A Cry for Help from Rural Alaska. Is Anyone Listening?

A Cry for Help from Rural Alaska. Is Anyone Listening?
14 01 2009
Four days ago, a cry for help went out via the Bristol Bay Times. Many of us have known that residents of Alaska’s rural villages are having a hard winter. The weather has been unusually cold, and prices of heating oil and gasoline have been astronomical. Add to that a disastrous collapsing salmon fishery in Bristol Bay that left residents in that area heading in to winter with less than usual, and you have the makings for a humanitarian disaster.

So in desperation, Nicholas Tucker, from the Village of Emmonak sent out a cry for help. With 21 days left in the month, Mr. Tucker had only $440 left to feed and keep his family of nine warm, with heating oil at $7.83/gallon. As Emmonak runs out of fuel, it will have to be flown in, potentially raising the price to $9/gallon or more. While contemplating his own plight, he wondered how many other families of the 800 living in his village were having similar hard times. So he sent out a message on his VHF radio, asking his neighbors how they were doing. Twenty five answers came. Here are a few:

G. & K. F.: Young couple with family of five. Wife is unable to sleep and stressed out not knowing when they will be able get their next heating fuel. A 100-lb. bottle of propane gas that usually lasts four months is now lasting only two months because they use it to heat water. This costs them $200 every two weeks. They do not have hot water heater. Wife has very little income and uses $375, the one-half of her gross income every two weeks, to get heating fuel. She has no food for her family sometimes, because, she has to split the rest of what little is left for water/sewer and electricity. Gasoline for her 4-wheeler is very expensive. Her parents help her with food and firewood. They cannot afford a snowmachine or a boat to get logs. Heating fuel and propane is taking her food money away. Her added worry is that the village native corporation is running out of heating fuel and is being airlifted in. New cost is expected to be near $9 - $11 per gallon or higher.

P. R: Single, separated, with five children. (He chokes occasionally, holding back crying.) He and his children are staying in the same household with his brother’s family. Cost of fuel is so high and everything else and we’re able to get just a few things at a time. We have no other subsistence food left. Only thing we’re surviving on moose meat alone and it is almost gone. Everything is so high – only able to get little bit. We can’t catch up on our bills. We’re really hurting even we are given some from other people. Right now, we can’t eat during the day, only at supper time. And, it is still not enough. If there had been no school lunch, our kids would be starving. It is going to get worse in two weeks when our new heating fuel supply is airlifted in. Price of fuel will go way up again. I am lucky that the Women’s Shelter is able to give me some coffee.

A. & L. M.. Middle aged couple, family of eight. Family is buying heating fuel over food all this winter. They have no choice. Wife has a part time job. Husband’s health, including a bad back, is preventing work – had lost his last job due to health.

T. U., boyfriend and children: Having hard time getting food and pampers and is on-call work. Getting food from elderly parents. Buying heating fuel over food. No food once in a while and having to cook whatever is on hand like rice. Sometimes, having to cook only moose for a whole week because there is nothing else to eat. There are days when there is nothing for breakfast and lunch and have to eat only one dinner meal a day.

Hearing these stories from his friends and neighbors, Nick Turner sent a letter to the Bristol Bay Times; a message in a bottle, asking for someone to help.

It is easy when we sit hundreds or thousands of miles away, to feel detached from the troubles of a small Alaskan village. If we were able to imagine ourselves living in such an isolated rural setting with these challenges, and were to imagine that we had five children whom we loved, and whose care rested upon us, what would we do? And if we were able to feel the desperation of these parents when the choice came to decide whether to keep their children warm or keep them fed, knowing that they couldn’t do both, and that there was no end in sight, what would we do? In his letter, Nick Turner says:

I am reaching out for these families. Help is needed and cannot be delayed. I cannot imagine so many in this village are in hunger, without fuel, and other essentials and uncertain about their future. What is mind boggling about the whole situation is that they have remained silent, anonymous, suffered, and cried. The four villages in this region are in close proximity to each other and the demography is the same. Is this going on in your village?

This is not the time for any debates or questions. The winter-long anomaly in the weather, conditions, and the situation are beyond our control.

There are approximately 200 households of the 847 residents here. In just a day and half, I was able to reach only 25 households. Are as many as 175 more remaining silent? In appearance, the heads of these 25 households look normal. I am devastated from the revelation of these few houses contacted. Additionally, how many of those who are able to work are without jobs? Easily, staggering 400 plus! Some other households are still calling, but I have few hours to print this report for my testimony during today’s fuel summit.

Though it may sound absurd, a massive airlift of food in the months of January, February, March and April will help our people. Any peoples, churches, organizations, associations, and government agencies ought to sent money to our native corporations to offset both the current fuel prices and the airlift presently underway. For over thirty years, we have witnessed in our region that our native corporations are just like people. They have limited income and their expenses have always been high. Why? Our Wade Hampton district has always been the most economically depressed than that of our both nation and state. We are in the most remote area of our state.

So, what is the State of Alaska doing to help its citizens as they face these conditions of scarcity that are beyond what many of us can imagine? The answer is, nothing. According to Mr. Tucker the lack of heating oil and food and the resulting threat to life did not count as an emergency to the State of Alaska.

A question. Where is our Governor? What are her priorities? I have heard her concerns about anonymous bloggers, about media coverage, about the legislature, and the gas line. I have seen press releases come out saying “There you go again” to the Anchorage Daily News. I haves seen lots of time and energy focused on how Sarah Palin feels mistreated by the media. But I have not heard one, single, solitary word about Emmonak. I have seen no press releases about what my state’s government is doing to help its people in harm’s way. I have heard big talk about a Rural Subcabinet headed up by our Attorney General, Talis Colberg, and I’ve heard that they’re busy evaluating.

Colberg stated that so far the subcabinet has been in preliminary meetings to look at programs that are already in place and discussing how to gather information, what topics should be focused on, how the group will be structured and what support they could rely on. The group has no fixed meeting time and the date of their next meeting is unknown.

So, if our governor can’t seem to get her eyes off the mirror, and her head out of 2012, and if the State of Alaska doesn’t consider this an “emergency”, then what is to be done?

The answer lies, where many answers lie, with us.

To help, please call:

City of Emmonak, (907) 949-1227/1249 (They will take donations by credit card. Please specify the donation is for heating oil!)

Emmonak Tribal Council, (907) 949-1720

or send a check to:

Emmonak Tribal Council
P.O. Box 126
Emmonak, AK 99581
Attn: Christine Alexie

This story and the need for help goes far beyond the borders of Emmonak. And the story of how the state government, led by Sarah Palin has botched its handling of this rural emergency that many saw coming, needs to find its way out of the Alaska bush, and into the mainstream media. National coverage will mean more help for more people.

One of our local progressive media heroes, Dennis Zaki of The Alaska Report, is stepping up trying to raise money to get to Emmonak and other villages to put a camera where it needs to be. Many national and international media outlets are interested in seeing footage. Flights are not inexpensive, and he’ll be traveling on his own dime. If you want to help put a spotlight on this issue as it relates to Emmonak and ALL Alaska’s rural villages in crisis, consider donating with the Paypal button below. Any surplus Dennis receives above the $2000 travel costs will be delivered via check directly to the village.

********************************************

Previous Mudflats coverage of rural/Native issues:

The Status of the Rural Subcabinet - 1/05/09

Would You Rather Freeze to Death or Be a Socialist? - 11/28/08

Energy Emergency in Rural Alaska - 10/26/08

A Tour of the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention - 10/23/08

Another Alaska - 10/7/08

« Sarah Palin Action Figure Has a Friend! Hope Coming to Emmonak and Beyond? »

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Date : 14 January 2009
Categories : Alaska, Alaska Legislature, Sarah Palin, blog news
188 responses to “A Cry for Help from Rural Alaska. Is Anyone Listening?”
14 01 2009
InJuneau (13:44:27) :

And WHERE IN THE H*** is our governor at this time of her state’s need?

14 01 2009
delnorteco (13:52:55) :

Is there any way to send money,so it will help these proud people.My heart is bleeding,cold,hungry,damn this sucks

14 01 2009
Writing from Alaska (13:56:43) :

Count me in - but remember - this is just one village. How many more are out there in the same or worse conditions?

14 01 2009
AK+AL (13:56:51) :

I just burst into tears sitting at my desk, reading this story. It’s a good thing I work from home.

Thanks for bringing to our attention. I hope to help.

14 01 2009
TExasLiz (13:57:58) :

Could someone start a paypal account to donate money for food and fuel?

14 01 2009
TExasLiz (13:58:20) :

Also, post this on dkos, okay?

14 01 2009
aliceinthewater (13:58:50) :

I just called. The address to send a check is: Po Box 126 Emmonak Ak 99581

Please make the checks out to: Emmonak Tribal Council.

Also, if anyone is up there they are having a potlatch this weekend, so if you can make it please go.

14 01 2009
libby (13:59:43) :

Can the American Red Cross help in this situation? I would imagine the Governor would actually have to make that call so I doubt that is going to happen but this should NEVER happen. Thanks, AKM, for getting us the information needed to reach out to these families!

14 01 2009
InJuneau (14:01:15) :

From the Immoral Minority blog:

“Update: I just got off of the phone with Nick Tucker, the author of this letter, in Emmanok.

He told me that the best way to get them help fast is to send a check to this address:

Emmanok Tribal Council
P.O. Box 126
Emmanok, AK 99581

I asked Mr. Tucker if he had contacted the Governor yet and he said that the Tribal Council had just agreed to make a formal request based on the king salmon fisheries disaster. According to Mr. Tucker the lack of heating oil and food resulting in residents barely clinging to life DID NOT COUNT AS AN EMERGENCY TO THE STATE OF ALASKA! Can you believe that s***?

So maybe you would like to ask the Governor’s office how this situation is NOT considered an emergency yourself by calling (907) 269-7450. Let me know what their explanation was to you.”

14 01 2009
formeralaskan (14:03:52) :

Those are terrible conditions. I wonder, have they considered moving in to the biggest buildings and pooling resources? They are in a state of emergency. my heart goes out to them.

14 01 2009
Gryphen (14:07:57) :

Thanks for getting this very important story out AKM!

I do have an update.

I talked to Mr. Tucker again to ask if there was a faster method of getting him the money and he told me that if you call the City of Emmanok at (907) 949-1227 or 949-1249 you can use your credit card. He also told me that it is important to specify that the donation is for heating oil.

I will update the post. Also, I’ve cross-posted this on HuffPo. AKM

14 01 2009
wavelength (14:10:35) :

Here is a link to Gryphen’s post on the Immoral Minority Blog that Injuneau referred to above http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2009/01/as-sarah-palin-whines-alaska-village-of.html gosh! I hope I get this right.

