BRIDGES Spring 2012
BUILDING PARTNERS
101 Dunkel Street Fairbanks, AK 99701-4806
PH: 907.459.3700, Fax: [email protected] www.morristhompsoncenter.org
ToOpen Daily 8am-9pm/Summer (May 11-Sept 28) 8am-5pm/Winter (Sept 29-May13)
Serving an average of 100,000 visitors annually
Our MissionThe Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center combines the missions of its partners to:•CelebrateInteriorAlaska’speople,land
and culture•Promoteeconomicdevelopmentwith
an emphasis on rural Alaska•Beacommunitygatheringplace,wherediverseculturescometogetherto appreciate and respect one another
Connecting People, Land and CultureMorris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center
Kinross Ft. Knox and Pogo Mines To Match All Donations to Complete Exhibits
Alaska Geographic Store www.alaskageographic.org
907.459.3710
Alaska Public Lands InformationCenter www.alaskacenters.gov
907.459.3730
Denakkanaaga 907.451.3900
FairbanksConventionand VisitorsBureau
www.explorefairbanks.com 907.456.5774
Tanana Chiefs Conference Cultural Programs www.tananachiefs.org
907.459.3740
Because of the generosity of Kinross Ft. Knox and Pogo Mine,
your new gift will be matched dollar for dollar!
With less than one percent—or $175,000—to raise to complete the Center’sexhibits,twoInteriorAlaskagoldmining companies—Kinross Fort Knox and Pogo Mine—will match, dollar for dollar,everygifttotheCenteruntilwemeetourgoal.But we need your help to reach the finish line. “TheexhibitstellthestoryoflifeinInteriorAlaska,andminingisapartofthatstory,”saidPogoMineExternalAffairsManager Lorna Shaw. “Alaskans depend onthelandforeverypartofourlives—hiking,fishing,camping,playingonoursnowmachines–andmakingaliving.” The responsible operating plan for the Centeralsoplayedapartinthemines’decisiontogetbehindtheeffort.Shawsaid, “At the mines, the long-term plan for sustaining the land—or reclamation—is a keypriority.Sowhenwesawthatthe Center had a plan for sustainable opera-tions,itgotourattention.Aprojectthat’sgreatforourcommunity,withalong-termsustainableoperatingplan,isexactlythetypeofprojectwewanttosupport.” ItwasthelateSenatorTedStevenswhofirst challenged the project partners to showhowtheycouldaffordtooperatethebuilding once it was built. “The Senator alwaystoldusthatweshouldn’trelyonstateorfederalfundstooperate,”saidEx-ecutiveDirectorCindySchumaker.“Withthreeyearsunderourbelt,we’redoingit.” Ofcourse,itisthegenerosityofourdonorsthathavemadeitpossible,in-cludingrecentgiftsfromWellsFargo,ConocoPhillips,andprivatedonorDianeLeResche. Our Leadership Team was committed to raising funds to complete
the building with zero debt, which is what makesoperatingcostsaffordabletothelease-holding partners. Now,soclosetoourgoal,we’recountingonourfriendsandcommunitytohelptakeusoverthetop.AnydonationyoumakewillbematchedbyKinrossFt.KnoxandPogo Mine. Double your money and help us complete our exhibits by making your donation today!
Wells Fargo and ConocoPhillips “Bridging the Gap” Gifts Set Stage for Mining Match
InDecember2011,WellsFargopresenteda$50,000giftto the Center during a Tanana ChiefsConferenceExecutiveBoardmeeting.WellsFargoexecutiveDarrenFranz said, “Wells Fargo is thrilled to support the [Center] in its mission to celebrate Atha-bascanculture,promoteeconomicdevelop-ment and foster cultural understanding in the Interior.”
Pictured above from left to right: TCC Executive Board member Carl Jerue, Wells Fargo Community Advisory Board Member Richard Wien and Northern Alaska District President Darren Franz, MTCVC Board Treasurer Brian Ridley, TCC President Jerry Isaac, TCC Cultural Program Director Dixie Alexander, and TCC Elder Representative Richard Frank.
InMarch,ConocoPhillips’JarrotHandy/VPofNorthSlope Operations (center)andMaryGibbs/DirectorofPhilanthropy(left)presentedagiftof$25,000toMTCVCBoardPresidentCharleneMarth(right).Handysaid,“I
can seewhytheCenterissuchasourceofpridetoyourcommunityandatributetoabelovedleader.”Thisrecent
giftbringsConocoPhillipstotaldonationto$105,000.
