Recently, I've been questioning the operational strength of every governing entity covering Arctic Village and the surrounding villages. Regional representing entities like the Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments, Tanana Chiefs Conference, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs are amazingly understaffed and operationally incapable of handling the volume of issues and people in its region.

...depriving of the Native men in Arizona. You know what's right, don't listen to order and structure for once, and listen to your heart. Grant the Native mothers' request. They just want to see their kids. Matt Gilbert Arctic Village

...infrastructure and jobs. It's a win-win situation to speak out about getting jobs and ownership over the pipeline. Matt Gilbert lives in Fairbanks and grew up in Arctic Village. He is pursuing a master's degree in rural development at the University...

...us. As Malcolm X said, "You can't thank someone for giving you what was suppose to be yours in the beginning." Matt Gilbert is executive director of the Venetie Tribal Governments and community liaison for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service...