Local Natives host rally supporting Barack Obama
Published Wednesday, August 20, 2008
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Stumble It!FAIRBANKS — Local members of the Alaska Native community rallied on behalf of U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama on Tuesday afternoon on Troth Yetta, the wild potato hill next to the Reichardt Building at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The group discussed Obama’s positions for stronger Alaska Native communities, touting a plan that addresses the unique concerns of Alaska Natives and Interior Alaskans. Those points included Obama’s proposed emergency energy rebate, which will prioritize the construction of the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline.
“Skyrocketing energy prices are causing an energy crisis in Alaska, especially in rural areas,” said Kathy Mayo, a community organizer in Fairbanks. “He knows that this is a matter of life and death among many Alaska Native peoples.”
Daisy Stevens delivered her endorsement of the Democratic candidate in Gwich’in, her native tongue.
“This is the first time I can remember that a presidential candidate has acknowledged the needs of Alaskans, and on behalf of the Native community, I fully support him,” she said.
Her reasons for supporting him include the need for affordable energy, universal health care and the need for government support and protection of subsistence lifestyles.
Sharon McConnell spoke about the need to reform the No Child Left Behind Act to address the specific learning and cultural styles of Alaska Natives and to give the Alaska education system the flexibility to integrate Native languages and culture into the school program.
“Education is key to improving the lives of the Alaska Native community, but the No Child Left Behind Act has significant flaws,” she said.
McConnell also addressed the need for an increase in funding for Head Start programs and preschool availability for Alaska Natives.
Shirley Lee, a childhood friend of McConnell, also spoke in support of Obama.
“Politics affect our lives more than anywhere else in the country,” Lee said.
Lee noted the brisk Arctic wind blowing across the field as she spoke, saying it was a sure sign that a cold winter is on its way.
“This wind of change is blowing across the nation, and Sen. Obama’s vision is the only one that can improve our lives,” she said.
Community Discussion
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Nothing is free... if you truly want to improve your life get the Feds out of it.
If you think it's right for me to pay your way through life then Barrack Hussein Obama is your man.
I couldn't live with myself leaching of others, but it isn't leaching is it?
The world owes you...
Just another story of promising something to someone that hasn't earned it to ensure they get that someones vote.
it should be illegal.
“This wind of change is blowing across the nation, and Sen. Obama’s vision is the only one that can improve our lives,” she said.
The only one that can improve your life is yourself. No one is forced to live anywhere, if you can't get by living off the land without federal assistance you might want to revisit more plausible and worthwhile opportunities.
I and others weren't born to be your lifelong providers while your living in your dream...
I love that the native communities finally feel represented by someone in the US government. I appreciate this story being written. I, as a white male, realize that often times people who look like me have been very dishonest and dishonorable to the native population from tip to tip of the Americas. I am definitely supporting Obama, and it makes my heart feel good that I am side by side by the Alaska Native community on this issue. Not all of us are a selfish and ignorant as the people who posted above. I hope we out number them by now.
Nice touch, Crucible...always know where someone is coming from when they mention Obama's middle name. I appreciate it, that allows me to disregard the rest of your comments and save some valuable time while I read the paper.
I applaud the stance that Barrack Obama has taken toward the indigenous people of this state. While some of you are saying that you owe these people nothing it must remembered that the indigenous people of Alaska were here first and they and their life must be honored.
That's right nothing is free. We pay the price daily.
Energy is a concern everywhere, especially in Rural Alaska. Oil companies don't give me free oil and gas. I pay for it like everyone else.
What's so wrong about wanting to educate your children? Spanish, French, Japanese, and other languages are taught in schools through out the nation. I don't speak any of those languages and don't know anybody who does. I speak Athabascan. Why can't we teach our own language in our schools?
Also, There are headstart programs everywhere in the nation, Why can't Alaska have it their villages also. All races in this nation have their children attend headstart and are facing energy issues.
Don't be so quick to say we want everything free. It's not like you pay for everything, we all pay in a way or two. I work and pay taxes like most people in America and YES I would want my money to come back and benefit me.
Sorry I am not socialistic inclined as you appear to be revorion. I don't believe in wealth redistribution and I certainly don't agree with a national health care plan.
I have absolutely nothing against those that earn their way but I do have concerns with statements like, “This wind of change is blowing across the nation, and Sen. Obama’s vision is the only one that can improve our lives,” if you can't see it then look at whose calling the kettle black.
I would want my money to come back and benefit me too, but I'm white so that doesn't happen.... never has. Try living like that, no free handouts, no special priveleges.
...also, To: noone,
"the indigenous people of Alaska were here first and they and their life must be honored"
What a crock... YOU are more than welcome to honor that way of life, however don't try to force me to do the same. I was born in Alaska and get no special preference. My point being that who was here first means absolutely nothing, unless you live in the past. we all happen live in the present.
They may have been here first but they certainly didn't do much with it.
