Letter to the Editor
TCC concerns
Published Saturday, March 15, 2008
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To the editor:
I am a very concerned Alaska Native who listens to the Tanana Chiefs Conference annual meetings each year and I would like to express myself by voicing my concerns about two major problems we face as Alaska Natives: alcohol and drugs.
I know TCC is trying its best to help this situation. However, I feel it’s not helping. The problem is getting worse. If we don’t stop this problem we are looking at an end of our culture, language and existence of our Native way of life.
Problem: Leaders and delegates arrive to Fairbanks each year for a one-week meeting. However, after each day of meetings, some of our leaders and delegates find themselves out at the bars. This is not a good example for the youth.
Solution: I believe our leaders and delegates who are attending the TCC annual meeting should not be allowed to drink. Let’s make a good example for our youth.
Problem: Major problems with alcohol and drugs in rural villages and urban areas. There is hardly anything to do for youth, adults and elders to do in the villages.
Solution: Eliminating or slowing alcohol and drugs in rural villages and urban areas. Start a program that helps educate, train or just enhance people’s ability to better themselves. Most importantly, turn in all those people — whether they are your friends, relatives or whoever is bootlegging or selling drugs — they are the ones who are killing our children.
In conclusion, it is important to keep our culture, language and way of life through teaching and enforcing the laws that can hurt our children. Once our culture, language and way of life are gone, they’re gone.
Community Discussion
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Contradictions abound in the attempts to save the "Native way of life". The Villages are the ultimate place for things to do: hunting, fishing, trapping, beading, outdoor adventure and more. This is the Native culture. All people are subject to substance abuse and it takes personal integrity to make the right decisions. "Programs" cannot regulate human behavior. Change is inevitable as Native populations shift to the urban areas. The Native culture will not dissapear as there are many natives who support and postively promote personal responsibility and integrity. The Natives must take it upon themselves to self improve their personal betterment and not always ask for "programs", assistance or handouts. Many of us have had a hard life, but through hard work, responsibility and integrity we have improved our life for the betterment of ourselves and all people.
The writer did not suggest government-sponsored programs. The villages and Native associations are perfectly capable of putting such programs in place. To imply that Native people are always looking for handouts is unfair. Many Native people NEED help and rightfully receive it. So do many people of other races. Those who administer government programs should be more responsible in weeding out those, of all races, who are able to take care of themselves.
I wholeheartedly agree with the writer about delegates, leaders, elders, and others who are in a place to set an example. They should realize that many young eyes are upon them and set an example to take the high road. When I was young, teachers, policemen, military men, and others in authority were held to a higher standard because they ARE role models, whether good ones or bad ones. Leaders seem to have lost sight of this fact.
Furthermore, a young person's primary role model is his or her parents. Parents, do you want your children to follow right in your footsteps? Please take the high road. The future of the next generation depends on it.
I was a client that rightfully recieve the "needed help"!I agree with alot of what alaskaflower is saying.The fact is,the "needed help" that I recieved was just the educational part of my sobriety.
The rest of it is highly up to the individual to stay healthy. I am strong enough to want to live this type of lifestyle.There is alot of people who try and relapse back to the bad.Bless You and try again!!!!
As for the native leaders staying sober.Will they should!They recieve alot of money each day.They sould be committed to who they are repesenting.Like they say the< The children are the greatest resource that we have.Teach them the right way to be good leaders.
Ending with the greatest comment that was said today:The future of the next generation depend on the parents.
I was a client that rightfully recieve the "needed help"!I agree with alot of what alaskaflower is saying.The fact is,the "needed help" that I recieved was just the educational part of my sobriety.
The rest of it is highly up to the individual to stay healthy. I am strong enough to want to live this type of lifestyle.There is alot of people who try and relapse back to the bad.Bless You and try again!!!!
As for the native leaders staying sober.Will they should!They recieve alot of money each day.They sould be committed to who they are representing.Like they say the< The children are the greatest resource that we have.Teach them the right way to be good leaders.
Ending with the greatest comment that was said today:The future of the next generation depend on the parents.
I was a client that rightfully recieve the "needed help"!I agree with alot of what alaskaflower is saying.The fact is,the "needed help" that I recieved was just the educational part of my sobriety.
The rest of it is highly up to the individual to stay healthy. I am strong enough to want to live this type of lifestyle.There is alot of people who try and relapse back to the bad.Bless You and try again!!!!
As for the native leaders staying sober.Will they should!They recieve alot of money each day.They sould be committed to who they are representing.Like they say the< The children are the greatest resource that we have.Teach them the right way,to be good leaders.
Ending with the greatest comment that was said today:The future of the next generation depend on the parents.
I would like to make the Tele-Medicine for the villages much more powerful. Bringing more affordable broadband internet to all areas of rural Alaska can be a homebuilt, fun, and rewarding hobby.
The SmartGaslineNetwork I keep crowing about is just a small part of the many possibilities we can work on to bring more power to our tribes.
Can we find the strength and love to keep from condemning our people for falling into the pit of intoxication?
I would offer my medical services for free to those who are not embarrassed to share the truth about their drug and alcohol usage.
Free monthly medical checkups and labwork, without fear of legal sanctions, just more pull to the center of our family circle, more protection, more love.
It makes my heart strong to work toward making life in every village full of fun, everyday.
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