 | 1. INTRODUCTION
Title:INTRODUCTION   
| 1.1. Purpose
Title:INTRODUCTION
The Kotlik Community Development Plan was developed to assure the public that a permanent community plan is accessible and used by the leaders of the community. The primary purpose of creation of the plan was to aide the local leaders that proper planning begins to ensure that coordinated and progressive growth occurs for the benefit of the residents. While growth is inevitable, local concerns about Yupik culture, subsistence, environment, fish & wildlife, morals and beliefs are important for the well being of the residents.
The time tested beliefs of honoring elders and respecting the young and being good stewards to the environment must be passed on to the generations yet to come. While educators may have viewed Yupik people as indigenous or aboriginal, we believe that our ancient teachings are the basis for successful, healthy living in any environment. While not all teachings are perfect, the basic guides to good humanity in the Yupik culture should compliment people of the world.
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| | 1.2. Acknowledgements
Title:Acknowledgements
 This plan was spearheaded by Mr. Robert Okitkun, Tribal Planner, with the assistance of Northern Management and a dedicated team utilizing Docmeister as the developmental tool.
The Kotlik Tribal Council would like to thank all individuals, local entities, regional service providers and agencies for contributing to the development of the online community plan. The Tribe would like to particularly acknowledge the efforts of Robert Okitkun, local Planning Coordinator for the Tribe and all the community residents and and other interested individuals for participating in the planning sessions and providing their valuable input.
Primary funding for the Comprehensive Community Plan was provided from U.S. HUD with matching support provided by the following entities:
Kotlik Tribal Council that contributed time and research into developing the plan.
Northern Management who provided technical support and assisted in the development of the Community Plan, while Bizware Online Applications developed the online planning platform. 
Yukon Delta Fisheries Development Association for providing supplemental funding.
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) for access and coping and pasting information from the Kotlik Sanitation Facilities Feasibility Study, December 2003.
Association of Village Council Presidents provided valuable information from their Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy plan for Kotlik.
Photographs were provided by the State of Alaska, Community Photo Library and by Mr. Robert Okitkun, Ms. Rita Okitkun and Ms. Rosella Hem.
Information was also provided by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District website.
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| | 1.3. Kotlik's Online Planning System
Title:Kotlik's Online Planning System
Utilization of Bizware Online Application's "Docmeister" online document editor enabled the planning team to create the document online while other team members were able to view changes as they were being made. This synergistic planning allowed creation of the document faster and more thoroughly.
Utilization of an online planning system enables the Tribe's staff to ensure that the community plan is timely and relevant. It may also provide a means of communicating current project status to residents and other agencies.
It is our vision that this Online Community Plan becomes a living tool that continues to guide development in the community.
The online community plan can be accessed at the following web address:
www.KotlikAlaska.com
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| | 2. PLANNING PROCESS
| 2.1. Creation of the Kotlik Planning Board
Title:Creation of the Kotlik Planning Board
The Kotlik Planning Board will serve the community in an advisory capacity. Membership of the Kotlik Planning Board will have an appointed member from each entity with meeting stipend being paid by their host organization. With representation from each entity, Kotlik should see efforts to establish team-building and eliminate duplication in projects.
The Planning Board will address critical and long term needs for the community. Recommendations will be made to appoint the lead entity to coordinate funding applications for projects. When matching funds are needed, the lead entity will work with other entities to seek additional funding.
The Planning Board will address issues that affect the community, region, state, nation and perhaps international issues. The land, environment, social, political and economic development issues will become topics of discussion. Transportation, commerce, culture, education and environmental issues will be brought up at meetings. Some examples of discussion may involve oil and gas exploration, mining, roads, railways and a tunnel under the Bering Sea enabling worldwide railway connection.
Proper planning is crucial for Kotlik's membership to become involved in development of projects that affect our community and region. For many years, decisions for our community have been made by agencies and others that do not live in our village. A good Planning Board will have a positive impact on proper growth, increased prosperity and more pride by members of the community.
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| | 2.2. Kotlik Planning Board Guidelines
Title:Kotlik Planning Board Guidelines
1. Support by Community: A planning effort must have the backing of the community and the leaders. The residents should encourage efforts of the planning team in recognition of making the community a better place to live. All the entities should cooperate to improve our community.
