CIRI shareholder John Ross knows how important it is to have access to good health care. As a health systems administrator for Southcentral Foundation, he oversees several clinical and support programs at the Alaska Native Medical Center. His top priority is ensuring delivery of quality health care services to Alaska Native people.
"When an individual walks through our doors, we want to make sure they're pleased with the kind of health care service they receive," says Ross.
CIRI shareholder John Ross
Ross began working for Southcentral Foundation shortly after he finished his bachelor's degree in psychology in 1994. Last year, he earned his MBA from the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). Outside of work, he serves as vice president of the Alaska Native Professional Association (ANPA), which is a Native nonprofit organization created to encourage leadership among professional Alaska Native people. He also serves as chairman of the Advisory Council for the Alaska Native Studies program at UAA.
He is the son of Linda and Allen Ross and was born in Surrey, British Columbia, where his father is from. His mother is Dena'ina Athabascan from Kenai. Ross is a shareholder of CIRI and Salamatof Native Association as well as a member of the Kenaitze Indian tribe. He grew up in British Columbia, Kodiak, and Kenai. After graduating from Kodiak High School, he spent six years commercial fishing in the Aleutian waters.
A newlywed, Ross married Leanndra Bergeron, a Tlingit, in Las Vegas, Nevada this past summer. When he's not with his wife or working, he likes to fly fish in Kodiak and on
the Kenai Peninsula.
Dream, nominated for a Native American Music Award, followed by the Yup'ik Anchorage-based dance group Kicaput. Between performances, special presentations were given to recognize the CIRI shareholder of the year, Daisy Demientieff, and the winners of the traditional Native garment-judging contest, Damaris Hudson in the adult category and Mercedes Brown for the youth category. Artie Joseph Fiddlers concluded the featured program with a crowd of dancers joining them on the floor.
Throughout the halls of Romig Middle School other activities were found ranging from music, arts and crafts sales and demonstrations, Native games, and CIRI service provider exhibits. Jim Kerr and family and Cea Anderson filled the halls with music while traditional Native foods including moose, salmon and fry bread were served for all.
More photos from the 2000 CIRI Friendship Potlatch may be found on the CIRI web site at
www.ciri.com under Shareholder Information. 
Demientieff is also instrumental in sharing her knowledge of traditional stories, Native culture, and artistry with many people throughout Alaska and the United States. She spends time teaching youth the basic steps of basketry, while also passing on her traditions to family members. She is a true demonstrating and performing artist deserving of her recognition as this year's Shareholder of
the Year. 
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CIRI
Representatives Talk about Successful Investing at Indian Telecom
Training Initiative 2000
CIRI President
and CEO Carl Marrs and Scott Torrison, CIRI director of telecommunications,
were invited to participate in the Indian Telecom Training Initiative
2000 in St. Paul, Minn. last month. The comprehensive telecommunications
conference was co-hosted by the Federal Communications Commission
and the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. to help tribal
leadership increase telecommunications services for Indian Country.
The conference
brought together federal government agencies, telecommunications experts,
and tribal representatives to learn about telecommunications technologies,
regulatory rules, and government programs to benefit tribal communities.
The conference was well attended by some 600 participants.
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Marrs was asked
to speak to conference attendees about CIRI's investments in the telecommunications
industry and how they maximize shareholder equity. He described the ANCSA
corporations, and discussed CIRI's business philosophy and investment strategy,
and the company's experience in wireless communications. He focused on CIRI's
partnerships with BellSouth and VoiceStream, as well as how to acquire financing
and the importance of business and strategic planning.
Torrison participated
in a workshop to explain the nuts and bolts of how to get started in
the telecommunications industry, how CIRI is involved in the industry,
and what approach CIRI has taken. CIRI provides an example of how a
Native entity can become involved in the growing telecommunications
industry at a time when the FCC is encouraging Native participation,
particularly in the provision of
phone service throughout
Indian Country.
