I remember many years back when he didn't vote with all the other tribal leaders when Phony Tony had this deal giving the 6 villages 20 million to get them to give up their sovereignty claims. Had to be 100% agreement or money didn't happen. Gary stood up and announced his vote couldn't be bought for 20 mill or 200 mill and I watched it live on tv, about fell out; he gets serious about what he believes in. I would have been shoving that 20 mill in my pockets, ha.
He was also all involved with Yukon River salmon run problems and was going from village to village setting up local watch groups to report on what they were experiencing. Also tied up with international enviro groups. So anyway, I get this call from friends up river in Dawson; they told Gary I lived downriver nx village and he said he knew me. Gary and several Euro friends ended up staying over at our place. I took them out Indian Village, introduced them to everybody. Big birthday party, only people there not drinking; Gary & I. So like 2 in morning, drinking coffee at house, I was telling the story to the Euros about Gary turning down the 20 mill and how it somewhat impressed me. Gary said that he had stopped the younger village members from voting to sell tribal land and that was more important to him than that 20 mill, ha. Like I said, I don't agree with him, but respect him.
Ya know, I never felt any racism down there, but like all those people too; so I don't argue with them about their at times enviro craziness, usually nothing comes out of it.
They have been to the world court in the past over various issues, gets legislators attention if nothing else, ha ha.
Hope ya got a little harr out of the story.
Same place, different perspectives. Interesting how the world works. I worked in Sutton for a while, too, about 15 years ago. You’re right in that all of us are capable of redemption, and there is good in most of us. Maybe the closeness of Anchorage and the Mat-Su gave the folks I ran into a little edginess.
Out here along the middle Yukon I’ve felt a much better ambiance in the community. Not perfect, but no place is. My best recommendation is that we’re raising our son here.
Anyway, you be well, buddy. It’s -26 degrees this morning, but the sun’s coming up right now. So things are good.