2010 Begich AFN Convention Newsletter

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Dea r Fe l lo w A las k a n:

We lco me to t he 2010 A las k a Fede ra tio n of Na ti ves

Co n ve n tio n.

I t is a n ho no r to joi n yo u f o r t his i m po r ta n t occasio n,

as I had do ne eac h yea r as Ma yo r of A nc ho rage a nd no w as

yo u r U ni ted S ta tes Se na to r. I a l wa ys loo k f o r wa rd to t he A F N

co n ve n tio n, to s ha re wi t h yo u i m po r ta n t de ve lo p me n ts i n

Was hi ng to n, D.C., to hea r yo u r p rio ri ties f o r t he u pco mi ng yea r

a nd to joi n i n t he ce le b ra tio n of yo u r ric h he ri tage.

F ro m da nci ng wi t h yo u a t Q u ya na Nig h t to seei ng ne w a nd

o ld f rie nds a t t he a r ts a nd c raf ts f ai r, I a m g ra tef u l f o r yo u r wa r m

we lco me a nd s ha red i nsig h ts e ve r y yea r.

Co nside r t his ne ws le t te r a b rief u pda te o n t he ma n y iss ues

i m pac ti ng r u ra l a nd A las k a Na ti ve co m m u ni ties. P lease co n ti n ue

to te l l me yo u r co nce r ns a nd s ugges tio ns as I wo r k ha rd to

re p rese n t yo u i n t he Se na te.

Qu yana. H á w’aa. Do yk shin. Qu yanaq.

Gunalchée sh. Ana Baa see’. Qa gaa sk un g. T hank you.

Si nce re l y,

Se na to r Ma r k Begic h

News to Use

How to contact Senator BegichSenator Begich wants to hear fromyou – he receives an average of 1,000communica ons from Alaskans weekly. Seethe back page for contact informa on forthe Senator’s o ces; call his Anchorageo ce toll free, (877) 501-6275; or visit hiswebsite, h p://begich.senate.gov.

What Senator Begich’so ce can do for YouSenator Begich can help Alaskanscut through red tape with federaldepartments and agencies. His sta ispleased to answer your ques ons aboutfederal programs and work with you toresolve problems. Call Senator Begich’s

o ce toll free, (877) 501-6275.

Internships withSenator BegichSenator Begich’s o ce is accep ngapplica ons for high school and collegeinternships throughout the year.Posi ons are available in Washington,Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau.Instruc ons on how to apply andeligibility requirements are available onhis website.

Cons tuent Co eeswith Senator BegichNearly every week during the springand fall in Washington, D.C., SenatorBegich hosts cons tuent co ees forAlaskans, usually Thursdays at 8:30-9:30 a.m. They are a great opportunityto talk to Senator Begich, his sta and

get a photo with the Senator.

U nited S tateS S enator M ark B egich

News from

beg ich . sena te .gov

2010 Convention

“VillageSurvival”

SPECIAL ISSUE

Senator Mark Begich speaks with Yup’ik Elder Paul John.



No reform of America’s health care system would becomplete without addressing the health needs of the na-tion’s First Peoples.

Last winter, I championed the long-overdue reautho-rization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, in-cluding it in the nal health reform bill. I was proud to bethe only member of our congressional delegation to votefor the bill’s nal passage, allowing it to become law onMarch 23, 2010.

Originally enacted in 1976, the Indian Health Care Im- provement Act provides the legal authority for federallyfunded health care to the nation’s residents. The bill hadnot been reauthorized in nearly two decades. Inaction byCongress justi ably frustrated many Alaska Natives and

American Indians around the country.Reauthorization means the Indian Health Service isempowered and better equipped to address the health dis-

parities of American Indians and Alaska Natives, whichincludes better long-term care for elders, comprehensive

beg ich . sena te .gov 2

Since day one in the Senate, my priorities are ensuringrural Alaska has access to basic community infrastructure,such as quality housing, water and sewer, and broadband con-nections; creating jobs for Alas-

kans; and helping our countryrecover from one of the worsteconomic crises in history.

That’s why I was proud tostand up for Alaskans to supportthe American Recovery and Re-investment Act. This vital mea-sure is improving infrastructureand providing jobs in remote areas with the highest per capita funding of any state, about $1.6 billion.

One of the largest projects is Nome’s Norton Sound

Nome’s new Norton Sound Regional Hospital under construc on.

