National American Indian Heritage Month
Once again, President Clinton has declared November as "National American Indian Heritage Month" to honor and recognize the original peoples of this land. And according to Clinton, this month we celebrate the culture and contributions of the first Americans.

Anchorage Mayor George Wuerch also proclaimed the month of November as "Native American Month", to recognize Native Americans, our history and culture, our commitment to the environment, our contributions, Anchorage's diverse population and its commitment to its Native American citizens.

Although the first "American Indian Day" was declared by the state of New York in 1916, a month-long recognition of Native Americans was not achieved until 1990. In that year, President George Bush declared the first "National American Indian Heritage Month" on August 3. His action was based on legislation presented by Sen. Daniel Inouye, of Hawaii, and Congressional Delegate Eni Faleomavaega, of American Samoa. In each of the four previous years, Congress had enacted legislation designating "American Indian Heritage Week." This consecutive legislation allowed for the establishment of a month-long observance.

 

Job Fair Promotes Summer Employment in Tourism Industry
The Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau is holding its second annual Holiday-Break Job Fair, for anyone looking for summer employment in Alaska's visitor industry, Wednesday, Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Egan Convention Center. This is an opportunity to meet and interview with more than 30 of Alaska's major tour companies for summer positions. Employment applications will be available and company representatives will be on hand to answer questions and schedule interviews. For more information, contact Kelly Bender at (907) 276-6249 or Kathleen Ashton at (907) 550-7752.

 

Seeking Applications for American Indian Ambassador Program
Americans for Indian Opportunity is recruiting applicants for the 2001 class of the American Indian Ambassadors Program, a leadership development initiative for American Indians and Alaska Natives. The program's purpose is to rekindle dormant vision, refresh current leadership, and empower emerging leaders to create avenues for Native Americans to express their cultural values in all arenas of contemporary life.

The Ambassadors Program provides a creative combination of mentorship, personal reflection, dialogue about current issues in Indian Country, interactive meetings with established leaders and decision-makers, community involvement, public speaking, and a reaffirmation of tribal values. While participating for one year, the Ambassadors remain in their communities and come together in appropriate locations - in and outside of the U.S. - for several group meetings, focusing on the individual, the community, the tribe, national Indian issues, and international Indigenous concerns.

The 2001 Ambassadors Program is open to American Indians and Alaska Natives between the ages of 25 and 36. Interested emerging leaders must fill out and submit an official application including two nominations and a written proposal outlining a plan for a community-based project.

Deadline for application is December 15, 2000. For more information or an application, contact:

Americans for Indian Opportunity
681 Juniper Hill Road
Bernalillo, NM 87004
Ph. (505) 867-0278, Fax (505) 867-0441
aiomail@unm
www.aio.org
 
UAA's LitSite Unveiled
Last month, the University of Alaska Anchorage unveiled a new web site titled LitSite Alaska. Located at www.litsite.alaska.edu/uaa/, LitSite is a web magazine devoted to literacy and literary arts for all Alaskans. The site provides a virtual gathering place for readers and writers of all ages to share their writing and reading experiences. LitSite Alaska promotes community, family, and cultural and educational values through literacy. It offers a place for partnerships to form among Alaska libraries, schools, families, and communities. The site currently features a number of folk stories, articles and first-person accounts. Ronald Spatz, professor of creative writing at UAA, believes that LitSite Alaska helps to bridge the urban/rural and Native/non-Native divide by creating a bridge of information.
He also expects it to be used as a teaching tool, with students reading about other Alaskan experiences and teachers downloading workbooks. Annual updates will be distributed in CD ROM format to every library, public and private school in Alaska along with a booklet on how to use the site.
http://litsite.alaska.edu/uaa/

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