Axenia was married to an Alaskan lawyer and lobbyist named Lou Mathisen. Lou and Kate didn‘t get along for many reasons, not least of which was her conviction that he‘d married Axenia because he was white and she was Alaska Native. There had been a lot of that going around Alaska ever since ANCSA, Natives suddenly becoming desirable mates to whites who wanted a share of the money, the land, and the political influence the act had granted them.

Oh, she said, thrown off stride. I didn‘t know.

Lou says Global Harvest thinks you‘re in their pocket. One hundred percent promine. Don‘t have to worry about the chair of the Niniltna Native Association board of directors, boys, she‘s got her hand out just like the rest of them.

Kate set her teeth and said nothing.

Determined to provoke a response, Axenia said, You might not have won if people had known all that before the election in January.

The baby was sucking on its fist and the toddler was drowsing in a playpen in a corner of the large, expensively furnished kitchen, so Kate didn‘t do what she wanted to do, which was reach across the counter and separate her cousin‘s head from its body. Axenia, she said, keeping her voice calm, you know it‘s not anything I ever wanted.

Axenia snorted her disbelief and hitched up her baby. What did you come here for, anyway? I have to put the baby down for a nap, and then I‘ve got some errands. Here‘s your hat, what‘s your hurry. I was hoping to talk you into organizing the NNA shareholders who live in town.

Organize them to do what? Support your moves on the board?

Nothing like that, Kate said. She took a breath and moderated her tone. Start a regular shareholder meeting here.

In Anchorage?

Yes. I—We were thinking you could maybe have monthly or even weekly meetings, the people getting together to say hi and exchange news and introduce the grandbabies. The aunties could come in and teach a quilting class. You could get somebody else in to teach beading or basket weaving. Ask Ossie to teach dance classes. People could bring food. I—we could get Park rats to send in meat and fish. It doesn‘t have to be political, Axenia, it could just be about family, visiting, keeping in touch.

And where would this meeting take place? A lot of NNA shareholders I wouldn‘t have in my house. Her expression indicated present company not excepted. One of the great things about a tribe was that it was all about family, Kate thought. And one of the worst things about a tribe was that it was all about family. There was no bloodier warfare than brother against brother. Or cousin against cousin. I managed to talk a few bucks out of the board. It‘d be enough to rent the Alaska Native Heritage Center once a month for six months.

And what would we do at these meetings?

It would be your show. Kate shrugged. They‘ve got a theater, you could even watch movies if you want.