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Tribal Happenings - Native Tribe of Kanatak
Volume 18, Issue 3 March 2013 News from the Kanatak Tribal Council The Kanatak book club met via telephone for the second time on the book tuesdays with Morrie. The discussion included thoughts about living in the moment, love and relationships, death and dying and so on. Since the next book The Help is significantly longer than the last two, the next book club meeting is Sunday, April 14 at 3pm AKST/7pm EST to share thoughts and discuss insights. Please don’t miss out on this wonderful program! Call in number: 1-866-895-5510 Passcode: 868521# Once again this year, the Native Tribe of Kanatak sponsored a table for tribal members to sell their wares at the Charlotte Jensen Native Arts Market at the Dimond Center on February 27-March 3. Several tribal members chose to successfully sell at the event, which represents the art/craft work of Alaska Natives from all parts of Alaska. This show is a great way to earn a bit of extra income AND connect with Native people and culture. Tribal member Nichole Shanigan, who is 16 years old, submitted the following report: Many thanks to the Kanatak tribal council for sponsoring a table at the show again this year! Personally, I connected with a dude who only eight hours to carve a large polar bear from soapstone, whereas my lesscomplicated whale’s tail took at least twice that long! (See a photo of Nichole’s whale’s tale in the last issue, p. 9.) We shared information about the finishing, too. I honestly never see any elder Native people except here—they’re so cute, but sometimes slow and hard of hearing. I always meet new relatives and Native people who have known me since I was a baby. This show is a good way to experience pride in my Native culture. A number of local tribal members, including Gus Yovino, Ronald Lind, and Patrick Lind, stopped by the table to say hello. The oldest Kanatak tribal member Doris Lind even purchased one of 12-year-old Savannah Shani ette because she didn’t think to take a photo! Once again, Jeanette Shanigan volunteered her time and expertise to sell tribal members’ wares at the show, and the grandkids provided relief on the weekend. By the way, Kanatak’s Choose Respect commitment was also represented on the craft table. See photos on the next page! Additional details regarding council meetings can always be found on the Kanatak are there, too. Check it out! Inside this issue: More news 2 Kanatak History 3 Alaska Native History 4 Alutiiq Art 5 Native Body & Soul 6 Tribal Happenings Kanatak Kids 7-8 9 Choose Respect Piruq 10 Right-Clicked photos 11 Jeanette’s Beading 12 Kanatak Programs 13 Contact Info 14 Page 2 Native Village of Kanatak Native Tribe of Kanatak table at the Charlotte Jensen Native Arts Market at the Dimond Center on February 27—March 3, 2013. Choose Respect info and freebies. Savannah and Nichole Shanigan Native Village of Kanatak Page 3 Kanatak, Historically Speaking… The administration of the Becharof National Wildlife Refuge recognizes the existence and significance of the Native Village of Kanatak within the refuge. Here’s an overview of information about Kanatak, as provided by US Fish and Wildlife Service: Kanatak Village first appeared on a Russian map in 1849. However, archaeological evidence suggests the original inhabitants occupied the area around 500 to 900 years ago. The historic Aleut/ Alutiiq village, Kanatak, is located at the head of Portage Bay on the Becharof National Wildlife Refuge. Historic Kanatak, known to Russian explorers as Kanatnoi, was established in the late 1890s. The area was important in the early history of Alaska with Russian explorers and trappers active in the region. The 1890 census documented 26 Natives in seven families sharing two houses. A portage trail ran from Kanatak to Egegik, traversing the land on which the Refuge now lies, connecting the East and West coasts of the Alaska Peninsula. Later, the area played an important role in the early development of Alaska's commercial fishing industry and was the scene of some of the earliest scientific oil exploration efforts in the world. As a result of the passage of a 1920 Congressional oil leasing bill and a corresponding oil boom, Kanatak became the nearest town to oil exploration locations on the Alaska Peninsula. Due to oil exploration in the area, the village population increased to nearly 200 people between 1920 and 1922. In the 1940s, due to the lack of commercial quantities of oil and the subsequent departure of oil companies from Kanatak, many people started leaving the area. When the school and post office closed in the late 1940s and mid-1950s, respectively, Kanatak Village was abandoned. When the Bear Creek oil well was drilled in 1959, near the recently abandoned village of Kanatak, it was the deepest well that had ever been drilled in the world. Despite all of the prerefuge oil exploration activities, none of the wells were successful. Most of the buildings were burned in the 1970s and 1980s, most likely due to arson. The Koniag Regional Corporation has selected most of the lands within