2. Identify the Team: A suggestion to keep the planning team small (5 to 7 persons) was brought up at the February 16 & 17, 2005 public joint meeting. Perhaps one person from each public entity (City, KTC, BMS, HTC, KYC and Utilities) be appointed by each organization. Current and past Administrators, utility workers and individuals with knowledge of the political process would be good choices for the planning team.
3. Identify Funding Sources: The planning team should have a budget to pay a planning coordinator. Since planning is a function that is to help society, the funding source should be from a governmental entity.
4. Identify Projects: Critical and long term needs will be addressed by the planning team. While projects can be prioritized, the team should refrain from doing so because as one projects attains funding similar projects may receive concurrent funding.
5. Regional and State Coordination: Invitations to Regional and State agencies to attend meetings at Kotlik should be encouraged. Funding and technical assistance sources could be identified and perhaps the visitors can become able technical assistants with a better working knowledge to Kotlik's needs.
6. Project Assignments: Each project identified as a need will need to have persons or entities assigned as lead agencies. As an example, a new landfill can be assigned to the city for major funding pursuit. While the City writes a grant application for a new landfill, the Tribal Council can request BIA roads funding as a matching grant to the new landfill. Each project assignment will need to cooperate with other entities to eliminate duplication.
7. Public Meetings: All planning team meetings can be open to the public. Projects that are planned for society are generally discussed in public meetings by the lead agency that sponsors a project. The planning board representatives and the coordinator can answer questions when needed. It is important to document projects discussed in public meetings to the minutes of the meetings.
8. Develop Calendar: The planning board should develop a calendar that identifies meeting dates for all entities. Application deadlines can be put into this calendar. Timelines for each project can be developed. A schedule of different events such as potlatches can be identified so as not to assign conflicting meeting dates. All other regional and state events can also be identified.
9. Do Follow-up: The planning board needs to do periodic follow-up of different projects. A scheduled monthly meeting would be good to keep track of the progress of projects. It would also help to identify different projects that can be worked on simultaneously.
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| | 2.3. Kotlik Planning Board Appointments
Title:Planning Board Appointments 2006
The current Planning Board members appointed in 2006 by their entities are the following:
Kotlik Tribal Council: Joseph P. Mike
Kotlik Yupik Corp.: Michael Prince
Bill Moore's Slough: George Waska
Hamilton Tribal: George Williams
Alternate: Rudy Williams
City of Kotlik: Stella Unok
The appointed members should serve on the Planning Board until they are elected out of office. This will ensure continuity of knowledgable members to remain on the team.
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| | 2.4. Planning Board Minutes
Title:Planning Board Minutes
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| | 3. COMMUNITY VISION & VALUES
| | 4. CRITICAL NEEDS IN KOTLIK
Title:Critical Needs in Kotlik, Alaska
HOUSING: 
Housing
Kotlik Housing Authority
INFRASTRUCTURE:
Water & Sewer Expansion
New Landfill
Dock Facility
Street Lights
Electrical Pole Upgrades
Airport IFR Lights
Warm Passenger Facility at Airport
Heavy Equipment & Equipment Storage/Garage
Alternative Energy
COMMUNITY FACILITIES:
Head Start Building
Inter-Tribal Court Building
Child Care Facility
Elder Care Facility
Health & Fitness Center
Community Complex
Public Safety Building
Youth, Teen Center
Cultural Center/Arts & Crafts
Cemetary Improvements
New Clinic
TRANSPORTATION/WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT:
Roads
Boardwalk Improvement
Bridges
River Bank Erosion Control
Dock Facility
Dredge Channel at North Mouth
COMMERCIAL/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
New Store
Hotel
Restuarant
Fuel Delivery
Recycling Center
Tourism
Reindeer Husbandry
New Airline/postal service hub for area
Gravel Quarry
TRIBAL PROGRAMS/SERVICES/TRAINING:
Kotlik Realty Services
Healing Circle
Training for VPSO's, Fire Fighters, Land Managers, Accountants, Administrators, Teachers, Health Providers, Heavy Equipment Operators, Computer Technicians, Tourism Operators, Guides and Boat Operators
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| | 5. COMMUNITY PROFILE
Title:COMMUNITY PROFILE
 Kotlik has a federally recognized Tribal Council which is the governing body of 634 enrolled tribal members. The majority of the original native inhabitants migrated from Chaneliak to Kotlik. Kotlik is a member of the Calista Corporation (a regional native corporation), the Association of Village Council Presidents (a regional non-profit corporation), the Lower Yukon School District (a regional school district), and the Yukon Delta Fisheries Development Association (a regional Community Development Quota entity). Kotlik is located near the boundary line of Calista/ AVCP and the Bering Strait/ Kawarek regions and is the northernmost community of AVCP. The City of Kotlik incorporated in 1970 as a second class city.
