KNBA Newscast for October 19. 2015
Ana Hoffman Re-elected AFN Co-Chair
By Daysha Eaton
At this year’s AFN gathering at the Dena’ina Center Saturday, Ana Hoffman was re-elected as co-chair of AFN. Hoffman is Yup’ik from Bethel and President and CEO of the Bethel Native Corporation.
Willie Kasuyulie, of Akiachak challenged Hoffman but then withdrew. She was re-elected to serve a two-year term. Jerry Isaac, Athabascan from Tanacross Hoffman’s co-chair.
AFN Passes Dozen of Resolutions, from Subsistence to Drug Abuse Prevention
By Daysha Eaton
AFN passed dozens of resolutions during their annual meeting Saturday, addressing a range of topics from protecting subsistence fishing and hunting rights to stopping drug abuse.
There was emotional discussion around the issue of creating regional drug treatment centers and making sure that both rural and urban Natives have access to treatment. People said heroin, methamphetamines and spice, or synthetic marijuana were the biggest problems.
Suicide Ends 2015 AFN
By Daysha Eaton
Toward the end of AFN, around 3:30 Saturday afternoon, Co-chair Ana Hoffman interrupted the event to announce that there had been a tragic accident outside the main meeting room.
A spokesperson with the Anchorage Police Department confirms that a person died when they jumped from the third floor balcony at the Dena'ina Center. The spokesperson called the incident a suicide.
Attendees had just enjoyed one of AFN’s most celebratory moments, an awards ceremony for 15 Alaska Natives doing positive things in their communities. Due to the incident, the banquet that is usually held on the final evening of AFN was cancelled.
Organizers said a similar incident had occurred at AFN in the past.
This year, Suicide prevention was brought front and center at AFN, after a series of four suicides by young people in the Western Alaska village of Hooper Bay.
Iditarod champion John Baker, of Kotzebue used the AFN stage Friday to announce a wellness initiative through which people could sign up to become ambassadors to their communities. Baker told Native audience, they must, “Act to make things right.”
People in need of help can call he toll free Alaska Careline at 877-266-HELP (4357) or call the national toll free number at 800-SUICIDE (800 784-2433)
Marvin Roberts Speaks at AFN, Calls Movement to Free Fairbanks Four Miraculous
By Daysha Eaton
Marvin Roberts, one of the Fairbanks Four, received a standing ovation when he walked onto the stage at AFN, Saturday. It was the first time Roberts had spoken out in such a public venue about the case. [KBBI’s Daysha Eaton has more.]
Marvin Roberts described the Fairbanks Four as four men trapped in a nightmare.
“This nightmare began in October 1997. Then like now, we four men maintain our innocence. I know for a fact that I am innocent and I believe in my heart that they are innocent,” said Roberts.
Roberts is Koyokon Athabascan, from Tananna. He was paroled in June while the other three men, George Frese, Eugene Vent and Kevin Pease, remain jailed. Three of the men are Alaska Native and one is American Indian.
The men were convicted for the beating death of 15-year-old John Hartman on a downtown street. Evidence brought forward in recent years points to others being responsible for the killing.
Roberts describes his life before he was arrested.
“I enjoyed spending time outdoors, I enjoyed laughing and most importantly, I enjoyed being with my family,” said Roberts.
Roberts said he remembers the night well, when he was 19, that the police came to take him away. He said he was asleep in his room with no worries.
“And then, knock, knock, knock (bangs on podium) Fairbanks Police Department, open up we have a search warrant. I could not believe it. My mom opened the door and the police came in and arrested me. I left the house in handcuffs right in front of my parents and four-year-old baby brother who immediately started crying,” said Roberts.
And he said the crying hasn’t stopped for the men and their families.
“To this day I still cry when I think of my friends, I hurt for Kevin and I hurt for Eugene and I hurt for George. I know they are still suffering in prison suffering right now. I think about them every day,” said Roberts.
Roberts called the movement to free the Four, miraculous. The case is under review in hearings taking place in Fairbanks now. There was a protest calling for exoneration of the Four during Governor Bill Walker’s speech opening day of AFN.