NEWS The Tribal Newsletter is published free monthly. To receive a copy, call: AK: Rose (907) 271-1316 ID: Jim (208)378-5691 OR: Don (503) 326-5015 WA: Alison (360)753-8185 LETTER Region 10 Tribal Newsletter Alaska Edition http://yosemte.epa.gw/R10/TOIBAL.NSF/Newsletter /Issues &E United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Vol. 19 No. 10 October 2010 Let's keep up to date Please submit your updated address to our mailing list. If your mailing information has changed, please contact richardson.rosabelle@epa.gov Conferences & Workshops October 11 -15 Tribal Conference on Environmental Management, Anchorage, AK. Contact: Bertha Prince at (907) 729-4505 or brprince@anthc.org 30 Yukon - Kuskokwim Delta Alternative and Energy Conservation Fair, Bethel, AK. The City Council Energy Committee and the UAF Kuskokwim Campus will host the fair at the Yupiit Piciyarait Cultural Center, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To register for the fair contact Heather Pike at (907) 444-7811 or hpike@cityofbethel.net November 2-4 Rural Alaska Landfill Operators (RALO) Course, Anchorage, AK. Contact Ted Jacobson at (907) 865-7363, Alaska Forum, Inc. at (1-888) 301-0185 or www.akforum.org December 1-2 Alaska Tribal Air Conference, Anchorage, AK. The Orutsararmiut Native Council and the EPA will address rural Alaska Tribal air quality issues. To register for the conference contact Rose Kalistook at (907) 543-2608, rkalistook@nativecouncil.org, or Ceri Chappie at (208) 419-4158, cchapple@portgageinc.com 2010 Alaska GAP Training, Anchorage, AK. The training will be given by the Tribal Trust and Assistance Unit with a special focus on Environmental Community Building. Contact your EPA Tribal Coordinator for more information. 14-17 ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter - Alaska Edition October 2010 At Tribal Leaders Summit Carol Paddock Jorgensen Award Recipients A new tradition was introduced at the 2010 Tribal Leader's Summit held in Juneau, Alaska last month—recognition and honor for tribal warriors who have dedicated their lives to preserving our environment, culture, resources and human health. The awards were given in honor of Carol Paddock Jorgensen, aTlingit from the Yandestake Village in southeast Alaska, who was part of the Eagle/Killer Whale Fin House of Klukwan. She served many years in public service, and was a passionate advocate for protection of the environment and human health of American Indian and Alaskan Native communities. This year's six award recipients include: Leadership Award Recipients Sue Flensberg and Elaine Abraham Sue Flensberg, Environmental Program Manager for Bristol Bay Native Association (BBNA), has been instrumental in EPA's efforts to create and strengthen the relation- ships between Region 10 Tribes and EPA. The trust and appreciation that Sue has on behalf of the Tribes is remarkable, and one only needs to look at the success of the great region of Bristol Bay to see her notable con- tributions. Elaine Abraham is a revered Tlingit elder and Chairperson of the Board of Commis- sioner's of the Alaska Native Science Com- mission. Elaine has served in hospitals in Juneau, Mt. Edgecumbe, Bethel and Sitka, and assisted in the opening of the Alaska Native Health Service Hospital in Anchor- age in 1954. She joined the University of Alaska in 1976, serving as Vice President for Rural Education Affairs, Coordinator of Na- tive Student Services and Associate Profes- sor at the Anchorage campus. Speakers at the Tribal Leaders Summit, Juneau AK L to R: Elaine Abraham, Billy Frank, Maka Monture Photo courtesy of Judith Ramos Throughout her lite, Elaine was dedicated to bringing traditional knowledge into Western science discussion. Environmental Interagency Collaborations Award Recipients The Nelson Island Consortium and the Samish Indian Nation The Nelson Island Consortium has accom- plished an outstanding job of cleaning up waste sites, encouraging hunters to bring home their spent shotgun shells, and involv- ing their leaders in the protocol to use what available resources there are to reach these goals. All of this work is conducted in their native Yup'ik language. They are not only keeping the environment clean, they are keeping their language alive and well. The Samish Indian Nation was the first tribe in the US to become a partner in the EPA's Green Power Partner Program. The Tribe dedicates 10% of its energy costs to Green Power. The Tribe passed an energy ordinance that sets the precedence for future develop- ment on tribal lands to include energy saving construction and energy wise appliances. Continued Next Page ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter -Alaska Edition October 2010 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Alaska Operations Office ALASKA NEWS Carol Paddock Jorgensen Award Recipients at TLS Continued Environmental Community Award Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Nation (CTUIR) CTUIR has advocated tirelessly since 2004 to protect the human health of Tribal fish con- sumers by leading the efforts to have stron- ger human health Clean Water Act criteria. Based on CTUIR input, Oregon is moving forward on a rulemaking to adopt a new fish consumption rate of 175 grams per day per person - 10 times higher than the existing rate. The new rate of 175 grams per day is equivalent to about 23 eight-ounce fish meals per month, and much more protective of Tribal and other high fish consumers. Environmental Youth Leadership Award