Thank you!
ManythankstoDianeLeRescheof Santa Fe, New Mexico who has made a generous personal donation to the Center in honor of Morris Thompson.DianehaslivedinFair-banks,KenaiandJuneau,andhasspenttimeinmanyAlaskavillages.ShehasaspecialfondnessforEagleVillagewhereshehashelpedElderMatthew Malcolm bring in a net full of subsistence salmon. Thank youDiane,forbecomingaFriendofthe Morris Thompson Center!
PARTNER NEWS
FCVB: 100+ Outdoor Writers Headed to Fairbanks this Fall Alaskaissynonymouswiththegreatoutdoors,soitisparticu-larlyfittingthatFairbankswillbethesiteofthe2012OutdoorWritersConferenceinSeptember.Morethan100outdoortravelwriterswillgatherintheInteriortohighlightAlaskainprint,on-lineandthroughphotographyandfilm.“FCVBhoststravelwritersnearlyeveryweekoftheyear;it’spartofwhatwedotopromoteFairbanksandInteriorAlaska,”saidAmyReedGeiger,FCVB’sCommunicationsDirector,“buthavingthismuchpressinAlaskaatthesametimeisunprecedented.” Adiversegroup,theattendingwritersarethosethatwriteforhuntingandfishingpublica-tions,eco-tourists,naturephotographers,nativecultureenthusiastsandoutdooradventurers.“TobeamemberoftheOutdoorWritersAssociationtheymusthavearticlescompensatedandpublishedeveryyear,soit’sanaccomplishedgroupofwriters.”saidGeiger. “The return on investment in the conference should be significant. We would expect to see an increase in visitation as a result of the stories they write about the place we call home.” Visitorindustrybusinesseshavebeenhardatworkcreatingopportunitiesforthesewriterstoexperiencetheoutdoors-whitewaterrafting,sportfishing,hiking,wildlifeviewing,ATVtours,ArcticCircletours,andarangeofotheractivitiesandexperiences.IfyouwanttogetinvolvedcontactGeigerat907.459.3775.
Gateway Exhibit Scheduled to Open Summer 2012
The final section of our exhibits, dubbed the “Gateway” is scheduled
to be completed by the end of June. The majorityoftheexhibitsopenedin2009,howeveronesectionwasputonholduntilfunding was secured. DebHickok,FairbanksConventionandVisitorsBureauPresident&CEO,is
leadingtheGatewaydesignprocess.Accord-ing to Hickok, the completed exhibits tell thestoryofhowweliveinInteriorAlaska,whereastheGatewayareafocusesonthevisitortoAlaska–helpingthemexperiencehowweliveandwhatwedo.“Wewantourvisitorstosay‘Openthedoor,andletmediscoverInteriorandArcticAlaska,”shesays.
Gatewaywillbeworththewait!AstheCenter’sboardtreasurerBrianRidleyex-plains,“Slowandsteady,andmovingforwardasmoneywasraised—that’saresponsible way to build a building. It has allowed us to stay out of debt.”
Honor Wall to be Installed this Fall; Will Your Name be On It?
An Honor Wall recognizing the volunteersanddonorswhomade
theCenterarealitywillbeinstalledthisfall.This7-footby18-footstainlesssteelplaquewillgracethemainlobbyinper-petuity,honoringeachdonorwhomadea contribution of $150 or more. Time is running out to make sure your name is on it!Yourinscriptioncanlistyourname,thenameofalovedone,orbeauniqueexpressionofyourchoice.Inscriptionsare a maximum of 45 characters. Size and placement is based on total amount of yourgift(s). Don’tmissout!TobeincludedontheHonor Wall call 907.459.3701, email [email protected] at www.morristhompsoncenter.org.
Remember, your new gift will be matched by Kinross Ft. Knox
and Pogo Mine!
Inspired by beadwork by Judy Thomas/ Northway
Inspired by a forget-me-not beadwork design by Mary Simple/Ft. Yukon
Inspired by beadwork designed by Dixie Alexander & her daughter Rita Pitka/Fairbanks
Inspired by a willow root basket made by Lina Demoski/Anvik
Athabascan Beadwork and Willow Root Basket Inspire Mosaic Sidewalk Art
Inside the exhibits, moosehide slippers, babybelts,andpictureframesshowcase
Athabascanbeadworkdesignscraftedfromtinyseedbeads.Onthesidewalksoutside, intricate beadwork designs havebeentranslatedintolargeglasstilemosaics. BelardeCompanyoutof Seattle,Washingtonprovidedapatentedpro-cess—Lithocrete—which allows for the seeding of small glass tiles in concrete. “The finished mosaics are 8 to 14 feet in diameter,andlooksimplybeautiful!”saidCultural Program Director Dixie Alexan-der.“Thecolorpaletteisvibrantenoughtodojusticetothesebeautifuldesigns.”
