Angoon, Mt. Edgecumbe, & Sitka,
Alaska
April 14, 15, & 16, 1993
ALASKA NATIVES COMMISSION
JOINT FEDERAL-STATE COMMISSION
ON
POLICIES AND PROGRAMS AFFECTING
ALASKA NATIVES
4000 Old Seward Highway, Suite 100
Anchorage,
Alaska 99503
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Witness List | PDF
Version
ALASKA NATIVES COMMISSION
EDUCATION TASK FORCE
HEARING
APRIL 14, 1993
ANGOON, ALASKA
APPEARANCES:
WALTER SOBOLEFF
Alaska Natives Commission
Education Task Force Chairman
SALLY KOOKESH
Alaska Natives Commission
Education Task Force Member
BEVERLY MASEK
Alaska Natives Commission
Education Task Force Member
SAM TOWARAK
Alaska Natives Commission
Education Task Force Member
PROCEEDINGS
APRIL 14, 1993
CHAIRMAN SOBOLEFF: Good evening, ladies and
gentlemen. We're glad to be here, members of the Alaska Commission
founded by the state and U.S. Congress. We have a very important
task to perform, not only in Angoon, but for the whole state
of Alaska. We have been advised by the U.S. Congress to go
out into the various fields of Alaska and find out what the
problems are, and to hear from you how some of these problems
can he solved. And the last words I remember a member of Congress
telling us, to be sure and really do that. Because the U.S.
Congress wanes co know of the problems and things that can
be done to improve my given situation such as in education,
economics, governments, health, and social and cultural issues,
five main areas.
And should you have any questions or problems or suggestions of improving in these areas, we want to hear you. We are -- we will be your representatives in making (indiscernible) report and recommendations.
And members of this group on education is Sally Kookesh over there; and Deputy Director, William Hanable here; and Beverly Masek; and Sam Towarak; and myself.
I hear that some of my village people are excited to hear that people from Washington, D.C. are coming. And lo and behold, Walter Soboleff of Kilisna (ph.) came here (laughter). (Indiscernible) I'm glad to be back in my home village. It's good to be here.
So we want to hear any and all of you to speak. Please don't be bashful. We're here to hear you, not tell you. We want to hear. And (indiscernible) has a big report to make, we wanted to give her report. (Indiscernible).
May we have the first one, please; give your name. Not how old you are, but what your interest is and your recommendations, and we will be all ears to hear (indiscernible).
MS. MASEK: I just want to introduce myself. I know Walter Soboleff introduced me. But I'm Beverly Masek and I'm originally from Anvik which is on the Yukon River. And the reason I'm on this Commission too is I'm really concerned about the welfare and the future for the people, the Native people in Alaska. And I've raced in the Iditarod for four years in a row. It's a big challenge and, you know, it's a lot of hard work.
And I think this is what this Commission needs too is a big challenge, because we have a big task to do and start hearing your input and everything that you have to say, it's really important. So we sure appreciate your hospitality in inviting us here to Angoon, and especially to Sally for housing and putting up with us. Look forward to your comments.
MR. TOWARAK: Yeah, I am
Sam Towarak. (Indiscernible) in the northwest part of Alaska
near
Nome. And I sure am pleased to be in Angoon. This is the first
time I've been to a real Southeast Indi-an village. I have
been to Juneau on numerous occasions, I'll spend next week
in there. I've been to Sitka and Ketchikan, but I've never
really been to Southeastern till I've come to Angoon.
And I really appreciated getting a crash course in the Southeastern area style of life, some of those things that are unique and some of the things that are like other parts of Alaska. We would encourage you to let us know what some of the policies and programs that may affect you, we'd like to know about them. We have been diligently writing and putting them down and listening to the different people.
I work as an educator, and I'm a assistant superintendent at the Bering Strait School District. Our headquarters is in Unalakleet, just like the (indiscernible). We have the same type of REA (ph.) structure. And we do appreciate the visit to the school, visits to the various part of the community and study of the infrastructures of different things that involve Angoon. And we certainly have enjoyed our visit, and I would like to echo Beverly's comments in thanking Sally and Albert Kookesh for being such gracious hosts.
I also want to mention that Sally has served on the Education Task Force and she'll be recognized as -- in that field. Our task force has been set up mainly to go and look at specific areas where we think we can affect programs and policies, and she has been actively involved with us in the education portion, and we really appreciated her participation.
I'd like to tell you a story about when she was up in Anchorage with us. It just so happened, the day or the day after, the same day that we were meeting, the volcano came up, so that was kind of a surprising experience for both her and Walter, because they were delayed there the longest.
But we certainly appreciated her input and we have a fine person that believes in Native education, and will certainly be recognized, if anyone in the state, for (indiscernible) education. But I'm here to listen.
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