BSNC Increases Scholarship Support
By Media | Published: June 25, 2019
Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC) will double scholarship funding for undergraduate, graduate and vocational Bering Straits Foundation (BSF) student recipients. Newly approved scholarship increases will be offered for the fall 2019 term.
"BSNC is very proud to invest in its shareholders and descendants," said BSNC President & CEO Gail R. Schubert. "I encourage our students to fully utilize scholarships from the Foundation to obtain an education or training that will benefit our Region, Alaska and Our People."
"BSF is extremely thankful for the increase in contributions from BSNC and their continued support," said BSF President Jed Ballard. "These changes will have a meaningful positive impact for our students and their families."
The deadline to apply is July 15, 2019. Students can apply for the BSF scholarship by visiting https://my-cache.org/.
BSF's mission is to support the educational and vocational goals of Our People, strengthening sustainable communities and enriching Native cultural heritage and traditional values. Since 1991, BSNC has provided more than $3.1 million to BSF to support BSNC shareholders and descendants pursuing post-secondary education.
Whaling in Gambell, Alaska by Ethan
There was a crew of Native men that always went boating from spring to the end of summer time. One morning, they were getting ready to go out whaling, dressing up warmly, making hot beverages, and making food for the trip. As soon as they were done getting ready, they then picked up the gasoline from the Native store and brought it down the beach near the boat. After they had brought the gas to the beach, they had to turn the boat around and push it to the edge of the ground near the ocean.
When they were done turning the boat, they had to put the grub and gas into the boat. They then had to test the motor, check the oil and the spark plugs before pushing the boat directly into the ocean. One of the crew members had noticed it needed oil, so then they had put more oil into the motor. Another crew member had noticed that a spark plug was burnt out, so he then had to ride over to the store really quick for a new spark plug. When the man got back, he then put the new spark plug on.
The motor was then running perfectly fine, so the striker and one young middle man went on the boat while the other middle man and captain pushed the boat on into the ocean. As the boat was getting into the ocean, half way into the ocean, the other two men had hopped into the boat, and then they all had to push the boat out the rest of the way with paddles so that they can start up the motor with a good ground clearance. They had started the motor then started boating northwest, as soon as they got a mile from the island, they had stopped and had a snack along with hot tea while looking out for bowhead whales.
When they got done having some snacks, there was a bowhead whale northeast about quarter mile, so they got the harpoon ready. It isn't easy putting a bomb together, so it did take some time. Once the striker was ready they had started cruising really fast towards the part the whale went up. They had reached the spot it came up, so they had slowed down and waited to see if it would come up again.
The whale had finally came up again like fifty feet away from the boat; so they had started chasing it. They got so close to the whale, the front man (striker) had tried to strike the whale, but he had missed. So then they had to get the harpoon really quick. As soon as they had gotten the harpoon they had started chasing the whale again. When they caught up to the whale, the crew had gotten ready for whale to come up again, and as soon as the whale came up the striker had struck the whale. But then one strike did not kill the whale, so then they had to get the harpoon, and reload the bomb. When they were done getting the harpoon ready, the striker was ready, and he struck the whale again. The whale was finally dead, more boating crews were arriving to help tow the whale, and as soon as they had got done tying ropes onto the fins. They started cutting some mangtak (bowhead whale skin with a bit of the blubber) and giving some to each crew to snack on while towing the whale back home.
There was a total of six boats, they had tied two boats together in three different rows, and started towing the whale back home. They were only one mile out so it wouldn't take long to tow the whale to there home. It was about six o'clock during the day, they had just got home, and they had to untie the boats and tie the whales rope onto a dozer (truck). When they had it ready to pull up, they had pulled it up slow, and started butchering it. It was nearly ten o'clock and they were finally done butchering the whale. When they were done, they had started giving each and everyone shares of the whale meat and mangtak. The next day, they had pushed the bones into the ocean.
#BSNCVillageLifeStories
This piece was submitted to the Bering Straits School District's 2019 "Honoring My Culture" Writing Contest.
Grandma's Secret Berry Picking Spot by Sarah
As I looked all over, there were trees like giants in one corner and mountains in the other. "Where are we grandma? I don't remember this place."
"That's because you never been to my secret berry picking place." she replied smiling. My Grandma was still sitting on her four wheeler with her eyes meeting the ocean, and I decided to start picking. I was filled with hope that I would fill my bucket with berries as big as grapes, just with that thought I smiled and left to look for berries.
