Categories: Alaska · ES&H · Eskimo · digest · environmental change · more than thought · rural · teachers
Tagged: 13C4, Bumsted, careful thought etc
Not a lot of money for clean-up or closing but the projects eligible are broad.
Solid Waste Management – Region 10 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10, requests proposals for Solid Waste Management Assistance Grants. Projects may include studies, surveys, investigations, demonstrations, training, and public education programs. Project priority areas include: Reducing the generation of municipal solid waste sent to landfills; reducing the environmental impact of new construction through green building techniques; reducing the toxicity of current or future waste streams; reducing market barriers for environmentally preferable goods; and reducing greenhouse gas production with respect to solid waste management. Projects must take place in AK, ID, OR or WA. $120K expected to be available, up to 6 awards anticipated. Responses due deadline 5/19/08. For more info, contact Jeff Hunt at hunt.jeff AT epa DOTgov or go to http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/HOMEPAGE.NSF/Information/Grants. Refer to Sol# EPA-R10-RCC-2008. (Grants.gov 4/2/08)
This notice comes from the superb Laurie Brown and Solicitations Newsletter, Washington State University Extension Energy Program for distributing these newsletters through their listserv. Send a subscription request to laurie.e.brown AT comcast DOT net Include subscriber’s email address in the body of the message.
Site Search Tags: EPA, trash, solid+waste, dumps, grants, funding, Alaska, deadline
Categories: AI/AN · Alaska · planning · solid waste
Tagged: 13C4, Biocultural Science, Bumsted
[In process]
Background*
Part 1**
Part 2*** From a follow-up to the newslist discussion about anthropology and climate change–
Q. “So…what can we do to solve this problem? Can we think like engineers?”
Please, don’t. Not even anthropological engineers. For example, see this — (more…)
Categories: AI/AN · Alaska · Eskimo · Kuskokwim · NZ · New Mexico · Pueblo · anthropology · communities · environmental change · planning · public involvement · sanitation · sciencing · solid waste
Tagged: 13C4, Biocultural Science, Bumsted
This article comes via NationTalk, native newswire, employment and tender service
Study probes link between soapstone and cancer - Waterloo Record
Forty-six-year-old Jimmy Cookie feels dizzy and has trouble breathing every time he carves into a slab of soapstone.
Now, University of Manitoba researchers are looking at whether Cookie’s lung problems could be linked with the traditional soapstone carving that’s popular in his home community of Sanikiluaq, Nunavut.
Soapstone (also known as steatite or soaprock) is a metamorphic rock, a talc-schist. It was used prior to the invention of pottery or ceramics for bowls in the Americas. It also conducts heat well and is mostly inert, thus its use for stove (cooking) utensils, sinks, and laboratory countertops. Alaska soapstone (now rare) can be transformed into gorgeous sculptures.
Although chemically inert for the most part, the stone is a soft material and scratches easily into fine, fibrous particles (talc, actually. In some rocks, a form of asbestos I believe The soapstone dust composition showed breathable asbestos fibers from the amphibole group (tremolite-actinolite). The results suggest talc asbestosis occurrence among soapstone handicraft workers.). The dust can penetrate lungs deeply and irritate the tissues leading to talcosis or talc pneumoconiosis (similarly to silicosis or asbestosis).
Wikipedia isn’t very helpful on the mineralogy and the physical structure. See the articles cited here–
http://www.hubmed.org/display.cgi?uids=17249489
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2004 Jul 23;53(28):627-32.
Changing Patterns of Pneumoconiosis Mortality — United States, 1968–2000
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Pneumoconioses are caused by the inhalation and deposition of mineral dusts in the lungs, resulting in pulmonary fibrosis and other parenchymal changes. Many persons with early pneumoconiosis are asymptomatic, but advanced disease often is accompanied by disability and premature death. Known pneumoconioses include coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), silicosis, asbestosis, mixed dust pneumoconiosis, graphitosis, and talcosis. No effective treatment for these diseases is available. This report describes the temporal patterns of pneumoconiosis mortality during 1968-2000, which indicates an overall decrease in pneumoconiosis mortality. However, asbestosis increased steadily and is now the most frequently recorded pneumoconiosis on death certificates. Increased awareness of this trend is needed among health-care providers, employers, workers, and public health agencies.
One of the classic cases of cancer from use of minerals in traditional arts is
Malignant mesothelioma. A cluster in a native American pueblo.