Kanatak under Sec. 14(h)(1) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANSCA). In June 1993, Service Environmental Contaminant (EC) staff conducted a contaminants survey at Kanatak Village to evaluate potential chemical contamination from historic oil exploration activities that were staged at the village. The investigation focused on areas within the village that were visibly disturbed. Thirty-four soil samples were collected in visibly disturbed and undisturbed (control) areas. Based on the sample results from 1993, it was concluded that contamination did not appear to be an issue at this site. According to a May 1999 technical report by the Service based upon the 1993 data titled, Further Investigation of Kanatak Village, Alaska Peninsula/Becharof National Wildlife Refuge, “If the land is selected for conveyance to the Koniag Corporation, it may be transferred without prejudice due to contaminants.” Page 4 Native Village of Kanatak Alaska Native History or How Did We Get Here? Federal Powers in Alaska There was never just one government in Alaska during territorial days. In fact, the Secretary of the Interior under President Woodrow Wilson identified a "government of the forests, a government of the fisheries, one of the reindeer and Natives, another of the cables and telegraphs," and listed several more before he finished adding them up. His comments reflected the reality that the real governing power in Alaska was not the weak territorial government, but was really the unelected officials from the nine federal agencies that had a hand in Alaska affairs. These various departments had as many as 38 bureaus operating in Alaska. The federal agencies managed land that they controlled, often without taking any local concerns into consideration. This created on-going controversy in Alaska, where the people thought their views should be given more weight. Until statehood, 99% of the land was under federal control. Determined to avoid the mistakes of land use in the Western United States, a new conservationist ethic was applied to Alaska. It meant that federal agencies would retain control, instead of giving it to entrepreneurs. In 1906, President Teddy Roosevelt halted coal leases on public lands in Alaska, part of a long and complicated argument about whether one large company was trying to gain an unfair advantage and exploit a public resource. This controversy increased the pressure for more rules about land management. The idea was that the federal government should not give away its land, but try to manage it properly, and as efficiently as possible, including Mount McKinley National Park which was created in 1917. The Chugach National Forest had already been established in 1909 and the Tongass National Forest in 1905. The Tongass had been carved out of land occupied for generations by the Tlingit and Haida tribes. In 1935, Congress said that the Indians could file a lawsuit for payment for the taking of their land. The suit, filed in 1947 and settled in the 1960s, helped set important legal and political precedents for the Alaska Native land claims movement. Page 5 Native Village of Kanatak Alutiiq Sewing The skills of Alutiiq seamstresses are particularly inspiring when you consider their tools. Before the availability of iron knives and needles, women used tools fashioned from wood, stone, and animal bone. Skin-working artifacts preserved at the Karluk One villages site illustrate the implements employed in their daily work of clothing the Alutiiq Nation. To create a garment, women cut pieces of animals skins on long narrow wooden work-boards, using slate ulu knives. Each skin had to be carefully prepared first, cleaned of any clinging fat and tissues with a scraping tool and softened or tanned. To prepare for sewing, seamstresses punched rows of tiny holes in leathery skin with awls sharply pointed pieces of wood or bone that prepared a path for needle and thread. Even the thread has to be manufactured. Women used lengths of sinew - animal tendon - split into thread and stored on wooden spools for sewing. Small ivory needles helped them move this thread. The results were spectacular garments, each made to the unique specifications of its owner. Native Village of Kanatak Page 6 Making Choose Respect the Native Way Here are some ways you can become more involved: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Choose Respect. Be a role model in action and words. Lead by example. Silence condones violence. Start an open and honest dialogue and remove the stigma of shame from victims. End the societal culture of blaming victims and survivors for the horrendous experiences they have suffered at the hands of another. Report your suspicion or knowledge of child abuse to the Office of Children’s Services. Report your suspicion or knowledge of elder abuse to Adult Protective Services. If you are concerned that a friend might be a victim of violence, gently ask if you can help. Be a knowledgeable resource for victims. Know your local, statewide, and national resources. If a brother, friend, classmate, or teammate is abusing his female partner - or is