Native Insight Competition Winner: Harold Frank Jr.

RENEWING OUR FUTURE

I believe the key to economic renewal in rural Alaska begins with providing good education and career training for any tribal member that wants to improve their world.  Economic and social advances must begin and end with our tribal members becoming competitive.  Education and career training provide maximum flexibility in the workplace.

I am a current graduate student pursuing a Master’s of Science degree at Central Washington University.  The topic of my thesis is “Developing Tidal Energy in Angoon, Alaska”.  I decided to explore renewable energy alternatives because methods to reduce the burdensome cost of energy would be welcomed by fellow tribal members in my hometown.  My personal vision is to identify a need and educate myself to fill the void.  Education is the key.

My experience includes work with Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) corporations and tribes.  In my role as a tribal administrator, I saw that the General Assistance (GA) program had the most requests for aid from tribal members.  Education and training had sufficient funds, but I felt these programs were underutilized.  Many tribal members move to cities lacking requisite skills or experience to compete in the workplace and must seek GA.  One advantage in cities is the cost of living is reduced and GA assistance goes farther.   If we are to stem the tide of out-migration, educating the young and creating jobs to keep them home should be a top priority for all.

History has documented that adapting to rapid change has become the norm rather than the exception for the Native people.  The passage of the Alaska Statehood Act, and more importantly ANCSA, allowed accelerated municipal infrastructure to become established.  Rural schools were quickly constructed using the oil wealth and satellite television opened many windows to the world, but at a price unanticipated by our elders.  With the new municipal infrastructure, the cost of living in rural Alaska skyrocketed with energy becoming the most expensive necessity.  Job opportunities in the bush are scarce creating out-migration to urban centers.  The Native peoples’ freedom to move freely on the land was surrendered by passage of ANCSA.  A sessile existence was required of the Native people and associated municipalities evolved.

It seems that all Alaskan’s have embraced the ease of life technology offers.  We take for granted such conveniences as liquid crystal display (LCD) televisions, cellular telephones and computers.  The convenience created by these new technological advances requires energy to operate.  The cost of energy in most of Alaska is tied to the price of diesel.  Infrastructure evolved when the price of diesel was relatively cheap.  When the price of energy started to rise, the State of Alaska’s Power Cost Equalization (PCE) program, which shared the oil revenue with Alaskan villages, relieved some of the financial burden faced by rural residents.  The PCE is no longer guaranteed, but the high cost of diesel remains a certainty.

I believe one of the keys to a successful life in rural Alaska is providing some financial relief to the financial burden created by the cost of energy in the bush.  The world and the USA have started developing renewable energy sources.  Renewable energy does not require conventional carbon based fuel sources.  Newly designed mechanical devices capture energy potential in the natural world such as wind energy.  The Federal government’s movement in this direction began when President Bush signed the Energy Policy Act (EPACT) in 2005 to explore renewable sources.  The push for renewable energy development continued with President Obama’s new energy policies which have been bolstered by funding in the latest stimulus package.  If Native people in rural Alaska can capture renewable energy whenever and wherever possible the crushing financial burden created by use of fossil fuels will be reduced or even eliminated.  The money saved in utilizing renewable energy could be used on commodities such as food and other necessities from the general stores.  With stable and reliable energy sources, economic development opportunities in villages would become more attractive to investors.  Out-migration for economic reasons would be reduced.

In Alaska, the Federal commitment for developing renewable energy sources creates opportunities for true collaboration between tribes and ANCSA corporations.  There is a unique relationship between tribes and ANCSA corporations not shared by Lower 48 tribes.  Tribes in Alaska possess the government to government status with the Federal government while the corporations possess the land and the capacity.  In EPACT, Title V creates a great opportunity for tribes to develop their resources for energy production, but to do this in Alaska requires ANCSA corporation concurrence.  One of the strongest commitments from the Federal government in Title V is the guaranteed low interest loan program to tribes to develop energy resources administered by the Department of Energy.  The passage of EPACT allows tribes in Alaska and ANCSA corporations a great opportunity to jointly create renewable energy for both personal consumption and commercial enterprise (i.e. excess power for sale into the grid).

