As the Alaska Federation of Natives convention kicks off in Anchorage, a federal agency announced Thursday it will release millions of dollars to improve public health in rural Alaska.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will award $21 million in funding through its Rural Alaska Village Grant program in order to enhance water and wastewater systems in 22 communities. Most of the money will be divided among the state and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. Another $5.7 million in rural development dollars will go to the Denali Commission for upgrades to the Stebbins/St. Michael Rural Power System and to replace a generator for the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative in the Norton Sound region, a press release said.
Alaska's U.S. senators praised the grants.
"As the AFN Convention gets in full swing in Anchorage, it is great to see USDA release this money that will greatly improve the lives of many Alaska Natives and others living in rural communities," Sen. Mark Begich said in a statement. "Improving water and sanitation systems, and upgrades that will result in smaller energy bills, are important investments we need to continue to make to improve public health and the overall quality of life for Alaskans across the state."
Republican Lisa Murkowski said: "I was in Buckland weeks ago for their 'first-flush' ceremony where their sewer system officially began operations, and there are so many other Alaska communities still trying to catch up to 20th-century standards when it comes to basic water and sanitation. With the opening of the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, it is a good reminder that our First People should not be last in line when it comes to raising the quality of life for rural Americans nationwide."
Among the nearly two dozen communities due to benefit: Diomede, Larsen Bay, Nondalton, Crooked Creek, Golovin, Eek, Kiana, Nanwalek, Toksook Bay, Kwethluk, Venetie, Levelock, Tetlin, Chevak, Chalkyitsik, Chenega, Quinhagak, Unalakleet, Saint Paul, Seldovia and Nunapitchuk.
AFN is the state's largest gathering of Alaska Natives and one of the largest conventions of any kind. It runs through Saturday at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage.
Contact Alex DeMarban at alex(at)alaskadispatch.com