As I carried my blue bucket walking along the tundra there was no berry in sight. So I looked harder and harder but there was still no berries to be found. After half an hour of looking I started giving into the fact that there was clearly nothing. How could this be a secret berry picking place if there are clearly no berries at all? So I started to walk up to my Grandma, who was still sitting on her four wheeler but now looking into the trees.
I was finally about to reach my Grandma when suddenly a loud noise took place in the trees near me. "Finally, Mia are you ready to go to my true secret berry picking place now?" Grandma asked.
"Wait this isn't it?" I asked confused.
"Well I couldn't risk anyone finding out my spot can I?"
Now I was really confused, I never saw anyone else besides Grandma and I.
Grandma started to lead me to the trees and stopped when an another loud noise occurred, then kept on walking. When we entered the trees it all of a sudden became foggy and the further we went, the thicker the fog became. I was even starting to hear things such as a river of roaring water, chirping birds, and I even heard a wolf howling in the distance, which made me pale as my Grandma likes to say.
When we finally made it out of the trees, we approached a valley and hills that would take your breath away. As I started to look around there were berries everywhere, blueberries, salmonberries, cranberries, blackberries, and more. I was stunned to see all the berries around me. "Aren't you going to start picking Mia or are you just going to stand there?" Grandma asked and we both quickly started to pick berries, racing each other to see who would fill their buckets first.
My belly started to grumble and I felt like it was going to cause some trouble. I decided to head to my Grandma and ask if she brought food but as I was trying to not step on berries I saw my Grandma already getting the food before I asked. By the time I made it over to her, she had all the food out and was already eating. There were strips, muktuk, and even sandwiches, I didn't even know how Grandma had fit all the food in her bag.
Soon after that my Grandma said "It's time to leave." So we gathered our stuff and were ready to take off.
As we were about to take off I turned around to look at the valley, the hills and the berries one last time and whispered under my breath "Grandma's secret berry picking spot, save some berries for me."
BSNC Hires Shareholder Lucille Sands as new Shareholder Development Director
By Media | Published: May 31, 2019
Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC) is pleased to announce the hire of shareholder Lucille Sands for the newly-created position of Shareholder Development Director. In this new position, Sands will actively design and implement strategies to align shareholder development with organizational goals and business needs, work to recruit shareholders and descendants for open positions, source qualified shareholders and provide ongoing review and metrics related to open positions and hiring of qualified shareholders.
"BSNC is owned by and exists for the benefit of our shareholders and descendants," said BSNC President & CEO Gail R. Schubert. "BSNC strives to empower our people as leaders of the Arctic region by providing meaningful employment, career development and scholarship opportunities for its shareholders and descendants. Lucille is incredibly qualified to help BSNC continue to achieve its mission and grow its value by leading the Company's efforts to effectively implement our shareholder hire policy and highlight opportunities for shareholders and descendants."
Sands has been employed by BSNC for many years, and has worked across many departments, which enhances her ability to assist management in meeting our commitment to shareholders and descendants. She earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Western Governor's University, a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a Minor in Alaska Native Business Management from the University of Alaska Anchorage and an Associate of Arts degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Sands recently served as the Proposal Compliance Manager at BSNC.
"My personal mission is to continuously improve Alaska Native organizations by working for them in a value-added capacity to enhance the quality of life of Alaska Native people," said Sands.
Arctic Arc by BSNC shareholder Vernae Angnaboogok of Wales
The Iñupiat community of Wales, Alaska, traditionally known as Kiŋigin, lies along a long sandy beach at the base of the Wales Mountain and is located at the most northwestern tip of the Seward Peninsula on the Cape Prince of Wales. Kiŋigin rests alongside the Bering Sea, about 25 miles from Big Diomede Island, traditionally known as Imaqłiq, and about 55 miles from mainland Russia. The population is about 160 today, but was once was about 800. Traditionally, during my great-grandparents time, Inuit traveled back and forth across the Strait by umiaq to visit and trade with family, celebrating our trading customs that spanned from Siberia to up and down the coasts and inland of Alaska. My Amau Kate, my ataata's mother, was born in Uelen, Chukotka, located in West East Cape Siberia, while her family was over there trading. She was named after her birth place, Ualiq, which in our language is the traditional place name for Uelen. Read more…
The Arctic Arc also known as "the hand" is one of our landmarks that look into tomorrow and symbolizes peace and relationship between the Alaskan and Chukotkan Inuit amidst a history of international tension that spanned since the Cold War. David Barr of Michigan partnered with Iñuipaq artist Joe Senungetuk from Kiŋigin to craft the two sculptures. The "hand" in Kiŋigin was the first to be sculpted in 1988 by Barr and Senungetuk and stands tall along the base of the mountain with open wooden hands joined at the wrist and a metal bird being released from the hands, positioned in flight directly across the Strait. The "hand" symbolizes a peaceful handshake between the two countries, an effort by Barr to connect humanity. The other sculpture, located across the Strait, represents a large umiaq positioned as if to sail directly across to the hand in Kiŋigin. The umiaq was sculpted in 1991 by Barr and is located on the other side of the Bering Strait at Naukan, Siberia, Russia (Arlinghaus, 1994). These landmarks strongly represent the relations of our people during the times of trading across the Strait and family ties to our relatives in Chukotka.
