Canku Ota

(Many Paths)

An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America

December 13, 2003 - Issue 102

Opportunities - Page Three

Here you will find listings of:

• Positions Available - including Fellowships and Internships;
• Scholarship, Award and Grant Information; and
• Event Announcements.

We will update this page if we receive additional opportunities for events, etc. that will occur before our issue publication date.

We receive these announcements from various sources including Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP) and NativeShare

To view additional listing from previous issues, click here

12/13/03

Position Announcement
Deadline: Open

Law Enforcement Officer ? University Police ? Background Check
Position Number: 98515
Bi-Weekly Salary Range: $1,304.26 - $1,780.49
Apply to/Contact: Vivian Hocker, UPB 002, 974-3269

Qualifications: Must meet requirements of Chapter 943, Florida Statutes and have (AA) degree or the equivalent college hours for the degree. Three years of law enforcement or three years of military experience may substitute. Shift, weekend and holiday work required.

12/13/03

Research Program Announcement

National Institutes of Health Program Announcement:

HEALTH PROMOTION AMONG RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITY MALES

It is well documented that males experience approximately a seven-year shorter life expectancy when compared with females. During the 20th Century, life expectancy at birth increased from 48 to 74 years for males and from 51 to 79 years for females. Increases in life expectancy are, in part, attributed to improvements in lifestyle, nutrition, housing, hygiene and medical care. The disparities in life expectancy are more pronounced among men of color and economically disadvantaged males. For example, the life expectancy of European American males and African American males is 74.6 and 67.7 years respectively.

The purpose of this initiative is to stimulate and expand research in the health of minority men. Specifically, this initiative is intended to: 1) enhance our understanding of the numerous factors (e.g., sociodemographic, community, societal, personal) influencing the health promoting behaviors ofracial and ethnic minority males and their subpopulations across the life cycle, and 2) solicit applications focusing on the development and testing of culturally and linguistically appropriate health-promoting interventions designed to reduce health disparities among racially and ethnically diverse males and their subpopulations age 21 and older.

The full text of the program announcement can be found at:
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-03-170.html

12/13/03

Research Program Announcement

OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY CONTROL AT WORKSITES

The National, Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) invites applications for research project (R01) grants to test interventions that are innovative and emphasize environmental approaches or a combination of environmental and individual approaches at worksites to prevent or treat obesity in adults. The purpose is to support studies designed to determine whether worksite interventions that include environmental strategies are successful in preventing or controlling obesity. Environmental strategies include programs, policies or organizational practices to influence health behaviors by, for example, increasing the availability of, and providing access to, healthful food choices and facilities for physical activity and creating a socially supportive climate.

The objective of this research program is to support multiple controlled trials to test innovative multi-component interventions that have sufficient duration (about 2 years) and intensity to be efficacious. The interventions must be delivered at worksites and must emphasize environmental approaches or a combination of environmental and individual approaches for the prevention or control of overweight or obesity in adults.

The full text of the RFA can be found at: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HL-04-006.html

12/13/03

Request for Proposals

CTCNet is pleased to announce a new grant program:
Youth Visions for Stronger Neighborhoods - Enabling Community Problem-Solving Using Multimedia Technology

On December 3rd, 2003, Community Technology Centers' Network (CTCNet) will release an official Request for Proposal (RFP) for its new Youth Visions for Stronger Neighborhoods Program Development Grants. To request a copy of the RFP, please contact youthvisions@ctcnet.org after determining whether or not your community technology center (CTC) meets the preliminary eligibility requirements. Further details on the program, including how to apply, eligibility, evaluation, etc. will be included in the final RFP.

The Youth Visions for Stronger Neighborhoods program is made possible through a generous grant from the Corporation for National Service's Learn and Serve America program (www.learnandserve.org). Learn and Serve America supports service-learning programs in schools and community organizations that help nearly one million students from kindergarten through college meet community needs, while improving their academic skills and learning the habits of good citizenship. Learn and Serve grants are used to create new programs or replicate existing programs, as well as to provide training and development to staff, faculty, and volunteers.