The Kotlik City Council, the Kotlik Tribal Council, the Kotlik Yupik Corporation, the Bill Moore's Slough Elders Council and Hamilton Tribal Council have a close working relationship regarding community projects. Qerrulligmiut Foundation (a non-profit entity) is in the process of securing 501 (c) 3 tax exempt status from IRS and is another entity that should become active in the community.
The three tribal councils (Kotlik Tribal Council, Bill Moore's Slough Elders Council and the Hamilton Tribal Council) formalized an Inter-tribal Court upon adoption of the Kotlik Tribal Court ordinances in 2003. Nunapiglluaq Corporation and Kongnikilnomiut Yuita Corporation are ANSCA village corporations for Hamilton and Bill Moore Slough, respectively, are also located in Kotlik.
TRANSPORTATION
 There are no roads connecting Kotlik to other communities, nor are there any gravel roads in the village. Boardwalks are used in the community for pedestrian and small vehicles. Transport of passengers, cargo and mail is by aircraft via the State of Alaska owned airstrip. The State of Alaska, Department of Transportation opened a new 4,422x100 foot runway during the fall of 2000. Bulk fuel and heavy cargo are brought in seasonally by barge. The local residents travel in privately owned boats during the summer and overland during the winter with snowmobile, dogsled or small all terrain vehicles.
CULTURE
 The culture is predominately Yupik Eskimo and the members practice a fishing, trapping and subsistence lifestyle. Subsistence harvests include marine mammal species (beluga whale, seals and occasionally walrus), caribou, moose, migratory and resident birds, and various fin-fish species. Traditional clothing and arts and crafts products are made from subsistence caught species.
Several potlatches occur annually when Stebbins, Alaska residents and others nearby are invited. Eskimo dancing and sharing of gifts and stories are emphasized. The highlight of the events is the introduction and initiation of young dancers whose traditional Eskimo names (a name taken at birth after a deceased member) are announced and acknowledged. During this presentation, gifts are given to the surviving relatives and friends of the deceased. This special honor is paying tribute to the dead and is a means of healing for the surviving members.
A trait imbibed to all tribal members is to respect the environment, fish, wildlife and others, as conscientious stewardship will ensure continued replenishment of our plate. Our plate being the land, sea and environment where all the resources are harvested from for the sustenance of the people.
The Yupik people are instructed to greet strangers kindly and feed and house them if necessary. Sharing food, clothing and shelter to the needy is tutored as one never knows when that gesture will be returned and when it does it is usually in multifold.
The community has experienced strides in growth during the last 45 years. From days of using dogsleds and wooden skiffs with small outboards for transportation to using snowmobiles and aluminum boats with high powered outboard motors. From days of using the coleman lantern to use of electricity. From living in log homes of driftwood to modern homes raised on steel pilings that have modern boilers with baseboard heat and available electricity. From days of mail planes arriving once weekly or once monthly to daily multiple landings of various aircraft. From verbal communication to utilization of the internet.
In essence, our community has seen growth from the steamboat era lifestyle to appreciation of the space age technology. Yet, inspite of introduction of all the amenities, our residents still depend heavily on traditional subsistence harvests. The ancient teaching to support each other as well as respect others, the land, sea, flora and fauna are still disciplines taught to the growing members.
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| 5.1. History & Setting of Community
Title:History & Setting of Community
 The community of Kotlik is located in the north tributary of the Yukon Delta fan about 35 miles northeast of Emmonak. It lies 165 air miles northwest of Bethel, and 460 miles from Anchorage. It is located at approximately 63.034170 North Latitude and -163.55330 West Longitude. (Sec. 25, T028S, R026W, Kateel River Meridian.) Kotlik is located in the Bethel Recording District. The area encompasses 3.8 sq. miles of land and 0.8 sq. miles of water. The climate of Kotlik is subarctic. Temperatures range between -50 and 87. There is an average of 60 inches of snowfall, with a total of 16 inches of precipitation annually. High winds and poor visibility are common during fall and winter. Norton Sound and the Yukon are ice-free from mid-June through October.
The Yukon Delta fan has three main tributaries, the South Mouth, Middle Mouth and the North Mouth and Kotlik is the only community in the northern branch. The community is located at the confluence of the Kotlik River and the Little Kotlik River and two subdistricts of the main community are built across these rivers.