About Shishmaref and Hunting by Kaden
Hunting walrus we need to go in the ocean. Walrus do not be on the ground they be on the ice. Walrus snore really loud. When we shoot not too far from the walrus, they don't wake up. Hunting walrus it is very dangerous. The walrus can make a hole in our boat. Some Walruses live together. They have two tusks. Walrus sink if you shoot them if they are in freshwater.
If caribou looks too skinny, we do not shoot them. We eat the tunnuq. This is the fat from the caribou. The caribou can run very far. If they see us they will run away and if they smell us. Caribou have lots of fur. They fight with their horns. But only the male caribou fight with their horns. The female caribou got tiny horns.
Caribou live in the tundra. We use their skin for our sled. We use binoculars to find them. They sometimes be in a herd. They like to live alone sometimes and they eat alone. We go to camp to get the caribou. We go different places to find the caribou.
We bring guns when we go hunting and a harpoon for the seals. When we go caribou hunting, we make sure they do not smell us. We have to watch for the bears because they might attack us. If there is something stink a bear might come to it. If you don't bring a gun when you go walrus hunting, you would not kill them.
I like hunting with my dad because I can learn more. And I do not like to be lonely. He can show me how to cut the caribou. And he can tell me where to go. He will tell me the right thing to do if I get something wrong. If I go alone, I wouldn't know where to go. We cut the skin off first then cut the meat.
Shishmaref has about 600 people living. We play Eskimo games. We go ice fishing on the ice. Some people pick berries on the Island. Other people pick berries by their camp. Animals give their lives to us so we can live longer. We play Eskimo baseball, mana mana maa, izrigaa.
We have a picnic here at the beach. At the picnic we play Eskimo games. We go sliding at 18 mile or in town. We go biking on the paved roads and with our friends. We go bird hunt in the springtime. We use a bb gun to kill the birds. We do not use iron boats only some people use them. We go ride around. People go dog sledding in winter.
We eat qauq, it is frozen fish. We get tomcod, smelt, herring, white fish, bullheads, flounders and salmon. From the caribou we eat fried meat, meat and gravy, roast soup, dried ribs, tongue and heart soup, caribou stew. We eat izza, eider, duck, canadian goose, mallard, snow geese, loon, iugaq. We get seals, there are lots of kind of seals, there is common seal and spotted seal.
BSF Welcomes Three New Directors
The Bering Straits Foundation (BSF) welcomes Jed Ballard, Kevin Dillard, and Luisa Machuca to its Board of Directors. Ballard, Dillard and Machuca joined the BSF board on March 18. BSF and BSNC thanks outgoing directors Tabetha Toloff, Clara Langton, and Kirsten Timbers for their committed service to the Foundation.
BSNC shareholder Jed Ballard is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Northrim Bank. BSNC shareholder Kevin Dillard is an Internal Auditor at Alyeska Pipeline Services Company. BSNC shareholder Luisa Machuca is the Vice President of Education, Employment, and Supportive Services Division at Kawerak, Inc.
"The financial resources of BSF provides incredible opportunities to BSNC shareholders and descendants," said Ballard. "I am eager to become a BSF board member and call on my experiences to assist BSF in serving the next generation of Alaska Native leaders through scholarships, education, training, and other future opportunities."
"I enjoy working with students in pursuit of advancing their education and training to better prepare for the career of their choice," said Machuca.
Your support helps positively impact the lives of BSF recipients such as Christian Leckband, a BSF recipient who participated in the BSNC Summer Internship Program and now works as a Jr. Proposals Manager at BSNC: "The Bering Straits Foundation has benefitted me positively in many ways. Its assistance over the years was instrumental to my success throughout college and because of this support I was able to come out with a degree in Business Management and Marketing. Knowing that I had the support of the Bering Straits Foundation kept me focused and motivated to stay on track, keep moving forward, and fulfill my goals. I was able to begin working at Bering Straits Native Corporation and I am filled with pride to be able to serve the company and foundation that has done so much for not only myself but hundreds of scholarship recipients over the years."
