News From Our Shareholders Archive: 1/06 - 12/06

First Totem Pole Raised in Yakutat in 100 Years Honors and Remembers

On July 22, for the first time in more than 100 years, the Yakutat community raised a totem pole. The pole was carved in honor of Nathan Bremner, a shareholder descendant from Yakutat, known as “Sunshine Boy” to his family. He passed away July 4, 2005 at age 16 after a three-month battle with leukemia. “He loved to laugh and tease, and he was always ready and waiting to give the biggest hug when you really needed it,” said his mother, Shelley Bremner.

During his illness, the Yakutat community came together to support the family, and expressed love and compassion upon Nathan’s passing. “The love shown to our family by the community of Yakutat was unbelievable,” said Nathan’s mother. Shelley commissioned the pole as an expression of her gratitude for Nathan’s father’s clan, the L’uknax.ádi. “I am so grateful for the Tlingit culture,” she stated.

At the potlatch held in honor of the pole raising, Tsimshian carver David Boxley, Jr., who created the pole remarked, “At the potlatch I looked at everyone around me and realized that this was the first time they’ve done this. There was a sense of history being made.” The totem pole carved in memory of Nathan Bremner stands along a trail just outside of Yakutat. Community members carried the pole from the Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall and through the village along the trail where it was placed.

J.P. Roulet II Serving in Mosul, Iraq

Jean-Paul Roulet II is now serving in Mosul, Iraq, as a combat engineer with the 21st Bravo Sapper Company. J.P.’s life-long passion for military service led him to join the Junior ROTC when he was a freshman at Dimond High School in Anchorage, Alaska. Born in Ketchikan and raised in Juneau, he and his family now reside in Anchorage.

J.P.’s new wife, Kaitlyn, gave birth to Madison Rose Roulet on June 6th of this year, four months early. At birth, she weighed only one pound, 10 ounces. According to J.P.’s mother, Crystal, Madison is doing wonderfully.

Jean-Paul's grandmother is Barbara Fields of Ketchikan and his great grandmother is Pauline Peratrovich of Klawock. This grandfather was Edward Carle and his great grandfather was Chief Richard Carle, both of Klawock. His mother is Crystal Fields of Anchorage and his father is Jean-Paul Roulet of Juneau.

Juneau’s Luis Hernandez Wins Gold in National Special Olympics

Luis Hernandez, 22-year-old Eagle/Killer Whale Sealaska shareholder, recently brought home three medals from the Special Olympics USA National Games in Ames, Iowa. Hernandez’ hard work paid off when he earned gold in the four-kilogram shot put, bronze in the 200-meter dash, and placed fifth in the 100-meter dash.

Hernandez qualified in June for the National Games with gold medal performances in the Alaska Special Olympics in Anchorage. He was selected as one of six competitors to represent Alaska in the Nationals. To Hernandez, this opportunity was not just about winning. Clearly, he displayed the camaraderie and friendliness the Olympic Games embody. “We are all so proud of him!” exclaimed his mother, Donna James.

In addition to his regular job with Waste Management, Luis volunteers as a teacher for the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s (CCTHITA) Head Start program. He also volunteers with Outdoor Recreation Community Access, which helps people with disabilities enjoy hikes, trips and other outdoor activities.

Barbara Bower Swims Her Way to Three Medals

Barbara Bower, Sealaska shareholder, Tlingit & Haida Central Council and San Francisco Community Council member and 68 year-old great-grandmother recently won three medals in the 11th edition of the FINA (Federation Internationale De Natation) World Masters Swimming Championships held at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA, August 5-10. Bower finished in the top ten in one individual event and two relays, and just missed the top ten in two other individual events and one relay.

Barbara is the daughter of the late Margaret and Percy Sherar and mother of Central Council Delegate and Sealaska shareholder Will Micklin.

I am a Sealaska shareholder. My family and I own a family entertainment center in Idaho Falls, ID. On December 18, 2006 we will celebrate our business's 10th birthday!!! We offer laser tag, rock climbing, mini-golf, arcade, playgrounds, paintless paintball, Pizza Hut pizza and Pepsi products. We do all kinds of parties for all sizes of groups, our largest being over 1,000 people in January 2006 for a local orthodontist and his patients. My family consists of: myself, Dena Goody; my husband, Robert Goody; my oldest son, Rob (22) lives in Boise, ID; middle son, Grey (18); daughter, Ashlynn (13).

The success of business has been through long hours, hard work and a great family spirit.
If any shareholders are ever in our area, we welcome them to stop by and have some FUN!!!!!

To check out our business, please go to our web site: www.blastoff2fun.com

Thank you for taking the time to "hear"...what we've been up to.

Sincerely,
Dena Goody
Blast Off!
1980 N. Yellowstone HWY
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
208.535.0500

My name is Roxanna Banguis.

I have been very busy with the Canoe Journey 2006. I had a photo taken with President Bill Clinton at a WA Senator, Maria Cantwell fund raising dinner. I am studying for a doctorate's degree in Educational Leadership.

Peace and Love, Roxanna Banguis.

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