The village was first recorded during the 1880 census. The community grew when a new school was built and residents of the nearby villages of Chaneliak, Bill Moore's Slough, Pastolik and Hamilton moved to Kotlik during the late 1950s and early 60s.
Prior to purchase of Alaska in 1867, the Russian Orthodox had a church and cemetary established in Kotlik. Early Russian military contact failed miserably when after an of evening of attempted coercion, the Russians awoke to find no native people. The Yupik eskimo residents disappeared into the environment. It was only with dialog of religion by Russian Orthodox priests that the talks of trading and aiding the Russians continued. A few Russians intermarried to native women and became permanent residents. The off-spring being conversant in Russian and Yupik became the traders. Some of the current Kotlik residents are decendents of those Russian traders.
During the latter part of 1800s and/ or early 1900s, a fur farm (either fox or mink) was established in Kotlik. Our people have always been dependent on fur for income and/ or trade. Since this livelihood was at risk, it is quite plausible that the fur farm was sabotaged.
Northern Commercial Company (later known as Alaska Commercial Company) had the only store of the North Mouth region at Hamilton, Alaska. The Hamilton station served also as the headquarters for other area NCCo stores. Hamilton had the only post office for the area until a postal station was established during the early 60s in Kotlik. NCCo traded with local hunters and fishermen for fur and salmon and allowed credit for store goods. This commerce, while improving the lifestyle for the local natives, was also instrumental in contributing to development of rural Alaska.
While Bill Moore Slough and Pastolik had only three to four families at their locales, Chaneliak hosted the largest population of the area with about 100 people. The Catholic Church established a church there and the Government built a one room Alaska Native School building there. The Bureau of Indian Affairs later became the primary entity to entice other native families from the area to live at Chaneliak. It is possible that an IRA form of tribal government may have been established at Chaneliak.
 An intense fall flood during the early 50s drew floating chunks of ice and damaged a trading post and some homes at Chaneliak. The damage created enough concern that the Bureau of Indian Affairs built a new school about 5 miles up the Yukon River in a community now known as Kotlik.
The terrain around Kotlik is a marshy lowland of alluvial deposits and the rivers are surrounded with willows. The community is prone to floods during autumn as tides are extreme with the fall storms. Concurrently, spring ice break-up normally does not cause floods as there are many other drainages along the delta fan. Kotlik is located near the edge of the fan and is last to become affected by the river outflow. The Nulato Hills are located about 25 to 30 miles to the east of Kotlik. The Bering Sea or the southern Norton Sound is about 6 miles north and east of the community.
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| | 5.2. Existing Population, Demographics & Population Forecast
Title:Existing Population, Demographics & Population Forecast
Kotlik, incorporated as an Alaskan second class city in 1970, has a population of 588 residents (State of Alaska DCED certified in 2004) of which about 96% are Yupik Eskimo. The median age is only 18.5 years.
The community has experienced an average growth rate of 3%. Using this percentage, the projected 20 year population is as follows:
| Year | 2004 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2025 | | Population | 588 | 606 | 702 | 814 | 944 | 1094 |
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| | 5.3. Economic Trends & Statistics
Title:Economic Trends & Statistics
Commercial fishing for herring in the Norton Sound and salmon in the Yukon River are the primary sources of income for majority of the residents of Kotlik. Eighty-three residents hold commercial fishing permits; they in turn hire one or two helpers to assist in their commercial endeavors. This translates into 41 % to 71 % of the population participating in commercial fishing. Some residents move to Emmonak or elsewhere to work at salmon processing plants. A few of the younger members participate in the "High Seas" fishery with YDFDA's CDQ partners. Kwikpak, Inc., a subsidiary of YDFDA started a "buy and fly" salmon operation summer of 2003.
Additional income is derived from trapping fur bearing mammals such as mink, otter, beaver, muskrat, fox and to a lesser extent the lynx, wolverine and wolf. The low price of fur has deterred trappers from making an effort to harvest fur. Traditional arts and crafts products are also sold, however, there is no stable market for them.
The local jobs are available at the Kotlik School, the Kotlik City and Utilities offices, the two stores, the Tank Farm, the Village Corporation office, Clinic, Headstart, the three tribal councils and the U. S. Postal Service. There are no industrial jobs available as all fish processing is done in other communities such as Emmonak, St Mary's, Marshall and Anchorage. There are no forests nearby and the potential for hard rock mining and oil and gas exploration are not foreseeable.
