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Help Tlingit Haida Central Council Earn Donations through the Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program
Central Council Tlingit and Haida was recently approved to participate in the Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program. Through this wonderful program, Fred Meyer donates up to $2.5 million dollars ($625,000 quarterly) every year to local schools, community organizations, and non-profits in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The program is simple and allows Fred Meyer reward members to select an organization of their choice to be a recipient of Fred Meyer’s charitable contribution.
How to Link Your Rewards Card:
- Go to www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards
- Click “Link Your Rewards Card Now”
- Sign in or create an online account with Fred Meyer.
- Enter your rewards number and last name.
- If you do not have a Fred Meyer rewards card, one can be obtained from the Fred Meyer Customer Service desk.
- Enter Tlingit Haida Central Council’s non-profit number: 91386
- Last step… start shopping! Whenever you use your rewards card at Fred Meyer, you’ll be helping Tlingit Haida Central Council earn a donation.
Donations received from Fred Meyer will be used to support the following programs or services provided by Tlingit Haida Central Council:
- Development of a Language Department: Supporting the efforts to revitalize the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian languages.
- Ray Paddock Medical Emergency Fund: Offers assistance to tribal citizens who have unmet needs generated by major medical illnesses.
- Elderly Emergency Assistance: Provides emergency financial assistance to tribal citizens 65 years of age and older who have urgent personal needs due to disastrous events such as fire, death, or illness.
- Head Start: A federal and state funded program promoting school readiness of children ages 3-5 from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development.
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POW Mining Symposium
The Organized Village of Kasaan hosted its fourth installment of the Prince of Wales Mining Symposium in Craig, Alaska, April 24-25, 2014. The forum provided residents of Prince of Wales Island and other stakeholders with the opportunity to receive information on POW mining project activities (Niblack and Bokan Mountain), discuss issues and concerns; hear reports on activities related to responsible natural resource development; and collaborate on how to address local work force development and training needs.
Key staff from Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit Haida) attending the symposium - President Richard Peterson, Chief Operating Officer Corrine Garza, Business and Economic Development Director Gail Dabaluz, Vocational Training and Resource Manager Laird Jones, and Environmental Program Coordinator Ray Paddock. President Peterson provided a welcome to participants which included many tribal representatives from Craig, Klawock, Kasaan, Hydaburg, Ketchikan and Tlingit Haida.
Below is a summary of information presented by speakers during the symposium:
Bob Weinstein, Senator Begich’s Office- Discussed the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (Roadless Rule) which hinders development of roads to the proposed mine sites. He also discussed the Mining Policy Act and Water Resources Development Act which both impact mining.
US Senator Lisa Murkowski- Discussed the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to reverse a lower court ruling from 2011 that invalidated the Tongass National Forest’s exemption from the Roadless Rule. Still waiting to see if opposition will try to appeal Court’s ruling. The United States Fish and Wildlife Services’ request to list the Alexander Archipelago wolf as threatened or endangered would also limit the expansion of mining on Prince of Wales. Comments on the proposed rule are due May 30, 2014 and can be submitted online at www.regulations.gov (Enter FWS-R7-ES-2012-0093 and select “Comment Now!”).
Patrick Smith, Heatherdale Resources Ltd.- Provided an update on the Niblack mining project located off Moira Sound on the southeastern side of POW. Mine will produce copper, zinc, gold, and silver. Letters of support requested to authorize AIDEA (Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority) to provide up to $125 million in financing.
Randy McGilvray, Ucore Rare Metals Inc.- Provided an update on the Bokan Mountain mining project also located on POW. The mine will produce rare earth metals used in critical technology such as aircraft, missiles, etc. The United States is the largest consumer. The plan proposes to completely eliminate tailings at the surface upon closure. All tailings will be placed back underground as cemented paste backfill. The Bokan Mine will be a camp mine- two weeks on and then get two weeks off in 12 hour shifts. The mine is working with the KIC (Ketchikan Indian Community) and the POW Technical Center to train potential workers needed in the mining industry.
David Hedderly-Smith, Goldspan Resources Inc.- Provided an overview on the mineral resources on POW.
Michael Wilcox, USDA Forest Service- Provided an overview of the mineral potential on Sealaska land.
Jason Custer, Alaska Power & Telephone (AP&T)- Provided an update on various energy projects on Prince of Wales Island and neighboring communities including the Mahoney Lake Project on Cape Fox lands and the Reynolds Creek Hydro on Haida Corporation lands.
Kayle Moselle, Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR)- Reviewed the various permits required by agencies for mining. The Large Mine Permit Team lead by DNR reviews permit applications for all large mines in Alaska. All permits are located on the dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/mining/largemine website. Information on both the Niblack and Bokan mining projects can be found on DNR’s website. Rock chemistry drives the water quality and mine design. In Southeast Alaska, water management is key.
