Press Releases
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Daniel Alex Scholarship Fund: Established in memory of Mr. Daniel Alex to offer post-secondary education scholarships and vocational training grants in order to encourage professional preparation for careers after high school and to enhance employment skills of eligible and qualified beneficiaries. Applications received at the appropriate deadlines meeting the eligibility requirements will be considered for an award through The Daniel Alex Scholarship and Grant Fund. A separate application is not required. Please use The CIRI Foundation application. Eligibility: Preference is given to students enrolled in the study of Physics, Mathematics, Business Management, and Education. Applicants must be an original enrollee of Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI); Eklutna, Inc; and/or the Native Village of Eklutna and their direct lineal descendants. Deadlines: June 1 and December 1 for full-time, degree-seeking students. June 30 for vocational training students. |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THE CIRI FOUNDATION AWARDS $148,386 AT MARCH 31 DEADLINE (ANCHORAGE, AK – May 4, 2010)— The CIRI Foundation (TCF) is excited to announce that they continue to focus on helping eligible individuals attend post-secondary educational and training institutions in 2010. Following the March 31 deadline, 61 individuals were awarded Vocational Training Grants, Career Upgrade Grants, and Fellowships totaling $138,386. As economic conditions stabilize, TCF is able to resume limited funding for General and Cultural Heritage Fellowships for those taking non-credit workshops in areas of Alaska Native culture and arts, or employment skills. March 31 also marked the annual deadline for the Howard Rock Foundation Scholarships. TCF administers the Howard Rock Foundation Scholarship Program through an agreement with Alaska Village Initiatives (AVI). The program was created in 1986 by AVI to promote and assist innovative economic development projects for rural Alaska. The mission is to empower Alaska Natives to achieve maximum benefit from post-secondary educational and leadership opportunities. By maximizing these opportunities, the Foundation provides Alaska’s Natives with credentials to develop stronger and healthier communities and economies. Awards are made based on available funding from AVI, and through generous past donations by Verbeck Smith. Generally, two $2,500 undergraduate awards and one $5,000 graduate award are made annually, to assist the student in the following academic year. The 2010-2011 undergraduate award recipients were Jessica Dotson of Silverdale, Washington and Sarah Short of Kodiak, and the graduate award recipient was Darlene Heckler of Anchorage. Please note that TCF’s next scholarship deadline is June 1, for full-time degree seeking students enrolling for the Fall 2010 term. The next grant deadline is June 30, for part-time degree seeking students and students enrolled in vocational training or certificate programs. |
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THE CIRI FOUNDATION INDIVIDUAL SCHOLARSHIP AND GRANT AWARDS TOTAL $568,735 FOR FALL TERM (ANCHORAGE, AK – September 17, 2009)— The CIRI Foundation (TCF) is proud to announce that during these especially tough economic times; it has been solely focused on helping eligible individuals attend post-secondary educational and training institutions. TCF is pleased to support the educational pursuits of Our People in 2009. Following the June 1 and June 30 deadlines, more than 280 individuals were awarded scholarships and grants totaling $568,735 for the Fall semester. These awards include general semester scholarships, career upgrade grants, and vocational training grants. The CIRI Foundation is in its 27th year of supporting educational dreams. Since 1983, more than $16 million in scholarships and grants has been awarded to CIRI original enrollees and descendents seeking post-secondary education and training all over the world. “Being affected by the economy myself, I appreciate any financial help,” 2009 General Semester Scholarship award recipient Bryan Wisdom said. “The CIRI Foundation has made an effort to include as many applicants as possible…thank you again for all your efforts and help during this time of economic decline.” The mission of The CIRI Foundation is to promote individual self-development and economic self-sufficiency through education and to maintain pride in culture and heritage among Alaska Natives who are original enrollees of Cook Inlet region and their descendents Contact The CIRI Foundation via phone, 1.800.764.3382 or 907.793.3575 or email tcf@thecirifoundation.org. Application information, selection criteria, and guidelines for these merit-based awards can be reviewed online at www.thecirifoundation.org. |
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IMMEDIATE RELEASE The CIRI Foundation (TCF) is happy to announce that the 2009-2010 Education Resources Handbook is now available via the web. For your convenience it is available to be printed* from our website. The handbook contains:
