KIC
By Stephanie Rainwater

April 11, 2011
Monday

Dear Editor,

On my recent trip to Ketchikan, I was pleasantly surprised and delighted with all the new construction projects going on within the Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC).  Capital Project Manager Construction Trades Lead Adjunct, Charles Edwardson and KIC President Norman Arriola gave me a tour of KIC’s Southern Southeast Technical College, which will provide training skills for Southeast Alaska youth, Native and non-native.  Norman Arriola stated, “Tribal Council established a college endowment fund to assist students’ to further their education, this was set up in 2007.” Last year Charles Edwardson used his personal funds to travel to the Legislative Fly to secure state funding for this project, this proved to be a successful endeavor, the state’s contribution was half a million dollars and according to Charles there is more state funding to come.  Hat’s Off to Charles Edwardson! Good Job Housing department and Tribal Council!

Second, KIC Housing Director, Joel Azure and President Arriola gave me a tour of KIC Senior Housing on Baranof Ave. What a beautiful building for our elders to live in. KIC was successful in receiving Reinvestment Recovery Act, (ARRA) and Native American Housing Self Determination Act, (NAHSDA) funds to complete this project. Hats off to Housing Director; Joel Azure, housing staff,  Bonnie Newman, Richard Jackson, April Edenshaw, and Charles Edwardson, job well done!

In closing, I want to express my appreciation to all KIC staff, membership and board members who were involved in the success of these projects. To the KIC membership, we have much to be grateful for.

Howaa’,

Stephanie Rainwater
Seattle, WA