Alaska's People recently received a grant in the amount of $5,000 from Bristol Bay Native Corporation. Alaska's People helps Alaska Natives and Native Americans obtain employment and employment training. The organization relies on grants and donations to assist with operating funds.

"It's enriching to know the Alaska Native regional corporations recognize the services Alaska's People provides to our Alaska Native shareholders and other Native Americans," said Alaska's People Director Kris Anderson. "We are champions for Alaska Native hire."

In addition to assisting job seekers, Alaska's People promotes Native employment to schools, technical centers, universities, prisons and at events such as job fairs, gatherings, and Native corporation meetings.

Talavera was among 180 Scholar Application Readers of African American, American Indian, Asian, or Hispanic descent to participate in the program and gain valuable knowledge about selection procedures and grant making software. Scholar Application Readers represent educational organizations nationwide, from the American Indian College Fund's tribal colleges to Harvard University. Talavera and Sharon Lind, of the Aleut Foundation, were the two Alaskan representatives.

"I felt honored to represent Alaska Natives and The CIRI Foundation during the GMSP application reading, and I'm looking forward to reviewing the results," said Talavera. "The Foundation plans to keep in contact with the GMSP and the American Indian College Fund for future collaborative efforts," she added.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $1 billion to be disbursed over the next 20 years to meet the financial needs of minority college students. The GMSP is interested in creating a systemic change for minorities to gain access to education in the United States, and will enable 2,000 students to attend graduate and undergraduate programs in 2000-2001.

Southcentral Foundation introduces CIRI shareholders and other browsers to a newly designed web site at www.southcentralfoundation.org. The new site features Southcentral Foundation's vision and mission statement, a history of the organization, available services, on-line copies of the Anchorage Native News, a calendar of events, job listings, updates on current projects, and links to other relevant sites. To stay informed about Southcentral Foundation, visit www.southcentralfoundation.org soon.

Southcentral Foundation will be holding four week-long sessions of its annual Camp Safe Children First this summer for Alaska Native and Native American children from six to 13 years of age.

Kids will learn about safety topics including water safety, personal safety, bicycle safety, wilderness information, dog safety, basic first aid, fire safety and more. Each week-long camp session will run daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost per child for each session is $50 and includes daily snacks and lunches. Enrollment is limited and is conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Camp SCF is fun for kids and counselors alike. Here, summer intern Tristen Peterkin and Camp SCF participant Charlotte Tunley enjoy the activities.

The camp sessions, divided by age groups, are available as follows:

Camp One Camp Two

Ages 12 & 13 Ages 10 & 11

June 19 to 23, 2000 June 26 to 30, 2000

Camp Three Camp Four

Ages 8 & 9 Ages 6 & 7

July 10 to 14, 2000 July 17 to 21, 2000

For more information or for an application packet, contact Rick Mueller in Southcentral Foundation's Community Education Department at

(907) 729-1822.

The Native dormitory to be built on the Alaska Pacific University campus has been renamed the Morris and Thelma Thompson Living and Learning Community. A dedication to honor the Thompson family and a blessing of the land were held April 25.

"I can't think of a greater tribute to Morris than renaming this facility in his and Thelma's honor. It is important for future generations to remember the drive Morris had to better the lives of Alaska Natives through education and understanding of our cultures. My greatest wish is that the younger generations will have the patience and stamina to make his dreams come true," said CIRI President and CEO Carl Marrs.

Thompson was an APU Trustee from 1981 to 1984 and retired as president and CEO of Doyon Limited at the end of 1999. The Thompsons and their daughter, Sheryl, were victims of a plane crash this past January.

Allison Thompson and sister Nicole Dick receive copies of a new book published by The CIRI Foundation during a special ceremony held to name APU's future Native dorm in honor of their parents, Morris and Thelma Thompson.

During the dedication ceremony, Marrs and APU President Doug North presented Thompson's surviving daughters, Allison Thompson and Nicole Dick, with copies of Growing Up Native in Alaska, a new book published by The CIRI Foundation. Nicole's moving remarks in her family's honor followed the presentation and brought many in the audience to tears.

The Morris and Thelma Thompson Living and Learning Community is a collaborative effort of CIRI, Cook Inlet Housing Authority and APU to provide affordable housing for Alaska Native and Native American students pursuing academic degrees at the University. The residential and academic student support services facility, designed to accommodate around 40 students, is scheduled to break ground in 2001 and open in 2002.

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