KNBA Morning Newscast for Friday July 10, 2015
First Lady wows Alaskan Native Teens at White House Tribal Youth Gathering
By Liz Ruskin, APRN
About 30 Alaskans in their teens and 20s were in Washington, D.C. today to participate in the first-ever White House Tribal Youth Gathering. The highlight for many was a passionate speech by First Lady Michelle Obama.
In a cavernous hotel ballroom near the White House, Mrs. Obama told the crowd they, as individuals, matter.
“And each of you was put on this Earth for a reason. Each of you has
something that you’re destined to do. Whether that’s raising a beautiful
family, or succeeding in a profession, or leading your community into a
better future. You all have a role to play. And we need you,” said Obama.
Obama urged them to notice the investment placed in them. She also said, despite how they may feel at low points, they are never alone.
“Everyone in this room has your back. Everyone speaking at this summit –
all those cabinet secretaries and powerful people who’ve come here for you
– they have your back. And you definitely have a president and a first lady
who have your back,” said Obama.
The gathering is part of President Obama’s Gen-I – or Generation Indigenous – project, aimed at cultivating leadership in young people and helping them succeed. The participants, more than 1,000, had to apply for selection, so this is a high-achieving bunch. Many of them have already launched projects to improve their communities. In her speech, the First Lady warned attendees that some of the big changes they’re seeking may not occur until their children or grandchildren are grown.
“And see maybe decades from now, maybe those kids, your kids, your
offspring, will look back at all of you and say you were the generation who
started it all. Gen-I. You were the generation that dug deep. You were the
generation that drew strength from your history. And wrote a new story of
Indian Country and of America," said Obama.
Among those seeking big changes is Meghan Topkok of Nome, who has roots in Ambler and Mary’s Igloo.
“My to-do list? It’s very long. I’m really concerned about subsistence
hunting, and shipping that’s increasing through the Bering Strait. As well
as the erosion of the land, because my aunt is from Shismaref and it’s a
big issue," said Topkok.
She’s a law student at the University of Oregon and, at 24, one of the older attendees at the gathering. She spoke after a session on environment and climate change.
“I think what’s really inspiring is our youth are engaging in these issues
because I think so often, especially in the village, like where I’m from,
there’s kind of a lack of awareness, or a passivity about it, and these
kids are really inspiring because they’re doing things in their communities
and bringing ideas here with them and sharing them. So we’re all learning
from each other and we take those ideas back and we’re all learning from
each other," said Topkok.
Some of the Alaskans wore fur vests and calico kuspuks that made them easy to identify. Twenty-one year old Elizabeth Ferguson really stood out. She wore a tall crown made of jade and ivory. It’s her tiara for winning Miss Arctic Circle, a regional culture pageant. She was also wearing a sash across her torso, with “Miss Arctic Circle” spelled out in sealskin.
“I’m from Kotzebue Alaska. I’m the youngest tribal council member on our
Native village of Kotzebue," said Ferguson.
Ferguson says she drew inspiration from other leaders at the conference, but she says the First Lady’s speech really hit the mark.
“Not only did she speak to us and encourage us and empower us, she didn’t
speak down on us … and she lifted us up," said Ferguson.
In conjunction with the conference, the White House also announced a raft of grants and programs to improve Indian education, justice, and economic opportunity.
Manilliaq celebrates opening of first traditional foods processing facility in Alaska
By Daysha Eaton, KYUK
The Maniilaq Association, a tribally-operated health and social services organization based in Kotzebue, hosted a ‘soft opening’ for their new traditional foods processing facility Tuesday. The Siglauq is the first facility of its kind in Alaska. Processing will begin at the new facility in August.