By The Numbers

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1 C O A S T A L V I L L A G E S R E G I O N F U N D Neqsurtet Nepiit SPRING 2008 The Sound of the Fishermen CHEFORNAK CHEVAK EEK GOODNEWS BAY HOOPER BAY KIPNUK KONGIGANAK KWIGILLINGOK MEKORYUK NAPAKIAK NAPASKIAK NEWTOK NIGHTMUTE OSCARVILLE PLATINUM QUINHAGAK SCAMMON BAY TOKSOOK BAY TUNTUTULIAK TUNUNAK By The Numbers The following is a summary of CDQ benefits generated for our residents in 2007: $544,000 was awarded in scholarships to 98 CVRF residents 82 residents earned $829,148 aboard BSAI vessels owned in whole/part by CVRF $3.8 million was spent to build four new fishery support centers in CVRF communities 19 full-time jobs for community liaisons 12 jobs for CVRF mechanic / welders 4 residents completed CVRF s welder/shipyard apprentice program and landed jobs 5 residents were hired as interns to work in Quinhagak with ADF&G 22 residents received $108,300 in training (medics, heavy equipment, master licenses) 7 residents received CVRF loans to pursue commercial fishing opportunities 3,048 residents received tax & permit assistance from ABDC, paid for by CVRF 20 youth residents attended the Elders and Youth Conference in Fairbanks 19 youth from Kipnuk and Tununak earned $14,400 in Youth-to-Work Program Dozens of high school students assisted at State tournaments 412,502 lbs of halibut were delivered to our plants - a record by our local fleet 200 resident fishermen participated in the halibut fishery $1.1 million was paid to our halibut fishermen Bering Sea groundfish... $1 million was spent to replace our Tununak halibut plant 2.2 million pounds of salmon were processed at our Quinhagak plant a record 145 permit holders from 16 villages delivered salmon to our Quinhagak plant $962,000 was paid to our Quinhagak fleet $1 million was paid to our Quinhagak processing workers 88% of our Quinhagak processing workers were residents of CVRF villages 660,000 pounds of salmon was purchased at our Bethel Buy and Fly station $245,000 was paid to fishermen delivering to our Bethel station 261 permit holders from 17 villages delivered to our Bethel station 333 total employees worked at our Quinhagak, Bethel and Halibut plants/stations 82% of these employees were CVRF residents and 95% were from YK Delta villages 7 CVRF tenders, tugs, and barges were operated in our near-shore fisheries 30,000 pounds of halibut were harvested by the CVRF vessel F/V Determination $4.7 million was spent to upgrade CVRF s tender/tug/barge fleet 750 tons of firewood was delivered to residents by CVRF s tug and barge 50 resident fishermen received CVRF fishing safety kits and lifejackets Ground was broken on our new $30 million salmon plant in Platinum... provide opportunity at home $8 million was spent on Platinum construction; the 126-bed dorm was completed $143,207 was spent on salmon research grants/adf&g-supported weir projects $40,000 was spent on sockeye telemetry work $285,891 was spent for CDQ Project Funds (selected by CVRF villages) for: public safety buildings, law enforcement, community potlatch, honoring troops, summer clean up by youths, winter trail survival shelters and trail markers, dump site improvements and clean up, community board walks, tribal COPS project, fuel cost assistance, public internet access, youth marine safety, lagoon clean up, and youth and elders conference, to name a few. $40,000 was spent for a community mapping project supported by AK DCCED 22,867 Chinook salmon were commercially harvested by our local fleet $188,000 was paid to the fishermen for Chinook in Quinhagak and Bethel Each of these opportunities in 2007 was funded by dollars earned by our 20 villages in the Bering Sea pollock, crab and other federal groundfish fisheries. The federal groundfish fisheries are providing a new era of hope for our people and economic opportunity in our villages. The issues of salmon bycatch, bottom trawl closures, marine mammal protection, halibut bycatch, and other issues have direct bearing on the federal groundfish fisheries upon which our programs depend. Please call CVRF if you have questions about fisheries management and conservation. We cannot maintain the opportunities on this list without the federal groundfish fisheries.