With the very generous support of individuals and community organizations, BSF is able to help BSNC shareholders and descendants who seek to further their educational and vocational goals. Your investment is more than a commitment to BSF – it is an affirmation of your connection to and support of BSNC's current and future generations of students who are making positive strides in their lives and impact in our communities!
To make a tax-deductible donation via check, please it make payable to the Bering Straits Foundation and mail it to BSF/Attn: Donations, P.O. Box 1008, Nome, AK 99762. To donate via credit card, email foundation@beringstraits.com or call (907) 521-7207, or go to www.beringstraits.com/foundation/donate/. Thank you for your support.
BSNC Announces Executive Promotions
BSNC has announced three promotions within the company's senior management team. Krystal Nelson was promoted to Senior Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, Dan Graham was promoted to Senior Vice President and Karla Grumman was promoted to Chief Human Resources Officer/Associate Vice President.
"Krystal, Dan and Karla have contributed significantly to the success and growth of BSNC," said President and CEO Gail R. Schubert. "I am pleased to announce these well-deserved promotions which reflect Krystal, Dan and Karla's leadership and commitment to BSNC's mission."
Krystal Nelson joined BSNC in 2014 following a successful 18-year career working in public and private business sectors managing federal, state and municipal contracts. Her experience includes management of multi-million dollar programs and projects, union negotiations and managing more than 1,200 personnel.
Dan Graham joined BSNC in 2014 after nearly 20 years managing projects for the public and private sector in construction, remediation and service work. His background includes management and operational responsibility for large multi-million dollar international programs, implementing strategic plans and policies and facilitating corporate marketing and business development.
Karla Grumman joined BSNC in 2017 after serving as senior director of human resources for NANA. She leads the overall administration, coordination, compliance and evaluation of human resources services, policies, procedures and programs for the Company and its subsidiaries. Grumman has 27 years of experience in human resources.
Shareholder Spotlight: Dr. Donny Olson
BSNC shareholder Dr. Donald (Donny) Olson is known by many throughout the Bering Strait region. Dr. Olson was born to Martin and Maggie Olson in Nome and raised in Golovin. He has an extensive list of academic credentials and his occupations include physician, pilot, businessman, reindeer herder and state senator.
Dr. Olson attended Covenant High School in Unalakleet. On weekends, his father flew him home from school in a small plane in order for him to be with his family in Golovin. These flights became flying lessons, and Donny earned his pilot's license before completing high school. After high school he earned a B.A. in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota in Duluth. He then studied at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and in 1983, received a M.D. from Oral Roberts University School of Medicine. After a medical internship with St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Youngstown, Ohio, Olson returned to rural Alaska to fulfill a life-long dream of practicing medicine in his home area.
As a physician in rural Alaska, Dr. Olson has experienced unique situations rarely encountered in urban settings; for example, he performed the last emergency Cesarean section done in Nome, and by necessity, he used only local anesthesia in performing the surgery, since Nome had no anesthesiologist. At a village clinic on Saint Lawrence Island, he delivered a premature infant who tried to come into this world by breech. When emergency medical technicians brought a young man with a gunshot wound to the head into the emergency room, Dr. Olson stabilized the patient for transport to specialized surgery in Anchorage; the patient recovered sufficiently to resume a productive life. Dr. Olson holds the rare distinction of having practiced medicine in all of western Alaska's remote hospitals and he has visited many of the village clinics. In 1995, on the recommendation of the late Tim Towarak, Gov. Knowles appointed Dr. Olson to the Alaska State Medical Board.
In 2000, Dr. Olson was elected to the Alaska State Senate for District T, which includes 60 communities throughout North and West Alaska. He continues to strive to improve the conditions of living in rural Alaska through his position as Senator.
When the legislature is not in session, Dr. Olson resides in his hometown of Golovin in the home he grew up in. During the summer, he enjoys being a commercial pilot, spending time camping with his family. Olson's wife is Willow Olson and his children are: Ipialalook (Martin), Igeetook (Junior), Dulgomick (Margaret), Digickson (Solomon), Susuzak (Elise) and Omilak (David).