Senator Begich visits families in Toksook Bay in August.

mental health services, and updated preventive screening.For more information about the reauthorization, contactmy of ce. ■

Regional Hospital. This $152 million hospital will replacethe 61-year-old facility with a new, three-story building,

three times the size, and bring170 jobs to the region.

Another Recovery project is

Kotzebue Shore Avenue, a $38million reconstruction of 4,400feet of the road, including side-walks, parallel parking, streetlights and erosion protection.

Additionally, Alaska is re-ceiving $88 million in grantsand loans for “middle mile”

broadband service (see “Broadband Development”).For a more complete listing of other Recovery proj-

ects, please visit my website: http://begich.senate.gov. ■

K eeping R uRal a lasKa s tRong and H ealtHy

Jobs, Facility Improvements Go to Rural Alaska

With more veterans per capita than any state, ensuringAlaska’s veterans have access to the care and bene ts they

were promised is a top priority of mine.In February, I held two Commerce Committee eldhearings – one in Anchorage and one in Fairbanks – fo-cused on improving services for Alaska veterans. In Au-gust, I held two listening sessions in Nome to hear fromveterans about challenges in accessing health care andother bene ts. The Veterans Administration (VA) has com-mitted to nding better ways to serve our rural veterans.

Just last month, I met with VA Secretary Eric Shinsekito emphasize my support for better health coverage for vets who may have been affected by Agent Orange during

the Vietnam War. Secretary Shinseki committed to comingto Alaska next year. ■

Needs of Rural Vets Addressed

Extending high-speed, broadband Internet to all Alas-kans, regardless of where they live, is essential for educa-

tion, job training, health care, economic opportunities and basic information access.Earlier this year, United Utilities, Inc., was awarded

$88 million through the Recovery Act to provide broadband services to 65 communities in Southwest Alaska. Ad-ditional broadband awards for our state include $25 millionfor 4G high-speed broadband Internet service, reaching29,000 rural residents in 53 Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta vil-lages; $6.4 million to connect Alaska for broadband map-

ping and planning; and $3.4 million to improve and extendwireless broadband services in the Cordova area.

I recently hosted Federal Communications Commis-sioner Mignon Clyburn in our state. ■

High-Speed Internet On the Way

Indian Health Care Law Reauthorized After Nearly 20 Years



Last October, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar an-nounced a sweeping review of subsistence managementin Alaska. His of ce held meetings throughout Alaskawith subsistence stakeholders and outlined proposedchanges to x the broken management system.

Although a step in the right direction, it is not enough.Subsistence management is a complex issue, but theAlaska Native community has been able to sustain thisway of life for 10,000 years. I am committed to ensuring

the federal government protects this cherished way of lifefor Alaska Native people.

I was pleased to help secure $5 million to help com- pensate Yukon shing families affected by the 2008-09salmon disaster. Eligible shermen have until January2011 to apply for the funding and I strongly encourageyou to do so. Application information is available on mywebsite.

For more information about my efforts to protect sub-sistence, contact my of ce. ■

8(a) Program Vital for Alaska Natives

Local veterans from Bering Sea VFW Post 9569 in Nome meet with Senator Begich this summer.

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p Rotecting a lasKa n ative c ultuRes and t Raditions

Subsistence Vital for Rural Alaskans

Prompted by deep concerns from rural leaders, I amworking to increase the public safety presence in ruralcommunities on several fronts.

I was proud to co-sponsor the Tribal Law and Order Act, signed into law by President Obama in late July. Itallows tribal non-pro ts in Alaska that employ VillagePublic Safety Of cers to apply for federal grants and

train at the Indian Policy Academy in New Mexico.I also introduced the Alaska Safe Families andVillages Act of 2010, designed to help address high ratesof suicide, sexual assault and alcohol and drug abuse.Participating tribes would have the ability to enforcesanctions, such as community service, on tribal members,issue protective orders and establish the Alaska VillagePeace Of cer grants program. If enacted, I believe thislaw will allow eligible tribes to be truly self-determined,making the most appropriate, culturally relevant deci-sions when dealing with serious social infractions. ■

The 8(a) contracting provision allowing Alaska Nativecorporations and tribes access to federal services provideshundreds of good jobs for Alaskans and brings millions of

dollars in benefits to our state. That’s why I have been astrong supporter.In June, I welcomed federal Small Business Adminis-

trator Karen Mills to Anchorage for the SBA 8(a) nationalconference. It helped her learn more about how the unwar-ranted attacks in Congress will impact this valuable pro-gram.

