The Hunter 2016 August/September

HUNTING INFORMATION

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BROADBAND SUMMIT

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Annual Meeting Notice ............................................................. 2 U . S . Coast Guard Roll-in Ceremony ............................................ 3 NANA Development Corporation ............................................ 4-5 Shareholder Spotlight ............................................................... 7 Shareholder Portal .................................................................... 7
August / September 2016 Volume 49 Published by NANA Regional Corporation , Inc .

Message from the President

Wayne Westlake , NANA President / CEO
Nayaaŋŋaq ,
Growing up in Kiana , my family followed the seasons that are so important to our people in the region . A plentiful season of gathering berries , fishing , hunting , and preparing meant security moving forward , but there were lessons to be had — and growth to be found — even when sometimes our efforts were unsuccessful .
As hunters we understand that many people also depend on our efforts in the business world ; we make a commitment to our communities to support and provide . We work together , always looking ahead and striving to do the right thing .
NANA ’ s Board of Directors made the recent determination to not declare a dividend in 2016 . This was a very difficult decision for the board to make and we know that many of our shareholders were relying on this dividend . We truly encourage all shareholders to attend one of the upcoming informal meetings in the region , Anchorage , Fairbanks , or
Seattle , to learn more , ask questions and hear about the company ’ s performance over the past year as well as goals for the next .
As many of you know , the region suffered the loss of NANA ’ s first President / CEO , Qipqiña John Schaffer . John exemplified the spirit of cooperation and hard work through his tireless efforts to provide opportunities to shareholders and the region . He was one of NANA ’ s most dedicated advocates – he was truly committed to the people , culture and development of the region . His legacy is the basis for many of the company ’ s greatest successes , from his work with Red Dog Mine to his commitment to the formation of our Iñupiaq Ilitqusiat . His tireless service to our country and communities was recently honored by the Alaska National Guard during the renaming ceremony of the Army Guards Aviation hanger in Kotzebue . John will be missed .
Past leaders , like John , were great advocates for the region . Their leadership and vision is still reflected in recent developments . I was
reminded of this when I attended discussions about high-speed internet in the Arctic . NANA had the opportunity to be a part of the first Arctic Broadband Summit , which examined the need for high-speed broadband Internet across the Arctic . Quality access to the internet is no longer an option – schools , health care facilities , NANA companies , and our partners operating in the region are limited by insufficient coverage . We live in a digital age and we are hopeful for the future of broadband Internet .
As Iñupiat , our culture shapes our corporation ; even this newsletter , the Hunter , reflects the subsistence values of the NANA region . We know that there is success to be had and that the hard lessons learned — along with our determination and commitment to NANA shareholders — will help us find the path forward together .
— Wayne Westlake , NANA President / CEO
PRSRT STD U . S . Postage

PAID

Anchorage , AK Permit No . 444
PO Box 49 Kotzebue , Alaska 99752

NANA Mourns the Passing of First President / CEO , Qipqiña John Schaeffer

The NANA shareholder community is in mourning from the passing of a talented and transformative leader , NANA ’ s first President / CEO , Qipqiña John Schaeffer . Our hearts , thoughts , and prayers are with his wife Maqik ( Mary ), his 9 children , 36 grandchildren , 16 great-grandchildren and numerous family and friends throughout the region , state and world .

Qipqiña was a man of resolve , courage , and vision . He was willing to lead in times of uncertainty , and lived a life of service to his people and his nation . As a soldier , he defended the country he loved . As NANA ’ s first President and CEO , he was committed to his people and the protection and advancement of future generations of Northwest Alaska Iñupiat .
NANA began in John and Mary ’ s living room when they were home subsisting in Kotzebue in 1966 . According to an account by Willie Hensley captured in the book " NANA : A Continuing History " by Richard Baenen , Willie had an important meeting in Fairbanks ; he asked John to assist organizing a meeting . John and Mary invited a group of friends to their home where the group adopted the first Articles of the Northwest Alaska Native Association and the first officers were elected . Through the Northwest Arctic Native Association , John worked with others to safeguard ancestral lands , and set in motion the land claims movement that would result in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( ANCSA ).
As NANA ’ s first president , he established safeguards for subsistence so that the land would be protected for our people . He also guided the company through the development of the Red Dog Mine , which created a source of revenue to the region and shareholders .
Among his greatest accomplishments was his work to protect the Iñupiaq Values . When negative influences began to impact Northwest Alaska , Qipqiña and others sought the guidance of the Elders , and supported them as they worked to connect our people back to traditional ways through the Spirit Movement . The result of this effort was the formalization of the Iñupiat Ilitqusiat – that which makes us who we are .
Because of Qipqiña and other early leaders , the land and cultural knowledge of the NANA region has been preserved . He was a great Hunter for us all . His legacy will continue to impact the future of Alaska Natives , a future he worked a lifetime to ensure .
“ Under the stimulation of the controversy generated by the selection of Native lands by the state , the Eskimos of Northwest Alaska have united to preserve and insure the continued use and occupation of their traditional lands .” - Qipqiña John Schaeffer , President and CEO NANA Regional Corporation 1972-1984 , first press release issued by the Northwest Arctic Native Association ( predecessor of NANA Regional Corporation ).