KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
The Conference of Young Alaskans, a University of Alaska project honoring Alaska’s 50th anniversary of statehood will be meeting early in the new year. The conference was designed to promote discussion among young Alaskans from big cities and small communities from across the state. Included among the 2009 conference delegates is one member of the Kodiak community. KMXT’s Erik Wander has more.
25-year-old Bradley Knowles, an Alaska Native originally from Kodiak, who currently works for the Alutiiq Native Corporation in Anchorage, was chosen as the delegate to represent Kodiak.
— (Knowles 1 52 sec "It’s both an honor … and what things are.")
2009 conference coordinator Ian Michael Hebert described the origins, the ongoing mission and objectives of the conference.
— (Hebert 1 50 sec "The conference concept … across the state.")
Hebert identified the five topic areas of concern to delegates as energy, the economy, education, natural resources and the environment and promoting healthy communities. In order to qualify for the delegation, Knowles wrote an essay emphasizing that improved communication technology increases Alaskans’ responsibility to be aware and active in decision making, as well as the need for access to health care and education.
— (Knowles 2 35 sec "I just want people to know … the state as a whole.")
The 55-member group will meet January 3rd to the 6th in Girdwood to develop policy statements and proposed courses of action. The delegates will represent the voice of Alaska’s next generation of leaders, and the gathering is intended to demonstrate the potential and possibility of Alaskans putting aside their differences to work together for the common good. I’m Erik Wander.
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