The longer days we are now seeing are a welcome and telltale sign of spring. This past winter produced record snow for some of our villages, and several others experienced a complete loss of shorefast and winter ice coverage more than once during this time. The sun's reappearance brings renewed energy, an increase in time spent outdoors and once again, the annual return of our traditional subsistence activities, including harvesting migratory birds and their eggs, marine mammals, and greens. We are hopeful that the changing weather and ice conditions does not negatively impact our spring subsistence activities.
I am pleased to share an update regarding BSNC's Beringia Settlement Trust, which was created after shareholders overwhelmingly voted to approve a resolution establishing the Trust at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. A permanent fund has been created within the Beringia Settlement Trust to grow assets and generate investment returns into perpetuity for the benefit of our shareholders and descendants. The Settlement Trust also serves to protect the continuity of existing benefits, including Elder distributions, bereavement benefits, and education. BSNC recently contributed cash and other assets of almost $30 million to the Trust as an initial funding.
As a reminder, Settlement Trusts are intended to benefit shareholders, descendants and Alaska Native people. Revenue generated from Settlement Trusts can be used to provide dividends, scholarships, bereavement benefits, and support cultural programs. As BSNC contributes cash and other assets to the Settlement Trust, we are able to reduce our current and future federal income tax liability. Because BSNC distributed the special Elders dividend in November and the shareholder dividend in December from the Settlement Trust, these distributions are not subject to federal income tax by our shareholders.
I am also excited to share information about a great career opportunity for BSNC shareholders and descendants. BSNC is offering qualified shareholders and descendants a one-time scholarship for up to $2,000 to be used to pay for training required for a career opportunity with Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO). The scholarship will help qualified candidates obtain prerequisite TWIC and U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariners certificates, and pay for air travel to ECO's training facility in Louisiana. Meals and lodging will be provided to successful candidate applicants by ECO.
Once hired, training will start immediately. The classroom training lasts two weeks, followed by three months of on-the-job training in the Gulf of Mexico. Whether you are an entry-level candidate or an experienced mariner, each candidate will have an individual development plan to work toward higher U.S. Coast Guard licenses and pay. ECO's state-of-the-art training center is one of the most advanced in the world. Staffed by U.S. Coast Guard- Certified Instructors, the ECO training staff will provide Alaska Native hires with the training and qualifications needed to build a successful career in the maritime industry. I encourage anyone interested in this opportunity to contact Brent Lirette at (907) 562-2136 or brent.lirette@chouest.com.
As May is rapidly approaching, on behalf of the BSNC Board of Directors and staff, I extend congratulations to our shareholders and descendants who are graduating from high school, college, and graduate school. We are all proud of your accomplishments and wish you well in your future endeavors. In closing, I want to acknowledge the lifelong commitment to BSNC of our former Director and President & CEO Tim Towarak, who recently passed away. I thank his family, and especially his wife Rose, for the many years that Tim worked on behalf of our People, resulting in much time spent away from them. Quyaana, and may Tim's memory be eternal.
BSNC President & CEO
BSNC Announces Bereavement Assistance Increase to $2,500
The Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC) Board of Directors has voted to increase bereavement benefits from $1,500 to $2,500. Bereavement assistance helps defray the cost of funeral expenses for an original BSNC shareholder, a lineal descendent of an original BSNC shareholder, or the spouse of a living original BSNC shareholder.
"We recognize that families have many burdens when a loved one dies," said BSNC Board Chairman Henry Ivanoff. "We are hopeful that the assistance BSNC provides helps alleviate some of the financial burdens."
The new bereavement payment is effective for applications received on or after Jan. 23, 2019 for those individuals covered by the bereavement policy. The deadline for filing for bereavement assistance is within three months of the date of death. Bereavement assistance may be applied for by a surviving family member either in the Nome or Anchorage office.
A note about Stock Wills: Some people find it easy to think about wills, while others prefer to avoid the subject entirely. Having a Stock Will on file with BSNC lets you decide who will inherit your stock after your death. If you pass away without a Stock Will, your stock will be distributed according to state law, and may be distributed to individuals you do not intend to benefit. To encourage shareholders to complete their Stock Wills, BSNC continues to hold monthly drawings for those shareholders who submit a Stock Will, with a prize of $200. Visit beringstraits.com/shareholders/forms/ or call (907) 443-5252 to update your stock will today.
By Nilson Mixsooke | Published: December 20, 2018
BSNC thanks everyone who submitted photos for our sixth annual photo contest. The grand prize winner is shareholder Fred Sagoonick, who submitted a photo of a beautiful scenic view from the Shaktoolik Foothills overlooking Norton Sound, Beeson Slough, Besboro Island and Cape Denbigh.
