KNBA Newscast for Friday August 7, 2015
Hundreds celebrate totem pole raising
By Madelyn Beck, KRBD
Ketchikan's newest totem pole arrived with a massive crowd Saturday in front of the Vigor shipyard. It's the first totem pole raised in about two years, and tribal and non-tribal community members alike cheered as it came through the crowd. KRBD's Madelyn Beck was there to join in the celebration.
Hundreds showed up from around town and neighboring communities, including highly regarded members of local tribes and Vigor representatives.
Vigor General Manager Mark Pearson says the idea to carve a totem pole for the shipyard came in the winter of 2013. Pearson added that Vigor members wanted to have more native art to show the connection between the company and its community.
“So it has to be an expression of our willingness to do more for the community, and to include all of the community. Any time we’re exclusionary or any time we’re insensitive to the differences in people, we limit ourselves," said Mark Pearson.
Former Ketchikan Indian Community member Willie Jackson described what the pole, itself, symbolized.
“Looking at the pole, you’re going to see the raven on top, you’re going to see the strong man right underneath that raven, you’re going to see the eagle…but you’re also going to see the woman at the very base of the pole, which is the strength of who we really are as a matriarchal society," said Jackson.
Vigor CEO Frank Foti came from Portland for the ceremony, and says that he wants his company to connect with all people, making sure natives and women were included.
“Vigor means effort, energy, good health, renewal. It’s part of who we are. My color today is pink and part of it is to bring some of the feminine energy into what we do. We have a tremendous group of men and women that are part of what we do. To you I say ‘Háw’aa! T’oyaxs-nsm! GunalchÈesh!,” (Thank you in Haida, Tsishan, and Tlingit, respectively) said Foti.
After much struggle to raise the pole with manpower alone, a group of about a dozen people pushed, pulled and heaved the structure into place.
After the new pole was in place, the celebrating continued up at the Ted Ferry Civic Center. There was food, singing and hours of dancing, along with gifts for those who made the pole raising possible.
Metlakatla’s mayor, Audrey Hudson came forward to show her appreciation to those who put so much effort into the raising of this particular totem pole. She was especially grateful for the carver who brought the pole to life.
“I feel blessed to have witnessed a new totem pole today. Totem poles are a powerful symbol for both our peoples. These events serve to strengthen the ancient relationship between the Tlingit and Tsimshian, between Metlakatla and Ketchikan. My hats off to John Rowen for his beautiful work. Metlakatla is especially proud of him," said Hudson.
Rowen thanked Mayor Hudson, his cousin, for the kind words, but said little during the ceremony.
Vigor CEO Frank Foti, however, had a lot to say, mostly out of thanks. Many tribal leaders gave Foti gifts that night, including a hand-carved paddle, abalone inlaid hummingbird bath, and a new nickname: chief. Foti thanked everyone for their help, especially tribal members who taught him about the culture in the land surrounding his Ketchikan shipyard.
“Connecting what we do and what we build with who we are and the land that we live in is…it’s a constant conflict. We build with organic and inorganic materials. We impact the world we live in. We make it better, we make it worse. We look at why. That’s who we are and who we try to be. We are honored to be somewhat part, and learn to be part of a tribe," said Foti.
And then, as the opening remarks drew to a close, it was time for the song and dance, lasting late into the night.
Walker Trust
By Ben Matheson, KYUK
Governor Bill Walker was in Akiachak and Tuluskak Tuesday to discuss a lawsuit involving tribal lands into trust, according to officials in Akiachak. Walker’s office kept his first visit to southwest Alaska since his election low profile amid high interest in a case that could reshape jurisdiction on Alaska Native lands.
Governor Walker arrived in Akiachak around 10 a.m. and spent a couple of hours meeting with tribal officials and community members before flying to Tuluksak. Phillip Peter is chairman of the Akiakchak Indian Reorganization Act or I-R-A council, which opposes any further delays.
“Akiachak already won the case. I said to them we’re not going to drop this issue, it’s already been approved by the court," said Peter.
The Governor was travelling Wednesday on the North Slope where he was talking with other tribes about trust lands and was unavailable for comment. Press Secretary Katie Marquette says Walker is reaching out to tribes like those in Southwest Alaska.
“…to talk to them about lands into trust issues, he has additional meetings across with other tribes in villages across the state to continue to talk about land into trust issues," said Marquette.
The Department of the Interior announced new rules last year to allow Alaska tribes to put land into trust. Alaska Native leaders say the change, after years of litigation, brings them one step closer to self-determination.
Trust status for tribal land protects it from taxation and alienation – the taking or sale of land — and gives tribes greater jurisdiction. Under the new rules, tribes could put lands they own into trust, including land they’d purchased, received through an inheritance, or lands transferred to tribes by Native Corporations.
The state has fought the issue over the years. Walker inherited the 2013 lawsuit from the Parnell administration. Most recently, Governor Walker asked earlier this year, for a six-month delay in the case. The state is not talking about its plans now, but Akiachak officials say the Governor wants another six months.
Cori Mills, an assistant attorney general with the Department of Law, says the first six-month extension ended in July, the state then received a 30-day extension and now faces a deadline of August 24th.
“That’s the deadline in place now. Whether the state makes a different decision or wants to withdraw the appeal, that’s yet to be seen and will be determined by August 24th in whatever is filed by that time," said Mills.
The state can also ask for more time.
After the meeting, described as a first for the community, Akiachak’s Phillip Peter is hopeful that Governor Walker seems willing to work with them.
The Governor is willing to work with the tribes about the land into trust issues. I was saying to the Governor that we’re going to go forward and work with the state of Alaska on this land into trust issue.”*
Akiachak and Tuluksak were plaintiffs in earlier litigation to allow trust lands.