It is said that the white race will be the majority of the minority in the next few years. I think we already are :)
unless the unlikely event occurs and obama takes alaska (very doubtful) but wins the presidency (quite possible), in the oval office in D.C. on the map of the usa, alaska (a little blob located somewhere off the coast of california) will get a big red X placed over it signifying that it is an enemy state to the incumbent. alaska will get no favors. even if he does know the natives here even exist he won't live up to any campaign promises. this kind of thing happens all the time in american politics. it is also quite possible stevens and young will be gone from congress too, taking away what little protection we did have. but, by golly, people want "change". i'm still waiting for an explanation of what the change is suppose to be.
didn't do much with it, what do you want us to build a walmart, make a bar or start a casino, or would you rather have us, let the land stay the same for 300plus years, then wait for some to come and cry about the natives never do any thing with the land, so what if the lived here before us, or "I was born in alaska and i'm not native what do I get" bo ho do live in a ruel Alaska? do you pay $120 just a one way tickit to fairbanks or pay $5.50 fora gal of gas $7.00 for a half gal of milk? and ALaska is 5 to 10 years behind every one else, so we still are living in the past.. pluse I never did pay for any health care, not once, so thanks for the special prefenece govenment,
Well I get special privileges I get taxed 33% as it is now, Barrack Hussein Obama wants to bump that up to 36% and he wants to bump up the 35% up to 39.6% on the highest bracket.
Barrack Hussein Obama's tax rate would be the highest individual tax rate since Jimmy Carter (the worst US President in the history of the US) Tax avoidance tactics were widespread. These brackets if implemented would once again encourage these practices and it would severely curtail investments and economic growth as resources are misspent to avoid punitive taxation.
The only way to ride it out is to move your wage compensation over to capital gains and take a 25% hit on it instead of a 36% hit. Now we are talking about market manipulation just like the ramifications we are seeing presently, just compound it by a factor of 3.
I imagine one could incorporate, as business taxes will be lower then wages. Bottom line up front the end result is less money will be invested and productivity and the economy will suffer.
Again I say nothing is "free".
And for all of those who think he's going to protect your way of life by providing government support and protection of subsistence lifestyles; I sure hope you haven't forgotten the art of flint knapping because he wants your guns and ammo as collateral...
Take it to the bank...
No I don't live in rural Alaska ... and you don't have to either!!!
By the way, I'm not asking for a handout, I can make it through life on my own, thanks.
-- If you think that money doesn't "come back to you" because you're a white male, you're a delusional moron, particularly in Alaska. For years the justification has been that since Alaska "missed out" on the infrastructure frenzy of the 50's that the rest of the US owes it to us to add whatever they can. Hence, Alaska receives more federal monies than almost any other state ($1.65 per $1 paid in federal taxes). This is how large projects such as the Parks Highway and the Tanana River flood control were made possible.
-- If you claim you're anti-socialist (against society?) or anti-wealth-redistribution, you should rally against subsidies for American agriculture (think bioethanol), Exxon, mercenary contractors (Blackwater), and please burn your PFD check. Otherwise your just another hypocrite who should shut his blathering hole. Peace
-- If we're going to have an income tax, it is only sensible that the ones deriving the most benefit from the economy (making the most) pay the most back. That is why we have a tiered system. Either way, we all pay for the self-destructive policies of the current administration. Presently, most of us are tired of being trickled on.
Speaking of being a dilusional moron... brassmonkey, I don't live in Alaska, I only said I was born there, so here I am the same white male I've always been, making it on my own. Are you making it on your own???
P.S. I already know the answer.
AK natives beware!
The Democratic National Convention in Denver is handing out movie and zoo tickets to the homeless while the DNC is going on next week. Is this how Barack Obama plans to eradicate the poor? to hide them from the rest of the world? Is this the two americas Johnny Edwards was talking about? The democrats will promise you help, but the help will be as transient as the homeless. Don't fall for the illusion of tickets to the movies and zoo!! The more helpless and hopeless you are the more you'll depend on them for everything. This gives them more power, and this is what their hungry for.
Google DNC, homeless and movies and see the solutions the democrats have yourself!
I doubt anyone is holding a gun to your head forcing you to live somewhere you don't want to live. If it's that difficult move...
And yes LJ you and a few others are living in the past. I do believe it's more of a priority to have my children speak proper English before Athabascan.
I saw a job position for an English speaking CEO, it didn't mention anything about Athabascan.
But then again we do have some Euro Socialist liberal Senators that want to make English a second language too. Yes, our boy Barrack Hussein Obama! what a godsend he is (sic)...
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?i...
Thing about teaching Athabascan in schools is that there are too many dialicts. That is what I was told by a professor at the UAF when inquiry was made back in the 80's.
Lived in Alaska for 6 years now never applied for a PFD. Personally I don't believe in Social Security either I'd much rather keep my money and continue to invest in my retirement, to bad Uncle Sam won't let me out of that one.
The answer to income taxes is holding government accountable for fiscal responsibility, it isn't about coming back to the citizen like he's a money tree every time the kids serving up on the beltway want a new toy, pay raise, or having your relatives paint Salmon pictures on Alaska Airlines on the tax payers dime. Those who make the most should pay the most is hogwash.