Maka Monture Maka Monture is a Yakutat Mount St. Elias Dancer and Singer, a senior at Yakutat High School, and speaks Tlingit. Maka is the President of the Yakutat Alaska Youth for Environmental Action group, and she par- ticipates with AmeriCorps. For Earth Day, she created a school wide presentation on climate change that she presented to grades K-12. In Yakutat she created a carry your cup program, and she participates in marine debris clean-ups. Maka was also a speaker at the Tribal Lead- ers Summit. In Maka's words: "Across the land the land is being murdered. Why is this any different from the murder of a human life? The land is ALIVE. It pulses with life. The wind makes the trees dance. The moon pulls the tides. The skies cry, the earth quakes. How come when the land is murdered, no one calls the police to investigate? We are made of the land itself. When we murder the land... we diminish our future." Maka is help- ing to teach youth and others that anyone, anywhere can make a difference by making small changes in daily life. AmeriCorps Position Openings for 2011 The Rural Alaska Community Action Program has announced AmeriCorps Position openings for 2011. The 35 openings will be full-time one-year service positions based in rural Alaska. They will be under the BIRCH and RAVEN programs. The BIRCH program targets community wellness by involving youth and other community members in health education, community service and other health promotion activities. And the RAVEN program addresses • Environmental and solid waste needs, • Recycling and backhauling • Energy conservation • Youth leadership and • Environmental education For more information visit: ^0 www.ruralcap.com 8 or call RurALCAP at (907) 279-2511 J -3 ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter Month Year Alaska GAP Environmental Community Building Training This year EPA will conduct the EPA En- vironmental General Assistance Program (GAP) Training with a special focus on Envi- ronmental Community Building, December 14-17,2010. Monday, December 13th (Optional Training Day): Tribes new to the GAP program and those wishing to enter their work plans/budgets to GAP Online, can come in early for an optional training day Tuesday, December 14th: Guest Speakers will be featured, and updates on programmatic and administrative aspects of grants manage- ment will be discussed with Peer Assistance Providers, and Tribal mentors. EPA Tribal Coordinators will meet with grantees to discuss new work plan and bud- get submittals for FY2011 GAP proposals. Wednesday and Thursday, December 15-16th: The Community Building focus will be centered on Traditional Talking Circles to discuss issues in environmental program building, where participants can share their insights and perspectives. Friday, December 17th: This training day will focus on grants management and GAP Online entry. Please bring your laptops with an electronic copy of the FY2011 approved work plan and budget to facilitate entry. Region 10 Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) Elections EPA is pleased to provide the Alaska Tribes the opportunity to nominate two represen- tatives to the Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) to represent the Tribes located in Alaska. The two positions open this year are for Position 1 and Position 2. The RTOC meets directly with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency leadership to discuss environmental issues and con- cerns facing Indian Country in all four states within Region 10. We request your nomina- tion for this important position by Friday, November 5,2010. The RTOC was developed to strengthen Tribal environmental programs by provid- ing Tribal input to the EPA Region 10 on a range of program and policy issues, and by facilitating the exchange of information between Tribes and EPA. The RTOC meets quarterly, generally twice per year in Se- attle and twice in other locations within the Region. In addition, members participate in monthly conference calls and on workgroups or subcommittees. The two nominated representatives must be either an elected tribal official or authorized tribal representative. Each Tribe is limited to a maximum of one nomination for each Position. The nomination should be in the form of a tribal resolution or a letter from the Tribal Chairperson or authorized official endorsing the individual nominated for the position. Attached are the nomination forms which needs to be completed and signed and submitted with the resolution or letter from the Tribal Chair or authorized official en- dorsing the individual for the position. Completed nominations will be accepted either by fax, e-mail or mail; however, all nominations need to be received by Friday, November 05, 2010. The fax number is: (206) 553-6984 to the attention of Diana Boquist. If you prefer to mail your complete nomination the address is: Diana Boquist, Tribal Coordinator, EPA Region 10, ETPA-085,1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98101 or e-mail to boquist.diana@epa.gov. 4- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter -Alaska Edition October 2010 EPA REGION 10 TRIBAL REPRESENTATIVE NOMINATION FORM Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) Alaska Position 1 Please Note: Each tribe is limited to a maximum of one nomination for each position. The nominee shall be an elected Tribal Official OR authorized Tribal representative who is an employee of the Tribe. The nomination should be in the form of a tribal resolution