The Education Resources Handbook is published by TCF in order to provide career and education planning information for The Foundation’s Native beneficiaries as well as for other Alaska Natives and Native Americans who are interested in pursuing a successful career after high school. The CIRI Foundation wishes you well on your learning journey. * Hard copies will not be distributed by TCF. |
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IMMEDIATE RELEASE The CIRI Foundation (TCF) is pleased to announce that Shellie Riggan, a previous TCF recipient, recently joined our team as the new Executive Assistant. Shellie was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska and recently graduated from the University of Alaska, Anchorage with an Associate of Sciences degree in Human Services with Honor status. Currently, she is one semester away from completing her second A.A.S degree from UAA in Medical Assisting with Certification in Medical Coding and Billing. She completed her required internship for graduation at the Alaska Native Justice Center. Shellie is the proud mother of three beautiful girls: Olivia, 12; Abbie, 8; and Lily, 3.Shellie says, “The CIRI Foundation provided me with the opportunity to obtain higher education and I am forever grateful. I look forward to working with TCF’s team to help other students reach their educational goals. The possibilities are endless for those that seek to succeed.” You may reach Shellie Riggan at The CIRI Foundation via: sriggan@thecirifoundation.org or 907.793.3581. |
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IMMEDIATE RELEASE BEST BEGINNINGS REQUESTS APPLICATIONS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD PARTNERSHIPS Individual grants up to $10,000 will be awarded to innovative, sustainable partnerships with measurable outcomes (ANCHORAGE, AK – June 15, 2009) —Best Beginnings is granting $50,000 over the next year to help fund community-based early childhood partnerships as part of an effort to develop a statewide early childhood system with improved collaboration and increased local-level decision-making. Advocates and groups interested in establishing or enhancing an early childhood partnership have until midnight, July 2, to submit their entries. The Best Beginnings’ allocations committee will meet July 13 to select awardees. “A comprehensive early childhood system in Alaska is necessary to ensure all children begin school ready to succeed,” said Abbe Hensley, executive director. “We know local communities are best positioned to design solutions to serve young children, because they understand the individual economic, geographic, and cultural differences in their community.” A pre-submission teleconference will be held on June 17, and will provide an opportunity for applicants to discuss questions regarding the application process. Contact Melinda Myers at mmyers@akhf.org, or 563-1923 in Anchorage, for call-in information. Best Beginnings also will provide technical assistance to grant awardees. Applications that will result in long-term, sustainable early childhood partnerships that have measureable outcomes will be funded. Preference will be given to applications that: Demonstrate active and committed involvement among multiple public and private agencies and organizations serving children and families, and other sectors--such as families with young children, business, and the faith community--with evidence of diversity and inclusiveness; Are innovative; Show an ability to sustain the effort over time with resources, including funding and leadership; Provide evidence of readiness to conduct a thorough assessment of the community’s needs and resources around young children; Indicate promise for increasing the capacity and quality of early childhood programs and services, as well as the availability and access to educational programs for early childhood professionals; and are comprehensive in scope (health, mental health, nutrition, special needs, family support, early learning). Nationwide, people from a variety of sectors, including business, foundations, government, non-profits, and more, are increasingly recognizing the importance of early childhood and the investments needed to ensure young children have a chance to be successful in life. Early childhood experts have long understood that children have better outcomes later in life with nurturing, stable, stimulating, and quality early learning environments at home and away from home. In Alaska, a number of public and private organizations and agencies have recognized the complexity of the issue, and have produced several important documents about Alaska’s early childhood system. They include the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) Plan, the Alaska Ready to Read, Ready to Learn Task Force Report & Recommendations, and the Governor’s Summit on Early Learning Recommendations. All three documents identified numerous strategies on how Alaska could improve its system of early childhood, including the establishment of a network of local early childhood partnerships. This state-local model has worked successfully in many other states. The model allows local decision-making about how to use resources the most effectively and efficiently. Best Beginnings is adapting this model and supporting the development of new local early childhood partnerships, and assisting those where they already exist. "The network of partnerships is critical to improve programs and initiatives with efficient use of resources,” said Hensley. “It will improve communication, including the sharing of best practices, and help build the infrastructure of Alaska’s early childhood system.” |