2 CVRF Board of Directors Oscar Evon, President Kwigillingok Timothy Samson, Vice President Kipnuk Paul Tulik, Secretary Nightmute Evan S. Evan, Treasurer Goodnews Bay Daniel Olrun Sr. Executive Committee Member Mekoryuk Gabriel Olick Executive Committee Member Tuntutuliak Wassilie Bavilla Executive Committee Member Quinhagak Walter Tirchick Chefornak Andrew Boyscout Chevak Johnny Hawk Eek Hooper Bay James Lewis Kongiganak Napakiak Helen Kaganak Napaskiak Peter John Newtok Frank Berezkin Oscarville John Bright Platinum Scammon Bay Harry Tulik Toksook Bay Felix Albert Tununak President s Corner Report/Message On the cover of our spring/summer newsletter is a condensed summary of CVRF benefits and opportunities that were delivered to our residents in The scale of this list is impressive: $23.5 million on a wide range of in-region opportunities in These programs are a great credit to our residents and to the experienced CVRF board members they have elected. In 2007, I believe the 20 communities and 9,000 residents of the CVRF region fully realized the opportunity made possible to us by the Bering Sea groundfish fisheries. I do not mean to suggest that 2007 was an anomaly. We ve been developing these CVRF programs for a number of years, and have been providing opportunity to our people on a significant scale all along the way. And while some of the $23.5 million in 2007 was for one-time construction of part of the new salmon plant in Platinum, even this expense will provide new opportunity for near-shore fishing beginning in The multiplier effect is in effect! The CVRF Board is hopeful that CVRF can continue to provide opportunity to our region on the same scale as 2007 if not greater in the future. However, we are also concerned about mounting challenges in the Bering Sea that could prevent this. All of the $23.5 million provided in the CVRF region in 2007 was funded by our Bering Sea groundfish investments and Bering Sea CDQ royalties. Throughout the 30-year history of the U.S. Bering Sea groundfish fisheries there have been challenges. We are fortunate to have a dynamic, science-based fishery management system that is able to respond. Hopefully the challenges we face in 2008 can be addressed in a sensible manner. They include: (1) Salmon bycatch Even though CVRF participates in the cleanest pollock sector in terms of salmon bycatch, the North Pacific Council is considering restrictions on salmon bycatch that could have severe economic consequences even to our clean offshore investments; (2) Crab Management Review The State of Alaska is pushing for changes to the Bering Sea crab program that could negatively affect CVRF s largest 100%-owned investment in the Bering Sea at the same time that our crab investment is increasingly important to CVRF s bottom line; (3) AFA Vessel Size The Alaska Congressional Delegation is under pressure to make changes to Federal law that would reduce the value of our largest pollock investment (46% of American Seafoods) by allowing our competitors to build vessels of unlimited size and by allowing our competitors to gain efficiency through consolidation onto fewer inshore vessels; (4) Trawl Opposition National environmental groups continue to try to stop all trawl fishing in the Bering Sea, and continue to visit our villages looking for local support in this effort, whether dressed in bottom trawl, salmon, sea lion, or other clothes intended to scare us. For CVRF s part, we will continue to seek reasonable, sustainable management solutions in the Bering Sea. We must rely on science not emotion -- and on the 30-year proven U.S. management system -- to protect the Bering Sea. We need the Bering Sea to continue to provide the hope and opportunity that it did for our people in Oscar Evon, President COASTAL VILLAGES REGION FUND