You did. And I link to that post in the article. AKM

14 01 2009
mysteri (14:12:08) :

That is what I was referring to in a prior post. I wrote a letter to the editor of the ADN, asking what is being done about the issues. And believe it or not the issues they write about are irrelevant to me.

From what little I know about the villages, they are so spread out. There are many.

I am calling the governers office now, as I have some friend in Emmonak. Thank you InJuneau!

14 01 2009
mwThatOne.. (14:14:08) :

Gryphen: What about donating for heating oil AND for food? Maybe they think that by taking care of the heat, there will be money for food, but at this point, it sounds like we need a food drive. No?

14 01 2009
Visitor (14:17:59) :

MOVE!

14 01 2009
libby (14:18:35) :

Where are all of Sarah’s church friends? The churches I know rally like no other for situations like this (as they should!). I’m glad we can help from all over the country but I would expect the people closest to do all they can for their neighbors and fellow Alaskans.

14 01 2009
InJuneau (14:20:50) :

I know, I know, but…

@Visitor (14:17:59) :

With WHAT MONEY EXACTLY? Since they obviously don’t have any. And I suppose they shouldn’t continue to care about their traditional homes and culture just because the weather’s been so screwy this year?

14 01 2009
mysteri (14:21:31) :

A food drive would be easier, I think. I cant even imagine.
I just called and it is about 200 Alaska time, I left my name and number. Wow, I cant even imagine this.

Living in S.E. where temperatures are mild, I can only imagine having to make this decision. I was so relieved that i reinstalled my woodstove in my own home, and my bill went from $450 to $100 a month. Where I live it is still somewhat easy to get food off the land and eat. So groceries there stretch, but we are taking about a place that is so remote.

I will let you know if I hear back from the governer at all and maybe I will be more specific about the villages needs.

But we need to get the word out there as to the needs.

14 01 2009
Blue_in_AK (14:22:29) :

I’m sorry, Visitor, but how are they supposed to move when they can’t even buy food? Not a very realistic solution.

14 01 2009
CrazyInAlaska (14:31:13) :

Okay now, let’s not be too critical of VISITOR. He/she can’t help their ignorance. I am sure that VISITOR has never left his/her little bubble of a perfect world. We can’t fault him/her for not wanting to learn about the rest of the world. I think we all know the saying, “ignorance is bliss.” So, VISITOR go away and enjoy your bliss. We are here because we want to help these people in need.

14 01 2009
Visitor (14:33:17) :

If I lived in a place where I couldn’t afford the cost of living, I would move to a place where I could. If I was stupid enough to run out of money before I could move, I would sell everything I own so that I could move. If I didn’t have anything to sell, I would borrow the money.

Isn’t that what YOU would do?

14 01 2009
aliceinthewater (14:33:48) :

I just called and donated over the phone. If you give them your address they’ll send you a receipt for tax purposes.

14 01 2009
AK+AL (14:34:55) :

Just spoke with someone at the tribal office.

Address for donations:

Nicholas Tucker
PO Box 178
Emmonak, AK
99581

FWIW

14 01 2009
CRFlats (14:35:11) :

AKM, You got the POWER! Thank you so much for spreading the word.
My credit card is winging it’s way. I hope the Mudflatters let them know where the word came from. Take that, SP! Bloggers have a lot more to talk about and DO ABOUT than about SWWNBN.

Thank you, Mudflatters. You are a wonderful slice of humanity.

14 01 2009
Visitor (14:36:47) :

Dear CrazyInAlaska - If you want to subsidize people who want to live in places they can’t afford, go ahead.

14 01 2009
UK Lady (14:37:31) :

Perhaps the visitor meant MOVE, as in do something to help?

If not he/her is a miserable excuse for a human being.

That was a good idea to send this to Daily Kos, they are really good at organsing funds quickly. I don’t know how to do it though.

I’ve cross-posted this on Huffington Post. Sounds like another AK blogger has Daily Kos covered. AKM

14 01 2009
austintx (14:39:02) :

Read the NYT article about how much fuel they use for the Iron Dog race…….it will royally piss you off !!! Are any state funds used to subsidize this race ???

14 01 2009
UK Lady (14:39:31) :

Yeah okay, a miserable excuse for a human being it is.

14 01 2009
CrazyInAlaska (14:39:59) :

Oh, Visitor, you know so little! I feel so sorry for you! There is a whole other world out there that you have never seen and most likely never will. I am sad for you that you are so ignorant. I hope someday you will have a life experience that will open your eyes and make you realize that not everyone has it a easy as you do.

14 01 2009
AK+AL (14:40:10) :

Oh! I must be slow to the draw. I see good suggestions for how to help are posted already.

I don’t really understand the part about how to use a credit card to help though. Can someone who has done it clarify? Thanks!

14 01 2009
Visitor (14:40:13) :

No, UK Lady. I meant move to a more affordable location. I used to live on an Aleutian island until I decided it was too expensive…. and windy… and rainy.

14 01 2009
UK Lady (14:43:32) :

Don’t worry visitor, you will end up somewhere cheap, hot and dry soon enough.

14 01 2009
SMR (14:44:10) :

@Visitor –

How about if YOU move out to Emmonak and they can move to your nice warm house and take over your job (if you have one)?

Carol Comeau and Mark Begich have already attempted to discuss the state of emergency in Anchorage/Anchorage School District caused by a massive influx of AK Natives to Anchorage due to problems like those noted in this post. Guess who was too busy to meet with them about it? One can only hope that Begich can effect some positive change as a Senator since our Gov is not willing to do anything substantive about it. Sub cabinet? Puhlease!!!!!!!

Moving Native Alaskans to urban areas answers is not the answer. Where will they live? Where will they work? How will they get to Anchorage? It costs roughly $500 to fly one-way to some of these areas. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to help them out with heating fuel? Assistance from the State & Federal Govt when there is an emergency is the answer. If this were an ongoing year after year issue then it would be time to have a discussion about relocation, but that is not the case here.

For any small-minded jerk-offs who think these people are part of the problem — THINK AGAIN. Next time it could be you, right in your little or big urban area. No job? Lose your home? Want us to tell YOU “too bad, so sad?”

What is wrong with people like our little Visitor troll? And what in the hell is wrong with our Governor? Oh yeah — and her sucky sub-cabinet that’s not doing anything?

I am soooooo sick of living in the state with the suckiest Governor! She puts Blagojevic to shame, and makes Huey Long look like a saint. So much destruction & havoc wreaked in two short years that have been the two longest political years of Alaska’s life…

14 01 2009
akdennis (14:45:00) :

You don’t honestly expect that Palin cares about a little podunk village of 800, do you? After all, how much impact can they have on her future political asperations? So what if a few natives starve or freeze to death. She is too busy mapping out her strategy for 2012 to be bothered.

And she absolutely agrees with Visitor. Why don’t they move? Centuries of traditional tribal life be damned. The Governor and Visitor think the they should give up their barbarian, heathen way of living and come into the fold. Learn how to live like civilized people and attend Sarah’s church so they can have their souls saved.

Yup, the Governor and Visitor have a lot in common. Sh!@heads!!!! Excuse me but I need to go write a check.

14 01 2009
SmallSteps in Blue VA (14:45:02) :

Thanks aliceinthewater. I was wondering if they were a 501(c)(3). Guess they are?

Visitor - where is your compassion? Although I have embraced moving and trying new locations, many people want to stay where their roots are. Remember the saying “grow where you are planted?” Personally living in the villages wouldn’t fit my personality but we are not all alike (thank goodness!).

14 01 2009
aliceinthewater (14:46:28) :

Oh! I must be slow to the draw. I see good suggestions for how to help are posted already.

I don’t really understand the part about how to use a credit card to help though. Can someone who has done it clarify? Thanks!

---

You give the credit card to pay for the heating oil. I’m going to assume that the city will distribute it out.

14 01 2009
Visitor (14:47:59) :

UK Lady - Here in Alaska, the residents get to chose where they live. Really! I’m serious.

Everyone here knows the cost of living remote is substantially more expensive.

14 01 2009
regina (14:51:45) :

I have posted this comment in the http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/ and also sent it to numerous blogs and websites, including the Governor’s office and Barack Obama. It is absolutely outrageous that the Alaskan rural communities are ignored and dismissed by the Governor’s office when asking for assistance. Organizing donations for heating fuel and a food drive shows that the anonymous bloggers have more awareness and compassion than the person who should take responsibility for what goes on in her state.

“I became interested in Sarah Palin for her entertainment value, following the soap opera “Who’s Trig’s Mother?”.

I considered her dangerous and shuddered at the thought of having her in the White House, perhaps as president, if anything happened to McCain. Thankfully, they lost.

I’m not American and don’t live in America, but as the soap rolled on, I started following links to various Alaskan blogs.

She’s not so entertaining anymore. What I read so far is truly appalling. She sent a confidential wish list to Washington, but Begich let the cat out of the bag: she didn’t ask for enough and what she asked for was linked to the gas pipeline. So she’s trying to come across as a fiscal conservative to further her own agenda in pursuit of national office at the expense on Alaskan communities.

Perhaps all the whining about the media and anonymous bloggers is a smokescreen to distract people so her real shortcomings as a governor go unnoticed. But I don’t think any amount of whining and hogging the media’s attention is going to impress anybody in the communities facing so much hardship. I suppose they’re not important to her. Can she be elected for anything without their votes? If she can, that would explain her utter contempt for their plight.

Is there anybody else in Alaska with enough clout to address this problem? I understand the Governor has a lot of power, being the only elected executive in the State government, then she appoints at will. Is that correct? If it is, what can Alaskans do to get rid of this callous, selfish, unspeakable woman?

When similar emergencies happen in Africa or in the Indian sub-continent, there are international appeals for aid. But the international community wouldn’t expect to contribute to an appeal from one of the states of the richest, most powerful country in the world. They would expect the government of that state to provide for their constituents or at least for the federal government to intervene. This woman has no shame. She’ll gadly allow the people of Alaska to exist bellow the acceptable human dignity level, driven to suicide, simply to feed her vanity and ambition.

I hope you can find a solution for this millstone around your necks.

How can I forward this to Barack Obama? Somebody has to do something! You shouldn’t have to resort to appeals in blogs for donations to help Alaskan communities.”

Regina Guard, Treignac, France

14 01 2009
libby (14:51:48) :

UK Lady - I’m afraid that “cheap, hot, and dry place” is going to be pretty crowded.

Let’s see the Energy Expert handle this situation.

14 01 2009
mysteri (14:51:52) :

I moved here after I was left with very little opportunity. It was heart wrenching for my son.

I will be posting the story on the sites I visit. And I will send up a donation.

So far, what has SP done?

14 01 2009
InterestedPerson (14:52:47) :

How about making this one of the Inauguration Service Day events?

