CIRI shareholder Irene Bedard appears in a television public service announcement for Let's Vote! Alaska ­ New Voters for the New Millennium, a nonpartisan campaign spearheaded by Lt. Gov. Fran Ulmer.

Bedard is best known for being the voice and image of Disney character Pocahontas and for her feature role in the film Smoke Signals. Bedard was selected for the spot since she is a positive role model for youth and Alaska Natives. In the television ad, she encourages youth to vote during the upcoming General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 7th.

The Let's Vote! youth initiative targets voters between the ages of 18 to 24 years old to turn out for the election. Bedard is one of several high-profile young Alaskans asked to carry the Let's Vote! message. Also appearing in television spots are NHL Rookie of the Year Scott Gomez, a former East Anchorage High School hockey star and member of the New Jersey Devils; Cleveland Cavalier Trajan Langdon, a former East Anchorage High School basketball star; and Iditarod musher Ramy Brooks of Healy.

Actress and CIRI shareholder Irene Bedard waits to be filmed for the Let's Vote! Alaska television ad encouraging Alaskan youth to vote Nov. 7th.

 

Polling places are set up for each precinct, which appear on voter ID cards. When you cast your vote, make sure to bring a driver's license, state ID, military ID, or fish and game license to validate your signature.

For those not available to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 7, four forms of absentee voting are available starting Tues., Oct. 17 (in-person, by mail, fax or personal representative). Absentee ballots for the 40 districts are available at all regional elections offices and in Anchorage at the Dimond Center, University of Alaska Anchorage and at select airports on Election Day.

This year, voters will choose the following candidates: president and vice president of the United States; U.S. representative for statewide office; state senators and representatives; and justices and judges. Also, six initiatives will be on the ballot including three constitutional amendments and three initiative petitions. Voting is easy, doesn't take much time, and your vote makes a difference.

CIRI shareholder and basketball coach T.J. Andrew is recruiting intermediate and advanced players to form a youth boys' basketball team to play in the competitive league. All kids ages 13 to 15 are welcome. Andrew encourages teamwork, leadership, good sportsmanship, and skill building. For more information, call Coach Andrew by Nov. 7 at (907) 337-3799.

Native fifth and sixth grade girls and their mothers have an opportunity to participate in the YWCA Native Mother-Daughter program. The free program offers monthly workshops designed to offer fun, educational activities that allow the girls to establish stronger bonds with their moms, mentors, and other Native girls. Daughters and mothers share many experiences during the course of the program designed to build skills in areas such as self-esteem, refusal skills, education, and substance abuse awareness. Past workshops have focused on building self-esteem and inner strength, hair fun and fashions, beading, traditional dance and Native arts and crafts, and substance abuse awareness.

The YWCA Native Mother-Daughter program is co-sponsored by the Anchorage School District, Indian Education Department, and the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Participants do not need to attend every workshop and older sisters, aunts, and family friends are welcome. Participants also receive complimentary lunch and child-care is available. For more information, contact the YWCA at (907) 274-1572.

Alaska Native Heritage Center staff worked for two years to bring the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) annual convention to Anchorage. With the help of the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB), Hilton Anchorage and the Captain Cook Hotel, some 500 AIANTA delegates will meet in Alaska for their 2002 annual convention.

AIANTA, a group of Americans Indians and Alaska Natives with a stake in the visitor industry, was formed more than three years ago as the result of increased interest in cultural and Native tourism by the traveling public. The AIANTA board, of which the Alaska Native Heritage Center's president, Margaret Nelson, is a member, meets quarterly across the nation for "mobile workshops," mainly to form the association and identify issues. They recently met in Anchorage, which helped Anchorage win the bid for hosting the convention. ACVB recognized Nelson and Connie Irrigoo, a former ANHC employee and current CIRI employee, for their efforts with a "Meeting Champion" award during their September

The calendar, which is included in a database being developed by CIRI Historian Alexandra J. McClanahan, with the assistance of Charmaine Forbes, includes events throughout Alaska Native history, beginning in the 1700s and running up to the present. It is hoped that a book can be printed from the calendar, which could be used in a wide variety of ways, such as in schools or for radio stations.

The goal for the calendar has been to find an event in Alaska Native history for every day of the

year with representation from as many Native individuals and organizations as possible. Because the information is in a database, a wide variety of products could be developed, such as a calendar or a timeline. The first manuscript will be in a calendar format.

"We do have events for every single day of the year," McClanahan said, "but there are many key events which have not yet been included, as well as birthdays of many important people. We're hoping that people take a look at the calendar and tell us what should be added to it."

"While this calendar will never be complete, we feel we've reached a point where we're ready to show people and ask for their input so that we can get a book printed."

She also said she is very excited about other possible products that could be developed from the database, such as Internet-based web pages that could be accessed by anyone free of charge.

It would be impossible to gather detailed information for each of the nearly 1,000 entries in the database, McClanahan said. The idea is to develop a short description of each event that would encourage people to seek more information and learn about Alaska Native history, as well as instill pride in the Native cultures.

Information sources for the events will be listed at the end of the draft manuscript. Those who would like to discuss the calendar or provide suggestions for entries may contact McClanahan at ajmcclanahan@ciri.com, (907) 263-5197; or