Barry Hogarty and Mike Ruby- Presented information on water testing.
Richard Jackson & Carrie James, Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC) Council Members- Presented a letter from KIC outlining tribal concerns that included the assurances that development has undergone the proper environmental review by all public agencies with tribal consultation provided at each step along the way; and a pledge to work with southern Southeast Alaska tribes in monitoring and assessing the project.
Merle Hawkins & Holly Churchill, Ketchikan Tlingit and Haida Chapter- Expressed concerns with the potential Gravina tailings disposal site for the Niblack mine and reviewed traditional use of the land including grave and food gathering sites.
Raymond Paddock, Native Lands & Resources Department, Tlingit and Haida- Discussed work being done by the trans-boundary mining workgroup to protect trans-boundary watersheds and salmon runs potentially impacted by Canadian mine development. British Columbia has lowered its environmental regulations to accommodate mining development. On March 24-28, 2014 Raymond Paddock traveled to Washington DC to meet with the Alaska delegation to urge the Department of State to take the lead on the trans-boundary mining issues. Murkowski, Begich and Young were all supportive of addressing the trans-boundary mining issue and quickly drafted letters encouraging the Department of State, EPA, International Joint Commission, and Department of Interior to investigate and ensure the protection of salmon runs downstream. Central Council has been working with the other tribes to establish an ad hoc tribally lead trans-boundary group or Executive Committee and a working group. An interim group has been formed to create structure and organization behind the group. The interim group hopes to have the Executive Committee and working group established by late August or early September for the Southeast Environmental Conference.
Randy Ruaro, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor- Stressed the importance of stakeholders attending meetings for educational purposes; learning to read NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) requirements; and understanding the consequences to taking no action.
Alicia Amberg, Alaska Miners Association- Presented information on workforce development needed to operate the six large mines in Alaska. Approximately 5,000 jobs are directly tied to mining and 4,000 jobs are indirectly tied to mining with 80% of the jobs filled by Alaska residents. Jobs are generally high skill and high paying. Priority is for underground miners; mill operators; drillers/blasters; mechanical maintenance; etc. It is essential to assess the need; determine the demand; calculate the timing; and identify the priority occupations. It is further important to engage stakeholders; develop and fund training; recruit; and retain. Currently working on a workforce development plan that will assess gaps in training and survey the best practices in recruitment and retention. Developing partnerships with the schools; local and regional native organizations; and economic development organizations. Approximately 200 jobs will be filled between 2014-2015 and 1,000 to 2,000 jobs between 2016-2010. Technicians would fill about 85% of the jobs and specialists would fill the remaining 15%. These jobs do not include the construction of the mines. Recommended skills and careers to be defined; conduct outreach to high schools; partner with local Native and regional organizations and economic development organizations.
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Cobell Trust Settlement
There are currently 500+ beneficiaries listed from Southeast Alaska that are due a payout from the Cobell Settlement and cannot be located. If you believe you or a family member are a beneficiary of the settlement, please visit the following website or contact Indian Trust Settlement: https://secure.gcginc.com/iim-missingpersons/StateSearch.aspx
Indian Trust Settlement
P.O. Box 9577
Dublin, OH 43017-4877
Hotline: 866.591.2958
Phone: 800.961.6109
Email: Info@IndianTrust.com
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Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act provides Alaska Native and American Indian people with additional healthcare coverage beyond Indian Health Service benefits. You may qualify for special coverage and protections. As an Alaska Native or American Indian, you are exempt from the requirement to purchase insurance if you can show evidence of:
- Enrollment in a federally recognized Tribe
- Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) shareholder status, or
- Eligible to receive services from an Indian Health Service (IHS) facility/Tribal health care provider.
Visit our Affordable Care Act resource page to access the exemption application and other resources.
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Big Brothers Big Sisters Recruiting in Juneau (Flyer)
Big Brothers and Big Sisters is recruiting in Juneau for more Alaska Native "Bigs". Our Alaska Native youth need more Alaska Native mentors to share knowledge, help build community, foster connections, and empower them. If you are interested in making a positive difference in a tribal child's life, please contact:
Renee Linton, Alaska Native Mentoring Partnership Manager
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska
610 Cushman St Ste 3000
Fairbanks Alaska 99701
W: 907.452.8110 Ext. 30 | Main: 907.452.8110 | F: 907.452.8112
Website: www.bbbsak.org |
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AkNativeMentoring
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CEDS 2013 Update
Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (CCTHITA) and Southeast Conference are looking for your input. A collaborative effort between our organizations has been formed to bring together information for our Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). This is a regional document used for economic development planning within the Southeast region. Click here for more information.
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