SHAREHOLDER NEWS

targeting the sites for artifacts. Evidence, however, showed
the dense population of Kodiak brown bears along the river
frequently dig at the village sites foraging for food.
During the summer survey, Saltonstall’s team found 472
house pits and looked at 40 village sites on Karluk Lake and
along the Karluk River. The survey focused primarily on
Koniag-owned land that is currently part of a conservation
easement agreement between Koniag and the Kodiak
National Wildlife Refuge.
One of the sites along the Karluk River.
The teams also discovered evidence of clever fishing
techniques such as rocks that would be used as net weights
and fish traps in the river. The traps, still visible today, are
rocks piles that form wedges in the river forcing migrating
salmon to pass through narrow channels which allowed
efficient harvesting.
“This is the homeland of the Alutiiq people,” Saltonstall
said. “This was a center of their culture. We’re finding out
how many people lived there and how they lived their lives.
It’s fascinating.”
The findings are valuable for Koniag to help the corporation
plan its commercial activities so sensitive sites will not be
disturbed and, for Shareholders, the research is unveiling
more details about the cultural significance of the land to
the Alutiiq heritage.
Patrick Saltonstall maps village sites along the Karluk River.
of the sites so future development would not disturb sensitive
areas, and they wanted to know if the archeological sites
were being disturbed by visitors to the area.
Saltonstall said while river erosion was a factor in disrupting
some of the sites, there was little evidence of humans
“This important work will continue as Koniag fulfills its
mission of being at the forefront of preserving our Alutiiq
culture,” said Will Anderson, president and CEO of Koniag,
Inc. “The findings also serve as a reminder of the value
of the land and how it connects all of us to our heritage as
Alutiiq people. Koniag is a strong supporter of the Alutiiq
Museum and programs that help learn a great deal about
our ancestors and how they lived thousands of years ago.”
In Part VI of Our land, our legacy, we will discuss the
next steps for Koniag after the Karluk River Conservation
Easement Agreement is renewed.
Koniag board CANDIDATES RECEIVE PROXY TRAINING
While Koniag has successfully grown and become a
stronger corporation over the last several years, the leadership
recognizes an essential ingredient of that success is to have
active and engaged Shareholders. That can include attending
annual meetings and participating in Shareholder committees
and other corporate events, but among the most significant
contributions Shareholders can make is to become part of
the corporation’s Board of Directors.
Three seats on the board are up for election this fall, with
eight candidates vying for those seats. The proxy process can
be complicated and confusing, so in an effort to encourage
candidates to successfully navigate the process, Koniag held
a proxy training session for board candidates.
“Koniag’s success is dependent on Shareholders who are
willing to contribute their time, vision and leadership,”
said Will Anderson, president and CEO of Koniag. “To the
extent that we can help facilitate Shareholders’ ability to
engage in the board election, we want to do that.”
Koniag’s legal counsel, Bill Timme, led the proxy training
that covered such topics as the Alaska laws governing
corporations and Koniag’s bylaws that dictate the process
for electing board members. The session included candidates
Natasha Hayden, Lorena Skonberg, Amber Jenkins and
Bennita Christiansen.
“I found the proxy solicitation
workshop quite informative.,”
said candidate Lorena
Skonberg. “The materials
shared and discussion with
Koniag’s attorney and
staff gave me a clearer
understanding of the proxy
process. I appreciate being
able to participate.”
Koniag’s leadership
says the intention is to have
a proxy training session
every year prior to the corporate
election process.
Notice of Annual Meeting & Proxy Statement
2012
www.koniagvote.com
PAGE FIVE