2002

2003

August 2003
Click here to see the Northwest Arctic Borough's August Mayor's Corner for details about the Baidarka Festival and other meetings in Chukotka.

July 2003
The two 40 - foot containes of medical equipment arrived at the Port of Anadyr on July 10, 2003.

June 2003
ACDP supported CRC personnel to attend a summit June 26-29, 2003 in the Republic of Sakha, where an estimated 250 participants from various regions on the Russian North (Sakha, Chukotka, Magadan, Khanty-Mansiisk, Evenk, Nenets, Yamalo-Nenets) as well as from Alaska and some regions of Canada. There they exchanged information and worked out a plan of action to implement structures and programs in Russia.

Project personnel prepared for and partook in the June 2003 meeting of the International Whaling Committee (IWC). Papers were presented to the IWC Scientific Committee using data gathered by project personnel. Discussions at the IWC meeting focused on the transfer of whale tissue specimens from Chukotka to Alaska. A trilateral meeting was proposed to involve the NGO whaling groups of Japan, US, and Chukotka to increase cooperation among the whale hunters, discuss traditions, culture, and local hunts. ATMMHC are also exploring alternative weapons for whale hunting with a Norwegian weapons expert. They gave guidance on whale harvesting to the Makah Indian tribe from the state of Washington.

May 2003
Three volunteers have come forward to work on three specific ACDP projects. They will help make arrangements for the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Rural Development Program's village development seminars scheduled to be held in August in Lorino and New Chaplino. They will also assist in conducting a survey of tourism opportunities in conjunction with the training provided under the ACDP and US National Park Service grants, and they will conduct a survey for the ACDP micro-finance peer lending aspect - when that program is approved. This trio will also provide support for other projects of and programs affiliated with the ACDP, including activities conducted by the Chukotka Red Cross, and local Native (Chukotka) based organizations.

April 2003
Planning is underway for a group of individuals from the Northwest Arctic Borough to attend the Baidarka (skin boat) Festival and partake in meeting in Lavrentiya, Chukotka in July or August. The purpose of their trip is to further cooperation between local governments and Native organizations of Northwest Alaska and Eastern Chukotka, to continue discussions regarding educational and traditional exchanges for young people from the Chukotsky Raion and Northwest Arctic Borough, and to discuss further cultural and economic contacts and cooperation. Participation will be sought from the Bering Strait Regional Commission, Maniilaq Association, NANA Regional Corporation, Northwest Arctic Borough, and Native Youth from Kotzebue.

The Program Manager, Micro-finance Coordinator, and graduate students discussed multiple approaches to micro-lending in rural area. The feasibility of setting up trial peer-lending groups in Chukotka was stressed. The American graduate student is developing a step-by-step brochure on how to assemble, monitor, and evaluate peer groups. It will be available to potential Chukotka borrowers. The Russian graduate student will began preliminary research and social assessments for potential candidates for peer groups in Chukotka during the next quarter.

March 2003
Sobriety seminars commenced in Anadyr March 18, 19, and 20. Participants from Alaska included individuals from Alcoholics Anonymous, Alaska State Division of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, Alaska Federation of Natives, Doverie "Confidence Society," Chukotka's sobriety movement, Chukotka Red Cross, and other sobriety movements.

Counterpart International, Operation Provide Hope approved the shipment of two 40 - foot containers of medical equipment to Chukotka. Shipment will occur during the summer months of 2003, when ports are ice-free.

February 2003
Chukotka dignitaries, along with representatives from the Institute of the North, attend the Arctic Economic Development Summit. This event is a joint effort between the Northwest Arctic Borough and North Slope Borough of Alaska and will be hosted in Kotzebue February 4 - 6, 2003.