The unemployment percentage rate, according to the 2000 U.S. Census, is at 24.4%, with 57.9% of all 16+ not working. 21.1 % of the 101 households are below the poverty level. There is a potential workforce of 354 individuals with 205 persons unemployed. While the median income is at $37,750, it is probable that the highest paid jobs are certificated persons that work at the school and most of them are imported from places out of Kotlik. There are 149 persons with jobs and the majority are government workers.
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| | 5.4. Inventory of Human Resources & Training Needs
Title:Inventory of Human Resources & Training Needs
A community survey was conducted in 2006 to inventory the human resources and training needs of the community. Out of those surveyed, a majority has completed high school and many have taken college courses.
The top three training needs identified from the survey are in the areas of: construction trades, business office, and heavy equipment operation.
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| | 6. CURRENT SERVICES & SERVICE PROVIDERS
Title:CURRENT SERVICES & SERVICE PROVIDERS
The current community services and service providers for Kotlik consist of the following: Association of Village Council Presidents 638 compacting programs with the Bureau of Indian Affairs; Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation training provision for health aides and lease of Kotlik Clinic; Lower Yukon School District operation of Kotlik Schools; various tribal services of Kotlik Traditional Council, Bill Moore Slough Council and Hamilton Tribal Council; City of Kotlik provides public utilities and village police; US Government runs the Post Office; the Roman Catholic Church and the Assembly of God Church are the two denominations; Kotlik Yupik Corporation operates the Kotlik Tank Farm and the Kotlik Laufkak; Alaska Commercial Company has a store; United Utilities provides telephone service; GCI is the internet service provider; AVCP has the Head Start program; Yukon Delta Fisheries Development Association operates a salmon buying operation.
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| 6.1. City Services
Title:City Services
The City of Kotlik, incorporated as an Alaskan second class city in 1970, has a population of 588 residents (State of Alaska DCED certified in 2004) of which about 96% are Yupik Eskimo. The Kotlik Utility Board and Kotlik Utilities are subsidiaries to the City of Kotlik. The Utility Department operate Kotlik Electric Service, Kotlik Water & Sewer, Washeteria and Kotlik Cable. Aside from the services listed below, the City offers Bingo once or twice a week.
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| 6.1.1. Water & Sewer
Title:Water & Sewer
Kotlik has a piped vacuum sewer and circulating water utilidor, including plumbing for 51 homes. 19 households and facilities away from the City core area are not yet served, and these residents haul treated water from the washeteria across the Kotlik Slough, collect rainwater or melt ice, and haul honeybuckets to containers.
 The City provides honey bucket haul service to residents not connected to the City water & sewer system. The monthly service fee for the honey bucket haul system is $25.00. The service fees and monthly rates are adopted by ordinance by the Kotlik City Council.
Currently, the connection charge is $45/connection. The disconnection charge is $15/disconnection. The monthly residential rate is $85/month. The commercial rate is $115/month. Metered service is $0.10/gallon.
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| | 6.1.2. Electrification
Title:Electricification
 A new City Generation Plant with 4 new generators and electronics to sense electricity need was completed in 2002. With increased need for electricity, larger generators are automatically engaged and with decreased need, the smaller generators are utilized saving in fuel consumption. The plant has an underground fuel supply line from the new consolidated bulk fuel storage tank facility to a 4,000 gallon day tank.
The electrical system currently used is single-phase, but should three-phase electricity become a need, the newer telephone poles are equipped for the up-grade. Many of the older telephone poles are getting deteriorated and will need to be changed as some lines are sagging so low that with snow bank build-up, they are hazardous to the public.
Street lights are currently placed on alternate telephone poles. Many of the lights are not working. The City needs to provide better lights for safety purposes.
Funding was secured from Denali Commission, EPA and the State of Alaska for the $2.06 million project. Electrical rates are $0.40 kwh residential and $0:60 for commercial usage. The State of Alaska Power Cost Equalization (PCE) program provides a subsidy to residential users.
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| | 6.1.3. Cable
Title:Cable
The City of Kotlik Utilities Department offers cable television with about 30 channels to homes that request the service. The first installation service is $30.00 and re-connection for interrupted service is $50.00. The monthly rates are $36.05 and if three months advance payment is made it is discounted at 10% or $97.34 payment. Four Anchorage channels are available as is the state-wide ARCS channel for rural Alaska.