So my incentive to work is to pay the way for those who choose not to work or those whose life dream is to etch out a meager exisitance waiting on someone else to provide, and their incentive not to work are those who do.
-- Crucible, did you also support the Taliban destroying the huge Buddha statues, since to keep them around would have been "living in the past" as you put it? Good thing those progressive Taliban wiped the slate clean so normal Afghans can move forward with their lives free from the burdens of history.
Democrats versus Republicans,
Republicans versus Democrats- EQUALS -
a divided country.
Divided we fall, united we stand.
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The 5th would pay $1.
The 6th would pay $3.
The 7th would pay $7.
The 8th would pay $12.
The 9th would pay $18.
The 10th (the richest) would pay $59. So, that's what they decided to do.
The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.
"Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20."
Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected.
They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everyone's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so: The 5th man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The 6th now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The 7th now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The 8th now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The 9th now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The 10th now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings."I only got a dollar out of the $20," declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man, "but he got$10!""Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I did!""That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!"
"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him.
But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.
So your argument hinges on a hypothetical that taxes are running the wealthy out of the country? Luckily tax shelters exist in Grand Cayman, Bermuda, and Liberia which prevent them from having to pay "too much tax" while maintaining residence in the US. I like your idea of free beer, though.
--Brassmonkey
How do you equate worldly cultural heritage to living in the past? I would equate it as reminiscent of the past civilizations. And I would have to disagree with the remark that Talibs are progressive, I doubt you were trying to be facetious. I would consider the Taliban regime regressive.
BTW you might want to ask Mullah Omar, I do believe he’s in Pakistan maybe with the coddler out we can (the US) can finally go in their and finish business so we don’t have to live with all his PAST transgressions… ☺
you must be crazy! to think that Obama is it! your talking about a man who will not say the pledge of allegiance who wants to take away are right to bare arms and a borderline socialist that has shady characters in his life! look at the things that he has done!. what are you going to do hunt moose with a spear? the only thing you will be able to hunt is fish! if he has his way! your making a big mistake with this man he is not who he appears to be!.
What have they done for the natives? Nothing.
The majority people developed Alaska and has
given the natives, wealth and access
to an advanced civilization, not drums and
stew pots. And this is the way they vote,
with a stab in the back? Oh, thank you! :-(
Ya, go ahead and vote for a minority person;
with rich, Pakistanis friends & drug cartel connections.
Maybe stolen credit card donation, out of
Africa and give America away to the muslims.
They will make sure you convert or cut off your heads.
Now, do you think the majority is so bad?
borderline SOCIALIST are you kidding me? Full Blown Socialist is more like it Jtak57
I think a flat tax is the only fair way out. So everyone paid the same percentage of their income to taxes. That way everyone has bought in. Whatever the politicians want to do with our tax dollars every one has a stake.
brassmonkey- Since the federal government is the largest land holder in Alaska. It’s more than in any other state in the union, both in total acreage and percentage of the land. And they seem to want to control what happens on that land as well as the rest of the state. The least they can do is foot most of the bill. If they don't like it the get the hell out of our business and let us run the state.
revorion- you sound like the typical guilt ridden liberal. Please Mr. Obama absolve us of our sins. I dare not use his full name.
I don't think learning in Athabascan will make our children better prepared to live and flourish in the real world. My children are 1/2 Athabascan.
I love Alaska and never want to leave but I will go where I have to feed and cloth my family. So if it's too expensive to live in the village then move.
that sounds more like it! Crucible.
* Ok for states & cities to determine local gun laws. (Apr 2008)
* FactCheck: Yes, Obama endorsed Illinois handgun ban. (Apr 2008)
* Respect 2nd Amendment, but local gun bans ok. (Feb 2008)
* Provide some common-sense enforcement on gun licensing. (Jan 2008)
* 2000: cosponsored bill to limit purchases to 1 gun per month. (Oct 2007)
* Concealed carry OK for retired police officers. (Aug 2007)
* Stop unscrupulous gun dealers dumping guns in cities. (Jul 2007)
* Keep guns out of inner cities--but also problem of morality. (Oct 2006)
* Bush erred in failing to renew assault weapons ban. (Oct 2004)
* Ban all forms of semi-automatics, and more possession restrictions. (Jul 1998)
* Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
Obama and Gun Control:
His record isn't likely to win back the rural "pro-gun" voters who've fled to the Republicans in recent years, likely costing Gore the election in 2000. From the Chicago Defender, Dec. 13, 1999:
Obama outlined his anti-gun plan that includes increased penalties for the interstate transportation of firearms. The maximum penalty now for bringing a gun across the border is 10 years in prison. Obama is proposing to make it a felony for a gun owner whose firearm was stolen from his residence which causes harm to another person if that weapon was not securely stored in that home. [!!!]
He's proposing restricting gun purchases to one weapon a month and banning the sale of firearms at gun shows except for "antique" weapons. Obama is also proposing increasing the licensing fee to obtain a federal firearms license.