Inspired by a design on a slipper from the UA Mu-seum of the North collection. Artist is unknown, but the slipper is from the Tanana area.
‘Antler-Cam’ Makes it Easy to Keep an Eye on FairbanksThecommunityembracedtheMorris
ThompsonCenter’sAntlerArchwhenit was completed in 2010. Now, the addition of the webcam has brought in fans across the UnitedStates.“Icheckthewebcamprettymucheachday,”emailedCatherineDavisfromFredericksburg,Texas.“It’sfuntoseepeoplewalking,biking,skating,chatting. Ithought it was a road on the other side and nowIseeitisariver—wecanseetheicego-ingbyprettyfast.” Last summer, longtime Fairbanksans MarilynRomanoandBrianHovesaid“Ido”underthearch.ThewebcammadeiteasytoinvolveherfamilyinTexasonshortnotice.She called and told them to check out the website,butdidn’ttellthemwhy.“Theywereallsurprisedandhappytobeabletowatchusgetmarriedonthe‘AntlerCam’—andthetouristslovedit!”saidRomano. IfyouwanttocoordinateyourownspecialmomentundertheArch,tellyourfamilyandfriends around the world to go to www.morristhompsoncenter.org and click on the Antler Arch link.
Total raised to date on the MTCVC project is $29.2
million, including $16.7M (federal), $7.6M (state),
and $4.6M (private).
APLIC: Ranger Laurie Leads Field Trips for Kids Onthejobforsixmonths,NationalParkServiceRangerLaurieSmithhasalreadybroughtinmorethan1,500kidstoexploretheCenter’sexhibits.Thevisitsoftenstartintheclassroomwithagame.“Weallturnintoacaribouandtalkaboutwhatwe’dneedtosurvive,havebabies,adapttopredators,”saidSmith.Thenshemovesthetourintotheexhibitstoviewanddiscussthedifferenthabitatsrepresentedthere. AccordingtoSmith,kidslovetheplace.“It’s just so multisensory with the beautiful seasonal landscapes, the mosquitoes buzzing, bear growling, beaver splashing, and the moose walking through the trees. You can go into the exhibits many times but can always discover something new.” While the formal program focuses on school-aged kids, allagesarewelcome.“Thismorningwehadalittleplaygroupwithages14-monthstofiveyearsold,sowebroughtoutpuppetsandfursandwentintotheexhibitsandwereadachildren’sbookaboutberries.”Toscheduleafieldtrip,call907.459.3731oremail [email protected].
PARTNER NEWS
PARTNER NEWS
TCC Cultural Programs Flourish under Dixie Alexander’s leadership Lastyear,theAlaskaStateCouncilontheArtschoseDixieAlexandertobeamonganelitegroupofAthabascanIndiansrecognizedas‘livingculturaltreasures.’EachwaschosenfortheirworktorelaytheirwayoflifetoanewgenerationofAthabascanchildrenandcommunitymembers.ItisexactlythisskillthatisallowingTananaChiefsConferenceculturalprogramstoflourishunderAlexander’sleadership.“Igrewupinatraditionalsub-sistencelifestyleinFt.Yukon,”saidAlexander.“WhenIcometowork,Ibringthatwithmeandtrytoshareit.” A big part of that cultural expression is the preparing and sharing of food. She created the Taste of Alaska programwheretraditionalfoodsaresharedwithsmallprivategroups.“Whilemyguestsareenjoyingsoup,Iamexplaininghowweshowrespectfortheanimalbyusingallofitsparts.”saysAlexander.“Weeatthemeat,usethebonesfortools,tendonsforsinew,thehidebecomesourclothes,thebladderbagbecomesourtraditional‘tupper-ware’–eventheheadisadelicacy.” Theexperienceisappreciated.Alexanderrecentlypreparedamealthatfeaturedsalmondip,bakedKingsalmonsteaks,andfrybreadwithblueberryjam.“Thelunchwasoutofthisworld!”saidMattRogers,InterimDirectoratChiefAndrewIsaacHealthCenter.“Weareinthemidstofrecruitingnewstafffortheclinic,andyour meal was the BEST recruit-ment activity we could ever hope to provide.” AlexanderexplainsthatshehasdevelopedculturalprogrammingattheCentertoberesponsivetonumerousresolutionsfromthevillagesurgingTCCtopreserveNativetradi-tionsandtoconnectelderswithyouth.TheCultural Connections show, a one-hour stage showfeaturingtraditionalfiddlemusicanddancing,isafavoritefortourists,butplaysamuchmoreimportantrole.EightAlaskaNativeyoutharehiredforthesummer.“Theylearntheduckdance,thejig,thebroomdanceandperformthreetimesadayforourout-of-townguests,”saidAlexander.“Learningthedancesisimportant,butthebestthingisthattheygettospendtimewithElderBillStevens,hearinghimtellstoriesabouttheolddaysandlearningfromhim.”
