Alaska Inter-Tribal Council : Advocating for Alaska Tribal Governments

The Alaska Inter-Tribal Council would like to Thank CITGO, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and the Citizens Energy Corporation for gifting 100 gallons of heating oil to each Native family in hundreds of villages, towns and communities throughout Alaska for the winter and spring of 2008. Without this gift many families would have suffered through the harsh Alaska Winter.

The gifted oil has had a major impact on the families of Rural Alaska. The energy cries and the abrupt sky rocket of fuel prices across America has made it extremely difficult for Rural Alaskans to maintain a comfortable, stable lifestyle. Alaska has over 200 Villages, town, and communities that are secluded from the main hubs (Anchorage, Fairbanks, etc.,). The only means of traveling in and out are through air planes and boats depending on the season and weather conditions. Thus, causing the prices of all goods to increase such as fuel oil, gasoline, groceries, building supply etc., This year the oil and gas prices in some villages reached as high as $10 a gallon of unleaded gasoline, Heating fuel: $9.10 a gallon. Electricity: $1.17 per kilowatt hour -- 11 times the national average. With the limited jobs available in Bush Alaska makes it almost impossible for the families to heat there homes for the long winter months.

The majority of homes were built in the early 70's and 80's, and have poor insulation, roofing, and are mainly heated by wood stoves, and oil stoves. This program has enabled the families in Rural Alaska to continue their everyday lives comfortably through the harsh winters. One house hold commented in making the 100 gallon gift last them almost two months only using the oil for household chores, and heating the home when the temperature dropped below 50 degrees . Other families were able to hold family gatherings, work on native arts and crafts, and have their children play comfortably in the warmth of their own home. The fuel made it possible for families to gather food through subsistence hunting which has been a way of life for Alaskan Natives for hundreds of years.

For the Winter and Spring 2009, gas, fuel, and oil prices are expected to rise in Rural Alaska making it difficult for families to make ends meet. Therefore, hundreds of Rural Alaskans and Alaska Natives are relocating or expected to relocate to larger Cities in Alaska where the cost of living is affordable, more jobs are available.

CITGO has made it possible for thousands of Indigenous Native Peoples to continue their unique cultural traditions. While the United States Government was neglecting the needs of Bush Alaska CITGO was there to provide heating fuel, and release the burden on thousands of a dreadful cold winter, again Quyanaq-Thank you.