BSNC understands the cultural and economic importance of ivory carving to its shareholders and families and included a new category in BSNC's 2018 Photo Contest – Ivory Carving! Photos entered into this category included walrus, mammoth and mastodon ivory carvings, the process of carving ivory and/or an ivory carver. To view more of the winning photos, check out BSNC's Facebook page.
Ivory Carving
1st John Luke Kakaruk, "Mother and Child by Melvin Olanna"
2nd Dawson Evans, "Eagle by Anningayou"
3rd Harlyn Andrew, "Graduation Bracelets"
1st Tanya Ablowaluk, "Mary's Igloo Traditional Council Cultural Campers"
2nd Annemiek Analoak, "Cheyenne Simpson in Nome, Alaska during the 2016 Summer Solstice"
3rd Brianne Gologergen, "Unity"
1st Rachel Goodall, "1949 Cape Espenberg"
2nd Leann Richards, "White Mountain Girls Dorm 1952"
3rd Aidan Osborne, "Old Bluff Gold Mine"
Scenery and Landscape
1st Melissa Slwooko, "Gambell, Alaska"
2nd Allison Ivanoff, "Unalakleet Windmills"
3rd Fisher Dill, "Fireweed Across the River"
Subsistence Activities
1st Brianne Gologergen, "Start Them Young"
2nd Fisher Dill, "Winter Crabbing"
3rd Curtis Ivanoff, "Buoy"
1st Fisher Dill, "Mother and Son Roaming the Tundra"
2nd Kirstie Ione,"Hudson Enjoying Village Life On A Homemade Sled"
3rd Jennifer Kameroff, "Eskimo Bowling"
Grand Prize photo submitted by Fred Sagoonick.
FIRST PLACE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES: Tanya Ablowaluk submitted this photo of Mary's Igloo
Traditional Council Cultural Campers.
FIRST PLACE HISTORICAL: Rachel Goodall submitted this historical photo from 1949 at Cape Espenberg. From left to right: James Kigrook, Fannie Kigrook, Margie Kigrook, Doris Kigrook, Flora Kigrook, father of the siblings Harry Kigrook and Nellie Kigrook (Rachel's mother).
FIRST PLACE IVORY CARVING: John Luke Kakaruk submitted this photo of an ivory carving of a mother and child by Melvin Olanna.
FIRST PLACE SCENERY AND LANDSCAPE: Melissa Slwooko submitted this photo of Gambell, Alaska.
FIRST PLACE SUBSISTENCE ACTIVITIES: Brianne Gologergen submitted this photo of her daughter watching the men butcher a bull walrus.
FIRST PLACE VILLAGE LIFE: Rae Rae Frankson (Katchatag) and her son roaming the tundra.
In Memoriam: Shareholder Lela Kiana Oman
BSNC shareholder Lela Kiana Oman passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family members on Monday, July 9. Lela was BSNC's oldest shareholder at 102 and a half years of age.
Lela was born in 1915 in Noorvik, Alaska. She moved to Nome as a young girl and resided there for the remainder of her life. She devoted her life to preserving traditional Inupiaq stories and passing on Inupiaq traditions. She has published a number of books of Native stories, including: Eskimo Legends (1966, Nome Press) and the Epic of Qayaq: The Longest Story Ever Told By My People (1995, Carleton University Press).
Lonny Piscoya Awarded Glenn Godfrey Law Enforcement Award
The Alaska Federation of Natives awarded BSNC shareholder Lieutenant Lonny Piscoya the Glenn Godfrey Law Enforcement Award. Lieutenant Piscoya's law enforcement career has spanned nearly 25 years and during that time he has served Alaska and its communities from the Southeast panhandle to the Northern Interior. The knowledge he gained growing up in rural Alaska on the land, rivers and ice surrounding Nome has served him well in his search and rescue assignments. His family and cultural background, which emphasizes cooperation, compassion, humility, and community service, has shaped and guided his development as a public safety officer.
While serving in Ketchikan, he was awarded the Department of Public Safety Purple Heart for injuries he received in the line of duty. During an arrest in 2001, his leg was fractured, yet he still managed to subdue the suspect until backup arrived. In 2005, he was awarded the Police Unit Commendation from the Ketchikan Police Department.
