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 | Exhibit
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ALASKA NATIVES COMMISSION
HEARING
Nome, ALASKA
SEPTEMBER 21, 1992
Deposition Exhibit
#5 - Testimony of Stanton Katchatag
Mr. Chairman, Members of Alaska Native Commission,
Special Guest, Visitors, Spectators, Mr. Mayor of Hosting City
of Nome, AK.,
Ladies and Gentleman:
My name is Stanton Katchatag of Unalakleet, AK., which I feel
is one of City of Nome's very close neighbor in this Region which
make me feel qualified to participate in this hearing.
I have
been involved in various organization in Local, Regional, and
State wide level that has been striving to promote, and to
improve our standard of living in the same categories that
this Commission is now seeking to focus on, as they undertake
to perform
the purpose of this task, which is long over due, but by all
means necessary and still in demand.
Health, Education, Economics,
Governance, and Social and Cultural matters are indeed the
core, and central demands relevant to
all urban and rural society. Therefore, as one of many identified
native leaders I express my whole hearted support, and Blessings
as you join our endeavors to establish meaningful and effective
services to our people in our environment. The health of
our future will be the result of the mechanism of tomorrow so
we
must find ways to stay healthy, physically and politically
and spiritually.
The education of our generation will rely
on how well we use and prosper in performing our responsibilities
today
in this
important field rapidly changing situation for survival
in all walks of life. The achievements in Education is like
a tool box
in skills of any trade. They must be utilized to perform
their purpose.
The base line of Economy changes no matter
where a person, family, or a group chooses to live along with
the changes
of time and
challenge. Example when I was growing up subsistence,
hunting, trapping and trading were the basic economy. The commercializing
of most of these resources are effecting most people
in
our region in adverse conditions. I strongly believe
change effecting
economy
should first find alternative to meet the demands effecting
the economy. The same applies in Governance. Any Governing
system
has people behind who relies to perform in their favor
and their life style. To me this is a reasonable Government
because
there
is no Government without the people behind it, and not
only are the people behind but they are the structure,
so to have
a strong
and effective Government, people must be committed to
live for, and even die for their Government or the Government
will not
stand.
I have seen this happen with my own political
eyes, and I'm sure you have. The social and cultural matters
are
tied in
and are
the Bonds and Frame work which hold any and all Governments
together.
Finally in closing, IRA and Traditional Councils
are sovereign not only in nature but, Grandparents of all
after born
Government whether recognized or not, we may at times
seem ancient but
we are struggling to keep up with Jones' for the
sake of our country,
its' adopted people and our resources, we are not
anti-Government, we simply ask fare share in Government to Government
Relations with all Government.
Thank you and God
Bless.
This document was ocr scanned. We have made every
attempt to keep the online document the same as the original,
including the recorder's original misspellings or typos.
