Chugachmiut’s Nupuat Newsletter Summer Edition is available!

Topics in the Nupuat Newsletter

• Career Opportunities
• Rural Human Services Program Participants
• 2025 Firefighting Season Begins
• VPSO Program
• Exploring Energy from the Ocean’s Waves
• Chugach Regional Writers – Sand by Nancy Yeaton
• Community Submission
• Chugachmiut Regional Health Center Grand Opening
• Health Services Division News
• Realty Department Services
• Employee Spotlights

About the Cover: Chugachmiut Board Members Nanci Robart, Fran Norman (Chair), and Arne Hatch joined us for the grand opening of the Chugachmiut Regional Health Center in Seward (Qutekcak). Thank you to everyone who joined us in Seward on April 21. Photo by Angela Gonzalez.

Nupuat is a quarterly publication of Chugachmiut, the tribal not-for-profit organization serving the Alaska Native peoples of the Chugach Region. If you need to update your mailing address, please email us at media@chugachmiut.org.

View previous editions here.

Chugachmiut Nupuat Newsletter – Recent Editions

The Chugachmiut Tribal Education Department is seeking a consultant to support a large curriculum development project by advising on evidence-based Indigenous pedagogies and ceremonial ways of learning. This curriculum will support youth identity development, community connections, social-emotional learning, and creative expression through the arts.

Scope of Work:

• Up to 40 hours of consulting work between June 1–August 15, 2025
• The consultant must attend one full day of in-person training in Anchorage during the week of July 21–25, 2025
• Submit and revise culturally affirming recommendations with the project team
• Emphasize integration of ceremony as pedagogy, Indigenous epistemologies, and place-based learning

Send Quotes by May 22, 2025, to: Education@chugachmiut.org or call (907) 562-4155

Contacts: Haley Burnett (Tribal School Services) or Paul McDonogh (Director of Tribal Education)

Download the Consultant for Indigenous Pedagogies Curriculum Development RFQ below:

Cama’i! Chugachmiut’s Higher Education Scholarship application deadline is approaching. Download the Applications for Services application below and fill out the “Higher Education Scholarship” section. Then email it to 477applications@chugachmiut.org. The application deadline for the fall 2025 semester is June 30.

Application for Services – This application includes:
• Child Care
• General Assistance
• Vocational Tuition Assistance
• Higher Education Scholarships

The McCarty Fjord Day Adventure will be held in June! This is an ACE program opportunity for 6th–12th grade youth from Port Graham and Nanwalek. Explore the beautiful McCarty Fjord this summer with storytelling, ocean learning, and unforgettable views!

The application deadline is May 16. Please contact us to apply!

What to Expect:
You’ll join a group of students, chaperones, and Elders for a day at McCarty Fjord. Activities include:

• Beach exploration and storytelling with an Elder
• Marine and coastal discovery aboard a barge with Windy Bay Services, LLC
• A shared lunch and time to connect with peers
• Round-trip air travel provided by Northwind Aviation

To apply, contact us at:
Angelina Roehl (Ext. 119) or Millie Taylor (Ext. 179)
Email: ACE@Chugachmiut.org
Phone: (907) 562-4155
Toll-free: (800) 478-4155

May 6, 2025
Contact: media@chugachmiut.org, 907-334-0160

TRIBAL CONSORTIUM SIGNS MOU FOR OCEAN WAVE ENERGY
Chugachmiut and Carnegie Clean Energy Ltd. Sign MOU

Anchorage, AK—Chugachmiut and Carnegie Clean Energy Ltd. announce a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on exploring wave energy in the Chugach region. Carnegie Clean Energy is the Australian developer of the CETO® technology, which captures energy from ocean waves and converts it into electricity. The companies will work together to explore the feasibility of ocean wave energy in Alaska.

Carnegie uses the latest advances in onboard power generation and artificial intelligence to efficiently generate zero-emission electricity. CETO is an innovative, fully submerged, point absorber-type wave energy technology. A submerged buoy sits a few yards below the water’s surface and moves with the ocean’s waves. This constant movement drives a power take-off system that converts this motion into electricity. Being fully submerged and zero-emission, CETO won’t interfere with marine traffic, coastal aesthetics, or tourism, and has minimal impact on marine life.

Carnegie Clean Energy’s CETO technology has enormous potential to be a source of sustainable, clean electricity in Alaska. “This revolutionary wave conversion system can potentially supply electricity to communities in the Chugach region,” says Angela ‘Jan’ Vanderpool, Executive Director of Chugachmiut. “We are excited for the potential of lowering energy costs in the region, and it’s clean, renewable, and sustainable.”

Attached to the sea floor, CETO can harness wave power and become a source of zero-emission and cost-effective electricity for the Chugach region. Learn more and watch a video of the CETO technology at https://www.carnegiece.com/ceto-technology/.

###

About Chugachmiut

Chugachmiut is a 501(c)3 non-profit established in 1974 to serve and promote the self-governance of the seven Native tribes of the Chugach Region of Alaska. Chugachmiut offers a range of services to its seven constituent tribal communities, including primary care, dentistry, behavioral health, addiction counseling, trust and land management, heritage preservation, and wildland firefighting. Learn more at www.chugachmiut.org.

Download a PDF of this release.

How to Stay Safe Before, During, and After an Ashfall Event

Volcanic ash can be dangerous to people, animals, and buildings. Volcanic ash is mostly made up of tiny pieces of rock, minerals, and glass. It can cause breathing problems, damage roofs, and make water unsafe to drink. Individuals most at risk are Elders, children, and those with pre-existing respiratory issues.