5th Grade students from Two Rivers Elementary School explore the Center’s exhibits during a class field trip.Dixie Alexander with frybread and salmon dip. Elder Bill Stevens performs throughout the
summer.
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Rawert Collection of Native Dolls Finds a New Home at CenterClemandPatRawertrecentlydonated
theirextensivecollectionof24Na-tivedolls,includingpiecesfromnoteddollmakersEvaHeffle,CharlotteImmomek,andKenandEvaLisbourne.PatRawertcollectedthedollsovermanyyears,manyofthembeinggiftsfromfriendsshemetinruralvillages.Rawertsaid,“Thedollshavemeantalottome,andnowIwantotherstobeabletoseeandenjoythem.”
PARTNER NEWS
Portraits in a Parka Excerpt from a July 2, 2011 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner article by Mary Beth Smetzer
PARTNER NEWS
Noonebarks‘handsoff ’whenvisitorstouch the new collection of traditional fur, hideandbrightlycoloredbeadedgarments.Instead,theresponseis‘please,putthemon.’ Singles, couples or families can choose from an assortment of traditional Athabascan garments to wear. The selection includes a chief ’scoat,aluxuri-ous muskrat parka, beadedvests,hatsandchildren’sclothes—allskillfullysewnbyexpertNativeneedle-women. “Visitors come to Alaska from around the world,andtheydon’tgetachancetotouchNativegarmentsorsmellthesmokedmoose-hide,andespeciallytheydon’tgetachancetowearthem,”DixieAlexandersaid.“Itmakesus feel good to see them get their pictures taken.Weburnthe(photo)CDhere,andtheywalkoutwiththeCDintheirhands.” JosephineJohn,DeniseHardesty,CorinnaEvans,EdithThomasandRitaPitka,allmas-
terartisansledbyAlexander,wereinvolvedinthe hand-sewing and hand-beading mara-thon.Asewingmachinewasusedonlyfor
the fur parka lining and zipper. TheGwich’inandKoyukonAthabascanneedlewomen gath-eredthreedayseachweek,plyingthickbeveledskinneedlesand thin beading needles at an indus-trious pace. “All of it wasachallenge,”saidDeniseHardesty.“Sometimes there
were two of us sewing on one garment—sew-ingrighttoleftorlefttoright.”Alexanderdesigned the clothing and bead patterns, then thewomenworkedtogether,enjoyingeachothers’companyandcooking.“Itwasatimeofsharing,storytellingandteasing,”Alexan-der said.Go to www.newsminer.com and search “Por-traits in a Parka” to read complete story and view additional pictures.
Ed M
alen
/FC
VB
Above: Tlingit Doll, Eagle Clan, by dollmaker Alice Johnnie. Below: Yukon Princess doll, artist undetermined. FCVB: Winter Tourism is a Bright Spot for
Interior AK Visitor Industry A record number of Japanese visitors came to Interior Alaska during the 2011-2012 winter season.JapanAirlinesbrought19charterstoFairbanks,anincreaseof63%overthepreviouswinter.FlightsoriginatedfrommanyJapanesecit-ies,includingTokyo,Osaka,Nagoya,FukuokaandHiroshima.“FCVBhasnurturedthisrelationshipformanyyears,”saidTourismManagerEdMalenwhospeaksfluentJapaneseandspendsmanyhourswiththeJapanesegueststhroughoutthewinter.“Thevisitorsreallyseemtolovethewinteractivitiesthatwehavetooffer–mostespeciallytheNorthernLights.”ThisisgoodnewsforFairbanks.Thesummercontinuestobetheprimaryseasonforvisitorstotheregion.However,increasingwintertourismhelpssometourism-relatedbusinessesoperateyear-roundandsup-portswinter-onlysmallbusinesses.
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