Alaska Native Artists Sought for Compilation CD Surreal Studios is producing a compilation CD of Alaska Native music and storytelling that will, in part, benefit KNBA 90.3 FM, the first urban Native public radio station located in Anchorage. Artists with either original material or material that originates from within their families are encouraged to contribute. Alaska Native musicians, storytellers and writers interested in participating should contact Kristi Olson at Surreal Studios by phone at (907) 562-3754 or fax at (907) 561-4367.   Assets Seeks Foster Homes Assets Inc., is currently seeking foster homes for two teenage Alaska Native women. Assets is a non-profit organization serving children and adults who need long-term support because of developmental disabilities or mental illnesses. Foster parents, with assistance from Assets staff, provide the intensive structure required to keep children in their community until reunifying with their families. Persons interested in foster care or in supporting children who are temporarily placed in foster care can contact Margaret Beattie at Assets at (907) 279-6617.   Harvard Project Seeks Applications for Honoring Nations 2000 Awards The Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development at the John F. Kennedy School of Government released its 2000 application for Honoring Contributions in the Governance of American Indian Nations, the award otherwise known as Honoring Nations.   Honoring Nations identifies, celebrates, and shares outstanding examples of governance among American Indian nations. This is the second year of the tribal governance awards program.   The program is modeled after a similar award programs supported by the Ford Foundation in the United States, Brazil, the Philippines and South Africa. Honoring Nations asks tribal governments to submit a short application that describes their outstanding program, practice or initiative. The program's 13-member advisory

board chaired by Chief Oren Lyons of the Onondaga Nation and comprised of distinguished leaders from the tribal, public, non-profit and private sectors.   Applications are judged on the basis of the contribution's effectiveness, significance, transferability, creativity and sustainability. Following several rounds of evaluation, including a site visit for the 16 finalists, eight programs are awarded "high honors" and eight are awarded "honors" in the fall. Each of the "high honors" recipients receives a $10,000 monetary award to share their governance success story with other Indian nations. In addition, the Harvard Project works with all 16 honorees to compile and distribute reports and materials for widespread dissemination.   The honorees for the inaugural year of Honoring Nations were honored for their contributions in health care, social services, education, judicial systems, wildlife management, economic development and environmental protection. Among the eight "high honors" recipients for 1999 was a tribal judicial branch that uses 'peacemaking' to resolve disputes; an educational program that uses modern technology to teach youth traditional language and culture; and a tribally-initiated foster care agency that has increased the number of licensed Indian foster families.   Joe Kalt, co-founder of the Harvard Project and a professor of international political economy at Harvard, noted, "Last year's winners clearly showed how Indian nations can be very successful when they seize control of their own futures, govern themselves on their own terms and put in place effective institutions of self-governance." Kalt added, "These programs are not just excellent for Indian Country, but truly represent some of the best government practices found anywhere in the world."   Completed applications for Honoring Nations 2000 are due April 21, 2000. To receive an application or to inform the Harvard Project about an outstanding tribal government program, practice or initiative, contact Andrew Lee at (617) 496-6632 or by e-mail at Andrew_Lee@ksg.harvard.edu. Applications are also available at www.ksg.harvard.edu/hpaied.

and the Native experience in Alaska, running the gamut from these young people to our elders," Marrs said. "We begin the process by talking to some of the people who are the closest to being our next leaders. Growing Up Native in Alaska is a way to bring the voices of younger Alaska Natives and all their perspectives to the forefront."   The new book is written and edited by CIRI Historian Alexandra J. McClanahan, who focuses much of her attention on ANCSA issues. She said she intended the oral history approach as a way to discuss the Act. The book developed into a broader effort, however, and now focuses on identity ­ what it means to be an Alaska Native today.

Some of those interviewed have grown up in an urban environment and are now trying to learn about their cultural heritage. Others have chosen to remain in the community where their families have their roots, and still others have sought to maintain ties in both the city where they work and the village where they grew up.   Participants were selected based on a representative sample of Alaska's regions and on leadership qualities, such as serving on a village or regional corporation's board of directors, completing higher education, and teaching or participating in activities to foster appreciation of Native culture.   Growing Up Native in Alaska is similar to a book published by The CIRI Foundation in 1986, Our

Stories, Our Lives, also by McClanahan. That work featured 23 Alaska Native elders, all CIRI shareholders who represented each of Alaska's major geographic regions. Hays was also the project director of that book, which is still available for purchase from The CIRI Foundation and has been used as a textbook in a number of classes.   Growing Up Native in Alaska is scheduled to be available in May and will be marketed throughout Alaska. The Alaska Federation of Natives will assist in the book's publication by making a grant to The CIRI Foundation.