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| | 6.1.4. Solid Waste Disposal
Title:Solid Waste Disposal
The City of Kotlik and the Kotlik Yupik Corporation negotiated a land trade in 1985 to allow the City to have ownership of a landfill site in exchange for townsite lots for the corporation. The current site is located across the river and accessible only by boat and/or snowmobile and the new site is to be located in the main townsite vicinity. The City has no dumpsters, dump trucks or any trash pick-up services. Each household brings their own trash to the landfill.
Since trenching and burying is difficult in the area, the City is considering an incinerator and recycling to reduce the quantity of solid waste. The existing landfill is being closed. A Master Plan is underway to examine needed improvements.
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| | 6.1.5. Roads/ Trails Maintenance/ Heavy Equipment
Title:Roads/Trails Maintenance/Heavy Equipment
Kotlik does not have any roads, but if there were any, the City would be the entity to maintain them. A local boardwalk within the city limits was built about 1979 with surplus HUD electrification funds. All entities attempt to cooperate with repair costs. Kotlik Traditional Council was initially assigned responsibility to post snowmobile trail markers up to mid point between Kotlik-Emmonak and Kotlik-Stebbins.
The City of Kotlik has one catepillar D-5 bulldozer. The cat has been mired in the mud since 2004 and has not been used since. The City does not have an appropriate heavy equipment garage.
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| | 6.1.6. Volunteer Fire Department
Title:Volunteer Fire Department
The small red shipping container shown above, right accomodates code red fire fighting equipment. In 2003, Kotlik received Denali Commission funded Project Code Red equipment. This heated, lighted and shelved storage unit contains two mobile trailers that carry all necessary equipment to a fire utilizing a snowmobile or all terrain vehicle.
The Micro-Rural Fire Department (Project Code Red):
- Delivers 600 gallons of eco- safe fire fighting foam
- Recharges in 5 minutes for less than $50
- Safely fights fire from a range of 75 feet
- Equips 5 fire fighters with fully outfitted trailers
- Transports by ATV, snow machine, pickup or hand
- Easily accesses boardwalks and trails
- UL tested to 40 degrees below zero (Fahrenheit)
- Provides State certified training for firefighters
- Ships in container that doubles as insulated/ heated firehouse
All this for 70% less than a $250,000 new Fire Engine without taking into account the cost of building the firehouse for that fire truck, shipping and training.
More individuals need training in use of the equipment and the City needs a reliable budget for fire protection. Currently, individuals converge to fires to assist in any manner that they can.
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| | 6.1.7. Public Safety
Title:Public Safety
The community has four VPOs (Village Police Officers). Three paid by the City of Kotlik and an additional VPO is paid by the Kotlik Traditional Council. The VPOs have no formal training. Of the four community VPOs, one is a female VPO as well as the dispatcher. A majority of the calls that the VPOs respond to are domestic calls that involve alcohol abuse.
The VPOs are authorized to incarcerate individuals that violate state and local laws and on occasion assist the Alaska State Troopers by escorting prisoners to Bethel, Alaska. The VPOs are permitted to place intoxicated individuals in a holding cell for up to 12 hours or until they are sober. The VPOs are also called upon during search and rescue as well as fire and emergency response.
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| | 6.1.8. Snow Plowing
Title:Snow Plowing of Maintenance of City Limits
Kotlik does not have any roads within or leading into the community. There are no roads or trails that are plowed within City limits. The local on-grade wooden boardwalk is repaired when necessary by collaboration of user groups within the community, however snow removal is not done except by homeowners who clear their pathways.
The State of Alaska owned airport is maintained by an individual from the community who has a contract with AK DOT. The airport is well maintained and snow is cleared as soon as possible. The grader is usually in operation prior to dawn and snow is normally cleared before arrival of the first aircraft. The operations of the City of Kotlik should not be affected since this is a direct individual contract with DOT.
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| | 6.2. Tribal Entities
Title:Tribal Entities
Three federally recognized tribes are located in the community of Kotlik. They are the Native Village of Kotlik, the Native Village of Bill Moore's Slough and the Native Village of Hamilton.
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| 6.2.1. Kotlik Tribal Council
Title:Kotlik Tribal Council
The Native Village of Kotlik has a current tribal enrollment of 637 members. The Kotlik Tribal Council is the governing body that has a staggered elected 5 member council with President, Vice-President, Secretary/ Treasurer and two members. Each member serves a three year term.
