasing saying:  Poor my little husband has come back as a girl!  My little husband will be wearing pretty pink and sporting pony tails!  Despite the fact that she was only minutes old she smiled at this teasing.

A bittersweet moment holding my beautiful baby girl wishing that her daddy were there also.  Knowing that he was there in spirit but still mourning the fact that this beautiful little girl will never feel her daddy’s loving hugs and kisses.   She will only know her daddy through pictures and stories told by family, friends and I.  The thought of future conversations and explanations of the fact that her daddy is in heaven and is watching over us is hard.  These conversations are already in use when Cecelia and I sit every day looking at pictures of Segundo and I explain to CC that daddy is gone but we will always carry him in our hearts and he loves us very much and is always here with us in spirit.

But thankfully we have such a HUGE support system in place of family and friends.  The support has been immense! 

I will never be able to thank everyone enough for all they have done and are still doing to help me adjust to life as a single mom of two small beautiful girls.

Quyana Cakneq everyone!!

First I have to thank Victoria and her husband Roland.  I will never in a million years be able to thank them enough for everything they have done and are doing.  From simply being great friends to opening up their lives and home to us.  They have been their through the funeral and are here now always ready and willing to help in any way they can.  They refurbished a little house near their home for us to live in this winter.  They spent a lot of time and money in plumbing, painting and adding a bathroom on to the house for us.  Hours of back breaking work for us.  Not only making a house for us but making a welcoming home for us to return to after Glenna was born.  That is just a couple of the millions of things they have done for us.  I will truly be forever in debt and eternally grateful for their loving support!

Then I need to thank the unbelievable staff here at Anonymous Bloggers!!  When we returned home with Glenna I walked into our new home to find it filled with love.  Gifts of bedding, dishes, utensils, pots and pans, curtains and even baby clothes and presents for Glenna and Cecelia.  Further making our new house a warm and loving home!!  Quyana Anonymous Bloggers!!!  I don’t know what I’d do with out y’all!!

Quyana Cakneq to everyone in Dillingham!  Especially the wonderfully caring staff at the SAFE shelter.  They not only provided us with a safe and warm place to stay while we awaited Glennas birth but also were a huge and loving support!  I don’t know what I would’ve done if they hadn’t been their for us.  The thought of not having Cecelia with me while I waited for Glennas birth was just simply out of the question.  But thanks to these wonderful women at SAFE Cecelia and I were able to be together.   Plus their unconditional support for everything from simply being there to talk to rides to and from the hospital and stores and watching Cecelia when I had appointments.  Quyana Cakneq SAFE!!!  you will always be near and dear to my heart!

Quyana Cakneq to all my new and wonderful friends in Dillingham.   Friends of a friend of Victoria stepped up and despite not knowing who we were volunteered their homes and care to watch Cecelia when the time came for Glenna to be born.  Quyana Cindy in WA for helping us connect with all of these outstanding women and their families.  Quyana Patty, Shelly, Shirley, Tish, Cindy, and Joan.  These wonderful women put up with late night calls and Cecelia’s terribly twos!  I truly do not know what I would’ve done if it hadn’t been for y’all!!

Also the staff at the Kanakanak Hospital!!  Quyana Cakneq!!!  The support and care and understanding by the doctors and nurses and support staff was simply outstanding.  Y’all truly made Glennas entrance into this world easier!  Quyana Cakneq!!

Savanna and GG

When we left Dillingham we flew to King Salmon and waiting for us in King Salmon was my wonderful sister in law Savanna.  She returned to Ugashik with us and has been simply invaluable!  Savanna has been a god send!  Helping us get settled in, watching Cecelia, spending time with her new niece just to name a few things she has been here to help with.  Savanna will be here for nearly three weeks and I don’t know what I’d do without her.  Having her here has greatly eased our transition into our new home and new lives!  Quyana and hugs and kisses Savanna!!!

There are so many people to thank!  Of course I can’t forget all the Mudpups and Anonymous Bloggers!!  What would I do without y’all??  You have all been here through it all.  Always there to offer support and understanding!!  Always here to listen to me be a loud mouth and vent my frustrations with not only what seemed like an endless pregnancy but also my frustrations and concerns for rural Alaska.  Y’all were here for me when Segundo passed away and are now here to share in the birth of my beautiful Glenna. 

Quyana Cakneq a million times over to AKM, Celtic, and all the AK Bloggers!!  Your support has been immeasurable!!!

Well this post is probably making y’all go blind or cross eyed so I guess I need to wrap it up.  Again Quyana Cakneq (Yup’ik for Thank you VERY much) to everyone!!!  Please accept my apologies if I forgot anyone, know that I am eternally grateful!!

Sincerely,

Ann, Cecelia and Glenna Strongheart

Anonymous Bloggers Welcomes Glenna Gabriella Kegginacengaq Strongheart!

8 pounds 11 ounces, 21 1/4″, at 10:08 PM on THURSDAY, Nov 12, 2009

Look at the expression on the face of this new little Strongheart. Wise and determined – just like her mom. Congratulations Ann! We all love you and are so happy that Glenna has finally arrived. She’s beautiful!

Ann multitasking during labor

A new voice in rural Alaska

Ann and Glenna

New Little Strongheart Will Be Here Soon!! (Updated)

 

UPDATE FROM VIC

IT’S A GIRL!

 

OK, news flash!

 

Everything calmed down but is still happening. In Vic’s words, this could take some time but Ann is determined to beat the midnight deadline to Friday the 13th.

Those two always find humor in pretty much everything!

~ Martha Unalaska Yard Sign

Update from Victoria/5:24 PM

We are trying to get some dinner between what are farther apart contractions but stronger.

Update from Alaska Pi/6:22 PM

Vic:  standing is better

Pi:  ;-)

Vic:  sorry – just listening now to baby

Pi:  you can HEAR the lil one?

Vic:  yes and it is doing REAL well

Pi:  ask Ann if I can put that on AB…?

Vic:  yes – she said fine – that we can all hear and it is doing GREAT

Update from Vic – 8:43:

Right now she is just going through some intense pain and aout 3 minutes apart. Doctor is happy with the progress.
She is getting some pain meds right now.
Attitude is good

 

Update from Vic

It is a girl
Glenna Gabriella Kegginacengaq Strongheart
8 pounds 11 ounces
21 1/4″
at 10:08 PM on
THURSDAY, Nov 12, 2009

All are doing well and we will have pics, ASAP.
She is already enjoying her first meal.

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!