3 CVS UPDATE The halibut plant manager meeting was held on April 14 in Bethel. The plant managers reviewed the policies and procedures and a wide range of administrative tasks that will need to be accomplished to prepare for the upcoming season. All six halibut plant managers are now getting the halibut plants ready for this upcoming 2008 season. The halibut season is June 1 July 31 (or until halibut buying slows down, which is usually later for Mekoryuk and Toksook Bay). Offloading halibut from the M/V Leo CVRF s 2008 CDQ halibut quota is 374,000 lbs, down from the 2007 initial of 391,288 lbs. Last year, an additional 45,000 was added to our quota thanks to a transfer from BBEDC which enabled our halibut fishermen to harvest a record 415,502 lbs halibut prices were $2.80 delivered to the plants, and $2.55 to the tender. We are hoping for continued success in After delivering supplies to the halibut plants in May, the F/V LEO will be tendering the South Nunivak halibut fishery again. It is estimated that the F/V LEO will be arriving at South Nunivak on or about June 1st (or when the ice flow is out), to tender halibut from CVRF fisherman for a month. Last year the tender was able to buy over 63,000 lbs. Once the season slows down, the Leo will begin delivering wood for the HaullyWOOD project to CVRF communities. Processing halibut in Mekoryuk The Kelly Mae is expected to arrive in Quinhagak in early May with supplies for the Quinhagak Salmon plant. Once her supply runs are complete, the Kelly Mae will again tender the Kuskokwim Coho fishery for the Bethel Buy and Fly operation and then deliver frozen product out of Quinhagak to barge service to Seattle. At the end of the season, the Kelly Mae will deliver wood for the CVRF communities from the HaullyWOOD Project. The F/V Determination harvested 30,000 lbs of halibut last year, and again will have a crew fishing the South Nunivak waters in Salmon fishing in Goodnews Bay Delivering salmon to the F/V Eider The M/V Leo will be hauling freight and tendering the South Nunivak Halibut fishery this season

4 PROGRAM UPDATE Employment - The 2008 A Season ended in April and proved to be the most successful season ever for our region residents! A total of 293 applications were submitted to CVRF and of those applications, 86 were hired by six of our industry network companies. During the first quarter of 2008 (the A season), 88 participants from the CVRF region earned $520,162! This is the highest amount ever paid in the first quarter to our residents. CVRF staff are wrapping up the latest round of recruiting for the B season and for the CVS plants for As of April 21, 79 applications were submitted for the B season and CVS plants. CVRF staff with region residents who completed their 2008 A Season Contract Company Contracted Employees Earnings 1st Qtr American Seafoods 70 $354,920 Deep Sea 8 96,412 Icicle 2 2,248 Sea Boats 2 51,305 Westward Seafoods 6 15,277 Total 88 $520,162 Internship - CVRF is currently recruiting for internship opportunities this summer. There is a position opening for an intern for the Quinhagak salmon plant office to work between May and September. The intern will be expected to work seven days a week, with overtime pay and travel and lodging provided. Tom Paniyak (left) and Theodosious Paul (right) are Shipyard Apprentices this year CVRF staff are currently working with American Seafoods Company (ASC) to fill intern positions at the ASC office in Seattle. Applications for the internship positions can be found online at or you can call the Anchorage office at Shipyard Apprentice - The shipyard apprentice program began in 2007 as an expansion of the internship program. We have three participants this year: Tom Paniyak of Chevak, Theodosius Paul of Kwigillingok, and Simeon Andrew of Mekoryuk. They are in Seattle and have nearly completed the first round of the program. The shipyard apprentice program began last year and was a success. Three of the participants completed their apprenticeships, received a certificate in welding, and landed good jobs. The Napaskiak Hawks placed 5th at the 1A State Basketball Tournament Leadership - Congratulations to the Napaskiak High School boy s basketball team and to the Chevak High School girl s basketball team for making it to the 2008 State Basketball Tournament during the week of March 17. The Napaskiak Hawks placed 5th and the Chevak Comets placed 3rd at the tournament! The State Native Youth Olympics was held on April in Anchorage at the Sullivan Arena. Thirty-three athletes were from the Lower Kuskokwim School District, Lower Yukon School District, and the Kashunamiut School District, twenty-one of whom were from CVRF member communities! The Chevak Comets placed 3rd at the 2A State Basketball Tournament

