CIRI shareholder Leonard D. Allowan and CIRI descendant Gwendolyn S. Chickalusion proudly announce the birth of their first son, Aleksei Jacob Allowan. Baby A.J., born on Nov. 24, 2004, weighed 7 pounds, 1/2 ounce, and measured 20 inches long. A.J. is the first grandson of Pauline Allowan, the third grandchild of Norma L. Chickalusion, and the great-grandchild of Maxim Chickalusion Sr., the late Nellie Stephan Chickalusion and Thomas Allowan.

CIRI shareholder Kayla Bahr and husband Brandon Bahr Sr. announce with joy the birth of their son, Brandon Lee Bahr Jr. Baby Brandon was born on April 17, weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces, and was 19 1/2 inches long. Brandon Jr.'s 4-year-old big brother Jeremiah is very happy to have a little brother.

Family Continues Dog Mushing Tradition
CIRI shareholder (Bitsiya) Nic Nic Nicoli, of the Talkeetna Range, ran mail from Knik to Cantwell with sled dogs. Many years later, his great-grandchildren, CIRI descendants Olaf Edward Trettevik and Hazel Rose Trettevik, follow in his footsteps. Hazel won the one-dog class of the Junior North American Sled Dog Races in Fairbanks on March 6, with a three-day time of 1:49. Olaf placed third in the two-dog class, with a time of 10:34. Hazel and Olaf are the grandchildren of CIRI shareholders Gerald Roy Nicoli Sr., of Susitna Station, and Hazel Rose George Nicoli, of Stevens Village. Their grandmother, (Bitsoo) Hazel George, also learned about dog mushing from Effie Kokrine, of Tanana, and Horace Smoke, of Steven's Village.

CIRI shareholder Dustin R. Woodhead graduated cum laude from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington on May 8. Woodhead received a bachelor's degree in business, with a double concentration in entrepreneurial leadership and law and public policy. Woodhead, a past recipient of The CIRI Foundation Achievement Scholarship, spent a semester in Washington, D.C. at American University while working towards his law and public policy concentration. Woodhead hopes to enroll in a Master of Business Administration program in the fall of 2006 at either Arizona State University or the University of Oregon. He is the son of Robert and Kathy Woodhead and the grandson of CIRI elder Ella Oskolkoff Woodhead.

Jo Ann Morgan Kuphaldt was born on March 25, at 7:18 a.m., at Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation. She weighed 7 pounds, 1/2 ounce, and was 19 1/2 inches long. Baby Jo Ann's proud parents are CIRI shareholder Michael Anthony Kuphaldt and Ida Nellie Smart.

Natalie Alexandra Alice Opik Ahkinga was born to CIRI shareholder Lane Okpealuk and Jamie Ahkinga of Diomede on April 3, 2004, at 7:45 a.m. Natalie was born at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage. She joins her sister Alyssa Caitlin Renee Allison Ahkinga, now age 4. Natalie's paternal grandparents are shareholder Marie and Michael Lawlor of Wales; her maternal grandparents are Orville Sr. and Dora Ahkinga of Diomede.

CIRI shareholder Lane Okpealuk and Jamie Ahkinga of Diomede proudly announce the birth of their son, Marcus Kobe Okpealuk. Marcus was born at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage on March 21, at 11:45 p.m. Baby Marcus weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces, and was 18 1/2 inches in length. Marcus joins his sisters Alyssa Caitlin Renee Allison, 4, and Natalie Alexandra Alice Opik Ahkinga, 1.

Kandyce Jacquelyn Cifelli was born on June 18, at the Alaska Native Medical Center. Her proud parents, CIRI shareholder Melissa Thayne and Jeffrey Cifelli, are very thankful to have Kandyce in their lives.

Ethan Daniel Paul Wolf was born on January 22, weighing 3 pounds, 8 ounces and measuring 16 inches long. Although Ethan was born premature, he was healthy, and is now 8 pounds, 12 ounces and doing great. Ethan's mother is Melissa Ann Bartlett. His father is Anthony Lee Wolf, who is the son of Virginia Carol (Stroman) Wolf and the grandson of the late Nancy Stroman.

In her retirement, CIRI shareholder Caron Davis has decided it is better to stay busy than sit idle. She and her husband, Paul, have started a new business in Homer: Blue Dawg Bed and Boat. It is a halibut and salmon charter boat with rooms and Continental style breakfast. The web site is akbluedawg.com.

CIRI shareholder Darren Woodhead, 18, of Anchorage, competed as the youngest of 70 participants at Farragut State Park in the North Idaho Challenge Event, on May 7. The race is part of the Challenge Adventure Races that are held throughout the Pacific Northwest. The actual course routes, length and event order are not disclosed until just prior to the race start to insure the "adventure spirit" of the challenge. The course that Darren competed in consisted of a 14.8-mile bike ride, a four-mile run up a mountain, two miles of kayaking on Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho's largest lake, as well as several other challenges, such as climbing eight feet into a tree and over a climbing wall. Darren finished the challenge in five hours and 40 minutes. He is a freshman at North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

CIRI employee Meryle McCallum received her associate's degree in accounting from the University of Alaska Anchorage in May. McCallum has been working for CIRI as the accounts payable clerk for the past five years, which involves processing high volume Alaska tourism payables from CIRI-owned entities. McCallum is an Aleut Corporation shareholder and received financial support from CIRI for her education. She is grateful for the help and support. She is currently working on a bachelor's degree in accounting.