His service with the Fairbanks Post began in 2005 when he was promoted to Lieutenant, Deputy Detachment Commander. He served as Team Leader for the Special Emergency Reaction Team from 2005 to 2011. In 2010, he was chosen to become the Rural Unit Supervisor and Supervisor of the Judicial Service Unit and Bureau of Highway Patrol Unit, an assignment that oversaw the Alaska State Troopers across much of interior Alaska. He also served as the Detachment Search and Rescue Coordinator. In 2018, he was selected as Fairbanks District Attorney's Officer of the Year.
Piscoya was born in Nome, Alaska to Carol and Roy Piscoya. He was raised in Nome and has seven siblings. He and his wife Bridget, who have been married for 24 years, have six children. He is a member of Rotary International and serves on the Board of Directors for the Midnight Sun Boy Scout Council in Fairbanks.
In Memoriam: Shareholder June Degnan
BSNC mourns the passing of shareholder June Degnan who served on BSNC's Board of Directors from 1985-1989. June passed away on July 9.
Born in 1937 and raised in Unalakleet, June was the daughter of Ada and Frank Degnan. June earned a Master of Arts in Library and Information Science with Phi Kappa Phi Honors from the University of South Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology cum laude. She has held professional positions as a land manager, planner, teacher, archivist, librarian and historian.
In 2017, June was a recipient of the First Lady's Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition for her service as the founding president of Haven House Juneau (HHJ), a transitional home for women exiting incarceration. She presided over the HHJ board since its inception in 2007 and demonstrated exceptional dedication, leaving her paid employment to nurture HHJ into an entity that has successfully helped countless women make healthy changes in their lives as they transition out of confinement. Since the 1960s, June fought for Alaska Native rights, for women's rights, for equal opportunity and social justice.
BSNC Offers Scholarship for Maritime Career
BSNC is offering qualified shareholders and descendants a one-time scholarship for up to $2,000 for a career opportunity with Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO). The scholarship will help hired candidates obtain prerequisite TWIC and U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariners certificates, and pay for air travel to ECO's training facility in Louisiana.
Once hired, training starts immediately. Classroom training is two weeks, followed by three months of on-the-job training in the Gulf of Mexico. Whether you are an entry-level candidate or an experienced mariner, each candidate will have an individual development plan to work toward higher U.S. Coast Guard licenses and higher pay.
ECO training including:
• STCW Basic Training
• Basic Marine Safety Training
• Environmental Awareness Training
• Vessel Security Training
• Marine Rigging Training
• On-the-job training onboard a vessel while acquiring sea time
and working towards advancement
ECO's state-of-the-art training center is one of the most advanced in the world. Staffed by U.S. Coast Guard-Certified Instructors, the ECO training staff will provide Alaska Native hires with the training and qualifications needed to build a successful career in the maritime industry.
For more information, please contact Brent Lirette at (907) 562-2136 or brent.lirette@chouest.com.
U.S. Army to Repatriate Remains of Students Who Died at Boarding School
The U.S. Army will repatriate remains of young students buried at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. The school's mission was to remove children from their culture and assimilate them into mainstream American culture. The boarding school operated between 1879 and 1918. More than 10,000 Native American children were required upon arrival to have their braids cut off and dress in military style uniforms in an effort to stamp out their heritage. Students were punished for speaking their native language and were given new names.
The remains of many Alaskan and Inuit students have not been claimed:
Lucy Spalding, died March 25, 1905
Mabel Stock, died Aug. 16, 1904
Tomicock (last name unknown), died April 8, 1900
Pariscovia Friendoff, died April April 29, 1906
Cooking Look, died Jan. 4, 1904
Fred Harris, died June 9, 1890
Helen Fratias, died Dec. 14, 1903
Anastasia Achwack, died June 20, 1904
Edward Angelook, died Sept. 24, 1905
Wallace Derryman, died July 11, 1910
Hanna Dechizien, died May 4, 1889
Laublock (last name unknown), died April 15, 1899
Elliot (last name unknown), died May 21, 1889
Titus Deerhead, died Nov. 17, 1886
Paul Wheelock, died May 14, 1900
Leah Road Troller, date of death unknown
May Paisamo, died April 28, 1890
Given Bat, died Aug. 3, 1885
Moses Neal, date of death unknown
Own Firy, date of death unknown
Almeda Heavyhair, died Aug. 28, 1890
Margaret Edgan, date of death unknown
Christine Redstone, died July 19, 1899
Jack Martha, died Feb. 5, 1888
Zeneke Uh, date of death unknown
Wash He, date of death unknown
John Bytzolay, date of death unknown
Minnie Topa, died May 28, 1891
BSNC requests that anyone with possible information about these individuals, their families or their community of origin to contact the U.S. Army at the address listed below and BSNC at Media@beringstraits.com. BSNC will assist in coordination with the proper tribal authorities.