USAservice.org

It might be appropriate for the villages themeselves, or someone in Alaska, to
do it with the elders’ permission, as the site goes by distance from the zip code
one picks.

I will donate money, of course; but hesitate to make it a Milwaukee project without
more connection with the people there.
And we are struggling here with the heat and food issues, but not the phyical isolation. I will publicize it to a group I am part of.

Thank you again to the AKMudraker and the community.
AKM you can definitely hide out here in the Poeple’s Republic of Riverwest.
We would be honored to have you and you would blend in with all the older
hippies, community organizers, punk rockers, students, professionals,
artists, unemployeds, et al. here on the Left Bank of the Milwaukee River as you
look true north.

14 01 2009
Visitor (14:53:07) :

SMR - We agree on something! I think our governor sux too… also.

I’m not a “troll” I just don’t agree with you. Okay? Geez. Send them money if you want, that’s fine with me.

14 01 2009
Irishgirl Rosebud. (14:54:53) :

Holy sh*t,
I’m going to edit a comment over at the forum now where I felt some degree of sympathy with Palin’s breakdown. Not any more.

14 01 2009
akmuckraker (14:57:43) :

UPDATE: Nick Tucker will be on KUDO 1080am with CC at 3:15 Alaska Time.

Tune in at http://www.kudo1080.com

Call in at 907-569-1080

14 01 2009
womanwithsardinecan (14:57:49) :

Hey Visitor, how about we round up the starving, freezing Alaska Natives, the people whose houses and land got swallow by coal sludge, the people from Katrina who are STILL stuck in fema trailers, the poor elderly in the frigid northeast states, all the kids in this country who went hungry this week, the mentally ill homeless, and all the rest of the people who have fallen through the cracks and put them in a big concentration camp (with a couple of heaters) and throw a little food over the fence?

14 01 2009
Aussie Blue Sky (14:58:44) :

libby (13:59:43) :
Can the American Red Cross help in this situation? I would imagine the Governor would actually have to make that call so I doubt that is going to happen but this should NEVER happen. Thanks, AKM, for getting us the information needed to reach out to these families!
———————————————————-
I have an email written and ready to go to the CEO of the Alaska Red Cross. Their brief is disaster relief, and famine is disaster.

At the very least, the Alaska Red Cross should have its hand up to co-ordinate assistance.

This is from their mission statement:
The American Red Cross of Alaska serves the entire state of Alaska, and you can count on us to be there to help you in times of need
[snip]
the American Red Cross of Alaska is committed to providing relief to victims of disasters and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Preparedness and Response Director - Kelley McGuirk
24-hour disaster assistance for Anchorage vicinity and rural Alaska , statewide disaster preparedness and response, disaster response training.
(907) 646-5423

Can someone please call up and confirm that the Alaska Red Cross
1. CAN do nothing without a formal approach by some authority, or
2. Is just sitting on its hands like Granny Palin.

14 01 2009
womanwithsardinecan (14:59:03) :

screw you. You know damn well they can’t move so your comment was pure BS.

14 01 2009
Visitor (15:02:31) :

womanwithsardinecan - “You know damn well they can’t move so your comment was pure BS.

Why are you under the impression that they can’t move? I think you’re misinformed.

14 01 2009
InterestedPerson (15:03:24) :

I just called the Tribal Council but the credit card is only for the other number that is
busy, so just suggested to the person there that they check out the USAservice.org
site as a possible avenue.

14 01 2009
Aussie Blue Sky (15:04:28) :

Visitor (14:36:47) :
Dear CrazyInAlaska - If you want to subsidize people who want to live in places they can’t afford, go ahead.
———————————————————-
Perhaps, “Visitor”, you would care to google to find the alarm coming from the government about people moving from the bush to the city, putting the urban infrastructure under too much pressure.

It’s not an answer.

14 01 2009
SMR (15:06:02) :

@Visitor –

Sorry — wrote that before I saw your second post. I get quite irate about Native AK issues and our Gov as you can see.

There are several issues here that are at play, a few of them: 1) Where is the help from our Gov? Our state has just had weeks of the lowest temps in years, and the Bush is currently paying higher rates for fuel than ever before, 2) Leaving any town, even if you can get out via car, is difficult alone, never mind with a family. Not only do Native Alaskans have a different lifestyle that, if they choose, should be supported &/or preserved, they live in an area that is not easily accessible, therefore moving is cost-prohibitive, AND very few of them have transferrable job skills. 3) Alaska is an immensely wealthy state. The Native Corporations are immensely wealthy. This problem has been stewing for ages. A cabinet was established and a sub-cabinet established, and absolutely nothing done by either cabinet.

How did we get to this impasse and state of emergency in rural villages/towns/cities? We have an apathetic Governor. These people deserve the support of their state government. This did not happen because they are lazy. This is similar to the Bush/Hurricane Katrina debacle — minus Bush’s token efforts re: FEMA, which means that our Gov’s failure to act BEFORE this latest disaster is even more egregious.

And yes, I’ll be sending a check.

14 01 2009
Visitor (15:08:46) :

Well, heck, if you guys are going pay for the fuel, maybe I”ll move there! I would love to live remote, but it’s so dang expensive! http://flickr.com/search/?q=Emmonak

14 01 2009
Proud Community OrganizerWA (15:09:16) :

Will be sending a check out today. Will spread the word to all I can think of.

I am so tired of the hypocrisy. I think it is time that anon bloggers put this horrible woman to shame!

14 01 2009
SMR (15:09:59) :

Hey, the good news is that maybe Sarah Palin can be Keith Olbermann’s Worst Person Ever (or whatever he calls it) again! I think she operates under the principle that all publicity is great, even when people are pointing out her lies &/or shortcomings…

14 01 2009
Irishgirl Rosebud. (15:10:17) :

Don’t bother to answer Visitor anymore. There is no humanity there.

14 01 2009
DonnaInMichigan (15:13:21) :

I’ve just called all of my family members…we are going to pull in money donations together and send it up there..

And where is the Governor, tonight? Sitting in her warm mansion, cooking her moose stew, wondering which magazine to accept an interview with next?

14 01 2009
Just a human in ak (15:14:09) :

Where are the multibillion dollar native corporations in this? Doesn’t sound like they care about the “little people” anymore either.

14 01 2009
SMR (15:16:00) :

Hey AKM —–

Can you add links to your old posts to this post of yours? Specifically, I am thinking of the posts re: these issues (it was covered a bit in the piece about the Native Convention, you’ve had others about rural issues, and there was also the guest blogger who was a teacher in a native village).

I think it would be great to be able to have those links in there to put into perspective, so that others could have some idea of the enormity of the issue AND the length of time that it has been brewing).

Thanks!

14 01 2009
Visitor (15:17:01) :

Just a human in ak - Excellent question! You are obviously an informed Alaskan.

14 01 2009
SMR (15:19:20) :

@Just a Human —

Really really good question (I noted it in my comment). I don’t know enough about the Native Corporations to really address it.

Does anyone happen to know if Native Corporations help only those in the areas in which they have villages &/or concerns? I.e. Arctic Slope Regional Corp is a North Slope corporation that is composed of, I think, primarily a single group of Natives, indigenous to that area, and they share their oil-related wealth (given that they are on the NSlope) with only those shareholders?

Anyone anyone?

14 01 2009
UK Lady (15:21:38) :

Visitor- bugger off you patronising mullet.

14 01 2009
Visitor (15:25:17) :

UK Lady - I’m an Alaskan resident that is actually affected by what happens in my state, so I think I’ll continue to read this blog and post when I have time. And even when I disagree with you, I’ll keep it clean and civil.

14 01 2009
UK Lady (15:27:50) :

Okay so you are patronising and affected.

14 01 2009
Debbie AKA Commando coalfire Palin (15:28:40) :

I will pony up and I have a few friends that will also. Our family ties go way back with the Alaska natives living in the bush. My cousin and I have a thriving small business because of them all because they still remember our grandfather sent four of their own to college on his dime back in the 30s. You just don’t find that kind of loyalty, I owe them big, this is a drop in the bucket.

14 01 2009
Visitor (15:33:50) :

UK Lady - I’m a realist.

Question: What are the residents of Emmonak going to do next winter?

14 01 2009
blue moose (15:35:39) :

weather visitor likes it or not these are our fellow citizens and we should as Alaskans and Americans have a concern for their well being.. it’s called being a humanitarian.. I’m sure if they could move they would.. Alaskan Natives have it ruff and I wish the best for them.. write Mark and Lisa maybe they can get some federal energy asst.. or try change.org

14 01 2009
InJuneau (15:35:54) :

@DonnaInMichigan (15:13:21) :

Naw, she’s not in the “Mansion” yet, I wouldn’t bet (haven’t seen lights on lately). Plus, Session doesn’t start till next Tues., so she’ll prob. be arriving Mon. night, as late as she can.

OH, did you mean that “mansion” that looks like the sports center? Oh yeah, she prob. there!

(snark off)

14 01 2009
SMR (15:39:10) :

Thanks AKM for posting the other stories regarding these issues. I think it adds value in terms of developing the big picture re: Native Alaskan issues and the response (or lack thereof, as is the case) of the State government (in particular our Governor & her appointees).

For those who have not read the old posts that AKM recently linked, they’re well worth the time it takes to read them. For those who have read them when they were originally posted, it’s worth it to read them again to refresh your memory.

Thanks for suggesting it, SMR. AKM

14 01 2009
Aussie Blue Sky (15:39:22) :

AKM, good luck on your trip home. Don’t forget to breathe.

14 01 2009
austintx (15:40:05) :

Here is a crazy idea……..contact the CEO’s of all the corporate sponsors of the Iron Dog and ask them to pitch in . The race is 1,971 miles long. That is a lot of AK. They already are gonna have the logistics in place. They are gonna be burning a lot of fuel……so bring more for those in dire need. Shit - bring more of everything. Most probably the donations and manpower are tax deductible. They can’t even put a price on being a good corporate citizen. This a highly planned event - they can help - if they want to.

14 01 2009
Visitor (15:40:33) :

I’m paying almost $600.00 a month in property taxes. My Enstar natural gas bill was almost $500.00 this month. When it gets to the point where I can’t afford it, I’m going to move. I don’t expect others to subsidize my lifestyle choices.

If the residents of Emmonak decide to move to a place where they can afford the cost of living, I’ll donate.

14 01 2009
pearl89 (15:45:21) :

I will send a donation. I also sent an email to Oprah, CBS,NBC,ABC, and Obama asking them to look into this (plus I asked Oprah to help if they can/will). I sent emails to my senator and to Les Gara urging them to declare these areas as disaster areas so that FEMA could become involved (unfortunately, I think this request has to come from the governor). Posted a diary on KOS. Called the Red Cross and they recommended that someone (Mr. Tucker) call the Alaska chapter of the Red Cross or dial 211 to reach them.