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IMMEDIATE RELEASE CHILDREN IN PARTICIPATING COMMUNITIES ELIGIBLE FOR FREE BOOKS FROM BIRTH TO FIFTH BIRTHDAY (ANCHORAGE, AK – April 28, 2009) — Best Beginnings is helping to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library home to more than 7,000 Alaska children, thanks to about $85,000 in matching grants raised from the Rasmuson Foundation, ConocoPhillips Alaska and The CIRI Foundation. Children in participating communities, from birth to their fifth birthday, are eligible for enrollment in the Imagination Library program that mails free, high-quality and age-appropriate books to every child each month. Information about participating communities, free enrollment and how to donate is available at BestBeginningsAlaska.org/ImaginationLibrary. “It’s very important and exciting for a child to receive a book through the mail addressed specifically to him or her,” said Abbe Hensley, executive director of Best Beginnings. “Reading with young children is proven to be the single most important activity parents can do to ensure their children’s success in school, but to do that, they need books in their home.” Studies show that Imagination Library parents read to their children 25 percent more than before participation and kindergarten teachers report higher skill levels in Imagination Library children than in non-participants. In Alaska, about 60 percent of children begin kindergarten ready to read or learn, putting 40 percent at a serious disadvantage of ever catching up. “Rasmuson Foundation is happy to be a partner in bringing this program to Alaska,” said Diane Kaplan, Rasmuson Foundation president. “The Foundation is steadfast in its support of libraries and literacy, and Imagination Library offers an innovative way to prepare our children for school readiness and a lifetime of reading.” Funding from the Rasmuson Foundation is also supporting technical assistance to local communities that are starting or expanding their own Imagination Library projects. Communities partnering with Best Beginnings include Meadow Lakes (Mat-Su), Seward/Moose Pass, Tok/Tanacross, Unalaska, Greater Kenai/Soldotna, Juneau/Wrangell/Kake/Angoon/Klawock/Craig/Sitka, Fairbanks North Star Borough and Anchorage. Imagination Libraries also exist in Nome, Hoonah and Wainwright. “These communities and their families should be proud that they too are investing in the success of their children through their support of the Imagination Library,” said Wendy King, vice president of external affairs for ConocoPhillips Alaska. “Investment in Best Beginnings and the Imagination Library reflects the commitment we have to the future of young children living in rural and urban Alaska. Successful children today are critical to the successful workforce of tomorrow.” |
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IMMEDIATE RELEASE The
mission of The CIRI Foundation is to promote individual self-development
and economic self-sufficiency through education and to maintain
pride in culture and heritage among Alaska Natives who are
original enrollees of Cook Inlet region and their descendents. |
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THE CIRI FOUNDATION INDIVIDUAL SCHOLARSHIP AND GRANT AWARDS TOTAL $900,000 FOR FALL TERM (ANCHORAGE, AK – September 3, 2008)— The CIRI Foundation (TCF) is proud to announce it is distributing more than 330 scholarship and grant awards totaling $900,000 for the Fall 2008 term. The awards include scholarships, career upgrade grants, and vocational training grants. The Foundation is in its 26th year of supporting educational dreams, and since 1983, more than 9,600 awards totaling $13.8 million have been distributed to CIRI original enrollees and descendents seeking post-secondary education and training all over the world. “It is truly amazing to think that The CIRI Foundation is able to assist our people in this magnitude as they pursue better lives for themselves and their families through educational opportunities,” TCF President and CEO Susan Anderson said. Chairman of the Board, and one of the original founding board members, Dr. Jeff Gonnason echoed Ms. Anderson’s thoughts, adding, “Alaska Natives are succeeding and excelling and are taking on the world right there with everyone else. It’s really exciting to see that the vision has become a reality for our people.” The mission of The CIRI Foundation is to promote individual self-development and economic self-sufficiency through education and to maintain pride in culture and heritage among Alaska Natives who are original enrollees of Cook Inlet region and their descendents. Contact The CIRI Foundation via phone, 1.800.764.3382 or 907.793.3575 or email tcf@thecirifoundation.org. Application information, selection criteria, and guidelines for these merit-based awards can be reviewed online at www.thecirifoundation.org. Back to Top |
NA’EDA OUR FRIENDS: A GUIDE TO ALASKA NATIVE CORPORATIONS |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
