CIRI shareholder Donna Sallee knows what an accomplishment it was for her to receive her bachelor's degree in hotel and restaurant management from Northern Arizona University. She believes the more people learn, the better understanding they gain of themselves and the world around them.
In many ways, she has come full circle as a former college scholarship recipient to her current position as placement and funding officer for Cook Inlet Tribal Council's Tribal Education Center (CITEC), where she administers the tribal higher education and tribal training scholarship programs. She's proud to have a job helping Alaska Native people who want to further their education because she knows what an important step it is in a person's life. This is why she encourages others to increase their knowledge or expertise by going to college or a vocational school to pursue their goals.
This past year at CITEC, Sallee was pleased to see a 12 percent increase in scholarship applicants over the previous year. As a result, CITEC is growing to fit the needs of an ever-increasing number of Native students who are seeking college degrees. Currently, the Tribal Higher Education Scholarship program assists students pursuing undergraduate degrees, but they are also looking at funding for the graduate level.
In addition to working at CITEC, Sallee, who is of Inupiaq heritage, is working toward her master's degree in business administration from Alaska Pacific University. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, fishing, berry picking, reading, bike riding and spending time with her family especially her nieces and nephews: Alexis, Christian, John and Charlotte.
Donna Sallee, CITEC Placement and Funding Officer.
Join Fellow Shareholders for the CIRI Friendship Potlatch Oct. 7th
Millennium Gathering: Friends & Family is the theme for this year's Friendship Potlatch, to be held Saturday, Oct. 7 at Romig Middle School in Anchorage. For the 16th year, CIRI shareholders and family members are invited to partake in the celebration of the Alaska Native culture. Festivities include exhibits by Alaska Native artisans, nonprofit service provider exhibit tables, cultural performances, traditional food, and the naming of the 2000 CIRI Shareholder of the Year.
Doors open at 11 a.m. with food service for elders beginning at 11:30 a.m. Regular food service continues from noon until 2 p.m. The featured program begins at 1:30 p.m. with a traditional Athabascan cloth ceremony and invocation. This year's performers include musical group Medicine Dream, the Kicaput Dancers and Singers, and the Artie Joseph Fiddlers. In addition, there will be special music performed by Cea Anderson, Jim Kerr, and Ken Karabelinkoff from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Again this year, cash prizes will be awarded to winners of the traditional garment and regalia contest.
Anchorage Friendship Potlatch
Saturday, Oct. 7, 2000
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Romig Middle School
2500 Minnesota Drive
Anchorage, Alaska
The Kingikmiut dancers
A
Year of Feasts and Festivals: Inter-Cultural Sharing Opportunities at Heritage
Center
Traditionally, winter
is a time to share dance, food, storytelling and passing cultural knowledge
from one generation to the next. And this winter the Alaska Native Heritage
Center's programs department will offer insight to the Alaska Native cultures.
On Oct. 28 and 29,
Qaariitaaq,
a Yup'ik mask festival will be featured from noon to 5:00 p.m. Traditionally
in Native villages, participants paint their
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