Also, was thinking along of the lines of the other poster who suggested this as a Service Day event.

It seems like the crucial component is getting the state of Alaska to declare this as an emergency. That would enable the governor to call up the National Guard to food drops without others having to directly bear the cost.

What cabinet post would be in charge of this type situation? Whoever it is should also be contacted plus the Alaskan US senators. Come on you anonymous bloggers let’s get our butts in gear and let’s show Palin what we can really do.

14 01 2009
akdennis (15:47:06) :

Visitor-

So your solution to this problem is just to have everyone leave the bush and move into town? How’s that supposed to work? It just creates more problems by increasing the load on those infrastructures. And as SMR points out, there is not enough housing, jobs, wchools, etc. to make the accomodation.

It’s fine to have a point of view but at least pay a little thought to the ramifications of what you propose. And your solution does nothing to address the issue of natives RIGHT to maintain their traditional lifetstyle on ancestral lands. And tread lightly here. I am part Indian. At the risk of sounding disingenuous, we weren’t invited in the first place.

14 01 2009
Visitor (15:54:05) :

I live in the Mat-Su. There’s plenty of housing and jobs and raw land here.

Alaska Natives have every right to maintain their “traditional lifestyle”. What did they do before heating oil, unleaded fuel, snowmachines, 4-wheelers and outboards?

14 01 2009
UK Lady (15:54:13) :

Pearl89 - You truly deserve your blogger moniker.

14 01 2009
Ed O’Neill (15:55:14) :

VillageAid

Please see attached and consider helping in any way that you can during the food drive being conducted at ANI. Also, please take the time to read the related story in the newspapers this week and next or online.
Your compassion and generosity is much appreciated by the people of Emmonak. Sincerely, M. Therese O’Neill Publisher, President
Alaska Newspapers, Inc., Camai Printing Co., ANI Communications & Associates http://www.alaskanewspapers.com
Village Aid • Drop Off Location Calista Building • 301 Calista Court • Anchorage, Alaska 99518 • Bay Door of Camai Printing
Meats & Protein, Dried Meat & Fish, Vacuum Packed Tuna & Chicken, Vacuum Packed Spaghetti Sauces, Vacuum Packed Tomatoes etc., Pasta, Rice, Dry Beans, Meal Helpers, Boxed Side-dishes, Cup of Soup, Fruits
Dried Fruit/Raisins etc., Breads & Cereal, Pancake Mix & Syrup, Oatmeal, Cornmeal, Baking Mixes, Flour/Sugar/Salt, Bread Crumbs, Drinks & Snacks, Boxed Juices, Coffee, Crackers, Fruit Snacks, Condiments, All-Kinds in Plastic
Items Village Aid Will Not Be Able To Distribute:
Home Canned or Jarred Products
Home Processed Fish or Game
Opened Products or Products Exposed to the Air.
Join us in helping to halt a tragedy before it happens. Contact Layla at Alaska Newspapers, Inc.
lkong@alaskanewspapers.com
Village Aid
907.348.2413 Alaska Newspapers

14 01 2009
maji (15:56:30) :

Visitor,
If you’re not going to help, get out of the damn way! I’m sending money from GA. It’s okay if you choose not to help your fellow human beings, but make sure you can answer for your failure when the time comes. You reap what you sow.

14 01 2009
Gryphen (15:59:46) :

Okay Mudflatters!

AKM has cross posted this story on Huffington Post.

However it is still buried and not showing up on the front page. That is where we need this! So please follow this link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/akmuckraker/a-cry-for-help-from-rural_b_157997.html

Once there leave a comment of support and give it a “buzz up” and make sure that we get this story out to the widest audience imaginable.

This is not just about supporting AKM (always a worthy cause), it is about helping these people in this little Alaskan village.

And for those of you who have already donated I would like to say thank you from the citizens of Alaska.

If only our governor were as generous as you are.

And also, you can use the social bookmarking buttons at the bottom of the post to Digg or whatever you do. Thanks, AKM

14 01 2009
SMR (15:59:52) :

@akdennis –

I’m rubbing my hands together (in anticipation, not to keep warm) as I wait for you to weigh in as a fellow Mat-Su resident…

14 01 2009
blue moose (16:01:07) :

Great another ignorant self indulged bleeper move to Wasilla, lucky us…It’s folks like this that give the valley a bad name.. maybe you could do us a favor and go back to where ever your really from..and spare us more embarrassment..

14 01 2009
ds55 (16:02:19) :

This may be Sarah Palin’s “Katrina” moment in the making.

14 01 2009
Mart (16:04:58) :

This is unforgiveable - this is impeachable. On the states dime complaining about pj wearing bloggers, yet SP doesn’t take care of states business!!
Please explain this to me?

14 01 2009
betzy (16:10:23) :

I called the governor’s office at about 4:35PM. The phone was answered by someone named Kara (sp?). I asked if the governor was in and she said, “No.” I also asked about Talis Colberg. I told her I was furious about the situation in Alaska and that it is a story unfolding here and elsewhere in the US - that is, it seems everywhere but AK.

When inquiring if she had had calls re: the disaster, the emergency fuel and food shortage, she haltingly replied that she had had one other phone call today. I then asked for an address since, as I told her, it seems no one shows up there to work and resolve the real issues. I also said it seemed that just People magazine, TV interviews and Esquire were worthy of attention from the governor.

I assured her my wrath was not directed at her but that I hoped soon there would be someone taking steps to recall the worthless bunch of politicians that are supposed to be governing and legislating in the state of AK. Then maybe we would not need to continue learning about the AK issues from other sources in the lower 48 states.

Apparently, the fuel deliveries were interrupted some time ago when the weather created problems too great to allow the regular delivery. Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing has been done by the government to address that absent delivery nor any needs since then.

This is the address she gave me for Palin, and an address she said could be used for anyone in the “Cabinets” as they would forward the letters:

P. O. Box 110001
Juneau, AK 97811

14 01 2009
CRFlats (16:11:39) :

I donated for several reasons:

Alaska is a relatively wealthy state because of resources gleaned from it’s land. Land that was inhabited for 10,000 years by Alaska Natives. Is it too much to ask to be able to remain in the only homelands the tribe has ever known? To leave the land is to lose their cultural ties and become assimilated. I think our Native villages are worth saving.

Of course the Native Corps are helping. Not all Native Corps are multi-million dollar earners, but the Native Corps do take care of their own. Always have, always will. But this isn’t just a Native issue. Who said everyone in the village was Native? Many things contributed to this emergency this year…the fuel came in on barges when the fuel was at its very highest cost. This was the second year of high prices. The last barges didn’t make it in because of early freeze up, and fuel had to be flown in. The King Salmon season was a bust. The economy, both cash and subsistence, is based on the King Salmon run.

Donations, and the resulting PR will be a public embarrassment to our GUV, the energy expert, and I think that is a silver lining.

14 01 2009
Mart (16:14:04) :

To Pearl89 - you ROCK!!!

Visitor - WOW … quite snarky!!!

14 01 2009
AlaskaDisasta (16:16:41) :

Visitor (14:36:47) :

Dear CrazyInAlaska - If you want to subsidize people who want to live in places they can’t afford, go ahead.

---

I’d be willing to bet the taxpayers are “subsidizing” the cost of your children’s public education, public transportation, police and fire service. What they obviously have NOT subsidized is your apparent low E.Q. and addressed your absence of mirror neurons (go look it up).

14 01 2009
0whole1 (16:21:25) :

Amazon used to have something called the Honor System — a way to send money directly to people. They used it during 9/11 and, I think, during Katrina. If they’re still doing it, it may be another vector through which the town can solicit donations. Amazon normally takes/took a percentage of each transaction, but they may waive that fee in this case. I don’t have a telephone number handy for them at the moment; one might be available on their site. I did take a quick look around and I don’t see a link for it, so perhaps they no longer do it or they renamed it something else — or, possibly, it’s just buried somewhere.

14 01 2009
AlaskaDisasta (16:21:46) :

Visitor (15:54:05) :

I live in the Mat-Su. There’s plenty of housing and jobs and raw land here.

Alaska Natives have every right to maintain their “traditional lifestyle”. What did they do before heating oil, unleaded fuel, snowmachines, 4-wheelers and outboards?

---

They subsisted on the animals and fish - you know, the ones that good ole boy Palin (Sarah’s daddy) kills for the sheer perverted pleasure of killing. You know - all those obtuse and thick-brained ‘weekend’ warriors’ who wipe out anything and everything natural in the world, then go to some arcane and bizarre knee-bruising faux church where they speak in tongues because they’ve yet to master their mother tongue properly.

In other words, they lived in peace and quiet before the great white Yahoos destroyed their culture. BTW, you should try some culture - it might do you good.

14 01 2009
akmuckraker (16:22:45) :

New thread with alternate way to donate. Help The Alaska Report get to Emmonak to cover the story enabling national media coverage.

14 01 2009
Visitor (16:27:22) :

AlaskaDisasta - I chose not to have children. However, 80% of the property taxes I pay fund the public schools and educate my neighbors’ children. We don’t have public transportation in the Mat-Su. Our police department is funded by our 2% sales tax. Our fire service is a volunteer department.

I’m a graduate of the Anchorage School District…you know what that means.

14 01 2009
Tina Geiger (16:27:30) :

What a heart breaking situation. Makes me realize that many have it so much worse than me. I just called and pledged what I could. Used a credit card.

14 01 2009
Sandy Harbanuk (16:27:44) :

If the Salvation Army, Red Cross, or another provider were to set up an emergency airlift of food and fuel, publicize it, and ask for donations, I’m sure many of us would contribue to the maximum we are able to. This urgent problem needs an established organization or agency to step in, if the State won’t step up.

We should contact our legislators, too.

14 01 2009
AlaskaDisasta (16:29:46) :

Visitor (16:27:22) : I chose not to have children.

---

Well, then, we’re obviously not speaking to a Palin.

14 01 2009
Visitor (16:31:48) :

P.S. Thanks for allowing opposing views, akmuckraker.

14 01 2009
UK Lady (16:33:06) :

This should be SP’s Katrina moment - doing interviews and whining about the awful media and bloggers, as her own people freeze and go hungry. What an energy expert, what a tool.

14 01 2009
Visitor (16:33:36) :

“Well, then, we’re obviously not speaking to a Palin.”

Definitely NOT! I’m not a tax and spend liberal.