September 2, 2008New publication by tHE CIRI FOUNDATION's |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE REVISED & EXPANDED GUIDE TO ALASKA NATIVE CULTURES, CORPORATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS AND THE ALASKA NATIVE CLAIMS SETTLEMENT ACT (ANCHORAGE, AK – September 2, 2008)—“Na’eda, Our Friends,” by A.J. McClanahan and Hallie Bissett is now available from The CIRI Foundation and select book stores throughout Anchorage. “We are pleased to offer the expanded and revised third edition of Na’eda, Our Friends.” More than a directory, “Na’eda provides historical, geographical, and cultural context. It is a reference that is of value to everyone, whether you’re a life-long resident or a first-time visitor to Alaska” said Susan A. Anderson, President & CEO of The CIRI Foundation. Alexandra J. McClanahan, former CIRI Historian and CIRI shareholder Hallie Bissett share the honors as authors of the publication. The third edition edited by Veldee Hall includes addresses and phone numbers for the 13 Native regional corporations, 168 village corporations, 226 traditional/IRA councils, urban corporations, former reserves and reservations. Also listed are the major statewide and regional nonprofits, members of the Alaska Native Education Consortium, and museums and cultural centers. In addition to listing the addresses and phone numbers of the Native entities, the revised and expanded third edition features an overview of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA) and its key components. Brief descriptions of the cultural groups of Alaska are accompanied by a map of traditional territories. Maps are included for each ANCSA region to show village locations, and when available the traditional village names are provided. Additions to the third edition include mission statements for each regional corporation, a full index of book contents, and an expanded museum and cultural center listing. A community reference guide provides an ‘at-a-glance’ listing of village corporations, non-profits and cultural centers for each rural community in the state. “Our goal is to combine maps, a basic primer on Alaska Native issues surrounding ANCSA and a directory comprising a handy reference that is transportable” said Susan Anderson, President/CEO of The CIRI Foundation. Information is presented with cross-references so that each entry can be easily accessed by the name of the village or by the region or tribal name. The title was suggested by Alberta Stephan, Eklutna elder who is familiar in the Upper Cook Inlet Dena’ina dialect, and by Professor Alan Boraas, who teaches anthropology at Kenai Peninsula College, a branch of the University of Alaska Anchorage. Boraas has taught a Dena’ina language and mythology class since 1988, first with Peter Kalifornsky of Kenai and later with Donita Peter from Tyonek, both of whom are Dena’ina elders. Stephan points out that the apostrophe in “Na’eda” indicates that the phrase included two words. “Na’eda, Our Friends” third edition retails for $12.95 with proceeds from the sale of the book benefitting The CIRI Foundation. The book is available at select bookstores, or it may be purchased at The CIRI Foundation website or by contacting The CIRI Foundation directly at (907) 793-3575. For more information, visit The CIRI Foundation web site www.thecirifoundation.org. ISBN number: 978-0-983227-09-0. Back to Top |
July 9, 2008THE CIRI FOUNDATION's Birthday |
| July 9, 2008 was The CIRI Foundation's (TCF) birthday! It was 26 years ago that the incorporation papers were filed for record. Since TCF's founding more than 9,551 awards have been made totaling $13,500,000. Here's to continued service to our people as they seek their educational dreams and preserving our heritage and culture for many years to come. Back to Top |
June 30, 2008radio interview on knba 90.3 FM WITH TCF |
| Susan Anderson, President/CEO and Ricardo Lopez, Program Officer, will be interviewed about the foundation’s scholarship and grant programs on Monday, 30 June. They will be on the KNBA 90.3 FM Community Spotlight segment at 8:30am AK Time. Their interviewer will be Jennifer Canfield, a TCF recipient, who is working for KNBA this summer. Back to Top |
June 23, 2008tcf hires new program assistant |
The CIRI Foundation (TCF) is pleased to announce that Whitney Leman, a previous TCF recipient, is our new Program Assistant. She joined the team on Monday, 23 June. Whitney comes to TCF from Eastern Oregon University (EOU) where she graduated on 14 June with a Bachelor of Science degree in Media Arts and a minor in Business. While at school she was the sports editor for the college newspaper, a program coordinator for the athletic department, and has worked for many summers in her Ninilchik family’s commercial set net fishing business. |
MAY 27, 2008tcf Hires new program officer |
