Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 6, 1 June 2009 — Native writers eligible for $60,000 in awards [ARTICLE]

Native writers eligible for $60,000 in awards

The Alaska Federation of Natives is launching a new national writing competition to encourage native thinkers to share their insights on the challenges and opportunities raised in the current eeonomie and poliīieal climates. "Native Insight: Thoughts on Recession, Recovery and Opportunity" offers a total of $60,000 to be distributed among three Alaska Native winners and three Native Hawaiian/Lower 48 winners. Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and American Indians of all ages are eligible to enter. Essays of 500 to 1,600 words

are due Sept. 15. Winners will be announced in October, and winning essays will have the opportunity to be published in native journals and magazines across the United States. Essays must address at least one of the three writing prompts: how the native conununity ean support eeonomie renewal, what it will take for the American economy to rebound, and what the American leadership ean do to jump start recovery. AFN is partnering with the National Congress of American Indians and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement to reach native communities across the nation. See BRIEFS on page 29

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CūūtiūUEd fram page 23 "Native communities have a weahh of knowledge and experienee from engaging in commerce and trade over thousands of years," said Robin Puanani Danner, CNHA president and CEO. "The 'Native Insight' competition is a dynamic platform that allows the ingenuity of our people to be shared." For information, eall the Alaska Federation of Natives at 907-274-3611 or email compete@native insight.org. Forum features native perspective on energy A free forum on "Native Hawaiian Perspectives on Renewable Energy Development" will eonvene Wednesday, lune 24, 6:30 p.m. at the Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. Discussion will focus on how to apply native traditions of stewardship to actions that will ensure a sus-

tainable energy future for Hawai'i. Panelists, representing various fields of environmental, eeonomie and cultural expertise, are: Miehael L. Kaleikini, D. Noelani Kalipi, Davianna McGregor and Myron Thompson. Others taking part in the discussion are: state Rep. Hennina Morita (D-Hanalei, Anahola, Kēalia, Kapa'a, Waipouli), Sen. Mike Gabbard (D-Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, portions of Waipahu and Ko 'Olina), and Pono Shim. Moderator for the event will be Ramsay Taum, who serves in several capacities including host culture specialist at the UH School of Travel Industry Management. For information, visit outreach.hawaii.edu or eall 956-8246. Vocational scholarships open The Hana Lima Scholarship Program of Alu Like ine. is accepting applications for students enrolled in a vocational program during the 2009-2010 academic year. Submission deadline is Iuly 3. Eligible vocational programs

include nursing, automotive technology, medical assisting, carpentry, cosmetology and administration of Iustice. The Hana Lima Scholarship is a needs-based vocational education scholarship with preference given to nontraditional students, houseless people, individuals with disabilities, sole-income providers in family households and the previously incarcerated or former wards of the state. Only students who are committed to a specific area of vocational education may qualify for this scholarship. Awards are subject to availability of funds and program eligibility requirements. For information, visit alulike.org or eall Alu Like at 535-6782. Application submitted for tax credits for charter schools The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement has submitted an application to the U.S. Treasury Department for $50 million in New Market Tax Credits that could be used to help charter schools with construction of facilities. "There are several charter schools that need facility funding very

badly. An allocation of tax credits would assist with the construction of schools serving thousands of our 'ōpio," said Robin Puanani Danner, CNHA president and CEO. The tax credit application was submitted in March for a total of $125 million, with $50 million dedicated to Native Hawaiian projects, according to CNHA. The U.S. Treasury expects to announee the allocations from the Stimulus Bill in September 2009. Bill aims to better manage aid to native groups Hawai'i U.S. Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel joined Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), in introducing legislation designed to better coordinate the delivery of federal eeonomie aid to American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. Called the Native American Challenge Demonstration Project Act of 2009, the legislation would authorize the project at $20 million a year for five years beginning in fiscal year 2010. It also seeks to better manage

the distribution of federal funds to tribal entities from across six federal agencies — the Departments of Commerce; Interior; Energy; Heahh and Human Services; Agriculture; and Housing and Urban Development. "This unique demonstration project gives greater responsibility to native populations in detennining and addressing their developmental needs, thereby increasing the likelihood of program success," Inouye said. "This legislation recognizes (American Indians', Alaska Natives', and Native Hawaiians') unique needs and supports eeonomie development opportunities that will lead to the creation of innovative, culturally appropriate, and sustainable solutions," Akaka said. Under the demonstration project, eligible entities would enter into a 'Native Challenge' compact with the Department of Commerce. Recognizing the importance of selfdetermination and loeal decisionmaking, such compacts would be negotiated with tribal entities to establish a multi-year development plan, define clear development objectives and determine the responsibilities of eaeh party. ■