I was able to guarantee all tribal participants in theSBA’s Native American 8(a) program will be consultedregarding any new rules affecting Alaska Native 8(a) and

Native American defense contracting changes. ■

The current one-size-fits-all federal education law is a poor fit for Alaska. That’s why I have called for an over-haul of No Child Left Behind and support changes that rec-ognize Alaska’s unique geography, weather and cultures.

I believe there should be more local control. Fundingrules must ensure even the smallest school districts haveadequate resources. Struggling rural schools need flex-ibility to implement improvement measures that work bestin each community. We also need a strong and substantial

commitment to early learning, so students begin school better prepared and ready to learn.I recently introduced bills to expand innovative pro-

grams to improve studentscores and grad-uation, and tostrengthen theteaching of sci-ence, technol-ogy, engineering

and math.You can read

more about myviews on education at http://begich.senate.gov/education ■

Begich Proposes Education Reforms

Senator Wants More Public Safety



AnchoragePeterson Tower, Suite 750510 L StAnchorage, AK 99501

phone. (907) 271-5915toll free. (877) 501-6275*fax. (907) 258-9305

Fairbanks101 12th Ave, Room 206Fairbanks, AK 99701

phone. (907) 456-0261

toll free. (877) 501-6275*fax. (907) 451-7290

JuneauOne Sealaska Plaza, Suite 308P.O. Box 21850Juneau, AK 99802


Kenai805 Frontage Rd. Suite 101Kenai, AK 99611

phone. (907) 283-4000

toll free. (877) 501-6275*fax. (907) 283-4401

KetchikanWhitecliff Building Suite 2301900 First AvenueKetchikan, AK 99901


Washington, D.C.144 Russell Senate Of ce BldgWashington, DC 20510

phone. (202) 224-3004

toll free. (877) 501-6275*fax. (202) 224-2354

O ce of U.S. Senator BegichContact Information

95855*Toll free for callers with an Alaska (907) area code.

Senator Begich meets with inspiring members of the Na ve Emerging Leaders Forum in Anchorage earlier this year.

beg ich . sena te .gov

W Hat otHeR events Will be Happening in F aiRbanKs duRing c onvention WeeK ?

• “The Winter Bear” will be performed at the Pioneer Park Centennial Center, October 18. “The Winter Bear” is an adapted play inspired by the life and timesof Athabascan elder Sidney Huntington.

• The AFN Elders and Youth Conference will be held atthe Carlson Center October 18 and 19, 8 AM to 5 PM.Everyone welcome!

• The AFN Men and Women’s Basketball Tournamentwill be held at North Pole Middle School and beginsOctober 21.

• An Athabascan Fiddle Dance will be held at theChena Convention Center, 111 Clay St. Downtown

Fairbanks on October 21 starting at 7 PM.

• The AFN Alaska Native Arts and Crafts Fair will beheld October 21 to the 23 at the Carlson Center duringthe Convention.

• The Fairbanks Resource Agency 6th Annual CitySampler will be held October 21 at the Westmark Hotel starting at 6:30 PM. Sample Fairbanks finestrestaurant cuisine, with door prizes. Tickets availableat Gulliver’s Books, Hallmark POM, and FairbanksResource Agency.

• AFN Quyana Nights will be held at the Carlson Center October 21, 22, and 23, starting at 7 PM.

2010 ANNUAL AFN CONVEN ION SCHE ULE :: OC OBER 21 23, 2010

THURSDAY, Oct 21

8:00 am – 5:00 pmAnnual Convention

7:30 am – 11:00 & 1:00 – 5:00 pmDelegate Registration

8:00 am – 7:00 pmNative Arts & Crafts Show

7:00 pm – 11:00 pmQuyana Alaska I

FRIDAY, Oct 22


8:00 am – 7:00 pm Native Arts & Crafts Show

7:00 pm – 11:00 pmQuyana Alaska II

SATURDAY, Oct 23


8:00 am – 4:00 pm Native Arts & Crafts Show

6:00 pm AFN Banquet Reception

7:00 pm AFN Banquet Dinner

Documents

2010 Begich AFN Convention Newsletter