Possible health risks of ashfall:

• Cough or wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Heightened respiratory and cardiovascular issues
• Discomfort and irritation of eyes, nose or throat

Follow these simple steps to stay safe.

---

Before an Ashfall Event

• Stay Updated: Listen to local news and emergency alerts about the volcano.
• Prepare a Safety Kit: Pack N95 masks or dust masks, goggles, duct tape, plastic sheeting, water, food, and any necessary medicine.
• Protect Your Home: Seal windows, doors, and vents with plastic and tape.
• Store Water: Keep clean drinking water in sealed containers. Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of three days, including additional water for pets.
• Plan for Power Loss: Have flashlights, batteries, and a backup power source.

---

During an Ashfall Event

• Stay Inside: If possible, avoid going outside.
• Prevent Ash from Entering Your Home: Keep windows, doors, vents, and woodstove dampers closed. Turn off the HVAC systems (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning). Seal gaps where ash can enter, and use a damp towel at the base of external doors. Turn off house fans.
• Electronics: Turn off electronics and cover with plastic sheets.
• Wear Protection: If you must go outside, wear a proper fitting N95 mask, goggles, long sleeves, pants, and gloves. Clear ash from clothing, shoes and pets before going indoors.
• Take Care of Animals: Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Brush or vacuum them when coming back inside.
• Do Not Drive: Ash can make roads slippery and damage car engines.

After an Ashfall Event

• Clean Up Safely: Wear a mask and goggles when cleaning up ash. Use a damp cloth or wet mop to clean surfaces.
• Air Safety: Change furnace and ventilation filters. Use a HEPA air cleaner/filter.
• Dispose of Ash Correctly: Do not wash ash into drains; bag it and throw it away.
• Check Your Roof: Remove heavy ash to prevent roof collapse.
• Clean Your Car: Change air filters and wipe off ash from the engine and windows.
• Stay Alert: Ash may continue to settle, so follow updates from local authorities.

---

Health Risks of Volcanic Ash

• Breathing Problems: Ash can make it difficult to breathe, especially for individuals with pre-existing lung conditions.
• Eye Irritation: Ash can cause itchy, red eyes and even scratches on the surface of the eye.
• Skin Issues: Direct contact can cause dryness and irritation.
• Water Contamination: Ash can make water unsafe, so always filter and boil water before drinking.

---

State of Alaska Volcanic Eruption Resources:

• Alaska Volcano Observatory: https://avo.alaska.edu/
• Direct link to latest Mt. Spurr activity: https://avo.alaska.edu/volcano/spurr/activity
• Sign up for local notifications: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/

For more information, visit:

• International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN) at www.ivhhn.org
• Information about volcanic ash: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/health.html
• Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium at https://www.anthc.org/news/protect-yourself-and-community-against-volcanic-ash/

If you have any respiratory concerns or need medical guidance after an ash fall event, don’t hesitate to contact your local clinic. Your health and safety are our top priorities.  

Attention Families in Nanwalek!

We have an exciting drone (UAV) training opportunity for youth in 8th through 12^th grade! It will be held on April 28-30 in Nanwalek. Reserve your spot today by filling out the application below! Send the form to ACE@Chugachmiut.org or call (907) 562-4155 or (800) 478-4155 and ask for Angelina or Millie.

Join us at the Prince Williams Sound Health Fair in Chenega on March 19-20! Enjoy exciting activities, including health and safety information, a cooking demonstration, a community meal, health screenings, and special activities for men and women. If you have any questions, contact Joe Nyholm, a Registered Dietitian with the Chugachmiut Diabetes Program, at (907) 224-4904 or JosephN@Chugachmiut.org.

Join us at the Prince William Sound Health Fair in Tatitlek on March 17-18! Enjoy exciting activities, including health and safety information, a cooking demonstration, a community meal, health screenings, and special activities for men and women. If you have any questions, contact Joe Nyholm, a Registered Dietitian with the Chugachmiut Diabetes Program, at (907) 224-4904 or JosephN@Chugachmiut.org.

Do you love playing online games? Ever wondered how games are designed and built? Now’s your chance to learn from experts! Join our Game Design Workshop, where you’ll create your own game concepts with professional guidance.

Join us for virtual meetings! This workshop is open to students in 7th to 12th grade.

What You’ll Learn

• Game Design & Creative Thinking – Bring your ideas to life!
• Future-Ready Skills – Problem-solving and teamwork.
• Systems Thinking – How games work behind the scenes.
• Community Connections – Build stories that matter.

Your work will become part of Nunaka: My Village, expanding the game with four new episodes!

RSVP

Spots are limited to 30 students from the Chugach region, including Chenega, Cordova, Nanwalek, Port Graham, Seward, Tatitlek and Valdez. Students must be an enrolled member of a Tribe or Alaska Native/American Indian living within the Chugachmiut Service Area. Email ACE@chugachmiut.org or call (907) 334-0179 or (907) 334-0119 to reserve yours!

Contact
Are you interested in learning more about enrollment or applying to become a service provider? Contact us below for more information.

Email: ACE@chugachmiut.org
Phone: (907) 562-4155
Toll-free: (800) 478-4155
Toll-free Fax number: (800) 793-2891 for ACE Program

Angelina “Kalunka” Roehl ACE Program Manager Extension 119

Millie Taylor ACE Administrative Assistant Extension 179