9/14/21 W.I,N, Meeting minutes
Guests: Kayla Mortenson & Waylon Ridlington, Magen Spencer, Mary Alexander, Miles Martin, William
Wright, Brianna Ketzler, Kat McElroy & Suzanne Hill
ZOOM: Tim Horn, Bonnie Reed & Sheryl Tumer
Ms. Spencer read the Mission Statement, introduced & thanked the new guests.
Ms. Reed led the spiritual moment.
The ZOOM link for the meeting was discussed and explained. There was some concern about having
enough bandwidth to live stream and some might not have enough at their homes.
Due to COVID numbers rising again, Dancing in the Streets has been cancelled. Instead, RMHA will have
a ZOOM Celebrate Recovery Event on September 24th @ 5 p.m. This will be about supporting recovery.
There will be goodie bags provided. Any questions, contact Kimberly Ulery
(kimberly@railbeltmentalhealth.org) or Ms. Ketzler (brianna@railbeltmentalhealth.org).
It has been discussed by this group about adding a land acknowledgement to our agendas for W.I.N. To
make sure of the correct wording, Ms. Ketzler will talk to some elders in the community and Native
Council.
William Wright (Lieutenant & Logistics Training Officer with the Nenana Volunteer Fire Department and
fire fighter with the Ester Fire Department) is starting a youth firefighting training in October for youths
between 10-16 years of age. This will be 2 days a week and be posted on the FB Community Page. He
informed us that they are looking for new members and will be having ETT classes coming up that will
be free for community members. The rescue boat and trail ambulances are operational and ready to go.
They have two new 2021 ambulances that were paid for with a grant, and another one coming from the
Nenana Native Association. The NVFD is still offering mutual aid to other communities. The Fairbanks
Department will be coming down to provide training as well. The Firefighter One academy is almost over
for the season. There will be an “open bar policy this summer where kids/grandkids etc. can tour the
Fire Dept. Lt. Wright will talk to the fire chief about Nenana Preparedness Meeting/Crisis Response to be
implemented again for the community.
Mr. Martin & Ms. McElroy are planning to make coins for the 100-year city celebration. They haven’t
decided all the aspects, but one side will have the city seal. All in attendance are excited about it!
Guest Comments:
Ms. Alexander: The Meda Lord is doing well, although not at capacity. There will be a new resident soon.
Mr. Martin would like Edmond’s old room when the time comes!
Ms. Mortenson: This Thursday (Sept 16th) there will be a Beading Class at the Rec Center starting at 4:30
p.m. Any one is welcome. There will be coffee and tea provided if you just want to socialize for a while.
Ms. McElroy: Curious about the bead group. She was recently asked where to donate beads that they
can’t use anymore & we answered that question! RMHA has a button machine and supplies that Ms.
McElroy knows how to use and will be helping Ms. Ketzler with that. She also informed the group that
there will be a time capsule at the celebration, so think of things to put in there. Any food donations will
be collected by her, as well.
Ms. Ketzler: The Rec Center will be having movies on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday @ 4:15 p.m.
this week: Cruella, 101 Dalmatians & 102 Dalmatians. She is tentatively scheduling a mini kid’s Dancing
in the Streets with glowsticks. NNC has a meeting tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. at the Tribal Hall.
Ms. Horn: The W.I.N meeting minutes help with the Senior newsletter that Ms. Reed does every month.
She has a group of people that are planning on moving forward with a Children’s Spiritual group.
Mr. Martin: He is wondering if there is still a Fish & Game Advisory Board so that the community can
have more input on such things as cow permits.
Adjourned: 1:20 p.m.
Meeting minutes by Suzanne Hill