New Space for TAAV

TAAV Program Room

The new TWC building has provided  TAAV with its own self-contained programming room.  The program room has a full kitchenette and additional storage space for outdoor gear and program supplies.  One of the best elements of the new space is its privacy. In the old building, meetings were held in the large conference room where foot traffic was high. In the new space TAAV meetings can operate almost uninterrupted. Thus, the new environment has  positively impacted implementation of activities, depth of discusssions and project completion.

Legal advocate goes on ride along with BPD

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To understand a little more about the experience of local law enforcement, TWC’s Legal Advocate, Ariel Herman, volunteered to accompany a Bethel Police officer on duty. She landed in a police cruiser with Sargeant Corbett for a four-hour ride along around town. Ariel said it was interesting to see Bethel from the perspective of a police cruiser. Although not allowed into homes during calls, Ariel discussed with Srgt. Corbett his experiences afterwards. When asked how he stays positive in a line of work that brings him face to face with domestic and alcohol-related violence everyday, he responded that those he’s able to help even a small amount keeps him positive about the future.

Congrats John Baker!!

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This weekends K300 mushers fared very well considering trail conditions included severe wind, little snow and glare ice. John Baker and his team took first, Martin Buser took second and Lance Mackey came in third. It seemed as though the entire Bethel community was out to support the race! Volunteers checked times, transported dogs, fed and housed mushers and their teams. The weather was brutal but that didn’t stop the mushers and community members from going out and support the race.

We’re moving!

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You should see the office right now – the packing party has begun! We’ve got music going and staff running every which way, packing supplies and materials into boxes to HOPEFULLY make it next door to the new building with as little confusion as possible. Do you think we can do it? Monday and Tuesday of next week, the staff will be transitioning the admin offices into our new home, so keep that in mind if you try calling. Grand Opening is scheduled for Thurs, Dec 17th at 11am and we’ll have an Open House all afternoon.

T.A.A.V Interviews Local Artist Marie Alfred

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Marie Alfred is a local artist who has been working in partnership with TWC over the past month. Since October 27, 2009, Alfred has been leading workshops with T.A.A.V every Tuesday on creating “story knives” by instructing them on wood working skills. Alfred’s efforts to work with the teens helps TWC achieve its goal of providing culturally relevant activities to its participants. Below is the interview active T.A.A.V member Maya Morris did with Alfred.

Maya Morris (MM): How long have you been doing wood carving professionally?

Marie Alfred (MA): Since May 2009

MM: Who taught you to do wood carving?

MA: My grandpa Adam Fisher. He passed in 1973. He had a business called Grandfathers Teaching.

MM: Are there other crafts you make?

MA: I do water colors, drawings, and work with ivory.

MM: If someone wanted to see your work, where could they go to look at it?

MA: At the art gallery at the the Yup’iit Piciryarait Cultural Center.

MM: Is any of your stuff for sale?

MA: Some water color paintings and wooden spoons. The water color paintings are around $100 and the wooden spoons are $250- $300.

MM: Do you have any current projects in the works?

MA: I’m making ivory earrings.

If you would like more information about Marie Alfred and her art work please contact T.A.A.V coordinator Abby Smith at TWC or the art gallery at the Yup’iit Piciryarait Cultural Center.