Driscoll RJ, Mulligan WJ, Schultz D, Candelaria A
N Engl J Med. 1988 Jun 2; 318(22): 1437-8
Unfortunately, there isn’t a publicly available copy on the Internet and no access to journals in Bethel. As I remember the article–
Mesothelioma is an asbestos caused lung cancer. In this case a cluster was found that had nothing to do with brake repair or mining. Instead, people discovered the fire resistant mat they used for soldering silver jewelery also whitened dance moccasins when used as a buffing surface. In addition, the mat had a tendency to flake after substantial use as a fireproof work surface. The mat was an old-fashioned fire resistant mat, made of asbestos.
Site Search Tags: lungs, carving, arts, asbestosis, Canada, Pueblo, dust, PPE, respirator, mining, Nunavut, Inuit
Categories: Eskimo · HazArt · Pueblo · health
Tagged: 13C4, Analytical Anthropology, Biocultural Science, Bumsted
Here is a brief description of the Third International Conference on Russian America, held in Irkutsk in August. Details, including a program and photos, are available at
. The next conference has been proposed for Alaska in 2010.
Third International Conference on Russian America: Irkutsk, August 2007
In a long overdue follow up to conferences held in Sitka, Alaska in 1979 and 1987, the Third International Conference on Russian America was held in the Irkutsk region of central Siberia from August 8-12, 2007. The first day of the conference was in the City of Irkutsk, the second day in the nearby city of Shelikhov, and the third day at the Taltsi (Talci) Museum of Architecture and Ethnography (30km south of Irkutsk City). The fourth day included a train trip to examine historic architectural features along a portion of the Trans-Siberian Railroad. The fifth day consisted of a bus journey to the village of Anga, childhood home of Saint Innocent of Alaska, in the Buriat Republic and a tour of the Shishkino Petroglyph site. The well-attended conference included participants from across Russia as well as France and the Czech Republic.
The conference organizing committee drafted seven decisions / resolutions that were placed before participants for a vote on the final day of conference activities in Anga (August 12, 2007). The decisions collectively received an affirmative vote from all present, with no objections. One of the resolutions is to hold conferences at three-year intervals alternating between Russia and the U.S. The Fourth International Conference on Russian America is tentatively planned for Alaska in 2010, with Sitka named as a likely candidate.
Details of the 2007 conference, including photos, resolutions, and program, may be found at:
.
See St Innocent of Alaska Bicentennial (Ioann Veniaminov)
Site Search Tags: Russian+America,, Veniaminov,, St+Innocent,, Orthodox,, Lydia+Black,, Irkutsk,, Siberia,, Russia
Categories: AI/AN · Alaska · anthropology
Tagged: 13C4, Biocultural Science
Sven Haakanson, director of the Alutiiq Museum, was honored by a MacArthur Fellowship this week, a well-deserved recognition. He credits Lydia Black with spurring his interest in anthropology and in pursuing a doctorate degree as a means to doing his life’s work.
Site Search Tags: Lydia+Black, Alutiiq, Aleut, museum, anthropology, Alaska
Categories: AI/AN · Alaska · anthropology
Dave, a reader of Millard Fillmore’s Bathtub, was looking for a recording of both verses of the Alaska state song. Ed Darrell, bathtub incarnate, was able to track down a version of Fred Waring’s chorale singing the first verse. To get a copy, contact him at
http://timpanogos.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/song-for-the-alaska-flag/
Does anyone know of an on-line version of the song, both verses? Check out what we’ve found out so far. Also, visit Ed’s great collection on flag etiquette, history, patriotism, etc.
REVISED 2008-05-20 from Daniel Cornwall, Head of Information Services, Alaska State Library,
The Alaska State Library serves all:
State Employees – http://library.state.ak.us/is/infoserv.html
Librarians – http://library.state.ak.us/dev/libdev.html
Everyone else! – http://library.state.ak.us/
Ask us! – http://library.state.ak.us/forms/askalibindex.html
Thank you for contacting the Alaska State Library regarding an online version of BOTH verses of Alaska’s State Song. The Alaska Youth Choir sang both verses for the opening session of the Alaska House of Representatives on January 14, 2002. Their song can be found on this archived audio file from Gavel to Gavel:
http://archive.ktoo.org:8081/gavel/B63EB5B6/2002/01/HFLS020114A.mp3The song with two verses can be found on this file from 7 min 41 sec TO 10 min 16 sec.
PS– the video of former Lt Governor Fran Ulmer is posted directly at http://www.museums.state.ak.us/EightStars/src/multimedia/fran_ulmer.mov According to Ms Ulmer, she has recorded both verses for the Permanent Fund Corp. Anyone know where these might be posted?
