Nick Tucker's response to the dismissive attitude he endured while meeting with Governor Palin.

Nick Ticker had to fly from his village of Emmonak to Russian Mission to finally get a chance to talk to the Governor, and to give her his heartbreaking letter which brought national attention to the crisis in the Yukon Delta. Here is the video of that meeting:



And here is what Nick Tucker wrote about his feelings afterward.

First off. I am outraged.

Think of this: Did Martin Moore and I have to go meet Gov. Sarah Palin there in Russian Mission and Marshall? Why did she not come here to Emmonak?

I don't have the latest figures, but Martin had told me that there are over 20,000 people in our region, the Wade Hampton district. If at least 50 percent are employable and are not working, where are these 10,000 young and older men and women going to exodus in trying to find jobs; who has 10,000 jobs available?

I felt like Governor Palin treated Emmonak with most disregard and disrespect by not coming here where it all started. Instead, we had to go up to Russian Mission to meet her and followed her to Marshall.

I was there. About whom and to whom was she referring that top leadership in what village(s) should be changed? This is a blow to all rural villages telling each one of us that our past and current leadership isn't worth being there!

Why and on what basis? This message is dismal, not of hope. How do I take things?
Here, I had a person whom I voted for and who turns around and stabs us? I tell you, I want things done for Emmonak. And now, for all rural villages. We deserve better than that — respect.

(You can read the letter in its entirety by clicking the title at the top of the page.)

Nick Tucker has become a symbol of Alaskan natives today, and a very dignified symbol at that. By contrast Governor Palin has become the very symbol of the arrogant, apathetic government in Alaska. Her actions are a reflection of just how poorly these proud people have been treated for hundreds of years, and is the living embodiment of what is wrong with how those of European descent view the indigenous people of North America.

It is time for new leadership in Alaska, and to start taking a critical look at how those in power have treated the people whose land they have so callously usurped. Surely we have evolved enough to recognize that our behaviors of the past must not be repeated in the future.

I am very pleased with some who are currently in leadership positions in Alaska, like Lisa Murkowski who helped get Emmonak $20,000 in aid and promised more to come. And future leaders like Walt Monegan, who is part native himself and who wrote about the coming crisis in the rural villages years before Nick Tucker's letter gained national attention.

So there is hope for how the native people are to be respected by the government in the future, but clearly Sarah Palin is NOT part of that healing process. As if we needed another reason to vote her out of office at the next available opportunity, THIS one should be the final nail in her political coffin.

(BTW I must give a hat tip to my good friend AKM, over at Mudflats, for the heads up concerning this letter by Mr. Tucker.)