General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsShannyn Moore has written a very good column about President Obama's Alaska visit
Worth the read.
http://www.adn.com/article/20150905/post-potus-alaskans-should-remember-pulling-together-despite-differences
Post-POTUS, Alaskans should remember pulling together despite differences
<snip>
Dillingham showed up beautifully. They spruced up the town and hung a "No Pebble" banner everywhere possible. Even a salmon was happy to see him and spawned all sorts of "Don't Cry Over Spilled Milt" jokes. The president seemed happy yuraq-ing (Yup'ik dancing) with the children and sat with them and smiled for pictures.
He told them he was proud of them several times. "We're so happy to be here, and young people here especially I'm very proud of you. Keep up your traditions, even as you go out into the big world and learn and bring back the knowledge that's going to build this community."
That isn't something that has been said often enough to Alaska Native children, or any children for that matter.
Estelle Thomson describes herself as "a poor Native kid from the village." She was particularly touched by his visit. "For Native youth, whose graduation rates from college and even high school are abysmal, teen pregnancy and suicide rates are disproportionately high, this single statement can fuel the success of so many kids. If they can just remember that feeling. ... Some of those kids will realize they have no limits because the president of the United States said he believed in them. Some of them are our next generation of leaders who will remember the kindness of a man who came across the country to see them. Some of them will see that brown people (like them) can be very successful if they work hard."
I hope her words travel fast to God's ears. If Obama's visit saves one child from taking their life it was worth the trip. She noted, "He touched on something extremely important to Us (as Native People). Not only in celebrating who we are and retaining Our Culture ... but in the belief we should use our knowledge and experience to help Our People."
One of my favorite writers, Don Rearden said, "No president has ever shown this level of respect for Alaska's Real People."
<snip>
I guess people in the Lower 48 states are probably somewhat jaded by presidential visits, they happen all the time, but this is a first for Alaska. Presidents are usually only here briefly for refueling at the Base, they might say a few words to the soldiers, but then they're on their way to their real destination. This is the first time that our state was the destination. It meant a lot to us, and I'm sensing a completely different atmosphere here since the visit.
(The extended video embedded in the article is awesome. I've only seen pieces of it before.)
scarletwoman
(31,893 posts)As I looked at those happy shining faces, all I could think of is how this will have touched them, how they will be remembering that visit by the President for the rest of their lives.
Like Estelle Thomson said, I hope they will remember that feeling.
Thank you for this post!
On edit: Btw, what's that "No Pebbles" thing about?
Blue_In_AK
(46,436 posts)It's a proposed gold and copper mine in the headwaters of Bristol Bay, a very stupid idea that most of us hate.
http://www.savebristolbay.org/about-the-bay/about-pebble-mine
brer cat
(24,401 posts)"If Obama's visit saves one child from taking their life it was worth the trip." That is something most of us never think about, Blue. Thanks for posting.
Blue_In_AK
(46,436 posts)in the villages is a serious problem. These were very meaningful words.
livetohike
(22,084 posts)President Obama.
Suich
(10,642 posts)and all the kids jumped up to help him!
malaise
(267,798 posts)Obama is really the President of the United States - there is something special about him
Beautiful post. Thank you from FL, Blue!
sheshe2
(83,324 posts)President Barack Obama did something I didn't expect him to do. He melted down the icy hearts of some Alaskans -- my own included.
GoCubsGo
(32,061 posts)I hadn't seen that video. You're right. it was awesome! Lucky kids! Lucky President Obama for having the opportunity to go up there for a visit!
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)I didn't realize that no other POTUS had spent time in Alaska visiting.
Glad you folks finally got some attention.
Just an FYI for those that don't have a perspective how far "up" to the top of the world Alaska is...right now Alaska Airlines has their Seattle to Anchorage flights scheduled at 3 hours and 40 minutes.
That's quite a flight.
longship
(40,416 posts)What the fuck is wrong with the Republicans that they don't see this?
That's right. They want a president who is not for everybody.
'Nuf said?