| The CIRI Foundation (TCF) is pleased to announce a new team member has joined us who will help move the mission of TCF forward. Ricardo Lopez joined The CIRI Foundation as Program Officer on 27 May 2008. He comes to TCF from the Rasmuson Foundation where he served for five years and was focused on the small grants program, conducting grant research, preparing information to the board, and working with external collaborative partners. A life-long Alaskan with family ties to the Bristol Bay region, Ricardo has also worked with the Alaska Federation of Natives and Bristol Bay Native Association. He holds a B.S. in Biological Sciences with an Art Minor from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He is a long-time on-air host and producer for “First Voices,” a weekly public radio show featuring world and indigenous music on 90.3 KNBA. He serves on the boards of Child Care Connection in Alaska and on the national Native Americans in Philanthropy. Ricardo was one of three foundation professionals selected for the national Emerging Philanthropic Leaders Fellowship coordinated through the Council on Foundations. He was also a member of the steering committee for Alaska’s “Ready to Read, Ready to Learn” statewide initiative. Ricardo notes, “I admire the vision and clear purpose of The CIRI Foundation and believe in the mission. I know that each scholarship is an individual investment to strengthen our Alaska Native communities.” You may reach Ricardo Lopez at The CIRI Foundation via: rlopez@thecirifoundation.org or 907.793.3575. Back to Top |
SEPTEMBER 12, 2007The CIRI Foundation Supports 25 Years of Educational Dreams Awarding over $12 million for post-secondary education |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The CIRI Foundation has awarded over $955,000 in scholarships and grants during 2007, supporting 365 Alaska Native students working to achieve their higher education at universities and vocational schools across the world. Since its establishment in 1982, The CIRI Foundation has contributed more than $12.6 million for the Alaska Native beneficiaries of CIRI to participate in post-secondary education and approximately $1.47 million through The CIRI Foundation Education and Heritage Project Grant Program toward other non-profit organization projects that further the goals of The CIRI Foundation by serving our people, Alaska Natives and Alaskans. One of the founding board members, Margaret L. Brown, CIRI President and Chief Executive Officer notes “From the day it was created, The CIRI Foundation has invested in Alaska Native people and Alaska’s future. The CIRI Foundation grants and scholarships are helping to educate and inspire new generations of Alaskans to improve lives and prepare for the future.” Susan A. Anderson, President/CEO of The CIRI Foundation, personally knows the benefits of the scholarship program as she was one of the foundation’s earliest recipients. She notes, “Education in combination with knowledge of our heritage is the key to our future as Alaska Native people.” As a non-profit affiliate of Cook Inlet Region Inc. (CIRI), The CIRI Foundation’s mission is to promote individual self-development and economic self-sufficiency through education and to maintain pride in culture and heritage among Alaska Natives who are original enrollees of CIRI and their direct lineal descendents. As part of its mission, The CIRI Foundation strives to support continued living traditions through selected heritage publications and media productions that enhance appreciation and understanding of Alaska Native cultures among all people. The CIRI Foundation will continue to serve Alaska Native people and Alaskans throughout the next quarter century with equal, if not more, focus on educational dreams and opportunities. Back to Top |
June 28, 2007THE CIRI FOUNDATION PUBLISHES |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Alaska's compelling history is featured in a new book published by The CIRI Foundation that gathers 120 articles and historic photographs published in the Anchorage Daily News weekly feature "Scrapbook" over the last six years. "Alaska Scrapbook, Moments in Alaska History 1816-1998," includes brief articles covering a span of key events and poignant moments from 1816 to 1998. They highlight the history of the state's indigenous peoples and its many migrants. In addition to people, the features celebrate the construction of important facilities, passage of key legislation, and the anniversary of the founding of communities, corporations and organizations. They also offer insight into the devastation caused by fires, floods and deaths of important leaders. "The CIRI Foundation seeks to preserve and perpetuate the heritage of Alaska's indigenous peoples and the relationship between indigenous and new Alaskans. This book goes a long way toward showing the important role all Alaskans have played, placing this information in the broader context of the overall state's history," said Susan Anderson, president and CEO of The CIRI Foundation. The articles are written by Dr. Stephen Haycox, University of Alaska history professor, and Alexandra J. McClanahan, M.A., CIRI historian. The editor is Veldee Hall, a young Alaska Native, who wrote the book's introduction. The book is the culmination of a partnership between The CIRI Foundation, the University of Alaska Anchorage and the Anchorage Daily News. Over the last six years, this cooperative effort provided several hundred history lessons to Alaskans statewide. "Alaska Scrapbook, Moments in Alaska History 1816-1998" is available from The CIRI Foundation or retail outlets. The price is $24.95. All proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit The CIRI Foundation, a private foundation established in 1982 to provide scholarships and enhance the heritage of Alaska Natives through programs that foster appreciation and understanding of Alaska Native cultures. Other titles by The CIRI Foundation include: "A Place for Winter, Paul Tiulana's Story" "A Reference in Time, Alaska Native History Day by Day" "Growing Up Native in Alaska" "Na'eda, Our Friends" "Our Stories, Our Lives" "Putting Up Fish on The Kenai" "Reflections on the Alaska Native Experience" "Alaska Native Corporations: Sakuuktugut (We are working incredibly hard)" Back to Top |