disrespectful or abusive to girls and women in general - don’t look the other way. If you feel comfortable doing so, try to talk to him about it. Urge him to seek help. Or if you don’t know what to do, consult a friend, a parent, a professor, or a counselor. DON’T REMAIN SILENT. If you see someone being harmed, call the police. Demand offender accountability. Learn more about evidence based containment models for offenders and successful prisoner reentry programs. These programs can reduce perpetration and thus reduce harm and provide public safety. If you are emotionally, psychologically, physically, or sexually abusive to your intimate partner, family member, or children, or have been in the past, seek professional help NOW. Talk with children and youth about healthy behaviors and healthy relationships. Men, talk to boys about confronting violence against women. Have a conversation with younger men or boys who look up to you about how important it is for men to help end violence. Talk to girls about trusting their instincts. Treat youth with respect, and show them that they are valued and loved. Do not tolerate disrespect and violence within your community. Speak out when you hear sexist or racist jokes. Ask your school district to implement evidence-based prevention programs. Make a pledge to yourself, to the women and children in your life, and to your community to become actively engaged. See page 7. Look out for friends at parties or other places where alcohol is involved to ensure everyone comes and goes together. Write a letter to the editor against domestic violence, sexual assault, or child sexual abuse. Ask your clergy to give a sermon on domestic violence, sexual assault, or child sexual abuse. Show your support of the cause by serving choose-respect fish pie/piruq on March 28, 2013. See page 9 for the recipe. Never commit or condone violence or remain silent. You have the power to change a community. You have the power to change a life. Have faith. Have hope. You are a part of social change. Page 7 Native Village of Kanatak Tribal Happenings an ever in my life, but I will hit the loser that hits a woman, lady, girl. OK? “ Will you join Joe in this pledge? ***Nikki Shanigan posted the following words of wisdom on her facebook page: ***Remember that children, marriages, and flower gardens reflect the kind of attention, care and giving they get. H. Jackson Brown Jr. ***Joe Kalmakoff posted the following warning and photo on his Facebook page: “Trust me when ***Shawna Main, mother of 13-year-old Nathan I say this: ‘I will never ever hit a girl, lady, wom- Shanigan, posted these tips on facebook: Native Village of Kanatak Page 8 Tribal Happenings TWENTY-THREE THINGS A MOM SHOULD 21. Communication (talking and really listening) is essential in any relationship. TELL HER SON: 22. Please choose your spouse wisely. My daughter1. Play a sport. It will teach you how to win honora- in-law will be the gatekeeper for me spending time bly, lose gracefully, respect authority, work with oth- with you and my grandchildren. ers, manage your time and stay out of trouble. And 23. Remember to call your mother because I might be maybe even throw or catch. missing you. 2. You will set the tone for the sexual relationship, so don't take something away from her that you can't ***Brittany Arey recently posted on facebook: You give back. Learn about birth control and STDs, and know, booze is so damn expensive. Costs time, about female anatomy. 3. Use careful aim when you pee. Somebody's got to memory, friends and family, respect and reputation, clean that up, you know. Toilet seat? happiness and serenity. And I sure as hell can't be 4. Save money when you're young because you're go- payin’ that much for it. ing to need it someday. 5. Allow me to introduce you to the dishwasher, oven, ***Isaiah Garner lost his first washing machine, iron, vacuum, mop and broom. tooth on February 25, 2013. IsaiNow please go use them. 6. The best way to make women think you're interest- ah is the son of Kathy Lakoduk. ing is to actually be interesting, so get out of the house and do stuff — political, sporty, arty, etc. 7. Don't ever be a bully and don't ever start a fight, but if some idiot clocks you, please defend yourself. 8. Your knowledge and education is something that nobody can take away from you, ever. ***Savannah Shanigan got women the way you would want your mother and sisbraces on March 5, 2013. She ter treated. Forever is a long time to live alone and it's is the daughter of Shawn & even longer to live with somebody who hates your guts. Samantha Shanigan. 10. Take pride in your appearance. (Get a haircut and use deodorant and floss your teeth and take regular showers and wear clean clothes.) ***I am writing to say Thank-You. Thank you to Sa11. Be strong and tender at the same time. vannah, Nichole, Nathan, and especially Ms. Jeanette 12. A woman can do everything that you can do. This includes her having a successful career and you Shanigan for spending your time and energy at this changing diapers at 3 A.M. Mutual respect is the key year’s Fur Rondy table and selling our arts and crafts. to a good relationship. It truly means the world to me. Thank you also to the 13. "Yes ma'am" and "yes sir" still go a long way. Kanatak tribal council for sponsoring the table for 14. The reason that they're called "private parts" is because they're "private". Please do not scratch them tribal members. Sincerely, a very blessed Kanatak in public. member, Harley Harrington 15. Peer pressure is a scary thing. Be a good leader and others will follow. 