Nenana Wellness CoalitionMinutesDecember 6, 2005 <!–[if !vml]–>
<!–[endif]–>The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska. There were 9 in attendance, including: Kat McElroy, Blaine & Bonnie Reed, Tim Horn, Bud Krause, Rob Thomasen, Tim Barker, Donald Charlie, and Willie Lord.The meeting was held in the Fire Hall again. It is a nice facility although we are having issues getting someone to unlock the door for us. Fortunately the temperature was warmer today than last week. We had brown bag pot luck which turned out well—dried fish, brownies, bananas, six-grain crackers, sandwiches. <!–[if !vml]–>
<!–[endif]–>No one officially chaired the meeting. PRAYER was said by Tim Horn. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE was recited by all. There was no Agenda to present and so no need to call for modifications. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Minutes had been completed by Miles and have been e-mailed to everyone on the WIN mail list yesterday by Kat.
SPEAKERS/TOPICS. Willie Lord came to speak about the Alaska Native Veteran’s Association. The first item we addressed was the Wellness Fair training that is going to be held in Anchorage January 25-27th, 2006. Karen Lord had mentioned that she might have money in her grant to fund two people to attend the training. Getting someone from the school at this short of a notice may be problematic. Robin Campbell was suggested as she is so good at community organizing. We had discussion about the logistics of organizing a Wellness Fair. It was mentioned that Marilyn had been active in supporting the last health fair in Nenana two years ago. Margaret Sanders had been instrumental in pulling that together. Consensus seems to be that we would like to have a Wellness Fair, to make this a goal for WIN. Tim brought up our next item of discussion, publicity or other ways to get more community involvement in our wellness meetings. She suggested posters and/or fliers to get information out into the community about our group. She said fliers could be taken home by school kids. She suggested having some manner of informal survey with the fliers that could be filled out by parents and sent back. She said that she will put something together and bring it to the group to tweak. Kat asked if we didn’t have artwork from the tee shirts we did for the first wellness dinner that we might use for posters. The shirts were done by Raven Screen. Kat also said she has some blurbs about the wellness coalition she could bring for use in a flier. Tim Barker said that the coalition has turned into a catalyst over the years, “We have all been able to support each other. The ice rink, Nenana Sports Association, we have an active Lion’s club now, doing the Junkyard Challenge, and now the Alaska Native Veteran’s Association, all using WIN as a springboard. That’s how we can support Wellness in our community.”Kat interjected that it is important that we recognize that just the fact that we are still meeting every week for over three years now is an accomplishment. People from around the state are interested in seeing how we are doing this, as so many other wellness coalitions have not been able to do so.Bud asked for the floor, said that he wanted to address something from the WIN minutes from 11-22-05. He noted that those minutes referenced a comment he’d made suggesting that we add the words “and the United States constitution” to the Pledge of Allegiance when we say it at our meetings. He said that at that time one member of WIN had indicated the saw no need to say the pledge at all. Bud wishes that comment had been included in the minutes as well.Donald Charlie spoke next. He said that there will be a community pot luck at the Tribal Hall on December 9th at 6 PM. Everybody is invited to bring a dish to share and to listen to Nenana Native Council staff give reports on their activities for this year. He noted that Native Council elections are being held the next day, December 10th and that Chief Ketzler will be stepping down. Don also said that he will be gone all next week to classes at UAF, December 13-18th. Lastly, he said that he is still talking to the Leap program about getting training to do Alternatives to Violence groups here in Nenana. Next, Willie Lord stood and spoke to us about the Alaska Native Veteran’s Association. He said that he is a member of ANVA Post #1 in Fairbanks and has taken on the task of founding post # 3 which shall be the Nenana Chapter.. He has been elected commander in post 1 and holds the rank of Colonel. He said that this association is open to ALL veterans, Alaska Native or non-native. He says their purpose is to assist veterans in obtaining benefits. He emphasized that this is not welfare; these are earned benefits for vets and family members. He said that they are especially looking for members of the Territorial Guard who served without pay during world war II and who were recently made eligible to receive Veteran’s benefits. He said that they have members for post # 3 already from Cantwell, Minto and Fairbanks and he knows of many who are eligible here in Nenana. He said the next meeting will be at the Tribal Hall, December 15, 7 PM. There is a five dollar annual fee and he hopes that soon they will have a lifetime membership fee. Tim Barker noted that VA benefits have now moved into the computer age and instead of waiting weeks after writing a letter to the VA one can get replies in nanoseconds. He said that he could set up a computer at the school to enable people to tap into that information if interested. He said he knows of a dozen families in our area who have sons or daughters serving in harm’s way, in Iraq or Afghanistan. He gave a brief history of who the military has changed since world was II. “People need to have this information, to know what benefits are available.” He mentioned National Guard General Craig Christiansen who is interested in seeing an armory go in here in Nenana. Tim said, “We have that potential. That would bring jobs for 25, maybe 30 people right there, and that’s Wellness, making jobs.”Bud noted there is a Veteran’s Memorial at the Visitor’s Information Center that is in bad needs of repair. “Someone needs to do something about that.” Willie stated that he has talked to Doyon about that. Promises were made at the time of the dedication of the bridge and memorial that funds would be made available to build a permanent monument but they were never forthcoming.Donald said that NNC is currently in the process of putting in a grant proposal to erect a permanent monument.Willie said that he has asked Milo Marks for a design. He wants to get the whole community involved, to get input on what they would like to see for the monument. Rob announced that Earl Polk from Bethel and his wife have been hired as dorm parents for NSLC, and will start January 9th. Everyone was pleased at this announcement as Earl has been to our community many times, working with the school kids on wellness issues, and he is known for his dedication and energy. NCPS also has a new secretary, Andy Corbin from Anderson, who was hired into that position after an extensive internal and external advertising and interview process. She brings many skills to the workp[lace that will benefit our school and community.School Christmas programs are scheduled: High School Music Program December 13, 7 PM Grade school music program December 14, 6:30 PM Christmas community lunch in the cafeteria December 15.Tim Barker said that there are currently 76 students at NSLC. Their goal is to have 80 after the start of the New Year. He also emphasized that NSLC has the largest commercial kitchen and dining room in Nenana. “We want to increase utilization of this,” he said. The steam house is open to the community, with hours and rules posted on the door. The ice rink has been flooded. He also noted that the exercise room is open to the public after school lets out at 2:30 until six or seven each evening. To Tim Horn’s inquiry regarding plumbing in the new building, Rob said that the sewer system lines will be dug out tomorrow according to Jason at the city office. “The timing is right, the temperature has come back up, and we have the use of the right equipment to get the job done.” ADJOURNMENT. Meeting was adjourned at 1:35 PM.