4th Alaska Marketplace - 2009
PRACTICAL USE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY ~ Use of new technology to create village enterprises, such as use of cell phones or digital media
Wolf Pack Industries - E-Commerce Model, Award $10,650, Project Representative: Jason Currier, Unalakleet
Wolf Pack Industries is operating an electronic or virtual store, i.e. a garage sale or flea market that can help sell items that one may not know what to do with. At their virtual store, they plan to list and sell items for a percentage of the final selling price.
INNOVATIVE IDEAS TO REDUCE THE COST OF LIVING ~ Such as cooperatives or various sharing arrangements that have very practical results and can be replicated in other communities and possibly scaled up
Cordova Greens, Award $30,150, Project Representative: Ellen Americus, Cordova
The goal is to provide locally and organically grown produce to citizens and restaurants in Cordova. Currently, there are no local commercial produce growers in Cordova. All produce is flown or shipped. This project aims to provide fresher and healthier product, eliminate transportation costs, create employment and serve as an educational resources of ecologically sustainable framing practices for the community.
Kuskokwim River Fisheries Micro Fish Processing Plant, Award $50,000, Project Representative: Francis Reich, Bethel
The goal is to construct a micro fish processing and storage facility in Bethel. This Plant will capitalize on newly developed Alaska State Department of Fish and Games Catcher/Seller Commercial Fish Permit. High quality fish species will be processed locally through an approved micro fish processing facility and will create jobs and much needed long term employment for Bethel and surrounding villages.
Salmon By-Product Utilization for Regional Agricultural Project, Award $20,000, Project Representatives: Izetta Chambers, Naknek
People's Choice Award - Most Innovative Award $1,000
The objectives of the proposed project are to reduce the amount of waste discharged into the Naknek River and to utilize fish waste to produce valuable agricultural fertilizer that is high in proteins and micronutrients. The fertilizer will be applied to local soils in the Bristol Bay Region in order to initiate an agricultural demonstration project to produce crops that will be sold within the Region.
Yukon Winter Transport, Award $30,150, Project Representative: Nate Endicott, Fort Yukon
The objective is to create a sustainable overland winter freight company for the community of Fort Yukon. The goal of the business is to provide employment and reduce the cost of living by transporting freight along the Yukon River to Circle, which is connected to the road system, which in turn, would reduce transportation costs.
INVESTING IN PEOPLE ~ Innovative ideas to encourage life-long learning and enable people to thrive in a rapidly changing world, full of hope and optimism
Igyan Eco Tours, Award $18,500, Project Representative: Juliana Zacharof-Wagner, St. Paul
People's Choice Award - Best Cultural and Traditional Values Award $1,000
The project objective is to expand and promote local sustainable businesses by including their cultural heritage, which has been diluted for multiple generations through assimilation efforts. The buildings of the Iqyan (Kayaks or skin boats) are vessels that are more than equipped to be used in an economic business venture.
Kanektok River Adventures (KRA), Award $40,000, Project Representative: Warren Jones, Quinhagak
People's Choice Award - Best Display Award $1,000
KRA provides a full-service base camp for international archaeologists and offers a wide range of eco-tourism experiences for visitors to Western Alaska. The primary customers will be archaeology students in university programs, such as the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Climate change, rising waters, and erosion are threatening to eradicate millennium of Yupik cultural history in the Yukon/Kuskokwim Delta, and this project will preserve and catalog the culture.
RURAL HOUSING FOR THE FUTURE ~ Incorporating energy efficiencies and new cost-effective designs in innovative ways which celebrate traditional cultures and promotes community pride
Building Kobuk River Cabins and A Community, Award $37,550, Project Representatives: Eva Sheldon-Mandregan, Anchorage/Kobuk
The goal of this project is to build cabins using alternative energy solutions along the Kobuk River on the properties to fill the need of zero cabin rentals on the Kobuk River. Employment will be created by hiring local residents from the villages of Kobuk, Amber and Shungnak to build the cabins, tour guides for hunting, fishing, and sightseeing. The Great Western Arctic Caribou Herd crosses annually by the thousands and river fishing is rich is in abundance which would be significant tour attraction.
Gwich'in Tribal Heating Alternative, Award $50,000, Project Representatives: John Hardy, Fort Yukon
The objective is to purchase a wood pellet making machine along the wood pellet burners and implement them into Tribal Government facilities to cut down on operating costs. After prolonged use and proven results, community members will be compelled to bury their own burners for home use. This will provide homeowners an option for cheaper and cleaner heating solutions to help with the rising oil costs in Fort Yukon, one of the coldest spots in Alaska.