The Native Village of Kotlik is the largest tribal entity within Kotlik and provides most of the essential tribal services. Services include Enrollment, Administration, NAHASDA, EPA, ICWA, TANF Case Management, Bingo, Clinic lease to YKHC and the Maintenance and Janitorial Contract to service the Clinic. Previously, NVK operated JOM, SYETP and Librarian Service and have plans to reinstate them.
Majority of the families immigrated from Chaneliak where the Bureau of Indian Affairs assisted the local residents with governmental services with food, clothing, health and educational support. Reindeer husbandry was introduced into the area when Dr. Sheldon Jackson imported reindeer to Alaska from Siberia in 1891 and 1892. Dr. Jackson, being the first General Agent of Alaska for the Bureau of Education, a Washington D.C. position, established a number of government schools—e.g., ten in the 1885-86 school year—with an annual appropriation for Alaska educational work provided by Congress through the Bureau of Education.
BIA was able to secure financial assistance to reindeer herders by providing for equipment, supplies and necessities such as boats to haul people and freight. BIA was also able to attain surplus governmental buildings from the US Army located at St. Michael. Soldiers from Ft. St. Michael provided assistance to area communities when needed, such as burying dead masses during the devastating influenza epicdemic in the early 1900s.
Nearby communities of St. Michael and Stebbins have IRA forms of tribal government and Chaneliak may have also been organized as an IRA Council. Archived BIA documents need to be explored to determine whether or not the IRA Government of Chaneliak could be transferred to the Native Village of Kotlik.
SPECIAL NOTE:
The Kotlik Tribal Council adopted resolution #06-01, Change of Name from Kotlik Traditional Council to Kotlik Tribal Council on March 18, 2006.
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| 6.2.1.1. Environmental Department
Title:Environmental Department
Report by Andy Hunt, Jr.
EPA Department
What we do at Kotlik Tribal Council Environmental Department. First of all we encourage the public as well as the local schools on recycling items that can be recycled, like for instance, we take household batteries, lead acid batteries, used oil, light bulbs, plastic containers, old computers, expired cell phones, ink cartridges, toners, typewriter ribbons, household hazardous wastes, bulk items like ATV, snowmachine bodies, refrigerators, freezers, old drum containers, as well as old bike frames, and dryers.
We also have 5 recycling bins, 2 located at the High School, 2 at the Head Start building, and 1 at the City Hall. The 2 schools that have these bins, recycle their own pop cans and ship them out to their desired recycler and they keep their money for school supplies. The one that is in the City Hall, we at the EP A Department keep the money we receive from our recycler. We also make shipping labels for the schools as well as for our selves.
We also participate in trainings held in Anchorage and/ or other cities or villages that host these trainings, as long as it pertains to our environmental issues and concerns.
2006 will be our 4th year with the EPA grant. After September 2006 we may have to close out our grant. We are not sure if we apply for another grant. I will be attending a workshop on grant writing for our Solid Waste Management held in Bethel January 18 to the 20th, 2006. Also, there is a workshop in St. Marys starting on January 10-12, 2006. This workshop is on GIS Mapping, and GPS Coordination. This workshop is sponsored by Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council out of Fairbanks, and is hosted by St. Marys Environmental Department-Serena Alstrom EPA Director.
I am also looking at the Capacity Building part of the Environmental Department. I was looking to apply for Air Quality, and Water Monitoring Technicians to build our capacity in our Department. We have experienced thick smoke in the summer. We still have 2- stroke outboards that leave 1 cup of gasoline for every 1 gallon that is used by these machines into our rivers and that would not be good for our river or stream. This would benefit our department by having a water monitor technician in our village.
As of today we are still looking for a van for our recycables, where we can gather all our recycables, ready for pickup and backhauled with Yutana Bargelines in the spring.
We are working and helping out BMS EPA Department on applying for a grant for a new burnbox, before or around the 2006 year. EPA said that Alaska will no longer have open dump burning, we will have to have a burnbox and burn all trash in the burnbox separating hazardous items and bulky items. So hopefully we get this grant before or around the 2006 year. Then they or we need to apply for a grant for a burnbox operator to maintain and monitor the burnbox. I think we need to close out the dumpsite and relocate to main side of town maybe 2-3 miles away from town. That is all I have for now, if I come up with other things I will keep in touch.
