ATCEM Awards 2007
| Chevak | Tuluksak |
| Petersburg | St. Mary's |
| Anchorage | Diomede |
Rural Alaska Village Environmental
Network
Youth Development (RAVEN YDA)
AmeriCorps members
Amy Cox (Anchor Point),
Jenny Nicoli (Aniak),
Mabeleen Christian (Arctic Village),
Charlene Tuluk (Chevak),
Carrie Williams (Cooper Landing),
Andrea Hand (Copper Center),
Lorraine Brown (Eek),
Robert Sequak (Gakona),
Lester Galila (Goodnews Bay),
George Keene (Kasigluk),
Nita Johnson (Kiana),
Evan Akaran (Kotlik),
Theresa Lord (Nenana),
Ben Johnson (Petersburg),
Albert Harris (Selawik),
Gertrude Eutuk (Shishmaref),
Daniel Stewart (South Naknek),
Constance Ferguson (Sterling),
Theresa Kobuk (St. Michael)
Nominated by: Nils Andreassen, Program Coordinator, RurAL CAP RAVEN AmeriCorps members have definitely been "getting things done" in 2007. They have diverted almost 300,000 pounds of solid waste from community landfills, begun recycling programs and assisted in backhaul efforts. They have also been instrumental in beginning environmental youth groups in their communities, and helping organize healthy activities for youth.
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to topCharlene Tuluk
RAVEN AmeriCorps member
Chevak Traditional Council
Nominated by: Cynthia Paniyak, Environmental Director, Chevak Traditional Council
Before becoming a RAVEN member, Charlene has always volunteered in organizing youth events. Every single year she and the youth coordinate the community cleanup. Even after the fall floods, the youth group goes up to collect all the trash and debris brought up by the floods. They do this without asking for help from anyone—only by holding fundraising events to help clean up our environment.
Petersburg Indian Association
Nominated by: Ben Johnson, RAVEN AmeriCorps members, Petersburg The Petersburg Indian Association has started a curbside recycling program that has seen 200 tons removed from the waste stream since April of 2006. This has lowered the amount of waste created in Petersburg by more than one pound per person per day.
Zender Environmental Science & Planning Service
Anchorage, AK
Nominated by: John George, IGAP Program Director, Nightmute Traditional Council
In 2005 the Nightmute Traditional Council (NTC) approached Zender Environmental Science and Planning Service (LLC) desiring technical assistance to fulfill the grant requirements for the Denali Tundra Bag/Burnbox grant. When NTC engaged Zender Environmental Science and Planning Service it possessed the resources and expertise necessary in grant and pre-award grantwriting, research, and technical assistance to help write the Denali Tundra Bag/Burnbox grant.
Zender has assisted us in grantwriting, purchasing, shipping logistics, setup, and directing. With their guidance and direction we were able to move the dumpsite 150 to 200 feet from the constantly eroding riverbank. Again, with their guidance, we filled 172 sacks with trash which is estimated to be 500-600 tons of solid waste being contained. We have further protected our drinking water, subsistence river and area, wild plants that are edible and used for health-related reasons, wildlife habitat, etc. Working alongside Zender we were able to scratch the surface on how Denali projects are managed. Without the support, assistance and guidance of Zender we would be struggling to overcome another disaster like the one we almost encountered in 2003. Nightmute Traditional Council believes Zender Environmental Science and Planning is one of the most valued technical assistance companies in our region and will continue to seek their assistance for future dumpsite cleanup projects.
George Lamont Sr.
IGAP Coordinator
Tuluksak Native Community
Nominated by: Joseph Alexie, Tribal Council President, Tuluksuk Native Community
George had introduced a resolution and ordinance to restart the sewer haul program and start a collection policy for non-paying customers in Tuluksak, Alaska. He is improving our environment by his actions and dedication to his job.
Jay Hootch
Environmental Program Assistant
Yupiit of Andreafski (St. Mary's)
Nominated by: Serena Fitka, Environmental Program Director, Yupiit of Andreasfski
Jay Hootch has been working for Yupiit of Andreafski as my assistant for the last six years. Without his tremendous motivation and "get things done" attitude the Environmental Department would be lost without him. His contributions with planning many environmental workshops, gatherings and activities for the youth have exceeded the department's expectations. Educating the community and getting the community involved is a priority for Jay. As a lifelong subsistence hunter and fisherman, Jay knows how important it is to protect the land and water. Here is a list of the work Jay does with some of the programs Yupiit of Andreafski participates in:
. The 4H Fisheries Program: Jay teaches fifth graders the parts of a whitefish. Then they use uluaqs to cut, then boil the fish to make akutaq (Eskimo ice cream).
. In partnership with the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council, Jay received training to conduct water samples on the Andreafski and Yukon Rivers.
. Every year Jay gives a presentation to the St. Mary's School District student body on littering before their annual school cleanup.
. Action speaks louder than words when it comes to Jay. Most of the time you'll find Jay with Serena walking around the dump looking for things to recycle, picking trash in town, networking with local businesses to participate in many of the programs the Yupiit of Andreafski offers.
Jay doesn't get to "play out" all the time. Jay does office work as well and keeps all the paperwork in order. He keeps the office happy with many of his one-liners such as, "Thanks for the pain," "Another day another dollar," "This is America, you know you can talk," and "Don't mind us, it's normal."
Diomede City Council
Nominated by: Frances Ozenna, Tribal Coordinator, Native Village of Diomede
We are nominating the City of Diomede Council members for applying and receiving grant funding for the purchase of a burn box. This has reduced dumping solid waste (trash) into the Bering Sea. This burn box arrived in Diomede by a landing craft in August 2007.