Shareholder and Son Reunite

CIRI shareholder Patricia John had been trying to find her son David for 17 years. In 1985, she gave custody of David, then age three, to his father so she could attend college. Unfortunately, David did not end up with his father. Instead, he became a ward of the state where he was put in foster care. To compound her situation, John says she found it difficult to get any information from the state on her son's whereabouts.

John, who is of Aleut heritage, was born and raised in Anchorage. Her mother, Alfreda Tolman, was born in Cordova. Though John married and moved to Juneau, over the years, she kept searching for her son.

Then, last summer, on July 29, John received the phone call she'd been waiting years for. It was David, who was now 19. He had been doing his own search for his birth mother, when at the age of 18, he managed to obtain his birth certificate from the state. Once he had his mother's name, he searched for her on the internet; finally, through USSEARCH.com., he found a phone number for her. Happily reunited, John spoke with her son David for three hours.

Babies Ashtyn and Lauryn

Twin sisters Ashtyn Leigh and Lauryn Joyce Lopez were born at 6:57 a.m. and 7:27 a.m., respectively, on Feb. 20, 2002, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Ashtyn and Lauryn are the daughters of first-time father and CIRI shareholder Byron Lopez and his wif Lisa. Ashtyn weighed three pounds, one ounce and was 17 1/2 inches long; Lauryn weighed three pounds 11 ounces and was 18 inches long. They spent five weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit and went home on March 27. Ashtyn was four pounds, six ounces and Lauryn was four pounds, nine ounces. The twin girls are the granddaughters of CIRI shareholder Leonard Lopez and the nieces of CIRI shareholders Darrell, Darren, and Kevin Lopez.

Rebecca Lyon Creates Award Winning Art

CIRI and Kenai Natives Association shareholder Rebecca Lyon's painting "Little Red Raven Hood" has received an award from the Anchorage Museum of History and Art's prestigious All Alaska Juried Exhibition XXIX. Set against a striking red background, her raven is a dazzling display of light and shadow.

In both 2000 and 2001, she received honorable mentions for her "Touching Copper Woman" and "Gods of the Copper River" at the Alaska Native Heritage Center's "All Alaska Native Juried Art Show." Recently, the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian selected her to be an alternate for a fellowship. A slide of "Copper Woman" was sent to New York City's esteemed Native Arts Symposium. Also, on the more whimsical side, she designed the winning logo for last year's mystery writer's conference, "Death Below Zero," which depicts a snowman that has met with foul play.

Lyon works in several media, but especially enjoys working with copper and glass. A favorite subject matter for her is birds, particularly the raven because she feels they bring magic, genius, and silliness. At the same time, she has also used Copper River fish because fish bring life. She describes her creative process as being both intuitive and intellectual: "While technique offers structure, there's always an element of mystery present with the creative process because you never know exactly where the road will lead you."

Magallanes Graduates from High School

CIRI descendant Jenifer Malia Magallanes will graduate from Wilcox High School in Santa Clara, Calif., on June 21, 2002. Magallanes is the daughter of CIRI shareholder Joanne Olssen and the great granddaughter of the late Grace DelPalacio and granddaughter of the late Carl Richard Olssen of Seldovia. Magallanes will attend St. Mary's College in Moraga, Calif., and is interested in the field of education.

Necessary Graduates from UAA

CIRI descendant Lance Mark Necessary graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage with a degree in management information systems. An Eagle Scout, Necessary graduated from Kenai Central High School, where he served on the swim team for four years and became captain in his senior year. His grandmothers are CIRI shareholder Virginia Gail Hunter of Kenai and Cleo Necessary of Abilene, Texas. He is thankful for those who helped and supported him through his studies and helped him secure education scholarships. He also thanks Nana and Nicole for their special support.

Quaintance and Protzman Wed

CIRI and Arctic Slope Regional Corp. shareholder Bryan Protzman and Tonie Marie Quaintance were married April 6, 2002, at Kenny Creek Lodge in Petersville, Alaska. Tonie's father, Robert Quaintance, officiated and their one-month-old daughter Paisley Marie was the flower girl. Protzman is the son of Pee Wee Protzman of Anchorage and UIC and Arctic Slope Regional Corp. shareholder Sharon Strutz Norton of Homer.

Baby Gunnar

Gunnar Daniel Rayburn of Shady Cove, Ore., was born on Dec. 20, 2001, and weighed 10 pounds, 11 ounces. He is the first grandchild of CIRI shareholder Michael Johnson of North Kenai and the first great grandson of CIRI shareholder Daniel and Goldie Johnson, also of North Kenai.

Smith & Blade Wed

CIRI descendant Jennifer Smith married Ensign Mel Blade, USN, on Oct. 13, 2001, in Carbondale, Ill. Smith is the daughter of CIRI shareholder Monica Smith and her husband Barry of Carterville, Ill. Jennifer is a Wells Fargo Financial assistant manager in Corpus Christi, Texas, and the bridegroom is a naval aviator at Kingsville, Texas. Both are graduates of Southern Illinois University. Jennifer thanks The CIRI Foundation for the scholarship assistance received which helped her attend college.

Jordan Turned One

Jordan Lee Wilde-Stephan celebrated his first birthday on April 27, 2002. He was born in Anchorage at the Alaska Native Medical Center and was six pounds, 11 ounces and 19 inches long at birth. He is the son of CIRI descendants Caroline Wilde and Guy Stephan. Jordan is the first grandchild of CIRI shareholders Anna and Lee Stephan, and CIRI shareholder Eleanor Wilde and Robert Wilde, all of whom live in Eklutna, Alaska.

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