14 01 2009
Erma (16:36:42) :

Please Contace
Contact Information:
Direct Relief International
27 S. La Patera Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93117

Phone: (805) 964-4767
Fax: (805) 681-4838

Press Contact:

Jim Prosser
Press Secretary
(805) 964-4767

14 01 2009
Erma (16:38:01) :

Woops - that is contact Direct Relief International

14 01 2009
SMR (16:48:29) :

Memo

From: Gov. Sarah Palin
To: Alaska Natives, Polar Bears & Beluga Whales and other indigenous Alaskan Peoples and Animals

Up yours!

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/653983.html

14 01 2009
Lee323 (16:50:25) :

Nick Turner: “This is not the time for any debates or questions. The winter-long anomaly in the weather, conditions, and the situation are beyond our control.”

This is a crisis situation where the debates and questions can be put off until AFTER these people’s basic needs are met!

I’m sending my donation immediately!

Meanwhile, “Visitor”….I don’t care how “clean and civil” you think your remarks are. They are inappropriate for the time being. Remember the case of the woman who was murdered in the street in NYC while dozens of people watched through their windows. None called the police while she lay dying.

Yeah….we are all watching out our windows right now….and we’re not standing by.

14 01 2009
Maris_38 (17:02:06) :

The Red Cross is not able to provide emergency assistance without permission from the relevant Government body. They have a regular charter that allows them to respond to housefires and other “expected” disasters, but do so under existing arrangements.

Disasters such as Katrina, 9/11 etc require approval before the RC can come in - one reason the shelters were not set up inside the City of New Orleans was because they city government refused permission because they thought shelters would encourage people to stay and the city wanted people to evacuate.

14 01 2009
Visitor (17:02:56) :

Lee323 - You better start planning for next winter. It’s coming!

14 01 2009
phoebe (17:04:09) :

OK….it’s time to give Visitor the boot or ignore his sorry ass.

14 01 2009
Maris_38 (17:10:27) :

One other comment re: moving vs staying. I’m not familiar with Native Alaskan culture, but breaking up native populations by having them move from their traditional lands (or “assimilating” them) never works - it drives more endemic problems and costs governments far more in the long run than encouraging and supporting them where they are.

Native peoples generally have a spiritual connection to their land - living on it is part of their ‘religion’ if you will. Add to that long-standing and extended family relationships and a lifestyle that is pretty radically different from an urbanized life.

For an example of the consequences of attempted “assimilation” and the difficulties native populations have in dealing with a different environment (usually city vs bush) you need look no further than the Australian Kooris (Aboriginals).

Saying “move” sounds sensible at one level - but it’s one thing to move within a cultural that is still pretty much like your own, and quite another to separate yourself from the only way of life you’ve ever known, move to a world that is almost alien, and remove yourself from the source of your spiritual and family connections. Do that when you’re broke anyway and it’s a recipe for disaster.

14 01 2009
akdennis (17:18:43) :

@Alaska Disasta

Are you sure this isn’t a Palin? Our Visitor sure seems to approach problem solving like the the Governor does. You know, just throw a random idea out there without bothering to check to see whether or not the proposal is even remotely feasible.

@Visitor

You seem to be intimating that the problems in rural Alaska are of Alaskan natives own making. Surely, you’re not that misinformed or racist enough to suggest such a thing, are you?

And just to shoot some more holes into your argument about relocation, what kind of industrial or business job skills to expect someone who has led a traditional subsistence lifestyle their whole lives to have? You sound like the politicians of 150 years ago. “Let’s just move all the Indians to the reservation so they won’t be such an inconvenience for us”. The Alaskan natives that want to live an urban life do so already. Are you suggesting that everyone else be forcibly relocated? What a good idea! Shoot, us redskins won’t mind a little more cultural genocide after what we’ve endured to this point. Hell, it’s their own fault if they freeze or starve because no one held a gun to their head to make them live on ancestral lands, right? Or do you actually think that native traditionalists can still maintain a traditional lifestyle here in the Mat-Su. Are you high?

Another thing you intimated is that if natives are so interested in living traditionally then what are they doing using snow machines, fourwheelers, or other modern technologies. That point of view is astounds me to the point that I am speechless. Anyway, I wouldn’t even try to refute an argument so base. If you really believe that then we live in completely different realities from one another.

I’d like to remind you that in a normal year the villages do just fine. But when the stars line up like they have this past year (i.e. horrible fishing season, astronomical fuel prices, record setting low temperatures) they need our help. And you know what? They didn’t even ask for it.

I would appreciate it, if next time you wish to weigh into the conversation, you at least consider what you say. I don’t mind debating with you if your position is at least somewhat thought out.

On a side note to non-Alaskans, the term subsistence is used differently here in Alaska than is customary elsewhere. Here, it means living off the land by hunting, fishing, and gardening as opposed to the more common meaning of living at a basic survival level. Just wanted to clarify that.

14 01 2009
grewingk (17:28:53) :

I just skipped over a bunch of posts to ask this question: has anyone sent a PM to our US Senators yet? I just turned CC on the radio (KUDO). The reception is really marginal out here, but I can catch the gist of it. It sounds like AKM has really mobilized the troops. You danged anonymous blogger, you : )

If Emmonak is up against it this hard, I’ll bet’ya the rest of the villages out in the Delta are hurting too. Has anyone called Jeannie Green (Heartbeat Alaska)? She knows people in every single one of those villages.

My roof is leaking like a SOB with this rain and the easterly winds (it blows under the eaves), but it’s warm in here and there’s food in the pantry…

14 01 2009
grewingk (17:39:53) :

@SMR(14:44:10) :
I am soooooo sick of living in the state with the suckiest Governor! She puts Blagojevic to shame, and makes Huey Long look like a saint.
—

Huey P. Long built 111 bridges and 2300 miles of road, besides hospitals and schools while he was gov. Granted they were segregated hospitals and schools, but he made sure everyone had ‘em, not just the whites.

14 01 2009
Visitor (17:45:56) :

Okay… IMO

What the Calista Corporation should do is help their own people! They need to create hydro-electric power from the Yukon River, where the village is located. The electricity from the hydro-electric power would easily heat their homes.

Another option would be to use bio-mass (driftwood) to create steam to generate electricity.

Why does the Calista Corporation and Emmonak Corporation chose not to help their own people? That’s the real question.

Uncle Ted gave the villages the ability to help themselves with 8(a)’s, by-pass mail and fuel subsidies. It’s up to them now.

14 01 2009
Visitor (17:51:59) :

akdennis - You’re right; we do live in completely different realities.

14 01 2009
exalaskaguy (17:59:25) :

I happen to know Nick Tucker and Emmonak. By the way, Emmonak is at the mouth of the Yukon river not on Bristol Bay. Bristol Bay is quite a ways south of there. The folks at Emmonak are Yupik Eskimo whereas the Bristol Bay folks are mostly Aleut. Different tribal groups but nice people none the less. I worked for the feds at Bethel near the Bering Sea about 20 years ago and got a call from Nick as the Alaska Housing Authority was about to evict him and his family in the middle of the winter. By threatening and abusing the Housing office we able to stall them enough to get Nick through the winter in his house. I lost contact with him after that. Another time we were able to get a plane load of surplus government fuel to Emmonak in the middle of the winter under the same conditions as now. The point is that life in bush Alaska is a constant struggle. These economic conditions make life a hassle for these folks that were primarily fishers and hunters before the white man (meaning the government) more or less forcibly changed their lifestyle. Another point about Native Corporations, some are quite wealthy but the majority, particularly the ones out on the Bering Sea are poor as church mice. The “corporation” may consist of the village store and little else. They generally aren’t in a position to help much. Another grand idea that fell flat in the application.
Moving is not as option. these people have lived there since time began. This is their home and somehow they’ll survive and adapt to a situation not of their making. To move would be akin to cultural suicide.
I’ll send a few bucks also but it’ll take more than money to solve this problem.

14 01 2009
akdennis (18:02:03) :

@Visitor

OK, that’s better! That was “thought out” and I like “thought out”.

Indeed, you raise excellent points. Alaska as a whole has the best potential for alternate energy of any state in the union (particularly biomass and geothermal) The implementation of your suggestion would have gone a far piece to help eleminate the current crisis in rural Alaska.

Although they are fairly comfortable financially, no native corporation has the capital necessary to fund research or installation of alternative energy power plants. That kind of clout has to come from the state and the feds.

Unfortunately, no attention is going to be paid to alternative energy research or implementation until we get rid of Palin. She has already clearly demonstrated that she has no interest in pursuing these technologies. One more reason to get rid of her.

Oh, and why don’t you register and pick a more interesting handle than “Visitor”. And, ff you haven’t already done so, you should go over and check out the forum. Lot’s of really great stuff over there.

14 01 2009
mustang (18:18:15) :

while debate about ‘how-to’ is fine this is an emergency happening right now.

it is a bad winter all over the NW.

I put this out in a few places as well.

Im guessing people are seeing it all over and coming here because it took me a bit to even get on this site and comment section.

14 01 2009
Visitor (18:23:19) :

akdennis - I don’t comment enough to register. Plus, this could get addictive. I’d never get anything done if I was here trying to solve everyone’s problems!

Have you checked out the hydro-power videos on YouTube? Interesting stuff.

Have a good evening.

14 01 2009
Fed-Up_and willing to do something (18:25:24) :

Emmonak and other communities are NOT being “served” by the so-called Alaska government.

Where is the “Declaration of Emergency” for the Bush and non-Anchorage/Mat-Su/Wasilla communities? Gee, downtown Anchorage received national press for “freezing rain.” What of freezing and starving United States citizens, elsewhere in the “Nation’s Largest State??”

All the while, AK’s ostensible “Governor” stays in her personal home, charging citizens per diem for this “privilege.” Who pays her heating bill?? Her food billl? We do: in salary AND unqualified “per diems.”

Time to act, fellow Great NW’ers.

Call our Congress, national press, etc. Get them up here, to see our collective experience and travails. NOW.

14 01 2009
SMR (18:36:47) :

@akdennis –

mwah mwah (those are kisses). But I was hoping you’d jump all over the “they can move out here to Mat Su where I live — there is plenty of land & lots of jobs…” Didn’t I just read somewhere that the unemployment rate in the Mat-Su is over 11% which is close to twice the national average?

Off topic, but you may want to check out this fascinating post over at Alaska Standard from former Gov Murkowski. I was having a hard time screaming out loud when I got to his stuff about the TransCanada pipeline deal. Say what you will about the “corrupt” Gov Murkowski, he has now been proven to be “the devil you know…” and a much more ethical Gov than our current one who ran on the ethics & transparency & accountability platform. And he has years & years of Senate perspective from which to address the State’s business. Must-read post, even if you don’t agree with everything he says, it’s informative.

http://www.thealaskastandard.com/?q=node/284

14 01 2009
Just a human in ak (18:43:12) :

Where did our global warming go? I was going to plant a palm tree on the mudflats! Damn you Al Gore!

