Season's Greetings from CIRI's Non-Profit Organizations

The following messages are sent to you from the heads of CIRI's non-profit organizations wishing shareholders and their families a wonderful holiday season.

From Cook Inlet Tribal Council
One of the wonderful aspects of the holiday season is the spirit of giving it inspires, which puts us in touch with individuals and families who have begun their journey but have not yet arrived at self-sufficiency. I am proud to be part of an organization that provides opportunities for youth and families to become self-sufficient. Cook Inlet Tribal Council's services are all designed to meet the participants "where they are." In partnership with each participant, the Cook Inlet Tribal Council staff devises creative and unique paths to self-sufficiency, one step at a time. Thank you to our community partners, participants, and dedicated staff. Your contributions and accomplishments truly exemplify the spirit of giving.

Gloria O'Neill,
President/CEO

From The CIRI Foundation
Tsu héidei shugaxtootaan, yá yaa koosge daakeit, haa jeex' anak has kawdik'eet'. (We will again open this container of wisdom that has been left in our care. Translation from Tlingit to English courtesy of www.alaskool.org.)

In this season of giving we often give and receive wonderful and meaningful gifts. It has always been this way among our people and it is especially so today during the holiday season that includes many traditions. The gift of knowledge from pursuing an education is something that we can all give ourselves.

You have the opportunity to change your life by taking that step toward academic or cultural learning. The CIRI Foundation is here to assist you at the age of 18 or 80 in that journey toward learning something new or enhancing skills you already possess. We offer supplemental funding to original enrollees and their lineal descendants in the form of scholarships and grants to assist in the pursuit of educational opportunities of all types.

We need to prepare our future generations that are in our care by being wise today - give them the gift of support and encouragement. Read to our babies, help our children with their homework, and listen to our young adults as they talk about their dreams for the future. Instilling knowledge about who they are as Alaska Native people combined with an education to navigate the waters of the western world are the most important gifts we can give our future generations.

Q'unodle chux sidinga\ ts'eyh. (It's Christmas, be happy or Merry Christmas.)

Susan A. Anderson, M.Ed.
President/CEO

From Southcentral Foundation
On behalf of Southcentral Foundation and our board of directors, may you have a safe and happy holiday season. As the non-profit, healthcare affiliate of CIRI, our mission is to work together with the Native community to achieve family wellness. Now, two decades after our birth, we are continuing our work in partnership with you toward the vision of a Native community that enjoys physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness.

Katherine Gottlieb,
President/CEO

From Cook Inlet Housing Authority
The holidays are a natural time to reflect on what we have to be thankful for today and what we have to look forward to in the coming year. At Cook Inlet Housing Authority we're thankful for a staff that is passionate about serving Alaska Native clients' housing needs. This year their efforts have resulted in new and innovative housing opportunities for our elders and families. We're especially proud that 40 families will spend their very first Christmas in a brand new home at our development, Strawberry Village Cottages. Have a safe and happy holiday, and join us in looking forward to an exciting New Year!

Carol Gore
President/CEO

From the Alaska Native Justice Center
Seasons greetings all! Wishing you and your families a warm and safe holiday season! It has been a pleasure serving you this past year, and we look forward to meeting you all in person as you come into our office. This year, between the Alaska Native Justice Center and our sister organizations, we have been able to expand current services and plan for future services to better help our clientele. This holiday season we are grateful for our supporters, board members, our clients and their families. We are grateful for each other and the opportunity to help. We look forward to a year of continued success and service to Alaska Natives and their families. Have a wonderful holiday season and a great New Year!

Denise Morris
President/CEO

From Alaska Native Heritage Center
As the holiday season approaches, we all take time to reflect. All of us at the Alaska Native Heritage Center have had the honor to share Native cultures with many visitors: tourists, our local community, school children and businesses. Our employees provide education, community involvement, and outreach. We are all proud of what we offer and we are thankful for the gifts that we have received from our visitors. We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has visited the center, who supports the center and to those partners who have joined with us to bring quality offerings. Happy holidays!

Lonnie Jackson
Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer

From Koahnic Broadcast Corporation
As I reflect on the importance of this holiday season, I am reminded of the central value of sharing that is common among many cultures. I am especially grateful for CIRI's continued dedication to sharing resources with our Native community and for their support of Koahnic in so many ways. I'd also like to sincerely thank you for sharing your support, whether it's listening to our programming, volunteering your time, or your personal membership and contributions. Your support allows us to use the art of radio creatively to build bridges between people and to pursue our mission. From all of us at Koahnic, happy holidays!

Jaclyn Sallee
President/CEO

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