or a letter from the Tribal Chairperson or authorized official endorsing the individual nominated. Please complete this Nomination Form and attach to the Resolution or Authorized Letter. [PLEASE PRINT] Nominating Tribe: Address: Contact Name & Number: Name and Title of Nominee: (Seek the permission of the nominee prior to submitting the nomination) Nominee's Contact#: Nominee's Email: Nominee's Tribal Affiliation: Brief Description of Nominee's Background and Qualifications: (attach additional sheets if necessary) Signature & Title of Appropriate Tribal Government Official: Date -5 ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter - Alaska Edition October 2010 EPA REGION 10 TRIBAL REPRESENTATIVE NOMINATION FORM Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) Alaska Position 2 Please Note: Each tribe is limited to a maximum of one nomination for each position. The nominee shall be an elected Tribal Official OR authorized Tribal representative who is an employee of the Tribe. The nomination should be in the form of a tribal resolution or a letter from the Tribal Chairperson or authorized official endorsing the individual nominated. Please complete this Nomination Form and attach to the Resolution or Authorized Letter. [PLEASE PRINT] Nominatina Tribe: Address: Contact Name & Number: Name and Title of Nominee: (Seek the permission of the nominee prior to submitting the nomination) Nominee's Contact#: Nominee's Email: Nominee's Tribal Affiliation: Brief Description of Nominee's Background and Qualifications: (attach additional sheets it necessary) Signature & Title of Appropriate Tribal Government Official: Date 6- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter -Alaska Edition October 2010 First Regional Climate and Health Summit Held in Northwest Arctic A two day summit held September 16 and 17 in Kotzebue involved individuals from local and regional governments and organizations, and state and federal agencies and universities. Michelle Davis from EPA's Tribal Program at- tended the Summit. It was hosted by the Maniilaq Association, the regional tribal health entity, and by the Center for Climate and Health at ANTHC. Rural Alaska Landfill Operators (RALO) Course offered in November The Alaska Forum, Inc., and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), Alaska Chapter, are pleased to offer the Rural Alaska Landfill Operator (RALO) course in Anchorage, AK, November 2-4,2010. There is no cost for this RALO course thanks to the support of USDA Rural Development For more information contact: Ted Jacobson at (907) 865-7363, or the Alaska Forum, Inc., at toll free 1 (888) 301-0185 or visit: www.akforum.org. V > Topics included climate change impacts, meth- ods for assessment, climate models, permafrost change, water and sanitation, and food safety and security. Participants focused on developing a commu- nity-based monitoring system, and training was performed by the National Weather Service to register the only community based extreme weather event "spotters" in the region. The Native Village of Eyak Recycling Program The Native Village of Eyak in Cordova has received an EPA Alaska Tribal Multi-Media grant from RurALCAP the "3-R's" program down to a science. The program has Cor- dova launched into a productive and success- ful recycling program. The reduce, reuse, and recycle regimen uses stackable bins for #1 and #2 plastics. Community residents and local businesses have become active participants of the program. For more information on the Cordova recycling program, contact Autumn Bryson at (907) 424-7738 or visit www.eyakfish.com/recycling.html Tribal Staff United States Environmental Protection Agency Alaska Operations Office 222 West 7th Avenue, #19 Anchorage, Alaska 99513-7588 Toil-Free: (800) 781-0983 Phone: (907)271-5083 Fax (907) 271-3424 Jennifer Brown, Tribal Coordinator 271- Katherine Brown, Tribal Coordinator (206) 553- Michelle Davis, Tribal Coordinator 271- Tami Fordham, Tribal Coordinator 271- Westley Foster, Tribal Coordinator (206) 553- Santina Gay, Tribal Coordinator 271- Sherry Kimmons, Tribal Coordinator 271- Mahri Lowinger, Tribal Coordinator 271- Rose Richardson, Tribal Liaison 271- Cathy Villa, Tribal Coordinator 271- Ernest Young, Tribal Coordinator (out of office) ...271- 6323 7263 3434 1484 1604 3413 6322 6334 1316 1270 1485 vvEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Tribal Newsletter Alaska Edition October 2010 -7 ------- United States Environmental Protection M % Agency Region 10 Tribal Program 1200 Sixth Avenue Seattle, WA 98101-1128 Region 10 Tribal Newsletter October 2011 Got E-mail? Make the choice to receive this newsletter electronically. Send your e-mail address to Rose Richardson at richardson.rosabelle@epa.gov Got News? The Region 10 Tribal Newsletter invites you, our readers, to submit ideas and articles for consideration and to share your successes and challenges. Photographs are also welcome. Please submit articles to: Rose Richardson, 222 West 7th Avenue, #19, Anchorage, AK 99513-7588 or e-mail richardson.rosabelle@epa.gov Let's keep up to date! Please submit your updated address to our mailing list. If your mailing information has changed, please contact richardson.rosabelle@epa.gov To Report Spills and Accidents Note these emergency numbers to call in the event of hazardous material spills or accidents. Alaska 800-478-9300 Washington 800-258-5990 Idaho 800-632-8000 National (EPA) 800-424-8802 Oregon 800-452-0311 Printed on 100% recycled paper ------- |