Communications in Marshall a long time ago was hard because the town had no telephones and t.v.s. The only way they communicated was through C.B. 's and by person to person talk,

The first telephone that came to Marshall was in 1981. It was put in the building that became a jail house. I remember my mom using the telephone there. If someone needed to use the phone for an important reason they were welcome to use the phone. Also they could use it for business and emergencies.

The telephone company in Marshall is the United Utilities. United Utilities first started in 1978 and belongs to Hooper Bay Sea Lion Native Corporation. This is where we get our telephone service.

How does the system work,? First you have to have a satellite dish. The dish has to be connected to the main office and from the office to the town. If you make a long distance call the dish sends a message to the satellite and the satellite connects with the dish in the town of destination The dish connects with the persn you called and then when she talks everything happens in reverse.

If you want a telephone in your own house there is a technician who has special training who puts in your phone. There are different ways you can get this training. You can attend college and get a degree or you can go to vocational training.

To have a phone you have to pay a certain amount of money to have it installed in your house. If you are a resident you will only pay $37.50 but if you are not a resident then you will have to pay $50.00. Plus if you have them do the wiring that will cost $89.75

Local calls cost $19.23 each month. It depends where you are calling for the cost of long distance phone calls. Also it would depend on how long you make the call.

Other kinds of communications technology we have in Marshall are C.B. 's and VHS. They are two types of radio we use around town and for long distance communications. They can also be very useful if you are going hunting. A handy VHS is a life saver if you are lost, and you can just call home and tell them you are lost.

In most houses in Marshall there are also television sets. Here though we have only one channel, the RATNET station, channel 7. It features the news, weather, and all sorts of variety shows.

Also, we listen to the radio. We can get all kinds of stations if you have the right radio, and they will give you all the information you need to have here.

I am glad we have good communication service because we wouldn't be able to watch the Super Bowl and we wouldn't be able to hear the news every day. Just think what it would be like if we didn't have all these things today? Where would we be?

Interview With Joe Peter.
By Tina Papp
Marshall