One relevant example of a collaborative effort is my hometown, the village of Angoon.  The Angoon Community Association (IRA tribe) and the village corporation Kootznoowoo Inc. have been working diligently to develop renewable energy for both the village and potential commercial purposes for any excess power.  The Tribe and the corporation have pursued the Angoon hydro-power project under the ANCSA amendments in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA).  This provision, coupled with Title V of EPACT, could translate into renewable energy independence in the near future for the village of Angoon.  The collaborative effort of pursuing renewable energy has also led to the possibility of developing tidal energy because Angoon is situated at the mouth of Mitchell Bay and Favorite Bay and has recorded 12 knot flows during the tidal ebb and flow.  The long term commitment by both the Tribe and corporation will benefit current and future generations.  It will lead to economic opportunity for lands in and around Angoon.  The example created by Angoon’s quest for energy independence is a method that can be used by other villages statewide.  A unified effort from the City, tribe and village corporation creates an atmosphere for success in trying to relieve the high cost of energy.

The most precious and valuable commodity in any community in Alaska is the children.  The future lies with them.  The family and cultural values created by growing up in my village cannot be replaced or duplicated.  I may live in Juneau, but Angoon is home.  That feeling and sense of identity is universal statewide.  So what does it mean when I allude to “Renewing our Future”?  Just look into the eyes of your children and grandchildren.

In Alaskan villages, the increased energy demand created by LCD televisions, cellular phones and other new technology may one day be met using renewable energy.  Our villages are analogous to energy.  The demand for energy remains the same, but the sources may change.  We need our tribal members to remain if our villages are to experience economic renewal and we can do that by providing jobs and infrastructure.  For Alaskan villages, “Renewing our Future” means the children need to get a good education.  In doing this, we renew the future of the village and may even be able to stem the tide of out-migration so common in all villages.  How often have we heard, “The kids get educated, but never come home.”  Developing renewable energy coupled with educated workers may keep them home.  When it comes right down to it, we all need jobs and wish we could come home.
When new technology changes overnight, an Alaskan Native with a good education will have the tools needed to adapt and change along with the times.  To capture the benefits and opportunities created by developing renewable energy in the village, we will need scientists, engineers and good technicians to manage the infrastructure.  It will be our own people filling these jobs.  The time is right for other tribes and ANCSA corporations to duplicate what Angoon and a few other villages are trying to do by developing renewable energy.  The economic impacts of cheaper energy will create a need for professional and skilled labor pools.  Alaska villages will begin to thrive.  The Obama Administration is receptive to educating the youth and developing renewable energy.  ANCSA corporations and tribes would be remiss in our duties as stewards of the land and culture if we let these opportunities pass us by.

My dad said, “Once you get your degree, they can never take that away from you.”  His encouragement and mentoring motivated me to pursue a Master’s of Science degree.  At 51 years old, I returned to college to refine the skills I gained through twenty years of service to my people.  Although this seems like a worthy effort on my part, the impact I am proudest of is the effect I had on my niece.  She concluded that if her uncle could return to college, there is no reason she can’t pursue a college education as well.  The more we educate young people by providing ample scholarships and grants from ANCSA corporations and tribes, the brighter the future looks for our Native decision makers.  Renewing Our Future starts with educating our youth.



* This was a winning essay from the recent "Native Insight" competition sponsored by the Alaska Federation of Natives organization.

Nearly 300 Native thinkers from across the nation submitted "Native Insight" essays about the economy and prospects for recovery. Women submitted 58 percent of the 280 eligible Native Insight entries, and men submitted 40 percent. Alaska Natives made up 32 percent of the applicant pool, with American Indians submitting 48 percent of the entries, and Native Hawaiians 16 percent.

The competition was open to Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and American Indians of all ages. The 500-1,600 word essays were due September 15, 2009. Essays addressed one or more of three writing prompts focused on how the Native community can support economic renewal, what it will take for the American economy to rebound and what the American leadership can do to jumpstart recovery.

The Native Insight Winners’, Finalists’ and Semi-Finalists’ ideas will be shared with members of the Obama Administration and published here at nativetimes.com as well as other Native news outlets.