Just Something I tried Getting ADN to Print

I thought this piece would be good to share, but I haven't heard back from ADN, so I'll just share it on my blogg :). Enjoy.

Communities Taking Action in Preserving
Alaska Native Cultures

What is your community doing to preserve the Alaska Native Culture? Studies have shown that students who know their cultural background have a better chance of benefiting in the Western educational system. As a country, we have known this since at least the Meriam Act. In Alaska we even have cultural standards in our State educational system, yet our actions are not backing up these facts.

Policy makers continue to say we can’t fund this or that because of funding which in part are do to decreasing numbers in rural Alaska schools. I have heard this countless times in our community, as well as through my studies as an Elementary Education major. We cannot depend on our districts to take charge of the situation; it is up to you and your fellow community members.

At our last Native Education Committee our high school students listed some of these cultural activities they wanted such as a survival class, they wanted to learn a type of Alaska Native Dancing, an Alaska Native language, and participate in the traditional Native games. Our students want to know about their community, their history. We must listen to our community needs and our youth, and just “do it”.

This is our just “do it” start.

This year we have one of our largest Junior Native Youth Olympic teams. We have 13 students that will be traveling to State as well as 2 senior Native Youth Olympic athletes, and 5 chaperones. Last year there were only 3 students traveling and no Bethel trip. We take our 5th through 8th graders to Bethel for a traditional Native games competition. Our budget is over $16,000 the district has given us $760.

Many of these cultural activities will be made possible by your time volunteering.

As a community we have seen how our children shine through the traditional games, Native and Non-Native children alike. Parents, community members and athletes have spent numerous hours of volunteering from putting on dinners, to shoveling snow, selling pies, to an antler drive, to raffles, to seeking corporate sponsors we received six; Crowley Marine, the McGrath Clinic, MTNT, MLP, AC McGrath Store and the Fraternal Order of the Alaska State Troopers. That still leaves a big chunk to be raised, but the people in our community have not given up on our youth and through every fundraiser we have had a success. What do the students in your community want? If your district is not providing those opportunities or you have heard the excuse they can’t, you can. Our community is doing it and so can yours.

McGrath’s latest population update is down to 321. There are currently 53 students enrolled in the school from grades K-12.

Junior Native Youth Olympics will be held January 11, 12, and 13th at Mirror Lake Middle School.

Noel Strick-I am a senior majoring in Elementary Education through Interior Aleutians Campus, University of Alaska Fairbanks. I am the Chair for our Native Education Committee. I am the volunteer JNYO coach as well as a mother of two. I work as a DJ in the morning for KSKO 870 am and a Facilitator for IAC-UAF in the afternoons. Contact information: fsnrg1@uaf.edu e-mail.

Day by Day, Activities for our students what it is like

Hey everyone, sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I am so worried about making it to JNYO in January. We have 7 weeks and $7,000 more to raise. We have asked for corporate sponsors to give $500 and in return we are putting their names on our t-shirts. We are also trying to raise enough money for our volleyball team to make it to Regionals in Golovin, but they only need $1,500 and we are doing an Asian dinner on Monday that should bring in $1,000, plus they have a small raffle going on. Back to JNYO we have been shoveling, cooking, raffles, etc.. Our community has really been active, but with our numbers getting smaller they can only do so much. So, I can't help but wonder why the District didn't try to find grants to help subsidize some of our programs the students love? My husband says don't do as much, because it does stress me out. My back is going out and I am breaking out like crazy, but if we don't do it who will? Everything I do he is tied into, but we need to for our children. Also, I found out I need 4 classes and the only way I can take them all is by being in Fairbanks. There is no way I could handle them via correspondence. I just don't know. When I wasn't here we had no Senior NYO team and our JNYO team had only 4 athletes compared to this years 14. I know I make a difference for our youth, but I need to take care of myself and kids so moving to Fairbanks is becoming more of a reality, yet I feel like I am betraying my community. This really just sucks. It was fun watching all the students! We even had some preschoolers and Kind students play. I was going to upload a video from our potluck last night, but the computer wouldn't let me. So, here is a picture of my son doing wrist carry.

:) PEACE & my thought today coming from a rural town with a district like ours, is do not allow money to make a choice for you and do not accept it as an excuse through the grace of others who do see the value in what you do for your youth goodness can happen!

I've taken on a new look....what do you think?

Well I have done it, a new make over, funny though not a person realized it, except the children that visited my house on Halloween. Sadly enough we made no child cry, but took a few bye, surprise. They wiggled and screamed, but their parents said, "go in their not mean". Haha they soon also sang a different tune when monsters jumped out at them as they waited, thinking they were there just to watch, we laughed so hard, perhaps that was the scotch (kidding of course). Today I thought the make over was too much. Down came my life size skeleton that loves to sing and move, down came my spiders and cob webs, the black roses and bones in the graveyard are gone too, only 2 pumpkins remain in the back of our truck, with any luck they will vanish as well. A new Holiday is near and today we are getting 5 inches of snow as if he is laughing near bye, "hohoho" with a belly full of jelly. I can't wait to see that old man. In two weeks we will prepare to greet him galore! My friends you have seen nothing like it before. The lights will hang, the candy canes will line the way, and I plan to get more, THANK YOU E-BAY!!! Hope you are all doing wonderful. I am still stressed, but plan on going on vacation in December, and I am going to get a massage! Lots of love and hugs coming your way from MCG!