Chris Kiana Hopes to Inspire Others

CIRI shareholder Chris Kiana, Sr. has been busy writing books while working and continuing his education. His published books can be found at Amazon.com, including “Alaska Crying Baby,” a 73,000-word shaman thriller book; “Wally the Lost Baby Walrus,” a children’s book illustrated by Kiana’s mother; and “Original 100 Alaska Eskimo Yo-Yo Stratagems,” an Eskimo Yo-Yo instructional book. He is also busy working on the publication “Bright Eyes, Alaska Baby Seal,” an illustrated children’s book; “Section 29 – Training and Employment of Alaska Natives on the Trans Alaska Pipeline,” a 176-page book he wrote in 1995 that he is revising and hopes to have published for informational purposes when the gas line is built; and “Coping and Surviving in the Workplace,” which is based on Kiana’s more than 25 years in construction. Kiana intends to get 10 books published within the next five years.  One thing to remember, these are part-time projects he is doing, in between seeking consulting work in Alaska.  He has a Master of Business Administration in Marketing and Management from Alaska Pacific University and a Master of Arts in Rural Development from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks.

Carp Cousins Born in September

IRI descendant Jeff Hurlburt, Jr. and his girlfriend Taneone Oumsou welcomed a 7-pound, 12-ounce daughter they named Madison Julie Hurlburt on Sept. 22, 2004, in Middletown, Conn. Madison is the granddaughter of CIRI shareholder Julie Johnnie of Tyonek, Alaska, and the great granddaughter of the late Maria Carp of Tyonek.

CIRI shareholder James Lombardi and his girlfriend Dawn Fields welcomed an 8-pound son they named Tyler Cam Lombardi on Sept. 27, 2004, in Middletown, Conn. Tyler is the grandson of the late Maria Carp.

Carol Gore a 2004 Woman of Achievement

CIRI shareholder and Cook Inlet Housing Authority President and CEO Carol Gore was selected as one of 10 women recognized as a BP/YWCA Woman of Achievement.

This was the 15th year that the YWCA program recognized women of achievement in the Anchorage community. Through her work, Gore has improved affordable housing for Cook Inlet Housing Authority’s 2,500 clients. Under her leadership, the housing authority has become a key player in revitalizing Anchorage neighborhoods.

Gore is also a board member and Alaska’s representative to the Pacific Northwest National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, which gave her the President’s Award for Outstanding Leadership in Affordable Housing in 2004.

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.

As part of CIRI’s Native Pride program, four female junior and high school students from Anchorage’s Indian Education Program joined CIRI staff at the BP/YWCA Women of Achievement luncheon in December.