My defining moment came last summer while on a boat trip down the Koyukuk. One of my fellow travelers, who is an Alaska Native, asked me if I had ever cut fish. And I said, "No. When I lived in Bethel, people always shared their fish with me..." She laughed and said, "Imagine that. A rural adviser who doesn't know how to subsist."
On Thursday, we posted a response from Rhonda McBride, former state rural affairs adviser, to a quote by Rob Rosenfeld, who's running for governor. He'd claimed McBride left the Palin administration because she was "really perturbed."
After we posted McBride's response, a reader in the comments section asked her some tough questions. And McBride, in turn, wrote a long and interesting post about her experience of what it was like to serve as rural adviser, how it is now to be a reporter covering Palin, and her concerns and hopes for Bush Alaska.
McBride's response follows:
My reasons for leaving the Palin administration were complicated. First of all, I genuinely feel I can do more for Rural Alaska as a reporter than working for state government.
I also believe that the job should be held by an Alaska Native. While I have a great love and respect for Native culture, I quickly realized that an Alaska Native would serve the state better.
My defining moment came last summer while on a boat trip down the Koyukuk. One of my fellow travelers, who is an Alaska Native, asked me if I had ever cut fish. And I said, "No. When I lived in Bethel, people always shared their fish with me. They were so kind and generous. So I never learned to put up fish." She laughed and said, "Imagine that. A rural adviser who doesn't know how to subsist." The remark wasn't meant to be unkind, but the power of it was a turning point for me.
Also, in the course the job, I came to meet many Natives who were more qualified than me for the job. Not only do they know how to subsist, but they have degrees from Ivy League schools. There is a generation of leaders coming up that will make whatever organization they join better. Our world will be better for them. They're strong in their culture, wise beyond their years, and so knowledgeable about their professions.
I'm glad to hear that the governor has hired an Alaska Native to replace me, one with expertise in fisheries. It will be good for her staff to hear the Native perspective on issues. There will be an authenticity there that I could not provide.
One of your bloggers asked about the ethics of covering the governor, after having worked for her. It is challenging - and I try hard to be as fair and balanced as I can be. And I'm sure you bloggers will let me know if I slip off this ethical tightrope. You are right to question me.
There's no doubt that my experiences in state government, however brief, have changed the way I approach journalism. I hope it makes me a better reporter.
One of the bloggers said I was at odds with the Palin administration. I didn't feel that way - just disappointed that I wasn't able to do more -- perhaps to change a few hearts and minds as well. For example, I don't feel that Tribal Governments get the respect they deserve. I hope some day to do stories highlighting their accomplishments.
I met many good people and learned much from them. I think this is something important to keep sight of: that no matter who the governor is, there are people who are dedicated to public service within any administration.
The people who work for the Division of Community and Regional Affairs exemplify the spirit of public service. Great harm was done to Rural Alaskans when that agency was downsized and rolled into Commerce. That's what former Representative Vic Kohring should be serving time in jail for. What he did to DCRA and the people of Rural Alaska was criminal.
Some governors do more to help Rural Alaska than others. But none of them do enough. That's why formal structures in government that deal with Rural Alaska and Tribes need to be strengthened, so that the people will be served -- no matter who is at the helm. Other states have very good policies in place, setting up the relationship between Tribes and State Government.
But let me get off my soapbox here and say I just hope I can use what I've learned to help. Thanks for the tough questions. I appreciate the opportunity to answer them.
I also want to thank the many people I met while I was rural adviser.
As a reporter, you're always on deadline -- never having an opportunity to fully listen to people. And while working as rural adviser, people shared much with me that I will always carry with me -- and I will try to pay back their investment in me -- perhaps not in the capacity of my previous job, but hopefully in this one.
Respectfully,
Rhonda McBride