Alaska Native Professional Association

In 1997 at the AFN convention, a group of young Alaska Native professionals realized that only younger and older voices were being heard at the convention. As a result, Jack Zayon, a current NANA shareholder and employee, loosely formed a group of Alaska Native professionals, all under the age of 39, to make their voices heard too.

Since then, the Alaska Native Professional Association has developed an active membership and dedicated board. Its mission is to build relationships and leadership among Alaska Native professionals and organizations. Members are encouraged to participate in community service organizations and events, be active in their respective Native entities, and act as mentors to other Alaska Natives.

Today, three membership categories of the association are available: Native professional under age 39, Native students, and non-Natives and those over 39 years of age. Monthly luncheons featuring invited speakers or panel discussions are held the third Thursday of the month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Membership and other information is available via the groupšs web site at www.anpa.net, or call Jack Zayon at (907) 265-4115.

Volunteers Sought for 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games

The Olympic torch will rise in Anchorage in less than 100 days. If youšre not already involved with the Games, itšs not too late. The 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games Alaska will take place March 4 through 11, 2001 in Anchorage, Eagle River and Girdwood. Up to 2,750 athletes and coaches from 80 countries will come to Alaska to compete in seven official winter sports. The 2001 World Games offer an incredible opportunity to witness and cheer for athletes with mental retardation who are achieving goals, giving it their all and enjoying the cultural diversity found at World Games competition. Up to 29 languages will be spoken during the Games and more than 7,000 additional visitors are expected to visit the state as spectators, families, honored guests, officials, and media covering the competition.

The Games Organizing Committee (GOC) is actively recruiting more than 5,000 volunteers to help host the 2001 World Games. Volunteer jobs are available for every skill level from food service attendants to photographers, parking attendants, language interpreters and information booth volunteers. Volunteers can fill out an application on-line at www.2001worldgames.org (click on Volunteers), or call (907) 277-2497 to request an application.

Heritage Center Seeking Artists for All Alaska Native Juried Art Show

The Alaska Native Heritage Center is accepting applications from Alaska Native artists for the second annual All Alaska Native Juried Art Show. The Heritage Center, with funding from the Alaska State Council on the Arts, will host this event March 2 through 30, 2001. The All Alaska Native Juried Art Show provides a forum where Alaska Native artists can excel and broaden their interaction with the public and their peers. It provides an opportunity for all Alaska Native art, from traditional to contemporary, to be represented. The application deadline is Jan. 15, 2001. Contact the Heritage Center for details at ALL ALASKA NATIVE JURIED ART SHOW, Alaska Native Heritage Center, 8800 Heritage Center Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99506, (907) 330-8015, or toll-free (800) 315-6608.

CIRI Offers New Logo Items

A handful of new CIRI logo items are available for purchase. A sampling of the items includes a filet knife, buck knife, maglight flashlight, desk clock, and coasters. CIRI merchandise and order forms are available on-line at www.ciri.com. All orders must be accompanied with payment, either by check or credit card. CIRI provides this service at the request of its shareholders and does not make a profit from the sold merchandise.


CIRI golf scope and case	CIRI desk clock

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