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Meet our Elders
Elders:
Elizabeth Fleagle ~
Richard Frank ~ Sam Smith
~ Frank Haldane
Elizabeth "Kaviaq" Nictune Fleagle,
is an Inupiat Elder who is originally from Atlana, a tributary community
off of the Yukon River near Allakaket. She has lived and worked in
Fairbanks for over 50 years and in a number of jobs prior to her
official retirement from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1997.
For Elizabeth real retirement is neither an option nor a wanted state of
affairs as her post-job Elder duties keep her busier than most full-time
working people today. Since her "retirement" Elizabeth has spent
numerous hours over many days and in many locations with a host of youth
and adults in programs such the Hutlee, Rural Human Services, and the
Human Services cohort degree program. She has traveled throughout our
state and nationally representing Alaska Natives and the healing wisdom
of our Elders. |
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Richard Frank is a respected
Tanana Athabascan Elder originally from Old Minto, Alaska. For this
conference that is being held in traditional Athabascan country,
 Richard
is our hosting Elder. Richard served in World War II with the Army Air
Corps from 1945-1949. Richard now lives in Fairbanks and has a long
history in Alaska Native leadership throughout his adult life
that continues today. As examples, he serves on the Alaska Veteran's
Council and is a working force behind the recent establishment of the
Alaska Veterans Association, and he was a founding member of the Alaska
Native Land Claims task force. He has served as an Elder in
Residence for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Native Studies
Department, with the Rural Human Services program, and with the UAF
Human Services cohort degree program to name a few associations.
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"Sometimes
writing about Elders can be a difficult process. While their
accomplishments are many and ongoing; their loving
reputations widely known; and, their admirers are numerous,
their want of attention and recognition is humbly pale in
comparison. In respect for the wishes of our Elders, we have
offered but a brief glimpse of each person's biographical
sketch to introduce them to our conference participants.
However, the real "knowing" of our Elders will only evolve
from reflective time spent with each. We invite you to take
this conference time to get to "know" each of our Elders.
While this knowing will likewise be but a brief sampling, it
will nevertheless be well worth your time."
Larry Roberts
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S am
Smith
is a Cu'pik
Elder who is recently "retired" from his 25 years working for the
Yukon Kuskokwim Health Center substance abuse treatment and wellness
programs. As with each and every Elder that honors our programs, he
has a diverse and extensive personal and professional educational
history. Formally, Sam holds an associate's degree in Radio & TV
technology, UAF certificate in Rural Human Services, and is
certified by the State of Alaska as Lifetime Traditional Counselor.
He lives in his home community of Mekoryuk on Nunavik Island off the
coast of western Alaska and remains active with subsistence
activities, supporting his community wellness activities, and
serving in a variety of Elder roles in programs including the
University of Alaska Fairbanks Behavioral Health Training Academy,
the Yukon Kuskokwim region Rural Human Services Program, and the UAF
Human Services cohort degree program among others.
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Frank Haldane
was born and raised in
 Metlakatla in Southeast, Alaska where he attended
high school at Sheldon Jackson before joining the military in 1942 he
served with the Army/Air Force for two years specializing in
aeronautical communications. This led to his 20 years employment as an
FAA air traffic controller. When Frank "retired" from the FAA, he
continued his real life's work in helping others in the healing process.
He became a substance abuse counselor and worked in this field for
another 20 years. In recent years he continues his healing works in
multiple settings as an Elder and mentor. This includes sharing his
Native heritage through the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage
and most recently as a teaching Elder with the University of Alaska
Fairbanks Behavioral Health Training Academy. |
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