He's also seeking a ban on police agencies from reselling their used weapons even if those funds are used to buy more state-of-the-art weapons for their agencies. Obama wants only those over 21 who've passed a basic course to be able to buy or own a firearm.
He's proposing that all federally licensed gun dealers sell firearms in a storefront and not from their homes while banning their business from being within five miles of a school or a park. He's also banning the sale of 'junk" handguns like the popular Saturday Night Specials.
Obama is requiring that all people working at a gun dealer undergo a criminal background check. He's also asking that gun manufacturers be required to develop safety measures that permit only the original owner of the firearm to operate the weapon purchased.
Additionally, he wants an increase of the funds for schools to teach anger management skills for youth between the ages of 5-13. Obama is also seeking to increase the federal taxes by 500 percent on the sale of firearm, ammunition [sic] -- weapons he says are most commonly used in firearm deaths.
I have no problem with Native languages being offered by the Alaska public school system. In fact, they are being taught now in many places. I fail to understand Ms McConnell's statement about allowing the languages to be taught. They are being taught now. I assume that, if there were a demand for them, they would be taught in additional schools.
Sadly, there does not really seem to be that much genuine interest among the Alaska Native community - with the possible exception of the Yupik-speaking communities.
Why aren't the Native languages being taught at home? I fear the answer is that the parents also do not know how to speak their Native language, because they did not care enough to learn.
I know many, many elders who speak Koyukon or Gwich'in (sometimes both.) However, of my many friends and acquaintances under 60, I know of only one who speaks his Native language fluently. A few others know a few words or phrases.
There has been much talk in recent years about the importance of preserving the Native languages and teaching them in schools. Yet how many people have actually cared enough to teach themselves and their children how to speak and write in their Native language? Sadly, I fear the numbers are very few.
I wonder how many here, other than the Native population have ever even been to any of these villages that practice "subsistence" lifestyles. When I have flown in with my job the first thing I notice is the trash and used and abandoned vehicles and boats, this by the way typically is seen several miles out in any direction. The next thing you notice are the rows and rows of HUD homes (that we all helped pay for)and the presence of alot of non sled pulling dogs. I wonder if anyone has considered that if we had not bought them houses and 4-wheelers and snowmachines if their "need" for a better energy source would even exist. I also wonder, how many of our proud Alaskan Natives would or could actually survive by living off the land and doing so in the traditional way. To hide behind the facade of being a true native is teaching your future generations to walk through life with their hands extended . I have no doubt that our government has taken advantage of native peoples and I fully support helping them get on their feet and educating everyone. But do not be fooled by the "subsistence" moniker. I am a white AMERICAN male and very proud of that. I am beyond tired of hearing how much I owe a certain race or culture because they as a group have chosen to jump on the charity/welfare bandwagon. Do yourself and your cultural heritage a favor, get educated, cherish your heritage and contribute to AMERICAN society as a productive member.
Akhuntr-
Amen!
eloquently stated...
AKHuntr; I have lived in villages the ones that I lived in did subsistance hunt and shared there kill with elders , picked berries , grew gardens dryed fish and meat and collected firewood.
jtak57, I am proud to know that there are those that truly live that way. I live in North Pole and do the same. And I mean no offense to anyone that cares for themselves and their own. I thas just become such a burden for all Americans that certain cultures know nothing of their true heritage yet stand on that ground anytime there is a handout to be had. If all Americans thought of themselves as such we would have significantly fewer problems in our society. In my humble opinion, we are Americans, not African, not Irish, not German etc, etc. I too have a heritage and I learn it's traditions and pass them on, I do not however stand in line for the next gimme. I go and make my own way and try my best to help others in (true) need. Please continue to be proud of who you are, but please also know that you are an American and be equally as proud of that.
a round trip to fairbanks from huslia is 400 dollars. a gallon of gas is about 7.00 a gallon and most machines out there are two stroke and repuire oil at about 8 dollars a quart. food is at about a 500 percent markup. there is no industry, no dental, medical, poorest education in the u.s., poorest medical and dental in the u.s. located in fairbanks (which is our free health care), our atvs, boats, motors and heating is not free (as many ignorant people believe), and the water looks and smells of crap. this is all thanks to the beautiful swap of our lands and way of life by the great founding fathers of this nation. No, i do not want a free piece of anything. i want a president that may offer a chance for somthing different. this presidents acknowledges my people and dire situation. perhaps my people will get a chance at obtaining a qualified education. perhaps my people will be allowed to use our small native allotments for commercial use along with subsistence purposes. You say we sit and wait for hand-outs, that is how our system was sit up by the founding fathers. if you are in the lower 48, do you see an indian reservation in a nice wooded farming area along a major interstate? nope, you must go at least a hundred miles down a crappy road in the middle of the desert.
I'd move outta huslia...