5 CVRF staff is preparing for the 2008 AFN Elder and Youth Conference that will be held from October 20 to 22. We will be sending out applications and flyers for potential applicants to local CVRF offices and tribal offices. The youth must be between 13 and 18 years old and currently attending high school. In 2007, we received a record 99 applications compared to 42 applications the year before! The LKSD All-Star NYO team placed 1st at the 2008 Senior NYO Tournament Marine Safety - CVRF staff conducted marine safety training in five communities this year! Chris Dock, Clifford Paniyak, Abraham Rivers, Nick David Jr, and Steven Campbell kicked off the training in Toksook Bay. From there, Chris and Nick went to Napaskiak and Tuntutuliak and Clifford and Abraham went to Mekoryuk and Chefornak. A total of 67 residents participated in the training. To offset the costs for this year s program, we used a $4,000 grant from AMSEA for transportation. CVRF staff sent out 50 Marine Safety Kits and 100 lifejackets to fishermen this year compared to last year s 50 kits and 50 lifejackets. These kits and lifejackets have been welcomed by the fishermen and we hope to continue this program in the years ahead. The LYSD All-Star NYO team Samuel Shavings of Mekoryuk received a safety kit and lifejacket in 2008 Johnny Weston of Mekoryuk received a lifejacket in 2008 Community Training Participants Toksook Bay 19 Napaskiak 4 Mekoryuk 18 Tuntutuliak 10 Chefornak 16 Total 67 Community PFD s Kits Chefornak 8 3 Chevak 2 2 Eek 8 3 Goodnews Bay 6 3 Hooper Bay 4 2 Kipnuk 6 3 Kongiganak 4 2 Mekoryuk 8 3 Napakiak 5 3 Napaskiak 3 2 Newtok 6 3 Nightmute 5 3 Quinhagak 10 5 Scammon Bay 2 2 Toksook Bay 10 5 Tuntutuliak 6 3 Tununak 7 3 Grand Total

6 SPRING Construction 2008 of the new $30 Million VOLUME 11, CVRF ISSUE 2 / The site for the processing plant is prepped and ready for construction in 2008 Dormitory housing units Construction crane operations Excavator and other site preparation equipment

7 CVS SPRING Salmon 2008 Plant in Platinum is underway! The new dormatory for 126 seafood plant workers was completed in 2007 Goodnews Bay-Platinum Salmon Plant Project During the 2007 construction season we made significant progress on our Goodnews Bay-Platinum Salmon Plant with the arrival of the dormitory housing units and placement of those facilities on their foundations. The gravel pad construction and salmon processing plant foundation pad were also completed in 2007, so CVRF s contractors are ready to begin the 2008 season in full force. Mobilization efforts have been underway all spring to prepare the site for the May arrival of two barge loads of material and equipment and the beginning of the 2008 construction season. The underground utility work will proceed through the month of May and be followed in June by concrete foundation work for the salmon processing plant and maintenance buildings. Construction of the buildings is scheduled for July and August. CVRF staff and it s design and construction teams have worked throughout the winter to finalize the designs and the ordering of materials for construction of the new power plant, bulk fuel tank farm and water processing systems. We remain on schedule for the 2008 season and for our goal to open the plant for operation in the summer of

