Sunday, February 7, 2010 was an interesting day. On the flight out to Anchorage to attend the Alaska Forum on the Environment (AFE) conference we landed in Iliamna. So far so good, right? We picked up a few passengers and once everyone was loaded we were again ready to take off! So there we sit, all buckled and bundled, and we wait…and wait…and wait. What’s up with that? Ah, engine troubles. Wait, what is this now? Jump starting the PLANE with a truck?! I did not know you could do that. COOL! Once the engine started we were on our way.
Shortly after we (referring to Christina, Aiden and me) landed in Anchorage we found that the tired engine was just the beginning. Once we got to the Salmon’s Anchorage house we realized that we had no vehicle! On our way to get a car our cab stunk, and Aiden accidentally left something in the back seat. Try as we might, we could not get it back. I will not rant on about how the rest of the day went, but a small piece of advice to those looking to get fake nails in the future: DO NOT GO INTO A NAIL SALON IF THE TV IS ON AND IT HAPPENS TO BE SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!
So the next morning was much better. On our first official day attending AFE we got to the Dena’ina Center and picked up our packets and name tags before the first real event of the day began; the Monday morning keynote presentation. This guy named Brian Olsen from Denver, Colorado was there to wake us up and prepare our minds for the upcoming day. (For those of you who are not familiar with Brian Olsen, I suggest YouTube.) He performed for us this thing he calls “Art in Motion,” and it truly is art *dramatic pause* in motion. A short introduction and the music began. Mr. Olsen was dancing all over the stage dipping multiple brushes in the paint, going this way and that throwing the paint onto the canvas set before him. It was hard to notice what he was painting at first, most likely because I was too mesmerized in the way he was doing it, but when he was getting close to the end (which really did not take him long) I could see the outcome and just like at the beginning of his show I stood jaw-dropped, gaping like I had just seen the mixture of sunshine and rain for the very first time. There were three paintings total; the first was of Albert Einstein, the second was the AFE logo, and the third was Elvis Presley. A-m-aaazing!
Throughout the week Christina and I sat in on an Elder’s Perspectives session, Perspectives on the Pebble Project, Christina’s presentation sessions, and for the others we split up; she went to sessions she found might be interesting and I attended the youth presentations.
The Elder’s Perspective session was very beneficial. Sadly I do not remember the names of the Elders who spoke, but what they had to say was truly something to think about. They spoke of keeping our culture alive, continuing on with traditions and the languages passed down through the generations. Some of these traditions and languages seem to be disappearing throughout some areas in Alaska. That really got me thinking…I know of some schools in the Chugach region that make the learning of their cultures apart of their schooling, and I remember when Mary Olympic used to come in and teach us Yup’ik on certain days of the week back in elementary. I do not remember much of it though.
To sit in and listen to what people from different areas had to say about the Pebble Project was interesting. Of course there were those who were for it, and those who were against it. At the end there were many questions for each of the presenters.
I would have to say that Christina’s presentations were two of my favorites. When she had to get up and present the first time she was short, sweet, and straight to the point. When she presented her movie the speakers were having issues, but once the sound was working the movie was a hit! It started out with Christina speaking, explaining how things work here in the village, and then BAM! “This is how we do it…” the music begins. In my opinion the people in the audience could get a good picture as to what goes on here in the village with the baler, can crushing, and the dump.
During the youth presentations I learned a lot. Dillingham students are hardcore anti-pebble. West High school students are not wasting any time; they have learned to speak Russian, and have been to Russia in an environmental correspondence program! Homer students are doing what they can to reach out to the community in creative ways to encourage everyone to be more environmentally efficient. (Their presentation was about a fashion show they put on using their own unique clothing creations made from paper and other recyclables to show the community that papers and plastics can be recycled.) Copper Center had a presentation about an ATV safety program they have set up on site and the ways they have reached out to get the community involved. I did not get to be there for all of the student presentations, but I am glad I was able to attend the ones that I did.
The conference overall was informative. I am glad I was able to attend and be a part of such a great learning experience.