14 01 2009
Visitor (18:46:31) :

SMR - You don’t know much about the Mat-Su, do ya? Just because unemployment is high doesn’t mean there aren’t jobs. Welfare is a career option here. Unfortunately.

14 01 2009
austintx (19:08:16) :

Visitor - being a grumpy ,finger pointing, know-it-all seems to be the option you have chosen……..good evening indeed.

14 01 2009
The Polypipe Gasline Guy (19:16:00) :

http://s281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/DistantThunderbolt/?start=all

The State of Alaska spends more on cleaning up fuel-oil spills in the villages each year than it would cost to supply enough propane to replace all the fuel oil used…
…it just takes a little forethought and political willpower

14 01 2009
igor (19:19:35) :

If you really want to help, buy them a plane ticket out of there — preferably Florida.

14 01 2009
SMR (19:41:20) :

@Visitor–

Actually, since I have lived in AK for about 40 years, lived in the Mat-Su at one point, have loads of friends & family who live there… well, yes, I do know quite a bit about it.

I certainly didn’t get my perspective re: the Mat-Su from our Gov or media or any 3rd hand source — got it all first-hand and from my friends & relatives who still live there.

At this point there are jobs everywhere, but who knows how much longer that will be the case. The bigger question in relation to this particular issue (and as it relates to the rest of the US and other countries hard-hit by the current economic situation) is whether or not they are jobs that one can make a living off of. And then there is the reality of whether or not indigenous peoples moved into urban areas are able to get these jobs. That does not take into account the other, more personal, issues that are specific to Natives, several of them outlined by other commenters who commented quite eloquently about that aspect of the situation.

I would think that it would be much easier to move to/from Bush communities w/out the familial/historical ties. On the other hand, if you & your family have been there for perhaps a thousand years, living off the land, how do you go about moving, emotionally & practically? Emotionally I would guess that one’s first choice would be to find an alternative to moving, a solution. Long-term, preferably.

If that were not an option, then one has to look at the practicalities of the move. Question #1: Who in the world is going to buy house/land in Emmonak knowing that the cost of living is prohibitive? Okay, so you have to walk away from your house/land. Now, how to fly/ship/? my family and belongings somewhere else? Okay, there’s an option? But it costs upwards of $20,000? Okay, not a viable option.

The bottom line here is that there are no simple solutions to this problem. That being the case, assistance from citizens is a stop-gap. In addition to outlining the severity of the situation, the point of this blog by AKM, though, was to ask what it is that our state government (and by extension our Gov) is going to do about it, in the short- and long-term? This issue has been on the radar for a long time now. Something should have been done to address these issues long ago.

By the way, on this blog most people discuss things constructively, even when they disagree. I don’t always agree with everyone, as is likely the case with everyone else here. However, we do go out of our way to be respectful, and engage in constructive dialogue. That is why when I noticed your second comment I apologized to you. We’re pretty civil around here — and that is not limited to those who agree. But we do all have a cut-off point, the point at which discussion looks to be futile & degenerating into something similar to the comments boards at ADN (my eyes are bleeding just thinking about those!).

Peace.

14 01 2009
SMR (19:47:28) :

I like the hydro-power idea put forward by Visitor.

Wouldn’t it be ironic if, in this rich state & country (well, okay, before the past 8 years of Bush), these communities became the beneficiaries of public-service projects similar to those in 3rd world countries?

Actually, if you read the guest blog post linked above dated 10/7/08, written by a fella who taught in a Bush village, you will see that the conditions are not so very different from many 3rd world villages. It’s crazy time. 3rd world conditions in Alaska, state government that does nothing about impending disaster. SP’s kind of like one of those African dictators, living in a fancy palace, riding around in a limo, going on fancy vacations, house slaves, all while the citizens starve…

14 01 2009
sueinmn (19:48:09) :

This is so sad!! I will donate a little help here from Minnesota. Relocating these citizens is not the answer. This is their home!! Getting them assistance is the answer. I hope they get much publicity around the country and world. (where I see the links about this story, it looks like it’s going fast and far!) This will ultimately help the tribal people and ultimately provide BAD PR to your Govenor who really happens to suck and does not deserve to continue serving the people of Alaska. She enjoys her lakeside mansion on a dead lake in warmth. So Sad,,,,,,,,,,,,For a state with a large surplus and millions in trust, it is outrageous for this poverty to be the reality of the Alaskan natives.

14 01 2009
The Polypipe Gasline Guy (20:02:03) :

CLICK HERE — CLICK HERE There’s billions of cubefeet of methane leaking out of the NorthSlope and all over Alaska, in the Arctic Ocean too. This lost orphan gas can be remotely detected and accurately mapped by aircraft. Recovering this wasted resource can win Alaska Carbon Credits. — CLICK HERE — CLICK HERE

14 01 2009
jarrett622 (20:04:33) :

My heart goes out to you all. I wish I could help. I’m in dire straits myself so I can offer little but prayer and to spread the word.

I sure hope your Governor gets her act together before it’s too late.

14 01 2009
mommom (20:12:50) :

For “Visitor”

If no one has the money to pay the exorbitant prices for fuel and must go hungry to provide enough heat to sustain life,exactly who in Emmonak has the money to buy everything from everyone else so that they could move ? Should they sell it on Ebay? It worked so well for the Governors jet.Wow,if Alaska still had that airplane,maybe it could have helped in this situation!

What will they do next winter ? Isnt that exactly what the Governor should be seeking a solution for ?Maybe those $1200 checks could have been reduced,and the balance used for infrastructure to help keep this from happening again.Instead of buying popularity? You know,like other states do ?

14 01 2009
CRFlats (20:17:22) :

@ SMR, thanks for the link: http://www.thealaskastandard.com/?q=node/284

Isn’t it ironic that SP was elected for basically no other reason than she wasn’t Frank. And now, she makes Frank look good. That takes some serious effort.

14 01 2009
Hairball (20:46:48) :

I donated and posted a link to Mudflats on my blog. I don’t get much traffic but, every little bit helps!

14 01 2009
Linda (20:50:31) :

To all the people of the villages, I have sat here and read all the postings and I am at awh when I had no clue that there was such a need for food and fuel. I live in Illinois and I will be spreading the word and going to organzations and churches to see what donations I can collect and send them ASAP!! I think I have all information that I need by reading every single posting here tonite. My thoughts are with all of you. As you know or may not know my Governor is not much better than yours. So my heart goes out to you.

15 01 2009
Quetzalcoatl (00:34:00) :

This is a terrible situation and thank you AKM for bringing it up to the world’s attention. Many here understand that in life, one doesn’t go it alone, especially in the back country.

This ‘Visitor’ probably hasn’t built anything large enough in his life. It takes the effort of many to raise a barn. You can’t do it on your own.

That’s why it’s important to help those in need. That’s what the Governor’s job should be. Sad how inept she is. Pathetic.

15 01 2009
David (02:53:22) :

This is a short term emergency (hopefully) because the cause of the No. 2
Diesel price spike is the oil market price jump of 2008, which
as described on last week’s 60 Minutes report is totally due to
greedy speculation on the part of financial entities buying Oil not
to use but just to raise the price. The sad thing is there is no
regulation of this market as Enron got the regulations lifted
in 2002. The price of fuel more than doubled totally as a result
of this speculation. In the Lower 48 No 2 Diesel spiked to over $5
a gallon but apparently in Alaska other factors raise the cost still higher.
It’s a shame that these people have to suffer due to this blatant bad
faith action of the marketplace.

15 01 2009
checquoline (04:28:17) :

I suppose Gov. Palin is going to take Visitor’s advice. She is trying to get to D.C where it is warmer. Sarah Palin….HELP YOUR PEOPLE!

15 01 2009
star the wonder pup (04:44:37) :

Yes, I donated. Who would not if they could?

But lets get real here. Living a “traditional lifestyle” is a choice, and I have no moral imperative to subsidize those who make that choice, nor am I compelled to support a “single mom” who has chosen to have five children. The kids did not arrive by divine intervention, presumably.

Living in a frozen wasteland is a choice. If that choice goes bad, I’ll help for the nonce, but that lifestyle is not a birthright. If your environment cannot sustain you, I’m sorry. You need to move.

15 01 2009
austintx (05:34:32) :

star - thank you for the donation. your points are very valid. obviously the emotions on this issue are red hot. the people need help and we are trying to give it to them…..the silence and indifference from SP is what really chaps my ass and pisses me off !!!

15 01 2009
Tristan57 (06:13:48) :

reposted over on DKos today. Please all go over there and rec it up so it gets the attention it needs. Diary: Urgent. An Immediate American Tragedy

15 01 2009
Tristan57 (06:14:27) :

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/1/15/83016/0095/157/684302

15 01 2009
Wordsmith (07:00:44) :

But lets get real here. Living a “traditional lifestyle” is a choice, and I have no moral imperative to subsidize those who make that choice, nor am I compelled to support a “single mom” who has chosen to have five children. The kids did not arrive by divine intervention, presumably.

Someone actually thought you had valid points?!? ‘nor am I compelled to support a…who has chosen to have five children’…. She suddenly HAD five children to do what? Get some donation from you? This line of logic - that people shouldn’t have children they can’t support is so lacking in the obvious. My own sister lost her job recently due to budget cutbacks and has 3 sons. She had those sons while married and they were all doing fine. You don’t know people’s circumstances. If you in your self-righteousness want to condemn another’s home or living situation due to circumstances that may indeed beyond their control, then don’t come here and bitch about it.

15 01 2009
Jellybeans (07:34:35) :

I am sorry no to be able to do more but I have donated what I can spare.
My own situation is not great but it seems to be better than that of so very many people in this country this year.
I think that those of us who are getting by might be able to look at small ways to cut our expenses and try to give this money to those who need a little help.
I have already started packing lunches for work rather than buying lunches as a way to make ends meet and I make 3 meals a week now and live off the leftovers instead of cooking every day like I used to. This cuts down on cooking and on groceries. I can make 2 pounds of ground meat last a week for 2 people - lunches and dinners this way.
To make a little wiggle room to donate I will cut out my daily soda at work and will switch to water at home as well instead of juice. I will do apples with our lunches instead of more expensive fruits and cut out the treats.
I know it isn’t much but if a lot of people give a little it will add up. I know there are more villages and more people in need but all we can do is help the ones we know about and hope someone else is doing the same for the other places.

15 01 2009
gdwyer (08:10:04) :

Re: the “single mom w/ 5 kids”

Do YOU know why she is still there? Is it because this is her “homeland”? Is she helping to care for her parents or elders? Is is court-mandated?

Here in Northern Michigan our “local” paper had a story about a “single” mom in dire straits. She had job opportunities, housing etc. further south in our state but she would have had to LOSE custody of her children to do so!!!