I am always shocked by the amount of racism and ignorance that spills out whenever anything having to do with Native people is mentioned in one of the News-Miner articles. If you want us to pay our own way, then you should give us back our land and mineral rights. AK Natives gave up land, language, hunting rights, our ability to govern ourselves, and a lot of our customs in exchange for "free healthcare" and other supposed freebies. As for not knowing our own language, do you think that you would still speak the language of your people if you were slapped across the face and punished repeatedly for trying to speak your own language? Alaska would not be Alaska without the villages. Suggesting that since it’s hard, we should all move out is ridiculous. We have lived in the state for the past 20,000+ years. The urban areas of Alaska have been benefiting for years from money that the State of Alaska put into energy infrastructure. In rural areas it’s not uncommon to pay more than $.75 to $1.00 a kWh for electricity. How much do people in the urban areas pay? A lot of villages have started turning generators off at midnight, then turn it back on in the morning. How many people in Fairbanks, Anchorage, or Juneau would stand for that? So, for every commenter who says they don't live on the state or depend on it for anything, yes you do. I wish that more of the people on this comment board would think before they write.
Thanks RP.
RP says "Suggesting that since it’s hard, we should all move out is ridiculous. We have lived in the state for the past 20,000+ years."
If that's really how you all feel about it, then quit complaing about the prices in your village and deal with it.
There's an old saying that sums up everything you come up against in life.
"Deal with it, Change it, or Get the heck out"
And as far as living in the state for 20,000+ years, that is just another way of saying you want special treatment. Everybody has ancestors not just Alaska Natives.
Too many wagon riders an not enough wagon pushers. Taxes are running the wealthy out of the country. It is getting to the point that I may vote for Obama just because he plans many tax credits--I will be paying little or no income tax! Yipee for me!
Again, I'm very sorry to hear all the negativity all because some Natives decided to express an opinion; watch out, here's another with her own. While I definitely do not support Obama, I just hope that non-Natives who are so obviously uneducated and scared scatless to really, really get to know our culture and ways, would man up and befriend a Nate. We're not all on welfare or standing on 2 street. We work, pay our bills, raise children, and guess what? We have feelings, so be kind. Your blazing ignorance takes full advantage of this forum and I laugh daily, with wry sadness that you really go through life with that attitude. I will continue to be a kind person; if you're stuck roadside, I will still pick you up, give you a lift, whatever, but I refuse to bow to what you consider my 'identity.' I am a proud Indian, nothing you say will demean me or how far my people have come despite the circumstances. I don't live in the past either; I stand in the present, watch my culture change, look to the future, and hope my children will succeed in a Western society that neither respects my heritage, nor supports it. My 4th grader was told by another that he 'never wants to be a Native.' I reminded my son how proud he ought to be regardless of who vomits our 'identity' for us. Ginger Kennedy Placeres
So, Akhunter talks about going to the villages and seeing the trash, the abandoned vehicles, dogs tied in the yards, etc. etc. etc. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. I've said it before and I'll say it again: North Pole has got to be one of the trashiest communities in the state. And Alaskaflower, if you are of swedish, russian, or whatever descent, ARE YOU teaching your children your ancestor's language (not that I care)?! You racists make me absolutely sick! If you don't have anything constructive to contribute to these articles......
WtWily, what I meant by that comment was that we have been here for 20,000+ years, and we aren't going anywhere. Ginger Placeres, I really like what you have to say in the face of all of the negativity on these boards. And, by the way, I was stating facts with the prices of electricity, not complaining.
Yep, I too love it when people spell out Obama's full name like, "Oh my God! He's got one of them there Taliban names"! Really, it makes you sound incredibly ignorant. Also, Crucible, since you're so against wealth distribution I assume you're not accepting your PFD check this year? If so, I'd be happy to take it off your hands.
Also, your analogy is flawed by likening government spending to mugs of beer. Some budget expenses are clearly a waste of money while others are valuable and even necessary. Moreover, while in the analogy, all the men got the same amount of beer, not all residents benefit equally from government spending. The largest expenditures are for health and human services(Medicare), defense (wars and foreign military outposts), and the treasury (including interest on debt). The government does not tax to punish the rich; it taxes to pay for programs that are supposed to benefit the community, state, or nation as a whole.
