Oh November! On the 1st, I woke up in Toronto, Canada to begin a day of Canadian Aboriginal Mining Association conferences attended by Native Corporation leaders from the Bristol Bay area, and hosted by Pebble Limited Partnership. I have yet to visit an actual mine, but it was a great learning experience, and an opportunity to sight-see in our neighboring country. I returned to Igiugig to experience my first Single Audit for an entire week; it was intense and our accountant Sandy Alvarez worked tirelessly to prove our fiscal responsibility.
The Igiugig Native Corporation convened on November 8 to discuss 2008 success and to wish long-time board member Julie Salmon a Happy Birthday, followed by a potluck hosted by the Igiugig St. Nicholas Sisterhood. Other activities included: helped clean and prepare the new houses for final inspection, winterized Man Camp, and hosted the monthly IVC meeting before departing for New York to spend Thanksgiving with the East Coast relatives. Before arriving in Penfield, I made a pit-stop to Washington DC for mandatory grant training on the Farmer’s Market Promotion Program that operates from the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. The attendees spanned the country and it was great insight into local agricultural projects in various states, counties, and towns.
Meanwhile, on the homefront, impressive activities were accomplished. Our Environmental Director Christina Salmon-Wassillie earned the Alaska’s Environmental Excellence Award at ATCEM—congratulations! Jack Wassillie completed the Advanced Power Systems training in Seward, Barbara Brown hosted an extremely informative Fire Department/EMS training on frostbite and hypothermia (just in time for the sudden cold spell mid-November), and the No-see-um Volleyball Team continued an Igiugig School tradition in bringing home the Sportsmanship Award at the tournament! It was also finally MOVE-IN Day for Kevin Olympic and Mike and Dallia Andrew! The rest of the homeowners will be following shortly.
Before the academic quarter ends, I remind the community of our commitment to education and prioritizing accordingly; after all, they represent the future of Igiugig. There is ample opportunity to volunteer for school events such as the Battle of the Books coaching but the easiest participation is simply asking the students if their homework is done and encouraging pride in all that they do. As Marion Edelman Wright advocated, “Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it. Education is a precondition to survival in America today.”
When I was asked to step up as the President of Igiugig Village Council, I was told, “With your education, Alex, you will be able to speak for our community, and will know what is best.” This Thanksgiving, I give a special thanks to the parents, teachers, elders, village, and institution that have contributed to my education and the opportunity to give back.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
