I Really Am Still A Resident
Many of you may have noticed that I have been out of the office most of September. I had a busy month of Cross Country (XC), Bristol Bay Native Association (BBNA) meetings, and pre-school training.
September 2-4th I was in Anchorage for a surprise Bridal Shower for the bride-to–be. Finding different flights on multiple airlines, being secretive, & planning everything between 6 of us ladies was stressful, especially since Christina has a knack for finding out everything! Nails, a delicious dinner, rented limo, & a night of dancing & laughter was a great way to bond with my fellow bridesmaids & sister. We were all thrilled to pull off “mission impossible.”
September 12-17th I was in King Salmon for pre-school training & coaching XC. I spent my mornings & part of my afternoons in King Salmon for pre-school & the rest of my afternoons & nights in Naknek helping chaperone LPSD students. Dolly Ann, Fewnia, and Kaleb were in XC & Taty, Simeon, Kiara, & Kaylee were there for the Science Camp.
September 27-30th, I was in Dillingham for the annual BBNA Full Board meeting. 28 other representatives from different communities in the Bristol Bay Region were present. While in Dillingham, we went over the financial system, the new financial format, policies & procedures, resolutions, staff awards, & had teleconferences with Congressman Don Young & Senator Lisa Murkowski, & listened to presentations by Representative Bryce Edgmon, Senator Lyman Hoffman, Bristol Bay Housing Authority, Bristol Bay Native Corporation, Alaska Telecommunications, & GCI. Concerns & questions ranged from energy policies, funding concerns, alternative energy, environmental concerns, our telephone/internet services, lack of VPSOs in communities, & the current heroin & other hard drug issues in the region.
Communities also gave reports on their villages. Elections were held for the 6 different regions in BB: Nushagak Bay, Nushagak River, Togiak Bay, Kvichak Bay, Iliamna Lake, and the Peninsula. I was re-elected as the representative for the Iliamna Lake region, which consists of Nondalton, Pedro Bay, Kokhanok, Newhalen, Iliamna, Levelock, & Igiugig. While in Dillingham, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of BBNA with a nice dinner at the school. A history of the association, a slide show, speeches, & a moment to recognize key players of BBNA from the past to the present, all took place in the middle school gym. The XC runners served all of the guests a choice of salmon or chicken & cake & akutaq for dessert. Quyana BBNA & the XC students for the delicious dinner!
After my month of travels, I came home & spent the next few days organizing my pre-school & setting up lesson plans. I will be teaching pre-school Monday-Thursdays from 9AM-12 PM. Friday mornings will most likely be spent at the school as well. So I will be out of the office frequently! Now that the wedding has died down, it’s back to normal business as usual.