The US Army has extended invitations to consult on this issue to all Federally-recognized tribes. Because the historical records are so incomplete, Army cannot determine all the tribes represented within the Carlisle Cemetery. If you believe you have an ancestral family member buried at Carlisle and would like to consult on having their remains relocated to a cemetery of your choice, please contact:
Mike Black, Director
MIB 4606 MS
1849 C Street, NW
Army National Military Cemeteries
1 Memorial Drive,
Or email: usarmy.pentagon.hqdaanmc.mbx.accountabilitycoe@mail.mil.
BSNC Interns Raise More Than $50,000 for BSF
This year, BSNC's summer interns helped plan and host the Bering Straits Foundation (BSF) Art Auction that was held on July 17 at the Petroleum Club in Anchorage. Thanks to the many donors, the auction reached its goal of raising $50,000 to benefit BSF's scholarship programs. BSNC and BSF sincerely thank the donors and artists who donated their beautiful artwork, those who purchased art and those who made financial contributions. BSNC also expresses a special thanks to the Rasmuson Foundation for their donation of $5,000, Tom and Cindy Massie for their $20,000 donation, and an anonymous employee donor for their $5,000 donation.
With the very generous support of individuals like you and community organizations, BSF is able to help BSNC shareholders and descendants who seek to further their educational and vocational goals. Your investment is more than a commitment to BSF – it is an affirmation of your connection to, and support of, BSNC's current and future generations of students who are making positive strides in their lives and positive impacts in our communities.
Your support helps positively impact the lives of BSF recipients such as Isabel Yamat, a BSF recipient who participated in the BSNC Summer Internship program and was promoted to Assistant Facilities Security Officer: "I am grateful for the support Bering Straits Foundation gave me while I pursued my degree. I was a first-generation college student, and with their support I was able to obtain my degree. The support and assistance they dedicate to Bering Straits shareholders and descendants is truly admirable and uplifting."
If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to BSF, please visit www.beringstraits.com/foundation/donate/.
BSNC Shareholder Promoted to Jr. Proposals Manager
BSNC is pleased to announce that BSNC shareholder Christian Leckband has been promoted from Proposals Coordinator to Jr. Proposals Manager. Leckband, who grew up in Nome, interned in the Business Development Department during the 2016 Summer Internship Program. He began working for BSNC after graduating in May 2016 from the University of Alaska Anchorage with dual bachelor's degrees in business management and business marketing.
Christian manages and produces proposals and responses to requests from government entities such as the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force. As a Jr. Proposal Manager, Christian's duties will expand in capacity while working with these various entities. Congratulations, Christian!
Eagle Eye Completes Demolition Project in Diomede
BSNC subsidiary Eagle Eye Electric, LLC (Eagle Eye) recently completed a demolition and cleanup project in Diomede for the State of Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The project included demolition of the Alaska Army National Guard Federal Scout Readiness Center Armory. Constructed in 1960 when the Cold War was in full swing, the armory was the only site in the U.S. to have direct visibility and contact with the Soviet Union. Diomede was one of the many strategic points in Alaska along the Arctic border that separated the Soviet Union from the U.S.
During the winter of 2008-2009, the armory fell victim to its surroundings when heavy loads of snow sloughed off adjacent buildings onto the roof, causing it to partially collapse. The armory was determined to be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places but due to the damage, it was determined that the property no longer retained the structural integrity sufficient to convey its historical significance. Eagle Eye successfully demolished, transported and disposed of armory materials, including debris and hazardous substances.
In addition to demolishing the armory, Eagle Eye removed a barge load of garbage, debris and scrap steel for the City of Diomede. Refuse from the island had not been removed since 2009 when a fall storm washed away the barge landing and access to the dump. Some of the items removed by Eagle Eye had been there for more than 20 years.
Diomede, on the island of Little Diomede (Iŋaliq), sits in the middle of the Bering Strait and is less than three miles from the international dateline and the Russian island of Big Diomede. The project was managed by BSNC shareholder and Eagle Eye Business Development Manager Cliff Johnson. Eagle Eye hired 14 BSNC shareholders, representing 100 percent shareholder hire for the project work in Diomede. BSNC thanks the residents of Diomede for their hospitality and assistance with completing the project.