Wow if only we could use this much enthusiasm on the vote ballot. If you oppose Barrack, vote for someone else. It's that simple. DONT DISS ON ALASKA NATIVES FOR WANTING TO TEACH OUR LANGUAGE IN LOCAL SCHOOLS!! The point in this article is the fact that there needs to be changes in the school system for Alaska. Why is everyone so mad that Natives want to make a change for ourselves? It has been earlier stated that Natives didn't do much with being here first...... well let's see.... We sure did a good job with creating corporations for each village or group of villages. I think our Grandfathers and Great-Grandfathers knew what they were doing considering the fact that most of them weren't able to finish school because they were too busy surviving in Alaska's winter, everything was much different in the old days before the technologies of today. So should we just sit back and let the Native population suffer JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE STUCK ON THE THOUGHT THAT WE ARE LEECHES OF THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT? So your saying that, even though Alaska Natives work and pay taxes like everyone else, their children that they work to support cant go to a good school? Why not? And if you dont think that schools should be funded by the federal government then I guess your children would be home-schooled because there wouldn't be any schools unless the town itself payed for it right? then you would still have to pay for schools, hahahahaha. thats what happens when we become adults, WE START PAYING FOR STUFF, u dont see me crying about it! its for the kids right?! We borrow this earth from our children's generation. They are the most important population, they are our future. So quit crying about tax money. BOOO HOO I've been a poor Alaska Native my whole life, working since I was 14 yrs old. And I wouldn't have it any other way!! I love Alaska and proud to help support it. I'm suprised at how many articles I've read about Alaska Natives getting everything free.... I'm Native and have never had anything free. The one cost that pisses me off is car insurance.... instead it should be just in case! if you dont ever cause an accident then why the hell are we giving up $300 a month to car insurance, where does that money go? that's the kind of stuff we should be griping about.
Dang, why does everyone keep talking about handouts and freebies? I'm AK Native and the only thing I get is a free clinic which I rarely use because I'm not constantly sick. I pay eye care, I pay dental, I pay my bills and the only handout I get is the PFD(along with every eligible Alaskan) and a few hundred dollars of Christmas money from the Doyon Dividend. As for the language, my grandma was sent to school where her mouth was washed out with soap if she spoke Athabascan! She spoke to her kids in Athabascan but they went to Catholic school where they had to speak English, then public school where they continued in English. When my Mom graduated she moved to FBKS to get a job and when she had her kids we were taught English EVERYWHERE we went. Big surprise my siblings and I don't speak in our native tongue. I want you all to know I rarely check the letters to the editor anymore(unless it looks VERY intriguing) because every time someone writes about Alaska Native people I have to read hateful or downright stupid comments by people who don't know anything about how we live. I can't help reading every comment when I read a letter to the editor. It seems like almost everyone thinks we get handouts and are all drunks. IGNORANT PEOPLE PLEASE EDUCATE YOURSELVES!!!
racheallynn I couldn't even read your post on account of me having stabbed out my eyeballs rather than look at that garbage.
1.) Caps lock doesn't make your post any more relevant.
2.) See that big button on your keyboard that says enter? It's useful for a number of things one being to make paragraphs. This will make your post look a little more readable.
3.) Your means possesion i.e. "Hey is that your car"? You're is a contraction for you are, "Hey man, you're a jerk!"
I'm sure if I looked harder I could find more things to point out, but yeah I can't look at it anymore. I'm sure you had some good points and it's unfortunate that they're going to be lost in that mess. In my opinion the News Miner really needs to get an edit post feature up in this joint.
P.S. Being the grammar police is fun!
P.P.S. Feel free to grade my posts too!
Osama Obama. No way.
...this is very entertaining!
....what was the whole blog about in the first place?? oh..right, barack whats his name. eh.
Oh yea and think how bad traffic would be if all the Natives moved out of the villages! Food and gas would still rise because of supply and demand. Our car insurance would rise because of the higher accident rate considering Fairbanks is way too small a town to hold 85% of Alaska's population. DID U KNOW THAT 85% OF ALASKA IS RURAL VILLAGES!!!!! So your saying that all the sudden they should just abandon their homes to move to the city. Then think the costs of building new homes and apartment complexes in the city to house all the Natives that decided to move to a bigger town. You think you know it all, huh? I think we should support the village population for how they live, its a beautiful thing to be able to visit my family in the village and get away from all the worries of living in Fairbanks. It's like time pauses for a while and your at one with the earth the way God intended. For us to work hard to eat, work hard to stay warm and provide for your family as a whole unit and not just worry about self. There is a lot of benefits of living off the land. It's something that people in the big cities of the lower 48 only dream of. That's why we fight for it. You can say all the negitive things you want about it but people in the lower 48 pay big bucks to be able to come to Alaskan villages just to experience hunting.
Let me get this straight. The News Miner prints an article about a group of people exercising their rights and responsibilities as citizens by meeting to express their support for one of the two leading candidates for the presidency, and for some reason this leads to a largely negative debate that includes a host of biased and often ignorant opinions about those citizens. It's kind of sad to read a lot of these comments.
Obama is a lesser evil of the two.
I will vote for Obama;
case closed.
As for the 2nd amendment, they can take that "from my cold, dead hands".
"As for not knowing our own language, do you think that you would still speak the language of your people if you were slapped across the face and punished repeatedly for trying to speak your own language?"
Yes! The people who still speak their Native languages fluently are the very ones who were slapped or had their knuckles hit with a ruler for speaking their own language. But, while their methods leave much to be desired, those teachers accomplished what they knew they had to do - they taught those students how to speak English! Now they are bilingual. They still speak their Native language. But they were also able to get an education because they speak English.
Be honest about it. If you don't speak your Native language, it's because your parents didn't teach you and you didn't bother to learn. Quit blaming other people for your own choices.
