<\/a>Donated food collected by community volunteers in Sitka being prepared for shipment to communities affected by lack of ferry service. (Courtesy photo | Cyndi Reeves)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
“I understand the numbers and I know they’re working through the numbers,” Moreno said. “But there also is an effect on our cultural activities, on our spiritual strength, because of the decreases in ferry service.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
[Gov’s chief of staff says getting ferries back in service is a top priority<\/a>]<\/ins><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t For many communities in Southeast Alaska, the ferry system is the main link to the outside world. Travel by seaplane or private vessel is available, but is often too expensive and weather can keep planes grounded.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t “Many of the towns and villages have a high percentage of Alaska Natives who live in their communities and use the ferry system as a vehicle to go to Koo.eex<\/a> (memorial ceremonies), to go to ceremonies, to have that spiritual connection clan to clan, from people to people,” Moreno said. “That balance and those relationships are something that we value highly.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t A letter<\/a> was sent to the Department of Transportation and the governor’s office on Tuesday, Feb. 18, requesting two seats on the work group be reserved for members of ANS\/ANB. But by that time appointments to the work group<\/a> had already been made and were announced at a press conference the next day.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t “I just saw the letter yesterday. This group was put together weeks ago,” said John MacKinnon, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Commission, when asked about the letter at the press <\/a>conference<\/a>. MacKinnon said the work group was meant to be balanced and include people from around the state.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t “I’m just hearing about the letter now,” Dunleavy said at the same press conference. “Whatever it is, it’s not a snub to any group or any particular folks or location.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t He said that with nine members the group was already large enough and that as groups grow they tend to lose their effectiveness.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t “We’re trying to get something that’s actually going to produce a product the state can get around and support going forward,” Dunleavy said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t Dunleavy spokesperson Jeff Turner said any future involvement by ANS\/ANB would be up to Vice Adm. Tom Barrett whom the governor named as chair of the work group. Barrett could not immediately be reached for comment.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t Moreno expressed her disappointment no seats would be allocated to her organization, and said she believed Alaska Natives should still be included as the process moves forward.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t “We know what it feels like as a people when decisions are made for us,” Moreno said. “If you’re not invited to dinner, you’re probably on the menu.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t When Moreno spoke to the Empire Friday morning, she and several other community groups in Sitka were in the process of trying to get hundreds of pounds of donated food to Kake, Angoon and other Southeast communities affected by the lack of ferry service.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t Moreno and other Alaska Native leaders have said the lack of consultation with tribal groups is the continuation of a long history of sidelining indigenous people.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t “It’s important because the Alaska Native Brotherhood, Alaska Native Sisterhood, have a history of well over 100 years where we’ve worked with majority culture to have voting rights, wages, the Alaska Marine Highway System,” said Sasha Soboleff, Alaska Native Brotherhood executive committee member. “One of the things that they’ve recognized is the majority culture does not perceive there is much information outside of their own culture.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t