General Program Description
CTCNet will award grants to eight community technology centers (CTCs) around the country that offer multimedia training for adolescents. Both urban and rural CTCs will be part of the program. Each of these eight CTCs will engage youth ages 12 to 14 in a community problem-solving project that requires sustained work over the course of a semester or summer. Programs operations will begin in January 2004 and must be completed by September 2004.

Selected sites must have experience training youth in the use of multimedia tools and be willing to take part in a participatory process aimed at building a strong curriculum and evaluation methodology that may be used by future sites participating in the program.

This program is designed to empower youths and CTCs to engage in local community building and decision-making incorporating tools and training commonly offered by CTCs. One expected outcome of the program is a change in the attitudes of participating youth as they realize their role in community problem solving. Another outcome will be an increased number of community members who perceive youth as vital assets to their neighborhoods' long-term health and success. See Program Goals.

Sub-grant Awards
Each CTC awarded through this program will receive approximately $22,000 and must contribute at least $2,000 in non-federal matching funds. It is

12/13/03

Employment Opportunities at the Central Office of the National Mental Health Association

Internship Opportunities – Spring 2004
The National Mental Health Association, a nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness, is seeking undergraduate and graduate students for its internship program. The program is designed to provide a unique opportunity for students to gain real-world work experience relevant to their academic and career goals. Internships are available in Administration, Affiliates, Communications/Media , Executive Office, Healthcare Reform, Juvenile Justice, Marketing/Publications, and World Federation. See the internship program section of this web site for more details or to apply online. Other application options include sending a resume to NMHA/JDL, 2001 N. Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311, a fax to (703) 684-5968, or an e-mail interns@nmha.org. No phone calls please. EOE

Marketing - Senior Director of Publications
National Mental Health Association seeks professional to run busy publications department, oversee production of various newsletters, Web content, and all association publications from development through production. Candidates must have 8-10 years experience, excellent health writing, editing and creative concept skills, supervision, management and cultural competency experience. Send resume and writing sample to LBM at jobs@nmha.org or fax to 703-684-5968. EOE

Public Education - Program Director
Manages day-to-day operations of various public education programs that address the mental health needs of general public/adults and individuals living with mental illness. Develops program plans, reports, proposals and educational materials in all media. Conducts research on relevant topic areas. Provides technical assistance and participates in trainings for affiliates. Plans and executes special events and other activities. Performs other projects as needed. Utilizes culturally competent techniques in all efforts. Masters degree in public health, psychology, social work or related field preferred. Please send resume, cover letter to NMHA, Attn: JC, 2001 N. Beauregard Street, 12th Floor, Alexandria, VA 22311, fax: 703-684-5968 or email to: jobs@nmha.org No phone calls please. EOE

Public Education - Senior Director
National Mental Health Association seeks senior director of public education to manage NMHA’s public awareness and social marketing programs. Job responsibilities include program and materials development, staff supervision, and affiliate relations and planning of conferences and trainings. Candidates must have experience managing a national public education program, an understanding of community-based education and advocacy, supervisory experience, BA/BS, and at least 7-10 years work experience in mental health, public health or communications. Knowledge of mental health issues preferred. Excellent benefits. Send resume and two writing samples to: NMHA, Attn: JR, 2001 N. Beauregard Street, 12th floor, Alexandria, VA 22311, fax: 703-684-5968, or email: jobs@nmha.org. No phone calls please. EOE

12/13/03

ALEUT AND ALUTIIQ FESTIVAL AT THE ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE CENTER

The Alaska Native Heritage Center will be celebrating the diverse cultures of the Aleut and Alutiiq peoples of Alaska on Saturday, December 13th, 2003 from 10am to 5pm. The Aleut and Alutiiq peoples are south and southwest Alaska's maritime peoples. This is the second program in the winter season that will highlight each of the five cultural regions of the state. The Aleut and Alutiiq Festival is one of the continuing series of Celebrating Culture Saturdays sponsored by BP, which presents a unique cultural program each week.

There will be a special dance performance by Cindy Pennington and Lalla Williams honoring their mother, Lucille Davis. Davis is an Alutiiq Elder, storyteller and Tradition Bearer from the village of Karluk on Kodiak Island. The dance performance will tell a story about a spear that was stolen from the family 40 years ago. The spear held a place of honor for many years in their grandfather's house before it was stolen. Davis told stories to her daughters about how that spear had been used to fight for control of Kodiak Island with the Russians. Pennington and Williams want to let their mother know that the stories of her family will not be forgotten and will be shared with future descendants and the Alutiiq community. A new spear has been hand made by Michael Livingston, master boat builder, and will be presented to Davis after the performance.