Categories: AI/AN · Alaska · amusements
Tagged: 13C4, Biocultural Science, Bumsted
from NAEP Native Access to Engineering Programme First aboriginal food guide balances traditional, practical
and from CBC [read the entire story here]
“Bannock, berries, wild game and canned milk are part of a new version of Canada’s Food Guide, created specifically for First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
“With this guide, First Nations, Inuit and Métis will have a tool to make more informed choices and nurture a healthy future by building on the traditions and values of a proud past and present,” Federal Health Minister Tony Clement said after unveiling the new food guide at a Yellowknife school Wednesday.
- What are the main differences between Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide and Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide – First Nations, Inuit and Métis?
Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide – First Nations, Inuit and Métis reflects the importance of both traditional and store-bought foods for Aboriginal people living in Canada.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/fnim-pnim/index_e.html
Some culturally specific examples of single servings include:
* Leafy vegetables and wild plants: 125 millilitres, cooked; 250 millilitres, raw.
* Berries: 125 millilitres.
* Bannock: 35 grams (a piece about five by five by 2.5 centimetres).
* Traditional meats and wild game: 75 grams, cooked.
- “We are pleased to see ‘country food’ being recognized in the Canada Food Guide as an essential element of a nutritious diet for Inuit,” commented Mary Simon, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. “Country food for Inuit includes caribou, Arctic Char, seal, whale, walrus, muskox, ptarmigan, and many other plants, animals, and fish. This Food Guide will be a useful tool to educate Inuit youth across the Arctic and in the South.” http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/2007/2007_44_e.html
Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide: First Nations, Inuit and Métis
Health Canada
HC Pub.: 3426
Cat.: H34-159/2007E-PDF
ISBN: 978-0-662-45521-9
Help on accessing alternative formats, such as PDF, MP3 and WAV files, can be obtained. This publication can be made available on request on diskette, large print, audio-cassette and braille (and in French). Contact Publications, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9
E-Mail: publications@hc-sc.gc.ca
Tel.: 1-866-225-0709
TTY: 1-800-267-1245
Fax: (613) 941-5366
Canada First Nations have done some extraordinary nutrition and dietary research.
The Centre for Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition and Environment (CINE) is an incredible idea. Harriet Kuhnlein, the first director, does excellent work with communities. CINE was one of the models for formulating an autonomous, community-based Center for Human Ecology, (northern Pueblos, New Mexico.)
See also
Site Search Tags: Métis, Inuit, traditional, First+Nations, nutrition, diet, country+food, bush+food, CBC, NAEP, bannock, CINE, Kuhnlein, Aboriginal+people, Native+food
I still don’t have access to my deep storage of projects (wouldn’t your community like its very own “overqualified” thinker?) but there are other sources of information to understand and protect one’s self and environment. I will point to these sources here.
Pottery (shaping and firing) has already been mentioned here
| Native Crafts Health Effects Project | and the comments.
There is an interesting series of photos and text about making traditional pottery in the Catawba style. The photos include one of firing and of the preparation of clay. Also included is one of scraping the dried pottery to shape it prior to firing.
Sculpting and stone dust. Note the use of a respirator and gloves. A shower and change of clothes would be needed before leaving the worksite. This would avoid one of the occupational health classics– families of asbestos miners and workers would themselves get lung cancer because the dust off the clothing would be brought home. [for example,
“Hazardous Substances Can Contaminate Workers’ Homes and Families:
* Contamination on work clothing transferred to washing machines and dryers. Dangerous levels of hazardous materials can poisoning the person handling them and contaminate other laundry.
* contamination on tools and equipment transferred to homes and vehicles
* scrap lumber taken home from work
* workers may pass dangerous materials to their family members through contact with their hands and body
* cottage industries where work was done on home property
* family members can be exposed to dangerous materials in dust or air through visits to the workplace”
I can’t tell if eye protection is used (I hope so; but see how the Feds use PPE | Experts will test birds for signs of avian flu |) Safety glasses should be used even for scraping and sanding wet or dry clay.
Both of these memorials are very interesting and nicely done.
Unalaska public radio
Lydia Black, scholar of the Aleutians, dies at 81
KIAL NewsUNALASKA, AK (2007-03-13) One of the most renowned scholars of Unangan culture and art has passed away. [...] Audio (mp3 file): Patty Lekanoff-Gregory knew Lydia Black for more than thirty years, since her first visit to Unalaska in 1974. She spoke with KIAL’s Charles Homans today about the anthropologist’s three-decade relationship with the Aleutian Islands.
Kodiak public radio
The audio news story and partial transcript. Zöe Pierson, Lydia’s daughter is interviewed.
Anthropologist Lydia Black Dies At Age 81, [...] Length: 00:03:53 (mp3 file)
Casey Kelly, KMXTand broadcast on Alaska Public Radio, evening statewide news 13 March 2007. Available as mp3 file.
