February 21, 2014

 

This week I went to four different committee meetings and learned more about Arctic passage ways for transportation, Arctic development, heard the Official Languages of Alaska bill, and Sea Otter Impacts.  I have an interest in the Arctic because I think it will play a vital role for us in Alaska in the future.  It appears that Alaska and the United States is behind in planning and strategizing compared to the other Arctic nations; Greenland, Iceland, Russia, Canada, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.  Lisa Murkowski addressed the Senate yesterday and brought up the Arctic and how we need to step it up so we don’t end up at the “kids table”. 

I went to a committee meeting concerning Sea Otter Impacts because I plan on going Sea Otter hunting during energy week in Cordova and also wanted to learn more about the issue.  I have never been hunting before because my father was accidently shot while he was hiking in the woods as a teenager, so he never kept guns around the house so it will be a new experience for me.

The Official Languages of Alaska bill was the most heartfelt bill I’ve seen during my time here.  The room wasn’t big enough for all the people that came to support the bill.  Alaska Natives from all over the state were in the room as well as non-Natives in support.  Many great testimonies were given and they were very well received by the Representatives.  I was curious to know if this bill has come before the legislature before as it seems this piece of legislation should have come up and passed through a long time ago in my opinion.

This weekend I’ll be going to Eaglecrest to snowboard and going to my family’s house to practice the Haida language!

 

First Alaskans Fellowship

Yesterday evening I went to an internship seminar and the topic was about how to solve Alaska’s future financial issues.  There were many solutions, one being to get rid of rural Alaska and have everyone move to Anchorage and Fairbanks.  It was proposed by a white young male who will with no doubt in my mind be one of Alaska’s future leaders.  He’s extremely bright, charming and does his homework well on issues concerning our state.  He isn’t the only one that feels this way about rural communities, the rest of the group except for me agreed with him.  I 100% don’t agree with his solution, but it has really lit a fire in me to learn more about alternative solutions and to teach as many people as I can about our culture and way of life.  Maybe if he understood more about our culture he wouldn’t feel the need to erase it.

I’m shocked by myself about how little I knew about politics and how uniformed I was before this fellowship.  I feel a need to get more Natives involved to help preserve what is so important to us.  There are so many active Native people in the Anchorage community and in the circles I’ve participated in, but little is spoken about making a difference by having a stronger voice in the political system.  Not to say there aren’t many out there speaking about having more of influence in the political process, but there could always be more.   

I have been to watch Senator Olson in action at committee meetings and he can get really feisty when it comes to protecting our rural communities!  If you go on the legislative website listed and watch yesterday’s Labor & Commerce committee meeting about air ambulance services to rural communities you can really see the senator in action at http://www.360north.org/gavel-archives/?event_id=2147483647_2014021332. Mr. Olson is loved and highly respected by everyone I’ve met here in the Capitol.  More people need to know who he is and what he’s about.

This week I learned more about SJR 12 – Federal Contamination of ANSCA Lands and SB 161 – Autopsies and Death Certificates.  I helped to submit documentation for these and other bills being submitted by Senator Olson’s office.  To view Senator’s Olson’s bills and resolutions you can view the link: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_spon_sum.asp?fnmember=Olson&mbrcode=OLS&house=S&session=28.  Or to watch any committee meetings, luncheons, floor sessions, etc. you can follow the link: http://akl.tv.

On a lighter note, last weekend I went snowboarding on Douglas and had so much fun.  After snowboarding they had fireworks on the mountain and a bonfire where I met a bunch of locals.  On Sunday I practiced my Haida introduction at my family’s house where they always have a feast for lunch prepared and then went to an Elizabeth Peratrovich celebration.

Native

I officially finished my third week of my Fellowship!  I’ve learned so much in Senator Olson’s office in such a short time span.  Before coming here I knew very little about politics and how laws were made and now I’m part of the process.  The staff in Olson’s office is the leading reason for my new found knowledge in the legislature, especially the chief of staff, David Scott.  David is also from Ketchikan is a great teacher and is really helping me to get involved in many degrees.  He lets me help carry legislation, write documents, attend committee meetings and informational lectures, answers any questions I have and introduces me to other people that work in the building.  So far, I can see a future for myself in politics and enjoy learning new things every day.    

Last week, my cousin Barbie Blake, came to Juneau with her UAF students and met with many legislators and other influential people so UAF students could learn more about the legislative process.  I was invited to attend any lectures I wanted and went to a couple every day.  Through the UAF rural program I got to meet the Governor, legislators, Sealaska employees and board members, etc.  I have also been attending the UAS Legislative Intern weekly seminar series.  I met the Professor in Kodiak at a leadership conference and he agreed to let me sit in on his classes for free.

Besides enjoying my time in the Capitol, I have also been getting to know the Juneau community.  Each time I go to a community event it’s like a family reunion because I run into many aunts, uncles, cousins, ninth cousin twice removed, etc.    Last weekend I volunteered all day for the Tinaa Art Auction and also modeled for Yukon fashion designer, Brenda Lee Asp’s clothing line.  Modeling isn’t typically my “cup of tea”, but the Native American fashion show host whipped me into shape with her Hollywood attitude!  This weekend I will be checking out First Friday Art Walk, attending Tlingit/Haida’s weekly gathering where people go to work on Native Arts, attending the Alaska Native Oratory Competition UAS campus, and going to my fourth cousin’s (also known as my uncle) house to learn the Haida language.  He is in his fourth semester at UAS in the Haida Language learning class and has invited me to their weekly language practice sessions and informal potlucks.  I will also be moving out of my current living situation and moving into a house that used to be the Governor’s House.