Alaska People Magazine

It's been said that there's no green in Greenland and no ice in Iceland, that the names of those countries were purposely switched to throw people off track. Well, anyone who's been to Greenland knows that it's a beautiful place, but there's plenty of ice to be found. And even for those of us who haven't been to Greenland, we know that it has come green. Jeanie Greene to be specific there's Greene not only in Greenland, but all over Alaska, parts of Canada, Russia, and the Lower 48. Greene, an Inupiaq Eskimo, is the creator, producer, editor, and marketing director of the locally-produced television show Heartbeat Alaska. The 30-minute weekly program started as a twice-a-week segment on an Anchorage newscast. Greene broke away, formed her own production company and used secondhand equipment in the living room of her Anchorage apartment where she and her cousin (her engineer/cameraman) got Heartbeat started.

The show has a homespun, shaky look, but it provides people in many Native villages their first chance to view their own cultures, heritages and language on TV. Oil money may have brought satellite channels to bush communities, but watching Dallas or "The Love Boat is not doing much to bolster pride and respect for the natives in those communities, Jeanie feels.

Greene's show has won awards and is being seen on television screens in parts of the "Lower 48."

Earlier this year, President Clinton was apprised of Heartbeat Alaska, by Ann Utterback, Ph.D.,- a broadcast specialist, who emphasized that Greene's work, shows Native Americans in a positive, light which I know is' having an effect on youth and adults as well. Jeanie is using television to improve Native American communities.

And this past May, Governor Hickel wrote to Jeanie to praise her for her incredible success, "Your dream for a Native American cable channel is a reachable goal, and we want to encourage you in making it happen. Henry Ford once said, Whether you-think you can do a thing-or, not, you're right. Just keep your positive focus and we know you'll succeed!

Positive is just the first of a long line of adjectives to describe Ms. Greene. She is intense, energetic and fun-loving. Consumed by her work, there isn't a moment of rest for her. Jeanie believes A that her enthusiasm and love for life are qualities she was born with, and her educational background in theatre made her a natural for TV. I love my Native people. I got tired of them being portrayed as dysfunctional drunks and happy dancers, she says.

With her company that is entirely Native owned, including Gary Fife, who built a national reputation for his work on public radio, Jeanie works seven days a week. Writing, editing and producing most of Heartbeat's material news described as "fringe" and not worthy of most big city newsrooms Greene has a substantial audience. What I do is find our what's happening, and the Natives let me know what is important to them, she said.

Here we are with no apologies. This is who we are. I think this is why we are so successful. Jeanie Greene and "Heartbeat Alaska" are showing people - kids in particular - that it's okay to be Native, that there may be a lot of problems to deal with and the have to work hard to maintain their personal and cultural respect, bur it is possible to enjoy the luxuries and comforts of a new world without losing the heritage and structure of the old.

Alaska People Magazine