Anne Hillman, Alaska Public Media
Anne Hillman is the healthy communities editor at Alaska Public Media and a host of Hometown, Alaska. Reach her at ahillman@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Anne here.
State To Review Old Statutes Delaying Renewable Energy Projects
It may become easier for independent energy producers to provide power to the grid. The Regulatory Commission of Alaska has agreed to review out-of-date statutes that some say are holding up renewable energy projects.
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Alaska Cultural Connections: Historical Trauma
Many rural Alaskan communities are trying to revive their cultures and languages. But some mental health experts say that in order to revitalize their communities and their families, they first have to acknowledge and heal from the pains of the past. APRN’s Anne Hillman learned about historical trauma as part of an on-going series looking at Culture in Alaska.
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Alaska Cultural Connections: Food And Culture
Some people crave ice cream or fresh vegetables or pasta. Others prefer dried fish or caribou. As part of our series exploring culture in rural and urban Alaska, APRN’s Anne Hillman found out how strong links between food and culture are common throughout the state.
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Alaska Cultural Connections: Whaling
The spring whaling season is underway on Alaska’s North Slope. The Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission reports St Lawrence Island whaling crews are having success with four bowheads landed by Savoonga hunters and two for Gambell. Whalers on the mainland coast are ready and waiting.
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Alaska Cultural Connections: Growing Up
Frank Matumeak was born in Barrow in 1948. His mother was required to move there to attend the Bureau of Indian Affairs schools. Though his family had to conform somewhat to the American education system, he said his childhood was still ruled by the seasons. As part of our series looking at culture in Alaska, APRN’s Anne Hillman spoke with Matumeak about what life was like when he was growing up.
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Alaska Cultural Connections: Dying In Rural Alaska
According to the Pilot Station Traditional Council, in 2011, community members spent more than $764,000 on Bingo, pull-tabs and raffle tickets. After paying out prizes and buy supplies, the tribe has $57,000 left for the community support fund.
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Technology Is Changing How Food Is Gathered In Rural Alaska
Modern technology, like snow machines, boats, and cell phones have changed how Alaskans gather their food - both in urban and rural areas.
Alaska Cultural Connections: Sex-Ed
As part of our on-going series about Alaska’s cultural connections, we’ve been bringing you stories about how Alaskans, both urban and rural, define and live their lives. No matter where young people live, learning about sex is a big part of growing up, whether it happens in a healthy way, or a way you’d rather forget. Many young Alaskans feel their first lessons were a little too little and a little too late.
Alaska Cultural Connection: Family
It was late in the afternoon and I was exhausted from two solid days of interviews about learning and teaching Inupiat language and culture. I thought I understood the importance of maintaining the culture and traditions, but I had already scheduled an appointment to meet with a young man from a whaling family and I felt I shouldn’t break it.
Alaska Cultural Connections: Impressions of the City
Nuiqsut is both one of the newest communities on the North Slope and one of the oldest. The area was inhabited for centuries by the Iñupiat, and then abandoned for Barrow. In 1973 former community members decided to resettle the area and build a village far from the bustle of the regional hub. But just twenty-five years later, the bustle came to them in the form of Alpine Oil field. For our rural/urban series, contributor Anne Hillman found out how the community –and communication -- adapted to being in the cross section of two worlds.
Alaska Cultural Connections: Limiting Technology
First up, we start with a common intergenerational complaint. – kids don’t go outside any more. They’re too interested in video games, or TV or the Internet. APRN’s Anne Hillman spoke with people in rural and urban Alaska who are trying to limit the impact of technology on young people.
AK: Growing
Alaska’s summer months may be limited, but the growing season has no bounds. That is, as long as you grow indoors. AK’s Anne Hillman found out that indoor gardens in Anchorage are blossoming even in unexpected spaces.
Young & Rural in Alaska: Sharing Hopes, Dreams
Over the past few months, we’ve been hearing a lot of perspectives on the experience of childhood in rural Alaska. In today’s installment of our series “Being Young in Rural Alaska” we hear from some of those kids who are growing up, looking for the next step.
Solving The Childcare Crisis In Rural Alaska
Finding quality, affordable childcare for young children can be a challenge anywhere in Alaska. It’s especially difficult in rural Alaska’s hub communities – where the cost of living is high and space is often hard to find. It becomes a factor in attracting professionals to jobs at regional health and other organizations. In the next installment of our series “Being Young in Rural Alaska” from the producers of Kids These Days, Anne Hillman takes a look at how some communities are trying to meet the challenge.
AK: Bees
Surviving winter in Alaska is not easy for us humans, and for honeybees, it’s even harder. Honeybees don’t naturally exist in North America. And in northern climates the flowering season is too short and the winter is too long. But a few dedicated beekeepers in the state are working on ways to keep their hives alive, despite the obstacles.
Coast Guard Rescues Two Men, Dog East Of Ketchikan
The Coast Guard rescued two men and their dog on Sunday from Gem Cove, 23 miles east of Ketchikan. The two men were on two different 39-foot vessels that were lashed together.
Missing Plane May Have Crashed In Cook Inlet
Radar data revealed in a preliminary accident report says the plane that went missing on Oct. 13 from Soldotna may have crashed in the very early hours over Cook Inlet.
APD Seeks Public’s Help In Platinum Jaxx Shooting
Anchorage homicide detectives are once again seeking the help of community members to identify witnesses to last weekend's fatal shooting in downtown Anchorage. Twenty-seven year old Said Beshirov was shot outside of Platinum Jaxx around 3 a.m. on Sunday after the club's Halloween party.
Court Determining Amount Of Money Former AEWC Director Needs To Repay
A Federal court is trying to determine how much money a former director of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission needs to repay after embezzling funds and spending it on gambling trips and luxury items. Maggie Ahmaogak pleaded guilty to stealing more than $420,000 from the federally-funded commission in May.