Crucible- I have to commend you on one of the best posts I have seen so far, by far!! Breaking down the tax breaks that way really does paint a good picture. Thank you.
Valkyrie,
Wow good job, would you like a cookie? You successfuly threw everyone off point. I wasn't trying to spend my whole day trying to get every word and paragraph perfect. And you didn't have to waiste your time saying that you're sure I had some good points in my comment because I know I had good points in my comment.
Only a snobby lil b*tch would waiste their time writing something like you did. And If I made a mistake on which "your" to use just know it was an honest mistake because I had so many thoughts coming to me and I didn't want to forget anything I wanted to say.
So instead of trying to act like you're better than I am for being able to correct how I wrote my comment, why don't you take those eyes that you poked out and shove them where it counts.
Besides, I can read it just fine. I think you should work for the Newsminer if you're so worried about grammar and punctuation. You dont have be so rude over the internet. I know you wouldn't have enough guts to say it to me like that in person, internet bully. lol!
Nobody is bored enough to grade your post.
alaskaflower- my parents didn't teach me because they too were physically abused when they spoke our native language. they feared that things would not change or get better for me so they didn't teach me. don't speak on subjects you don't know jack about. you're an outsider looking in. for the rest of you native bashers, i have and am continuing to learn our language and songs through our small but growing group in the city and building upon it. and yeah, if there's a candidate out there who recognizes that and wants to help, Thank the Lord for that. it is very disheartening to see such mean comments on all the articles regarding alaska natives. why is that? you sit behind your computers and spit out trash. why don't you get up off your duff and stand up for something you believe in, something you love. try tracing your ancestory and see where you started out. oh yeah, crucible, if you're not going to apply for the pfd, so what. that's your stupid choice. being a responsible adult, i too, work year around, taking time off when i can to travel to my village to fish and hunt for the foods i grew up on and love. so that i can feed my family throughout the year. and yes, i pay over $1600 just for airfare and not to mention the fuel it takes to get the fish and moose. it is a price i willing pay for and plan for. i raise my children in this city and i try my best to instill honesty, fairness and equality in them also, while maintaining a stronghold on our culture, heritage and traditions. please open your eyes and minds. quit bashing me, i'm a proud athabascan indian.
"And Alaskaflower, if you are of swedish, russian, or whatever descent, ARE YOU teaching your children your ancestor's language (not that I care)?! You racists make me absolutely sick! If you don't have anything constructive to contribute to these articles......"
No, Lacie, I am not teaching my children any other language than English. But I am also not complaining because we are "losing" a language that I did not care enough to teach my children.
Let's get one thing straight. I am NOT a racist! (You can confirm this by checking my other posts.) I am as pro-Native as they come. I have dozens and dozens of dear Native friends and adopted family who call me "Gramma," "Koya," "_______" (see below), "Sister" and "friend." But when I see Native people making inaccurate claims that hurt their cause, I must speak up, not to criticize, but to offer my opinion as someone who truly cares about the Native people.
Much of the racism, inexcusable as it is, is in response to extreme and unfounded claims by the Native people themselves.
Note: The blank space above was originally the Gwich'in word for Grandma, but the News-Miner's new (and much appreciated!) effort toward cleaning up the language on these blogs gave me a message that said, "Watch your mouth! The words "s--t" are not allowed here." Oh, well. At least it made me laugh.
Hi racheallyn! Thanks for using paragraphs that time, I actually read all that! For future reference though it's spelled "waste", not "waiste". You know Mozilla Firefox has a great spell checker built right into it that will fix all those little mistakes.
Also, it's sort of ironic that you mention that no one is bored enough to grade my post... but you were apparently bored enough to write out that tirade. O well. All in all, great post, would read again!
And I mean technically if I were talking to you in person we would, you know be speaking to each other so there really wouldn't be any need to point out how you write... as... you know... we would be speaking... so uhhh... yeah.
I have to agree that there is some crazy bashing going on here. The native people are no different than any other person trying to secure their future. Everyone is going to have a different reason for voting for which ever candidate they feel will do the best job (for them and country) whether that be McCain or Obama.
I don't understand why the native languages are not being taught in their schools. Where would be the harm in that?
I am an Athabascan Indian with a degree from UAF, a business, and a full time job. I pay my own way - and contribute my required share to the people with their hands out - which are not all AK Natives but blacks, whites, and every other nationality.
I don't care for the racial stuff on this site - why the hate for AK Natives?? Is it because the only ones you see are the chronic inebriates?
Either way I don't care!!!
But, too all the people who posted negative comments about AK Natives - a BIG FU and a smile hhahahahahhahaaa
Valkyrir-
in response to-
Yep, I too love it when people spell out Obama's full name like, "Oh my God! He's got one of them there Taliban names"! Really, it makes you sound incredibly ignorant. Also, Crucible, since you're so against wealth distribution I assume you're not accepting your PFD check this year? If so, I'd be happy to take it off your hands.