Our fellow citizens should not be put into these positions.

15 01 2009
Nancy (08:18:09) :

What is the long term solution to this? Subsidizing the burning of more fossil fuel so people can live in very cold areas doesn’t seem like a good long term policy.

15 01 2009
Two ’Red Wing" Nuts from Detroit (08:31:29) :

Actually, this should be forwarded to MSNBC. I am sure that Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow would love to read and comment on it. They had quite a bit of fun with SP during the election. They might even be able to goad her into doing something worth while. We love the “Mudflats” and are more appalled with SP every time we read it.

We will send whatever support we can afford to help these people out. As for telling them to move, the Inuit and other native Alaskans have spent centuries there and need not give up their way of life to please some idiot who does not have a clue about tradition and history. It’s bad enough that we made the Native Americans do it down here in the lower 48!

15 01 2009
Writing from Alaska (08:35:37) :

Nancy - The state of Alaska does not have a comprehensive energy plan, though one was supposed to be released in December.

15 01 2009
Writing from Alaska (08:36:34) :

PS - sorry I forgot - the Alaska Federation of Natives has been doing lots of educating on sustainable energy ideas for Alaska communities.

15 01 2009
sauerkraut (08:38:09) :

I know many of you who responded to Visitor are probably still in bed but can any of youse explain this Visitor person to me?

When did living the traditional lifestyle as a person’s family has done for centuries become a “choice”? Is it not a right as opposed to a “choice”? Further, this Visitor person appears to believe that a Native can simply stop living a “modern” life and go back to the way it was without oil, etc. Oh, for that to be. But for that to be, many things would have to be removed from Alaska - not the least of which are Whites, an altered landscape, the altered climate and all those oil rigs. Cannot be done so simply. But can be put forward by a simpleheaded visitor.

15 01 2009
sauerkraut (08:40:15) :

Writing… no comprehensive energy plan??? but… but… but… didn’t Sarah Palin say she was an energy expert? That being the case… should only take her about 5 minutes to get that done and released. What’s holding her up? Besides People, Tina Fey, Katie Couric, Walt Moneghan, the ADN, etc.?

15 01 2009
Nancy (08:53:25) :

It will be interesting to see an Alaskan comprehensive energy plan. High oil prices are very much to Alaska’s advantage. The best way to lower fuel cost is to use less. It both lowers individual expense and, through lowered overall demand, lowers the price. That can hardly be to the the advantage of the either the state who uses oil money to pay for services or the residents who get annual checks from the state.

Keeping prices high and using sad stories that get outsiders to send money is probably is going to be the favored path.

15 01 2009
austintx (09:51:08) :

sauerkraut - she is running out of lame shit to do. Leaving only 2 options……..resign or do her job.

15 01 2009
bubbles (09:55:15) :

it is very cold today in new york.we got one inch of snow in my neighborhood. just had a lovely rib eye and fresh tomato and onion salad. was just’ thanking’ the goodness’ for so many blessings. nice toasty warm apartment.plenty of food. wine in fridge and so on.with all that,there is no way.NO POSSIBLE WAY NOT RESPOND to the people in alaska who are hungry and freezing.i will send more when i can. thank you akm for making pay-pal available. i thank ‘the goodness’ for you and all my friends at mudflats. stay warm and stay safe…love b

15 01 2009
gdwyer (09:58:19) :

I’m sorry Nancy that you didn’t seem to understand the WHOLE picture of this situation.

And yes, it would be interesting to see an Alaskan comprehensive energy plan. But with that AND this EMERGENCY situation…WHERE’S SARAH?!?

15 01 2009
Sheila (10:24:52) :

I just donated over the phone. I hope the people of Alaska call Palin on the carpet for this. This is an emergency and should be dealt with as such.
I hope this gets the national press it deserves. God Speed to the guy going there to cover the story.

15 01 2009
A. Cold Day (10:33:36) :

Gee, the natives lived out there for centuries without the benefits of oil, propane, ATVs or cash.

If you can’t stand the cold, get out of the freezer.

15 01 2009
Krystyn (10:38:21) :

The natives have also lived there for centuries without needing my help. This is an extraordinary situation. Get your head out of your ass.

15 01 2009
austintx (10:40:51) :

gdwyer - Sarah is going thru her 150k RNC clothing loot to see what she and her posse are taking on the trip in Feb. She can’t piddle with the welfare of the people of her Queendoom……….

15 01 2009
austintx (10:50:43) :

Yeah thats right - but back in those “centuries” the white man hadn’t raped the land and water for said oil and propane and run off the abundant food sources……..read some informative history before you pop off.

15 01 2009
TUPPER (10:54:40) :

Jo Dawson is in charge of the Federal food Commodities in Alaska and can authorize Federal Foods to be shipped to Emmonak. Email her and ask her to Authorize The Food Bank of Alaska to Release TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) foods.
Also call the Food Bank of Alaska and ask how you can help Emmonak.

Jo Dawson
Specialist
Child and Adult Care Food Program
801 W. 10th Street, Ste. 200
PO Box 110500
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: 907-465-8711
Fax: 907-465-8910
E-mail: Jo_Dawson@eed.state.ak.us

The Food Bank of Alaska
2121 spar ave.
907-272-3663
or email info@foodbankofalaska.org

15 01 2009
Wordsmith (13:11:07) :

Gee, the natives lived out there for centuries without the benefits of oil, propane, ATVs or cash.

If you can’t stand the cold, get out of the freezer.

I see ‘austintx’ has answered your assholish response.

Just to reiterate:

Yeah thats right - but back in those “centuries” the white man hadn’t raped the land and water for said oil and propane and run off the abundant food sources……..read some informative history before you pop off.”

15 01 2009
A Cry for Help from Rural Alaska Where Is Sarah Palin? « Sarah Palin Truth Squad (13:53:34) :

[...] For information on how to help, click HERE. [...]

15 01 2009
kuhioboy (14:18:13) :

I live in Hawaii. I found out about the extreme, life-threatening conditions faced by the people of Emmonak. And surely, many people nearby. Hawaii? You might say I have it great in comparison, right? Nope. Over-population, poverty, lack of support for food and medical care. Yes, a lot of people are living “homeless” on the beaches now and are not in danger of freezing to death, but we are facing slow extinction from neglect while the state further reduces funding for human support programs.

Rents and electricity are extremely expensive. Extinction of native human habitat is the cost of corporatism and politking bridges to nowhere, government mansions, pet projects for Wasilla, etc., development projects funded and subsidized by the state that force people into further poverty on the westside of O’ahu, the most populated island. That’s Hawaii’s dirty secret.

Hey, Visitor! Move, you say. Nope. This is our home. “The Gathering Place.” It is Spirit to us.

And now I know more about Alaska. The Aloha of traditional, tribal Hawaii is much the same as that in your land of tribal ancestry. It is being ignored and it’s extinction continues to be encouraged by corporatism and the inequities that come with it.

The time for that “immediacy of now” is here. A redistribution of monetary wealth. Not for the sake of money, but for the sake of the sanctity of well-being for all life. Not something for nothing, but a change in philosophy, in the way we are. I have very little money. I send what I can. You will be helped as the power of the internet moves the energies and resources of others to you.

In Spirit

He punawai kahe wale ke aloha

15 01 2009
akdennis (14:44:36) :

@kuhioboy

Pehea ‘oe! I’m from Hawaii too. Actually, there are a lot of keiki o ka aina up here. I left Hawaii to come to Alaska because I was, in fact, living on the beach. Mokuleia specifically. Most of us that transplant here do so because of the lousy economy back home. Lot’s more work up here.

Anyway, I’m glad you spoke about ancestral lands from another tribal point of view. Some non-natives just don’t understand ancestral ties to the land. I try but my words aren’t as eloquent as yours.

Aloha no!

15 01 2009
Another visitor (14:48:55) :

Just curious, what they did with their big $3200 checks for each individual? Did the family of 9 really blow through $30,000 of fuel and food in three months?

15 01 2009
CRFlats (15:01:23) :

@A. Cold Day (10:33:36) :

Gee, the natives lived out there for centuries without the benefits of oil, propane, ATVs or cash.

*************************************************

Other unenlightened Alaskans have used this argument for years. They say that Natives shouldn’t have a priority right to hunt and fish when there is not enough to go around for everybody, regardless of need (and SP agrees with this). They also say that Natives shouldn’t be a able to use guns, ATV’s and other modern tools if they want the priority. An elder wisely replied: “We will return to those methods, just as soon as you leave on the boats you sailed in on”.

15 01 2009
InJuneau (15:14:28) :

@CRFlats (15:01:23) :

An elder wisely replied: “We will return to those methods, just as soon as you leave on the boats you sailed in on”.

That is a great statement (though I really don’t want to leave and I came on a plane anyway but then again I don’t think the Natives need to go back to using spears and atl atls either!).

15 01 2009
ElleninBigD (15:33:27) :

My daughter lived in Alaska (Wasilla/Palmer!) and it is the most godforsaken place you can imagine. I went up there in the winter(!) of 2000. It’s dismal, depressing. The bars in Palmer are open 23 hours a day because there’s nothing else to do in the winter but drink. I get real sick of hearing it romanticized.

15 01 2009
InJuneau (15:35:30) :

@ElleninBigD (15:33:27) :

THANK GOODNESS most of the rest of the state isn’t as godforsaken! At least it isn’t here. (I rather have that opinion of most of the Anchorage/MadZoo area anyway though…).

15 01 2009
InJuneau (15:37:08) :

New thread alert!

15 01 2009
kuhioboy (15:51:48) :

@ A. Cold Day

Native Hawaiians, while no longer likely as big in number in regards to purity of bloodlines as the Native peoples in Alaska, agree with the reply from the elder as recalled by CRFlats. Hawaii is currently illegally occupied by the U.S. government. We would face extreme challenges as they sailed out of here. But time takes care of everything and has no relevance with regard to ever-living spirit and ancestry.

This state of connectedness, not only to tribal ancestry and its current remnants, but to all things universally without time, has been subverted so deep within so many for so long. This state of loss, this subversion, manifests in the ennui, hate, corruption, disassociation, and need for power which brings us to our current state of the world.

Life is but a dream, my friend. There is help available to you for your nightmare. Your Hobbsian habitude. You are a part of everything. Get your head re-connected.

15 01 2009
Laura (16:00:41) :

Yes. We’re listening. All the way down here in Memphis, Tennessee.

I am sending this out on Facebook, too. Hopefully, this will go viral and you will get all the help you need and more.

Please, please, please… know help is on the way. We’re doing everything we can. We’re all battling high heating costs and there is little to spare… but we will do what we can.