"I would like to share this story and honor my mother, grandfather and ancestors for what they have given me," stated Pennington, Cultural Development Manager for the Alaska Native Heritage Center.

The Atxam Taligisniikangis dance group will be giving a special presentation and will be performing with the Alaska Native Heritage Center Dance Group. Atxam Taligisniikangis was formed in 1994 under the direction of the Atka School Board and leadership of the Head teacher at the time, Ethan Petticrew. Since then, some of the members of the dance group have moved to Anchorage. Their most recent performance was at Quyana Night during AFN. Members will share some demonstrations of Atka Unangax dancing, Qagaasakuq. They will also perform dances with the Alaska Native Heritage Center Dance Group, which was created in the fall of 2001 as part of the ANHC's After-School Program for Alaska Native high school students. The initial vision was to offer a performance component to the students, teaching them traditional Native dance (Yup'ik Eskimo dancing). The group has studied with master dance instructors from throughout the state, expanding its performance repertoire to include Tsimshian, Inupiaq and Aleut singing and dancing.

The Anguyak Alutiiq Dancers will also be performing. The Anguyak Alutiiq Dancers is a newly formed group. The work "anguyak" means warrior in the Sugtestun language and represents the groups' effort to keep the Alutiiq culture alive. Individuals from the Hawaiian community helped form the group and then later stepped aside once the group had enough experience to make it on its own. Members share traditions and stories taught to them by their ancestors.

Viola Inga will be giving a special presentation on Alutiiq Headdresses. Inga is of Alutiiq and Inupiaq Eskimo descent and her native name is "Naqhooc" She has been weaving baskets and making beaded headdresses since she was a little girl. Inga uses glass beads, sinew and leather to create a "Nacaq" or women's beaded headdress. Before European contact the Nacaq was made of bones, ivory, baleen and wood that were shaped into beads. The Nacaq was traditionally worn by the wife and daughters of high-ranking men: Tuuyuq (Chief); 2nd and 3rd Chiefs; Chief Hunter; Chief Warrior and the Shaman.

There will be Native storytelling with Lucille Davis and Mary Bourdukofsky. Bourdukofsky is from the Pribilof Islands. She tells stories that were passed down from her grandfather to her father and will be sharing a story she calls "The Legend". She is also an artist who makes seal skin baskets, Aleut medicine bags, baby cradles and Aleut headdresses.

Helen Simeonoff will be signing her "Raven" print, which was created exclusively for the Alaska Native Heritage Center in partnership with KTUU/Channel 2. Simeonoff is Sugpiaq and was born on Kodiak Island. She studied art in San Diego and watercolor at the University of Alaska, Adak. Simeonoff paints a variety of subject matter, often drawing on her childhood experiences.

Native Arts and Crafts sessions will be available throughout the day for all ages. Instructions include how to make: Athabascan Chokers, Yup'ik/Cup'ik Women's Tool Bags, Inupiaq/St. Lawrence Island Yupik Hunting Slings, Alutiiq Visors and Southeast Stone Necklaces. Several videos will be shown such as Stories Given, Stories Shared, Aleut Evacuation, Qayaqs and Canoes, Cradle of the Storms and Bushta A Contemporary Seal Hunt.

Visitors can experience the five recreated village sites that illustrate the traditional structures in a typical village before or shortly after contact with non-Native cultures. Knowledgeable tour guides will share the history, culture and traditions of each site.

-END-

The Alaska Native Heritage Center is an independent, nonprofit that is committed to sharing, perpetuating and preserving the unique Alaska Native cultures, language, traditions and values through celebration and education. It is located at 8800 Heritage Center Drive in northeast Anchorage, just off Muldoon Road North near Bartlett High School. For more information about other events and programs, visit www.alaskanative.net

Kay E. Ashton
Public Relations
Alaska Native Heritage Center
www.alaskanative.net
Fax: 907 330-8030
Phone: 800 315-6608
907 330-8055