***You are more than welcomed to my PFD but we have a problem for all the time I have lived in Alaska I never applied. Additionally, Obama might want to get a name change as it seems to upset his constituents like you so much, I think I'd be more concerned with the fact he doesn't believe in English as Americas official language, or refuses to say the pledge of allegiance, or we all cling to guns or religion, or when his wife says, it the first time I can be proud of the United State***
Also, your analogy is flawed by likening government spending to mugs of beer. Some budget expenses are clearly a waste of money while others are valuable and even necessary. Moreover, while in the analogy, all the men got the same amount of beer, not all residents benefit equally from government spending. The largest expenditures are for health and human services(Medicare), defense (wars and foreign military outposts), and the treasury (including interest on debt). The government does not tax to punish the rich; it taxes to pay for programs that are supposed to benefit the community, state, or nation as a whole.
****thank you very much for proving my point and no the analogy isn't flawed, I can think of plenty of useless government programs of less value than say beer. For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible liberal socialism is a mental illness..
If we were speaking, those points of view would have been made instead of you making the subject go off track, which was my point in the first place. can you understand that?? lol.
One more thing,
[Crucible
8/20/2008, 6:26 a.m.
“This wind of change is blowing across the nation, and Sen. Obama’s vision is the only one that can improve our lives,” she said.
The only one that can improve your life is yourself. No one is forced to live anywhere, if you can't get by living off the land without federal assistance you might want to revisit more plausible and worthwhile opportunities.
I and others weren't born to be your lifelong providers while your living in your dream...]
Wow, that was beautiful Crucible, you sould be mayor! Here's the definition of crucible:
A severe test, as of patience or belief; a trial. See Synonyms at trial.
A place, time, or situation characterized by the confluence of powerful intellectual, social, economic, or political forces
I'm curious, is your online name Crucible because your too stubborn to admit that your views against Alaskan Natives are harsh and improper?
Do you feel like when your in public you cannot express how you really feel inside so you come on to the News-Miner Website and let it all out?
Most importantly, this is my favorite question.
Would you write a letter to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner saying the same things you said on this website but as a Letter to the Editor with your name included?
If not, then why post it online?
athabascannookfan
I agreed with your post. My parents had the same issues. It is sad to know that Alaska Natives like myself grew up learning in school that racial segregation was a thing of the past, only to find out from my own parents that it was still happening in Alaska well into the late 70's.
I was born in '85 and can't believe that less than 10 years prior, my mother wasn't allowed in some local businesses because there were signs stating "No Natives". We (public) often say that we're a few years behind when it comes to anything going on in the Continental U.S. but in my eyes we're a lot further behind.
Why doesn't the News-Miner ever report any violence in the Public Safety Report when there is more than one person beating up one person, usually a Native being called a drunk Native?
Why wasn't it ever reported that a Native woman that I know was thrown in the Tanana River and shot at by a complete stranger she has never seen before but he luckily missed?
There's something going on in Alaska that needs to end. Its called racism.
Maybe I'm ignorant or just plain lazy, but where is there a news story stating Obama said these things the article refers to?
Extreemly interesting to see how this thread has been twisted. The point is that SEN "O" (dont want to offend anyone by using his name) has nothing to offer the state of Alaska except more restrictions on guns and hunting.
I read this whole thing and many complain about the cost of electricity in the villages, the cost of milk, the cost of gas. Well what is the answer??? should everyone just pack up and leave? then the "Native-Alaskan" would not have to complain about the price of feul, milk, or electricity...there would not be any. What happened way back when happened...everyone is free to live where they want and be as miserable as they want, but that does not give anyone the right to try and make me miserable.
I spent 20 years serving America and defendings everyones right to be as stupid as they want to be and I still do it to this day. We are all americans, we all have the right to our own opinions but no one should have a right to "hand outs" at my7 expense, and the government should not have the right to tax me to give money to unconstitutional programs. Everything I ever had was through my own hard work.
If any of you so called Native Alaskans need a lesson on how to live without electricity and fuel I would be happy to school you, then you would not have to complain about the high prices, that by the way I am forced to pay also. You sure would not have to look to a presidential candidate for false promises.
Lastly, the US Military needs you, there are even jobs for the most un-educated americans, even if you only speak Athibascan, they will teach you english. Free milk, free transport(no Gas), free electricity, free clothes, place to live, and they pay you....what a deal!!!!!
To the Newsminer. I used to enjoy reading the news, but now I cringe whenever I see a story with the word Native in it. My reason for cringing is because of all the negative comments that pop up about natives. Are we the only minority here? Why all the native bashing. I guess it makes some people feel good to bash a whole race of people because of our skin color? Regardless of what I may think of the topics on here, most invariably devolve into name calling and native bashing at some level. Why is that? If you people who get on here don't have anything constructive to say then please keep your thoughts to yourself. The words that some of you spout from behind the anonymity of your computer is hurtful and divisive and does nothing constructive. The race baiting from some posters is awful and needs to stop. Are there any moderators on here? Do you care what people say on these posts? Peace.
Obama offers the best hope for continuing the traditional welfare lifestyle.