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| | 6.2.1.2. NAHASDA
Title:NAHASDA
A Report from Jewel Hendrickson
Tribal Housing Administrator
The Kotlik Tribal Council NAHASDA Housing Program has been operating since 1998. Since then, we have been renovating 3 to 5 homes a year. Our program renovates qualified and approved homes that are in need of winterizing or just replacing doors, windows, or flooring. Since I have been working with the housing program, we renovated 3 homes and we are planning to renovate 3 additional homes this Spring/ Summer with FY 04 development funds. If we receive funding for fiscal year 2005 early in the year, we plan to renovate 3 to 5 additional homes.
Our program also has Educational Housing Assistance Grants for individuals attending or planning to attend College or training. This program pays for part of the housing costs. It does not pay for tuition, books, etc. We are granted up to $5,000.00 per fiscal year and reward each individual $1,000 each or an amount approved by the Council.
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A Report by Paul Mike
AVCP Housing Summit
January 24-26, 2006
Welcome address by Ron Hoffman, CEO and President for the AVCP Housing Authority, welcoming us all to the housing summit meeting. Ron then introduced the Board of Directors for AVCP Housing Authority. Chairman for the Housing Authority is Moses White, V.C., Moses Paukan, Secretary/ Treasurer Robert, member Peter Joseph and one more from Aniak. Chairman White also welcomed us to the housing summit.
Mark Charlie, coordinator for the summit also welcomed all of us. Mark talked about Housing programs, Housing grants, Housing loans and asked which communities sent representatives from Village Corporations, Tribes and Cities that came together. He then talked about the main providers for the AVCP Housing Authority. They are from USDA, AFHC and ONAN.
Mark also talked about housing and water & sewer to be constructed, not just housing. How can we partner with the different organizations to address housing needs. Goal--It's going to take our corporation and village to make housing needs in Kotlik become reality. We should partner with other federal and state agencies to assist us.
The following presenters provided information about their programs:
Mark Romick--Planner, AK Housing Finance Corporation
Melanie Smith--Multi-family Programs, AK Housing Finance Corporation
Debrah Davis--Director, Rural Housing, USDA Rural Development
David Vought--AK Office of Native American Programs--HUD
Gary Bolling--AK Housing Finance Corporation
Susan Garrett--Loan Programs, AK Housing Finance Corporation
Esther Combs, AK Housing Finance Corporation
Ralph Lee--Rural CAP
Arvin Dull--Loan Manager, SWAN Mortage
Mark Charlie explained all the information in the housing summit binder packet. For more information, please look at the white binder packet.
There are 934 active applicants in need of housing within the AVCP region. It would be best for the Tribe and Corporation to work together in Kotlik to address housing needs. I would like to see a Housing Authority created in Kotlik to address housing needs.
I had a wonderful time at the housing summit at Bethel. I taped the meeting and anyone can listen to the tapes for more info.
This concludes my report.
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| | 6.2.1.3. ICWA
Title:ICWA
The Association of Village Council Presidents has entered into an MOA with Kotlik Tribal Council to operate the ICWA program. According to AVCP's website, the ICWA program addresses the following need:
Indian Child Welfare: Dedicated to the prevention of the break-up of native families and ensuring tribal involvement in the future of their children.
ICWA Report by Della Hunt
The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is one of the services that the Kotlik Tribal Council provides and operates for its tribal members. The Tribal Council authorizes the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) to apply for, negotiate for and administer the ICWA program by annual resolutions, until such a time when the Tribal Council chooses to administer the program on its own. AVCP provides technical assistance.
The Tribal Council hires a local Community Family Service (ICWA) Specialist to become a liaison for the Tribal Council, AVCP, regional services providers and families at risk of break-up. He/she also acts as a mandated reporter when reports of harm are received. The liaison also maintains a list of families interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents maintain case files on all at-risk families and Child in Need of Aid (CINA) cases; provides reports to the Tribal Council by oral presentations at meetings, to AVCP ICWA Coordinator by written bi-weekly reports and BIA quarterly performance reports which are submitted via AVCP.
The liaison also participates in Office of Children’s Services (OCS) case plan development for families to ensure appropriates to at-risk families, monitoring the case plan for family compliance and assisting in meeting the case plan requirements. Conducts home visits with at-risk families in order to complete a family assessment, determine treatment goals, provide referrals and on-going support and monitors families. When Notice of Rights under ICWA is received, the Specialist presents the case(s) to the Tribal Council for their decision whether to intervene or not.
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| | 6.2.1.4. Clinic Maintenance
Title:Clinic Maintenance |
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