8 HUMAN RESOURCES UPDATE NEW HIRES: We welcome Jennifer Anthony as the Nightmute community liaison, Minnie Roberts as the Goodnews Bay/Platinum community liaison, and Patrick Black as the Napakiak mechanic/welder. We also welcome Christine Simon as the accounting clerk, and Anna John as the receptionist in our Anchorage office. Jennifer Anthony Nightmute Minnie Roberts Goodnews Bay/Platinum Christine Simon Accounting Clerk Anna John Receptionist Highlight Ulric Ulroan of Chevak Ulric Ulroan of Chevak is the mayor of the City of Chevak and owner of Chevak Bird and Culture Tours. He is also a past scholarship and training recipient from CVRF s 4-SITE program. Ulric graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in May 2006 with a Bachelor s degree in Rural Development with an emphasis on Small Business Management. He was also chosen as the Rural Development Outstanding Student of the Year for the term for his academic and business achievements. Miranda Wright, RD instructor in Fairbanks, said that Ulric Ulroan epitomizes the heart and spirit of the Rural Development Program. When asked where he sees himself in 5 years, Ulric answered that he will still be the mayor of the City of Chevak. As the mayor of the City of Chevak, Ulric is giving back to his community by strengthening its operations until the City becomes self-sustaining without his direct involvement. As the owner of Chevak Bird and Culture Tours, Ulric is into his third year of operations with customers returning from prior years. Ulric started his business in a business plan writing class in Fairbanks by entering the Alaska Market Place proposal competition in He ultimately won $25,000 and an additional $1,000 as the peoples choice award. Ulric credits those close to him who shaped him into the man he has become. His grandmother, Angelina Ayaginaraq Ulroan taught him the Cup ik values; one of which is to respect others and yourself. His parents, Harry Nuyaali and Lena Gelamaq Ferguson taught him responsibility and discipline. His wife, Mary Agluryaq Ulroan, along with their five children, are giving him an opportunity to use everything he has learned in life to take care of a family and to mature at a young age. He is setting an example to his children and others by being drug and alcohol free and by being a positive role model. When asked what advice he has for the younger generation about pursuing higher education, Ulric stated that if you do not have a goal in life, your life will be very difficult. Having no goal or purpose in life is like driving a boat without a rudder. If you do have a goal in life (such as pursuing higher education or being a mayor) you can make a difference not only in yourself but the people around you. All you need is to think about a goal or what you want to achieve in life, and do your best to achieve it (such as starting a business, raising a good family, or helping your community). 8

9 Coastal Villages Region Fund 4-SITE TRAINING PROGRAM OPEN year-round QUALIFYING FOR THE PROGRAM 1) Be a Coastal Villages member community resident; 2) Be accepted into a relevant training certification workshop that lasts from a few days up to no more than 12 weeks; 3) Exhibit strong academic skills, or strong work performance, and be committed to completing your training. APPLYING FOR THE PROGRAM To be considered for a training award, candidates must submit the following: a) A completed training application b) A completed resume c) A copy of your training program acceptance/enrollment letter d) Two letters of reference (must be non-family members) For more information or for an application, please contact your local CVRF office, or call You may also visit us at our website:

10 Coastal Villages Region Fund SPRING 2008 EMPLOYMENT Salmon/Halibut Processor Seafood Industry Vessel Jobs On/Off-Shore Processing AVAILABLE THIS SUMMER! AVAILABLE June - October 2008 Do you Qualify? General Employment Requirements are: Must be 18 years of age or older Able to work 16+ hours a day Able to lift pounds Able to pass a pre-employment drug test Able to work well with people from other cultures Understand and communicate in English Able to follow directions and maintain a safe and efficient working space Benefits Include: Room and Board Opportunities for Advancement APPLY NOW! Contact your local CVRF Office or the main Anchorage office at The 4-SITE Employment Application is also available on our website at

