On Wednesday, September 17, forty-two second- and third-graders in Glennallen participated in the Changing Seasons outdoor science event organized by the Wrangell Institute for Science and Environment (WISE). A similar event was held on September 16 in Kenny Lake.

The Copper River School District (CRSD) School Board held their first meeting of the current school year August 26. Much of the meeting business was routine, authorizing documents that must be updated or submitted annually. The board also discussed staffing issues. Administrative reports detailed both new programs and programs that will come to an end. 

Copper River Native Association (CRNA) is a Tribal Health Organization that supports Ahtna Tribes and the wider community in reaching their health and wellness goals. Within CRNA, the Tribal Community Services department runs the YETI program—short for Youth Employment and Training Initiative.

Driving south down the Richardson Highway one can observe a grain elevator standing on the left hand side of the road just outside the city of Valdez. One may have pondered while passing this grain elevator why Valdez ever built one in the first place? The answer to this question lies in an agricultural project funded by an oil boom.

On Saturday, August 16, hundreds of attendees came to the Kenny Lake Fair held outdoors at mile 7.5 of the Edgerton Highway. This year’s theme was a Renaissance fair, with many guests in costumes dressed up as knights, princesses, tavern workers, and even hobbits.

Copper River Native Association (CRNA), Tribal Community Services, the National Park Service (NPS), and Native Village of Tazlina worked to get a group of young adults, teenagers, and a few chaperones to go camping at the Kendesnii campground together.

The Copper River Resource Council (CRRC) Food Bank is receiving more than just energy savings this summer—it's receiving a powerful reminder of community support, thanks to the generosity of Long Spring Solar and the leadership of Colleen Merrick.

On Friday, July 25, the Copper River Native Association’s Tribal Community Services Department—Youth Employment Training Initiative (YETI)—took a trip up to Fairbanks, Alaska, to visit the Permafrost Tunnel Research Facility. Along with the Tazlina Youth Program, they toured the tunnel, hosted by the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL).

On Thursday, August 7, the Peaceful Forest ensemble gave a Taiko drum performance at Prince William Sound College’s campus in Glennallen. The group consists of Takumi Kato and his three sons: Yamato (age 8), Ryoma (age 11), and Sogen (age 13). Desiree Ramirez, who learned of the group from friends in the lower 48, hosted the event in cooperation with the college. 

When people think of rafting on the Copper River, they get scared. They imagine a rough and wild ride where injuries are almost certain. And to be honest, I was one of those people. I had only ever heard bad stories about the Copper. So, when I was presented with the opportunity to raft it at the start of the summer, I was nervous— to say the least.