Laura in Memphis
“Another one of those bloggers”

15 01 2009
Ann (16:04:03) :

Hi I came here from MargaretandHelen where people are warm ,eating soup and want to help. Count me in; check is in the mail. No such thing as a G-D forsaken place if it is your home.

15 01 2009
Roberto (16:08:48) :

Wow, sounds like things are really bad up there. You’d think those Real Americans up there in Red Country could just pick themselves up by their bootstraps. It’s strange to see them being subjugated by some dizzy-headed broad from Idaho. Try to keep warm yall.

15 01 2009
grewingk (16:15:55) :

The argument that Alaska Natives should go back to traditional hunting & fishing methods is blatantly stupid. The Inuit and Dene’ have always incorporated new technology as fast as they could get their hands on it. If you look in the middle of the book, “Crossroads of Continents,” you’ll find a map of the trade routes that folks up here used before the white guys sailed up. Copper nuggets from the McKenzie River would find it’s way to Siberia. White reindeer hides from Siberia ended up way up into the Upper Yukon Valley. Salmon from the Tlinget went up the “grease trails” to the Interior. Not just goods, but technology was traded around like crazy.

15 01 2009
bottomline (16:30:57) :

Maybe somebody needs to find out why Calista, one of Alaska’s most successful regional Native corporations, is not doing more for it’s own people.

Those of you that do not know what the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act is should do some research. The very nature of this Settlement was supposed to provide for the welfar of these people. Where is the millions of dollars of profit that Calista has made? Why are they not helping.

There is absolutely why no reason any Native village in Alaska is living in poverty when their corporations had of 5 BILLION dollars in revenue in 2006. http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/171812428_1.html

That’s the bottom line.

15 01 2009
empish (16:38:20) :

Thank You to the Margaret and Helen blog! I knew the good folks over there would come help us get this on the front pages!

15 01 2009
CRFlats (17:08:12) :

@ Bottomline (16:30:57) : Calista is a for-profit corporation and has many shareholders, not just those that live in the villages. I know from experience they will do what they can, and have (this story broke in a local newspaper owned by Calista, and they immediately sent it out statewide–they also set up a donation site at the headquarters of the newspaper office). Corporations are governed by state and fed rules. They can only do so much. It is a flaw in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and the shareholders have done many things to help remedy the basic flaws. It would help to do some research on the Act itself. You would find that the return of the land came at a heavy price. The Natives gave up much for what they were able to retain, and the state and feds and oil companies got to go after the oil under those lands that had been in question. The really great story is not how much the Native corps haven’t done, but that they have (at least some of them) done well and are returning dividends to all of their shareholders. At the time of the Act, it was not widely expected at all, that the corps would exist beyond 20 years. That was December 18, 1971.

15 01 2009
CRFlats (17:11:58) :

I forgot to ad….you said Calista had 5 billion in revenue. So what? Anyone in business knows the top line has little bearing on the bottom line. Their revenue largely comes from contracts, and the Gross Revenue is the contracts value, not what they get to keep. Usually ranges 2-10%, and much must be retained to further the business of being in business. So if you want to talk bottom line, then talk BOTTOM LINE.

15 01 2009
Adnarel (17:51:17) :

This is heart-wrenching and saddening. I’ll be sending help ASAP. I don’t have alot, but I hope what I can send will help with *something*.

This is atrocious. Palin needs to be hit upside the head with a cast-iron skillet. Or locked up. ‘Cause she’s CRAZY.

Also, I thought the idea of someone bringing this to Barak’s attention was excellent. Can we get someone to maybe compile a list on how to go about that, so that people have a network of resources to fall back on for it?

Hang in there, Emmonak. Your governor might not be listening, but other people are, and they’re sending what help they can. These are hard times, for everybody. My heart goes out to you.

15 01 2009
Just Me (18:02:35) :

While America is fortunate to be getting rid of the arrogant narcissistic ignoramus George W. Bush in 5 days (after 8 LOOOOOOOOOOONG years), I feel sorry for Alaskans who are stuck with the arrogant narcissistic ignoramus Sarah Palin for another 2 years. I wonder if Palin is trying to get rid of poor rural people in Alaska by ignoring this situation in the same way that Bush got rid of poor black people in New Orleans by ignoring Hurricane Katrina?

I don’t have a lot of money but I can donate a few dollars. Would it be better spent to send a check to the Emmonak Tribal Council or a PayPal to send Dennis Zaki to Emmonak?

15 01 2009
ecotopian (19:05:26) :

I hate reading these sorts of things on a full stomach. I feel so guilty! I wish I could help but things are tight right now. I hope this gets the press it deserves.

15 01 2009
CRFlats (19:19:14) :

@Just me and ecotopian: By all means send some $$, any amount helps. DZ aparantly has enough for his trip, and excess with be handed over directly to the tribal council in Emmonak. I called the city yesterday afternoon and the phone line was busy for hours. I called the tribal council but they didn’t have a credit card machine, so I gave them my number anyway and they will give it to the city for processing. I spoke with a nice gal there who said they were so awe struck by the response. She said they had been trying for months to get help from the Governors office and have heard NOTHING. They were feeling pretty alone. Meanwhile, another big help is the HuffPost feed is getting 500+ comments, so keep that going, and it will keep it on the front page (mention Mudflats):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/akmuckraker/a-cry-for-help-from-rural_b_157997.html

15 01 2009
Carolann (21:10:01) :

I just donated through Paypal…I found your plea through Margaret & Helen’s Blog which had a plea from a person called ‘empish’. I do not know how to take this plea further, but will continue to try to get donations from friends and family. God bless all of you who care about your ‘neighbor’ no matter where he/she lives. P.S. Empish said to be sure that you mark your donation for ‘heating oil’. My prayers are with you all.

15 01 2009
Trailfollower (22:48:57) :

It is bad in rural Alaska, true enough. What is less considered is that it is bad pretty much everywhere outside of Anchorage. Cheap(ish) natural gas heats Anchorage homes. On the Kenai and in other places on the road system, it is still fuel oil. This is a bigger systemic problem for Alaska. It is all very well to say “move” (I can’t help but thinking of the late Sam Kinneson, who said “don’t send aid, send luggage”) but we Alaskans need to keep in mind the bigger problem, which is that there isn’t much by way of jobs anywhere outside of Anchorage. It has been so for lots of years, and it is so now. Moving is not the answer. Making the Legislature start to do its work, rather than just wrangling about money and wacky bills like the death penalty, would be a good start.

16 01 2009
J. Jonah Hexas Texas (00:54:40) :

Well, y’all jumped all over Visitor and all he’s doing is being realistic. He was in the same situation as them and changed the circumstances to something manageable and feasible. Sure we can all help out with donations right now (and I encourage anyone who can to do so), but what about the rest of the winter? And next year and the year after that and the year after that? Permanent problems require permanent solutions and Visitor is bang on that the people that can and should be doing something about this aren’t. And that includes the Governor, the rest of the Alaskan government, the Native Corporations and the affected natives themselves. The natives are finally banding together, and hopefully with our help the Governor and the Native Corporations will listen. People need to help themselves first by making these institutions listen. My congratulations to Nick Tucker for his advocacy on behalf of himself and his village. The word is out and action has been taken. But again, permanent problems need permanent solutions. This is just a band-aid if it goes no further than some donations for the time being. The Natives need to get mobilized and empowered so their voices can no longer be ignored by Governor Palin or the Native Corporations that have the power to assist in an out of the ordinary time of emergency such as this. Shame on Sarah Palin!

16 01 2009
J. Jonah Hexas Texas (01:25:03) :

For clarification, I do not think that moving is even an option for the Natives, however it was for Visitor. Their ancestral lands are sacred and that’s the end of that. So the Natives need to look at what their realistic options here and act upon them. They need collective, grass roots organization and communication. If it wasn’t for a single individual, Nick Tucker, nobody outside of Emmonak would even know about this. He proves that one person CAN make a difference. And the one person that can make the most difference here, besides Sarah Palin, is YOU! Spread the word, you anonymous blogger, you. Make your donation to help out in the meantime, but so this doesn’t happen again in 2 months or next year, or the year after that for time immemorial, then things have to change at the executive level. Write letters to anyone in state or federal government that you can find, tell your friends, spread the message on blogs and find a permanent solution to this permanent problem. Palin must be held accountable for this (and many other things)!!!!!!!!!!!!

16 01 2009
SeattleSuze (01:50:40) :

My money’s on the way. This is NOT the time to talk about the future. People are freezing and starving, for god’s sake! Send money. The future is best settled by folks with food in their bellies talking together in a warm room.

16 01 2009
alan stein---soughdough alaskan (01:57:35) :

hOW IRONIC. The governor gave all the people of Alaska extra money of about 1200 bucks this fall so they could pay for the high cost of fuel.

Many of them who are addicted to whiskey and beer did not buy oil but did have full bars. So because they have no individual responsibility and are drunks the whole world should come to their rescue.

The native corporations of Alaska raked in hundreds of millions of dollars cutting down all the trees in the Tongass National Forest when Congress gave them 280,000 acres of old growth forest.

Why should the public be hoodwinked by this swindel by one village when a lot of the other villages are doing just fine?

Why? Because the media loves to Bash Sarah Palin.

16 01 2009
SeattleSuze (02:02:44) :

Children are not drunks. Shame on you, Sourdough.

16 01 2009
grewingk (03:01:02) :

@alan stein—soughdough alaskan(01:57:35)

The media doesn’t bash Palin — they give her face time in front of cameras and she does herself in. She just doesn’t know when the STFU. (And I have told her exactly that myself.)

16 01 2009
ha1ku (04:35:54) :

The Governor of Alaska may not hear their plea, but some citizens of Georgia do. Help is coming.

16 01 2009
Struggling in Nunam Iqua (09:22:11) :

It’s not just Emmonak that is struggling it’s the entire Yukon Delta. I live in Nunam Iqua, a village that is 25 miles south of Emmonak. Not only are we faced with the same issues as Emmonak but our crisis is harder because we no longer have a store here. Our trading post colapsed several months ago, so we have no place here to get groceries. So not only are we struggling between choosing heating fuel or food we have to spend even MORE MONEY to buy gas to travel upriver to Emmonak or Alakanuk to even get food. Which is very expensive when you have pay $7.20 a gallon for gas. It takes atleast 6 gallons of gas just to travel by snowmachine to Emmonak or Alakanuk to even get groceries. So that takes that much more money away from what we have to spend on heating fuel and food. We try to reduce our heating fuel costs by using our wood stove but then are we really saving money? because we still have to spend money on gas to go and get wood for our wood stove.

Everyone, especially Govenor Palin, needs to realize that it’s not just Emmonak residents that are suffering! We need help in all of the YK Delta villages!

http://www.themudflats.net/2009/01/...