March 4, 2005NEW PUBLICATION BY THE CIRI FOUNDATION CELEBRATES SALMON PROCESSING IN THE COOK INLET TRADITION |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (ANCHORAGE, AK) "Putting Up Fish on the Kenai -- A Guide to Processing Alaska Salmon in the Cook Inlet Tradition," by Hazel J. Felton is now available from The CIRI Foundation and select book stores throughout Anchorage. "We are pleased to offer our newest book by Hazel J. Felton, a Dena'ina originally from Kenai and a shareholder of CIRI," said Susan A. Anderson, President & CEO of The CIRI Foundation. "It adds immensely to the public understanding of Dena'ina traditions, and it celebrates a woman who played a key role in Kenai area history." The book is a "how-to" manual for smoking and jarring one of Alaska's most prized resources. It is also a tribute to Rika Florence Murphy, first recognized chief of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, who lovingly passed on her precise methods to Felton, her daughter. Many of the photographs featured in the book were taken at the "fish camp," which was introduced at Cook Inlet Tribal Council's Youth Camp located on the Kenai Peninsula in Ninilchik where this technique was taught to many of the young people at the camp. In addition to its step-by-step instructions, the book includes detailed design plans for the constructions of an "urban smokehouse," providing city dwellers with a means to recreate these traditional techniques of processing salmon. The 96-page paperback book, 7 inches by 10 inches, contains many photos to illustrate the process, as well as historic and contemporary pictures, including a 10-page section of color photographs. It retails for $19.95, with proceeds from its sale going to The CIRI Foundation to support the foundation's cultural programs and scholarships. Clare Swan of Kenai, Cook Inlet Tribal Council chairperson and Kenaitze tribal member, had this to say about the book: "This book is one more happy way for me to remember my friend Rika. It's a special gift to Kenaitze tribal members and others in our community -- truly, a tribute to this resourceful, caring, thoroughly modern Dena'ina woman." Alan Boraas, professor of anthropology at Kenai Peninsula College, also commented on the book. He said: "The Dena'ina have been catching, processing, and sharing fish from the Kenai River maybe for as long as there have been salmon to catch. In this book, Hazel Felton describes the careful, exacting way her mother, the late Rika Murphy, and other Elders taught her about the proper way to process salmon. But this is far more than a 'how-to' guide. As their ancestors did, the Dena'ina infuse the salmon with a part of themselves" through the proper execution of 'putting up fish.' Later, when people travel from house to house the words, "I have some salmon for you" take on a special meaning as the produce of the land merges with the people's bond of kinship in the sharing of salmon." The book is available at select bookstores, through Alaska Northwest Books (907) 278-8838, or by contacting The CIRI Foundation directly 907-793-3575. ISBN number: 0-938227-06-8 |
June 22, 2000GROWING UP NATIVE IN ALASKA |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Anchorage, Alaska - June 22, 2000 - Chris Cooke, Alaska's Democratic Party chair, has selected Growing Up Native in Alaska as his book to take for President Clinton when he meets with other party officials from across the nation this weekend in Los Angeles at the Association of State Democratic Chairs' bi-annual meeting. President Clinton, who has scheduled an appearance during the Association meeting, will be presented with a book from each of the representative state chairs. "After reading about Growing Up Native In Alaska, I bought the book. Many of this book's young people came of age during the Clinton era, and their stories are important for Alaska and the nation. The country needs to know that Alaska's diverse Native cultures are being lived throughout our state and not just preserved in museums," said Cooke. Growing Up Native in Alaska features oral history interviews with 27 emerging Alaska Native leaders from rural and urban Alaska. In their own words they discuss what it means to be a modern Alaska Native, the struggle with identity, and how they view the effects of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. The book, which was authored by CIRI historian Alexandra J. McClanahan and published by The CIRI Foundation, is available in local bookstores or via http://www.thecirifoundation.org/publications.htm. Back to Top |