CIRI Nominating Committee Seeks Applicants for 2005 Board Election

The CIRI Nominating Committee is seeking CIRI shareholders interested in being considered for nomination for the 2005 CIRI Board of Directors’ slate of candidates. To be considered for nomination, all Board slate applicants, including incumbents, must complete and return a Candidate Nominee Application and return it to CIRI by Jan. 31, 2005. This information is found on the CIRI web site, at www.ciri.com, or may be requested by calling CIRI Shareholder Relations at (907) 274-8638 or (800) 764-2474.

The Nominating Committee will review all applications, conduct selected interviews and recommend the most qualified candidates to the CIRI Board of Directors. Based upon the Nominating Committee’s recommendations and the Board’s own independent review, the CIRI Board will select five candidates to comprise the Board-endorsed slate.

CIRI directors are responsible for initiating and developing the policies that further the goals of the company, while addressing the economic, social and cultural needs of the shareholders. All applicants should be well-rounded and possess a strong business understanding. Each candidate must be at least 18 years of age and a voting CIRI shareholder. The Nominating Committee looks for demonstrated decision-making, leadership and communication skills, as well as honesty and integrity. Knowledge of business operations, involvement in Native issues and a college degree or equivalent business experience are also desired.

The CIRI Board has approved a new proxy process for the 2005 election of directors. The 2005 CIRI proxy and proxy statement will be open to all Board candidates – not just the Board-endorsed candidates. Individuals who wish to run for the CIRI Board, including any applicants for the Board-endorsed slate who are not selected, will have an opportunity (subject to CIRI’s election procedures) to submit information for inclusion on CIRI’s proxy and in the proxy statement at a later date. More information on how to do this and on CIRI’s new proxy process will appear in the February CIRI Shareholder Update.

Monthly Stock Will Participation Prize-You could win $200!

To thank those shareholders who have a will disposing of their CIRI shares on file with Shareholder Relations, and to encourage those who have not yet taken the time to complete one, throughout 2005 CIRI will award a monthly $200 stock will participation prize. The winner’s name will be chosen in a random drawing from the names of all adult shareholders who have a will disposing of their CIRI shares on file with CIRI.

If you have already provided CIRI with your will disposing of your CIRI shares, you do not need to do anything to have your name included in the monthly prize drawings.
If you do NOT yet have a will disposing of your CIRI shares on file at CIRI, you can become eligible for the monthly prize drawings by providing one to CIRI Shareholder Relations.

Additional information on CIRI estate settlements and wills, including a CIRI stock will form and instruction sheet, are available on the CIRI web site at www.ciri.com/shareholder/estate.htm, and can also be obtained by contacting CIRI Shareholder Relations at (907) 274-8638, or toll-free at (800) 764-2474. If you would like to verify that you have a will on file, CIRI probate staff can be reached at the same numbers.

Shareholders to Receive 1099s for Tax Purposes

In the past, CIRI was able to share tax reporting information with our shareholders earlier; however, because of the changes in tax law effective last year, the company is no longer able to do so. CIRI’s Accounting & Finance Department is currently determining the proper treatment of the various types of distributions CIRI made to shareholders in 2004 with respect to IRS 1099 reporting requirements. That information is not yet available. Once it is, a CIRI E-Announcement will be sent to shareholders and an article discussing how CIRI distributions will be reported to the IRS will also appear in the February CIRI Shareholder Update. CIRI’s IRS Forms 1099 will be mailed to shareholders on Jan. 31, 2005, as required by law.