Technorati Tags: Lydia+T+Black, Kodiak, Unalaska, Orthodox, Russia+America, mp3, public+radio, Alaska, Aleutians, Unangan, KMXT, KIAL, APRN, elders, elderlies
Categories: AI/AN · Alaska · anthropology
The following is reprinted with permission from the Kodiak Daily Mirror (thank you) and on-line at
Alaskan author, researcher Lydia Black dies at age 81
Article published on Monday, March 12th, 2007, By SCOTT CHRISTIANSEN, Kodiak Daily MirrorDr. Lydia Black, noted anthropologist and author of several books on Alaska Native culture and Alaska history, died this morning at the age of 81 at her home in Kodiak. Black was with family and friends at the time of her death. She died of liver failure and had been ill several months.
Black was well known around the state. Her daughter, Zoë Pierson, said frequent visitors from Kodiak and around Alaska had assisted the family in caring for Black during recent weeks.
“She loved people, so when visitors were in she would visit with them and talk with them if she was awake,” Pierson said this morning.
Black was born in Kiev, Ukraine, of the then-Soviet Union, and educated in Russia, Germany and the United States. She had five daughters with her husband, Igor A. Black, a thermodynamics engineer who worked for NASA contractors during the 1960s, and preceded his wife in death in 1969.
As a young widow, Black became a professor of anthropology, beginning in 1973 at Providence College in Providence, R.I. In 1984 she came to Alaska permanently and began teaching at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Throughout her career, Black traveled Southwest Alaska to research the culture and traditions of the region. She became known as the preeminent scholar of the Unangam (Aleut) of the Aleutian Islands and the Sugpiaq (Alutiiq) of the Kodiak Archipelago.
Fluent in Slavonic and Russian, Black translated many firsthand accounts of Native cultures written during the Russian colonial period.
In her writings, Black was known for emphasizing artistic and cultural accomplishments, rather than social ills of Alaska Native cultures.
“They know they have problems. My job is to remind them of their glory,” is what Black reportedly said of her work.
Family members and colleagues said Black was unapologetic for describing Alaska Native history from that perspective.
“That was the way she felt and she would tell you so if it came up,” Pierson said.
Black retired from UAF in 1998, and continued her work in Kodiak, where she helped translate and catalogue Russian archives of St. Herman’s Seminary. The Orthodox Church in Alaska recognized her contribution by awarding her the Cross of St. Herman.
Black continued to write and edit. Some of her most accessible work was published following her retirement.
One of her best-known books, “Aleut art — Unangam aguqaadangin” is a collection of beautifully photographed and carefully documented art made by Natives of the Aleutian Islands. Another, “Russians in Alaska, 1732 to 1867,” was published in 2004, the year Black turned 79.
Black was also known for continuing correspondence and cultivating friendships with many of her students, even after their professional careers began and after she had retired from teaching.
Katherine Arndt, a close friend and colleague who works in the archives at the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library at UAF, had a professional relationship with Black that blossomed into a friendship. Arndt said her own doctorate in Anthropology is the result of returning to studies at Black’s urging.
“If you know her at all, you would know that once you are her student, you would remain her student for life,” Arndt said.
In 2001, the Soviet successor state, now called the Russian Federation, awarded Black the Order of Friendship in recognition of her work documenting the Russian America colonial period.
As with her work involving Alaska Native culture, Black’s writing about Russian colonists in Alaska often confronted commonly held misconceptions head-on, and was meant to be accessible by the layperson.
“She wanted the general public to know that the Russians weren’t brutal, cruel and drunk all of the time,” Arndt said.
Pierson said that during her mother’s final days, Black was able to visit with many of the people who came to care for and visit with her.
Black remained a teacher, even while gravely ill.
“She was a born teacher, so anyone who asked for information, they would get that and more.”
A funeral service for Black is noon on Saturday, March 17, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, with a burial to follow at City Cemetery. A reception is scheduled for 4 p.m., March 17, at the Kodiak Senior Center.
Mirror writer Scott Christiansen can be reached via e-mail at schristiansen AT kodiakdailymirror DOT com.
Site Search Tags: Kodiak, Lydia+Black, Orthodox, Alaska, Russian+America
Categories: AI/AN · Alaska · anthropology · published
Additional information about | Lydia T. Black 1925 to 2007 |
| Prof Black obituary | (right click to save as MS Word document download)
| In Memoriam, Lydia T. Black | (pdf file, 480kB, right click to download and save)
Article published on Monday, March 12th, 2007, By SCOTT CHRISTIANSEN, Kodiak Daily Mirror
http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=4480
Site Search Tags: Lydia+Black
Categories: AI/AN · Alaska · Eskimo · anthropology
Stable carbon isotopes do not date but nevertheless lead full lives. mpb
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