December - Page 6

The following are excerpts from the Alaska Native History Calendar, compiled by CIRI Historian AJ McClanahan December 1, 1958 Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich dies. She was born in Petersburg and according to Women in Alaska's History by Elizabeth Bechett and Sarah Teel, as Grand Camp President of the Alaska Native Sisterhood, she provided the crucial testimony that culminated in the Anti-Discrimination Bill of 1945. Her Tlingit name was Kaaxgal.aat. She was of the Lukaax.adi clan of the Raven moiety. December 2, 1980 The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act is signed into law by President Jimmy Carter. ANILCA, as it came to be known, is in effect an amendment to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act because Section 17(d)2 of ANCSA had called for the Interior Secretary to withdraw up to 80 million acres of public land in Alaska for parks, forests and refuges. December 9, 1997 The Kake Cannery National Historic Landmark is designated by the Secretary of the Department of the Interior. Of the approximately 60,000 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, only about 2,000 nationally are designated National Historic Landmarks. The Interior Secretary designates the landmarks to commemorate and illustrate the history and prehistory of the United States. The selection of the Kake Cannery honors the Alaska Native people of Southeast Alaska, specifically the Tlingits of Kake, according to Sande Anderson, senior historian of the National Park Service. December 11, 1987 Calista Region leader Chief Eddie Hoffman dies. According to Calista Corp., Yukon-Kuskokwim organizations declared this day Chiefs Day as a holiday in his remembrance. December 14, 1973 Tyonek Native Corporation, the village corporation for Tyonek, becomes incorporated. December 17, 1974 Cook Inlet Housing Authority is established.		December 18, 1971 The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act is signed into law by President Nixon. December 26, 1923 Emil Dolchok is born. Dolchok was named CIRI Shareholder of the Year for 1999 in recognition of his many efforts to foster appreciation of Athabascan cultural heritage and to pass on his cultural skills to the younger generation. He also was named one of two Elders of the Year at the AFN convention in 1999. December 30, 1987 Roger Lang, Native leader from Sitka, dies. He held a number of statewide leadership positions, including serving as president of the Alaska Federation of Natives, 1974-75. The Alaska Native History Calendar continues to grow with nearly 800 events input into the calendar database so far. Your suggestions for additions to the calendar are welcome by emailing AJ at ajmcclanahan@ciri.com or by filling out and returning the Alaska Native History Calendar form that appeared in the November issue of the Shareholder Update.
		Questions & answers We Want to Hear From You Do you have a question or comment regarding CIRI, its non-profit affiliates or subsidiaries? If so, submit them along with your name, address and telephone number to CIRI Shareholder Relations for a timely response. On occasion, questions may be selected to appear in the Shareholder Update. SHAREHOLDER RELATIONS CIRI PO Box 93330 Anchorage, AK 99509-3330 E-mail: shareholders@ciri.com

Heritage Center Announces Recent Promotions

CIRI shareholder Carmen Bydalek, Sonya Kelliher-Combs and Carrie Swanson were recently promoted to new positions at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. And according to the Center, these three women bring many strong, promising and positive qualities to their new jobs.

Bydalek, a shareholder of Tlingit descent, is now the Center's programs coordinator responsible for coordinating program performances, writing and compiling articles, and gathering creative writing for the Institute of Alaska Native Arts Journal. She was originally hired as an emcee through the Heritage Center's summer program, after working as an information specialist for the Alaska State Council of the Arts.

BYDALEK Carmen Bydalek

Raised in Anchorage, Bydalek has a bachelor's degree in film communications from Evergreen State College and enjoys photography and Tlingit dance in her spare time. She dances with the Southeast dance group Naa Luudisk Gwaii Yaxtii.

Kelliher-Combs is the Center's new programs manager. Her responsibilities include coordinating the summer themes program. For this upcoming summer, she is focusing on Qayaqs and Canoes Paddling Into The Millennium. Her goal is to have at least 20 boats built during the summer.

COMBS

Sonya Kelliher-Combs

Born in Bethel, Kelliher-Combs is of Inupiaq/Athabascan descent. She holds a master's in visual arts. In January, a selection of her paintings will be exhibited in Fairbanks at the Civic Center Gallery. The concentration of her work is in painting and she describes her work as non-representational mixed media consisting of patterns, symbols, and forms that reflect her connection to her cultural and personal history.

Swanson was promoted to visual artist coordinator, and was previously an artist demonstrator. In her new position, she

schedules all demonstrating visual artists including those who will share their art on Holland America Cruise Lines next summer.

Swanson, a Yup'ik originally from Bethel, Alaska, is also an artist. She's been sewing for 21 years and makes parkas, mukluks, hats, yo-yo's, slippers and dolls.

SWANSON

Carrie Swanson

"At the Heritage Center we are surrounded by such rich and diverse culture. It is a pleasure working with such talented individuals, including not only performers and demonstrating artists but our staff helping to coordinate the day-to-day operations," said Margaret Nelson, ANCH president and chief executive office.

Artifacts