11 Louis Bunyan Memorial Scholarship (LBMS) Fall 2008 Semester Deadline May 31, 2008 QUALIFYING FOR THE PROGRAM Qualified candidates must have: 1) Resided in one of the Coastal Villages member communities for a minimum of 5 consecutive years; 2) Been accepted into a relevant program of study at an approved/accredited institution, preferably for an Associates degree, Bachelors degree, technical, or vocational certification/licensing program; 3) Exhibited strong academic skills, or strong work performance, and be committed to completing the proposed program of study; 4) Meet other elegibility requirements - See LBMS application for details. APPLYING FOR THE PROGRAM To be considered for a scholarship award, candidates must submit the following: A completed scholarship application, a written essay, a copy of a high school/college or GED diploma, or most recent college transcript(s), a copy of an enrollment certification letter from accredited institution, two letters of reference from teachers/employers/elders (must be non-family members), and proof of CVRF member community residency. For more information or for an application, please contact your local CVRF office, or call You may also visit us at our website: 11

12 C O A S T A L V I L L A G E S R E G I O N F U N D 711 H Street, Suite 200 Anchorage, Alaska PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Anchorage, AK Permit #141 Toll Free: (888) Telephone: (907) Fax: (907) Web Site: Neqsurtet Nepiit, The Sound of the Fishermen, is a quarterly newsletter that is distributed by Coastal Villages Region Fund (CVRF) to share information on the scholarship, internship, training, employment and economic development opportunities that we provide to our member communities. If you would like to be added to our distribution list, please call the CVRF Anchorage office at (888) or at (907) , or fax your request to (907) COASTAL VILLAGES REGION FUND STAFF Executive Office Morgen Crow Executive Director Patty Murphy Executive Administrator Darla Graham Administrative Specialist Anna John Receptionist Program Department Ronalda Olivera Program Director Dawson Hoover Development Coordinator Mae Hank Employment Specialist Lloyd Black Program Specialist Gretchen Williams Program Assistant Human Resources Development Candice Cheshire HR Director Stephanie Skoutas HR Specialist Community Program Managers Stella Alexie Eek Chris Dock Kipnuk Community Liaisons Nellie Abraham Chefornak Clifford Paniyak Chevak Minnie Roberts Goodnews Bay/Platinum Steven Stone Hooper Bay Amanda Hoelscher Hooper Bay Darlene Daniel Kongiganak Staci Atti Kwigillingok Marianne Williams Mekoryuk Napakiak Laura Evan Napaskiak/Oscarville Lisa Charles Newtok Jennifer Anthony Nightmute Darren Cleveland Quinhagak Abraham Rivers Scammon Bay Toksook Bay Nick David Jr. Tuntutuliak Tununak Fisheries Development Joe Hall Fisheries Manager Kevin Kennedy Vessel Manager Larson Hunter Fisheries Coordinator Marlene Kiokun Fisheries Coordinator Nicholas Souza Purchasing Manager Peter Speaks IT Administrator Patrick Cleveland Purchasing Assistant Riley McVitty Purchasing Assistant Projects/Infrastructure Development Mike Wilson Projects Director Michael Bird Senior Project Manager Neil Rodriguez Project Manager Gwen Franks Project Assistant Fisheries Support Centers George Smith Superintendent - Scammon Bay Billy Chagluak Mechanic - Chefornak Morris Aguchak Mechanic - Chevak Theodore Brown Mechanic - Eek Paul Joe Jr. Mechanic - Hooper Bay Joe Joseph Mechanic - Kongiganak Herman Beaver Mechanic - Kwigillingok Lindgren Mathlaw Mechanic - Mekoryuk Mechanic - Napaskiak Patrick Black Mechanic - Napakiak Jacob Rivers Mechanic - Scammon Bay Thomas Julius Mechanic - Toksook Bay Accounting/Finance Larry Warner Finance Director Shellie Johns Controller Jenny Koenig Investment Analyst Janice Bruchhouser-Levra Senior Accountant Jamie Tovanche Senior Accountant Timothy Hillyer Fisheries Accountant Cindy Martin Payroll Specialist Catherine Robeson Accounts Payable Supervisor Diane Atti Accounting Clerk Thecla Ulroan Accounting Clerk Christine Simon Accounting Clerk 12