Baby Oliver

Oliver Ben Komotkin Koutchak was born on Sept. 11, 2002, at Norton Sound Regional Hospital in Nome, Alaska. He weighed seven pounds, three ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long. He was welcomed, through an open tribal adoption, by his family, CIRI and Thirteenth Region shareholder Rich B. Koutchak, Jr., and his wife Robin, and their five-year-old daughter Nan Elizabeth Apaknaiya Koutchak of Wasilla. Oliver is also welcomed by CIRI shareholder relatives Fred, Jordan (Joe), and Elizabeth Koutchak all of Anchorage; Charlene Koutchak of Seattle; Steven Toms of Anchorage and Linda Yingling of Anchorage.

Standifer Grandchildren Gather

Tyonek resident and CIRI shareholder Debbie Standifer's grandchildren recently gathered. Pictured here are all of her grandchildren, from left: six-year old Nicole K. Standifer, daughter of CIRI shareholder Joseph Standifer and Rachel Chuitt; three-year-old Raquell Bartles-Salas, her six-month-old sister Jovetta, daughters of Rae Bartels and Joshua Salas; three-year-old sister of Nicole, Jordan; and three-year-old twin brother of Raquell, Jerome.

Marsing and Media Wed

CIRI shareholder Nicodemus Domonic Marsing and Thrina Maria Media were married in Wasilla, Alaska, on Oct. 19, 2002, in a ceremony performed by Thrina's grandfather, Wayne Perrin of California. Nicodemus is the grandson of CIRI shareholder Jenny Runstetler and her husband Alvin of Anchorage, and son of CIRI shareholder Kathy Wright of Wasilla. Thrina, who is of the Skagit tribe of Skagit Valley, Wash., was born in Aberdeen, Wash., and raised in Southeast Alaska. According to the couple, they will make their way with love and laughter.

Baby Kylee

Kylee Denay Marsing was born on Oct. 24, 2002, at Valley Hospital in Palmer, Alaska. She was seven pounds, 11.5 ounces, and was 20 inches long. She is the first child of CIRI shareholder Justin Marsing and Fawn Paul of Wasilla. Kylee is also the first great granddaughter of CIRI shareholder Jenny and Alvin Runstetler of Anchorage and the first granddaughter of CIRI shareholder Kathy Wright and her husband Michael of Wasilla. She is welcomed by her uncle and CIRI shareholder Nicodemus and his wife Thrina Marsing of Palmer; and CIRI descendents and aunts Tina and Emily Wright of Wasilla.

Watson and O'Malley Wed

CIRI descendent Keri L. Watson married Charles K. O'Malley on Aug. 10, 2002. The wedding took place on her uncle's ranch in Ellensburg, Wash. Watson is the daughter of CIRI shareholder Kenneth A. Watson of Hermiston, Ore. They honeymooned in the Bahamas. Keri is an insurance agent and Charles works for Belina Interiors; the couple will make their home in Auburn, Wash.

Sylvester Selected as a Woman of Achievement
CIRI shareholder and Southcentral Foundation Vice President of Executive and Tribal Services Ileen Sylvester was selected as one of 10 women recognized as a BP/YWCA Woman of Achievement. Sylvester is of Aleut, Athabascan, and Yup'ik heritage, and began working with Southcentral Foundation in 1995. As vice president, executive and tribal services she serves on a number of boards and committees including the Alaska Tribal Health Directors and the Alaska Native Medical Center Joint Operating Board. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Milligan College in Tennessee.

This was the 13th year that the YWCA program recognized women of achievement in the Anchorage community. Selection criteria included the demonstration of sustained excellence, accomplishment, and creativity in profession; leadership, integrity, dedication, and motivation professionally and in the community; teamwork and willingness to share skills and expertise in the goals accomplishment; encouraging other women to view her as a role model; and commitment to improving the quality of life in the community.