16. Bringing her flowers (or some little trinket) for no reason is always a good idea. 17. It is better to be kind than to be right. 18. NO means NO, not try later, try harder. NO MEANS NO……. 19. A sense of humor goes a long way in the healing process. 20. It’s always okay to ask for directions. Page 9 Native Village of Kanatak Kanatak Kids Yikes, the Easter bunny has a hole in his basket! Can you help him gather up the lost eggs and spell out two Alutiiq words: Easter (Paaskaaq) and egg (peksuq)? Page 10 Native Village of Kanatak Choose-Respect Piruq (Fish Pie) Join us on March 28 and show your support of the Choose Respect campaign against domestic violence and sexual assault by serving piruq / fish pie for your family’s evening meal. Because Kanatak tribal members are widely dispersed throughout Alaska and the Lower 48, participation in the many vigils and marches is simply not possible. But YOU can be there in spirit by choosing to serve “choose-respect” piruq / fish pie for your family’s evening meal. (Recipe below.) Let’s show victims and survivors that we support them and don’t tolerate violence and assault. How about taking a photo of your family at dinner and sharing it with others in the Kanatak tribe through the newsletter? Be counted! Foods inspired by Russian culture can be found on many Alutiiq tables—two examples being kulicaq bread at Easter and fish pie or piruq. Although piruq may be served for dinner, it is especially favored at special occasions, such as holiday celebrations, weddings, funerals and potlatches. Certainly, showing support of the Choose-Respect campaign is such a special occasion. Won’t you join us? 3 slices bacon 1 teaspoon dry parsley flakes 1 onion, chopped garlic powder and/or dill and/or Old Bay Seasonings 3 cups cooked rice 1 can salmon, drained and cleaned of bones/skin salt and pepper 2 hard cooked eggs, sliced Line a 9-inch round cake pan with pastry. Fry bacon and onions together. Mix rice and seasonings with onion-bacon mixture. Cover the bottom crust with a layer of rice mixture. Add a layer of the salmon and eggs. Cover with the rest of the rice mixture. Cover the entire pie with the second crust and press edges together. Make slits in top crust or pierce with a fork in several places. Bake at 425º F until crust is golden brown and salmon is heated through, about 30-35 minutes. Serve warm with ketchup. Makes 6 servings. Halibut, cod or other fish can be substituted, too. Your favorite vegetables can be added also. PIE CRUST (or use a store-bought pie crust) 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup shortening 5 tablespoons water Sift dry ingredients together. Cut in shortening until mixture looks like cornmeal. Mix in water. Divide in half and roll each half into one crust. Serve with a green salad. Thanks for your participation & support! Remember, photos greatly appreciated…. Right-Clicked Photos of tribal members Page 12 Native Village of Kanatak Beading 1.2 with Jeanette Lesson 2: Stringing for Tweens, Teens & Adults choice of colors and selection of beads used. Always consider your audience! Materials: selection of beads beading wire, .3 mm 2 crimp beads clasp Equipment: flat-nose/needle-nose or crimping pliers scissors 1. Cut the desired length of wire. When determining this length, always add at least 6 inches to allow for ease in finishing. 2. On one end of the wire, string one crimp bead and one part of the clasp. Pass the wire back through the crimp bead and pull snug. Smash the crimp bead flat with the pliers. Check secureness. 3. String the beads in a pleasing design on the wire, leaving at least 3 inches empty of beads. 4. String the second crimp bead and the other part of the clasp. 5. Pass the wire back through the crimp bead and pull snug. Smash the crimp bead flat with the pliers. Trim extra wire. 6. According to my deceased husband Gordon, Aleut/Alutiiq custom mandates one should always give away the first piece of art created with a particular technique or design. My grandma, who was Lakota Sioux, always told me never to start a new piece of work on a Sunday. Wear with pride or give away with pride—you decide! Native Village of Kanatak Page 13 Programs Available through Kanatak The following programs are available for the membership: Do you need help with housing? If you are a member in good standing with the Native Tribe of Kanatak and meet certain income requirements, you may be eligible for assistance from the Bristol Bay Housing Authority. The income requirements are established by HUD and vary depending on the place of residence and the number of family members. For example, to meet the income eligibility standards in the Mat-Su borough, where Wasilla is located, the yearly income for a family of three three resided in the Anchorage area, that maximum would be $58,000. Through BBHA, there are currently programs for rental assistance, utility vouchers, home repairs, down-payment assistance for home purchase and crime prevention/youth or cultural activities. There is also the option for the Kanatak tribal council to assess the memberships’ housing needs and create other programs in the future, subject to federal guidelines and BBHA approval. To apply, you must fill out an 18-page application which includes supplying proof of income, such as yearly income tax forms. The application is available at the BBHA website: http://www.bbha.org/apply.htm Phone numbers for contact with either the King Salmon or Dillingham offices are also available at the above-listed website. Education Program: Funds to be awarded to eligible tribal members seeking higher education and/or specific job-skill training required for employment/certification. Tribal Youth Activity Program: Funds to be awarded to non-adult, eligible tribal members for extracurricular activities, such as school sports, boy/girl scouts, summer or sports camps, music lessons, art lessons, dance lessons, etc. Emergency Assistance Program: Funds for tribal members’ unexpected emergencies that threaten basic quality of life, such as fire damage, leaking roof, non-functioning furnace, water heater, etc. (Low-income members should seek this assistance through BBHA.) Wellness Program: Funds for Kanatak’s Own Biggest Loser provides educational materials and promotion of healthy living, including weight-loss, suicide prevention, alcohol/ drug prevention, domestic violence, and tobacco-use prevention. Promotes and supports Choose Respect program. Tribal Burial Assistance Program: Funds to be awarded to help with final expenses of tribal members who were in good standing with the tribe at the time of passing. Culture Program: Funds to promote culture and communica AFN & the Fur Rondy Craft Show. Bicycle Safety Program: Program completed this year. Dillingham, Alaska 99576 These programs generally require the following: completed tribal membership/enrollment (member in good-standing) completed application for program documentation of need/amount, bids where requested, and proof/receipts of expenditures name/address of 3rd party to whom checks will be is members. Do NOT mail your application to the Kanatak Contact the executive director, tribal administrator or Kanatak tribal council for additional information about these programs. Once your application is complete, mail it to this address: Bristol Bay Housing Authority PO Box 50 tribal office! Native Village of Kanatak Page 14 Contact Information ♦ President Henry F. Forshey ktcpresident@yahoo.com 610-704-8112 ♦ Vice-President Alex Giacometti ktcvicepresident@yahoo.com 206-992-9240 ♦ Secretary/Treasurer Kathy Lakoduk kanataktreasurer2012@yahoo.com 907-310-2931 ♦ Council Member Anthony Forshey Jr. ktcplanning@yahoo.com 717-752-9590 ♦ Council Member Ranae Booher ranaebooher@yahoo.com 717-543-4937 • Executive Director Tess McGowan tessmcgowan@ymail.com, tessmcgowan@kanatak.com 610-217- fax = 907-357-5992 • • Tribal Administrator Shawn Shanigan kanatak@mtaonline.net, s.shanigan@kanatak.com 907-357--free fax = 1-800-KANATAK Facebook: Newsletter Editor Jeanette Shanigan jshanigan@hotmail.com Kanatak Tribe Members 907-982-9103 Website: http://www.kanatak.com Mailing Address: Native Tribe of Kanatak Physical Address of Office: PO Box 876822 1251 Copper Creek Road Wasilla, Alaska 99687 Wasilla, Alaska Newsletter Survey Your name _________________ Address ________________________ How would you prefer to have your Kanatak newsletter delivered? Paper copy via USPS regular mail service PDF file via email/internet service: email address = ___________________________ How often do you read the newsletter? monthly occasionally rarely never If you read the newsletter, which articles do you most enjoy? ____________________________________________________________________________ Which articles do you least enjoy? ____________________________________________________________________________ Have you contributed photos, information or articles to past newsletters? Why or why not? —————————————————————————————————————— —————————————————————————————————————— In your opinion, what should be the most important function of the Kanatak newsletter? Creating sense of family, community, tribal unity Imparting news about the activities of the tribal council Tracing and preserving the history of the Native Village of Kanatak Sharing information about Native culture and history Providing information about issues (alcoholism, abuse, suicide, etc.) prevalent in Native communities Sharing how-to articles for facets of Native culture Other ____________________________________________________________________ Kindly return this survey in the enclosed, stamped envelope. By the way, this would also be an excellent opportunity to include a photo and information about your family, or even a onepage article. Thanks so much, folks, for your time and interest!!
