RENAMING – Tlingit elder Harvey Kitka, Yanshkoo.wu, speaks to students at Xóots Elementary School this afternoon during a short renaming ceremony. The School Board adopted the new name, which means brown bear in Tlingit, in March 2024 to replace the old name, Baranof Elementary School. At today’s ceremony, children from the after-school culture class sang in Tlingit, new signs were on display and Charlie Skultka Jr. was recognized for the formline bear design he provided for the school logo. In his remarks, Kitka told those assembled in the school gymnasium about his experience as a youngster in the school when it was brand new. He said speaking Tlingit was not encouraged then. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
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Daily Sitka Sentinel
Donor Covers Gap In Fundraising Effort
By Sentinel Staff
In the wake of the Assembly’s recent decision against spending $5,000 in city tourism funds for the St. Michael’s Cathedral renovation, a private citizen is stepping forward to help.
The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, dropped off a check at St. Michael’s this afternoon.
“I have always thought of Sitka as the heart of Alaska, and St. Michael’s as our centerpiece,” the donor said in a written statement. “The building should be beautiful and in good condition with flowers and evergreens around her. We Sitkans see this every time we are downtown. I would be happy to make that contribution of $5,000. How about you?”
“It’s a landmark, for heaven’s sake,” the donor commented to the Sentinel this afternoon.
The Assembly, which had voted 5-2 in favor of the city contribution when it was first introduced, voted it down on a 3-4 vote last Tuesday. Those who had changed their minds said they were concerned about the threat of lawsuits by opponents who have cited the First Amendment principle of the separation of church and state.
Bob Potrzuski, who voted in favor of the contribution in the two votes by the Assembly, said he has received more comments on the final decision than on any other issue. Most of the comments were against the Assembly’s decision against the contribution, he said.
It was on an icy Sunday morning 52 years ago today that the great fire of 1966 leveled the 1848 Cathedral and many other buildings in the heart of downtown Sitka.
From its start in an overheated furnace in a downtown shop, and despite the concerted efforts of the Sitka Volunteer Fire Department and scores of volunteers, the fire spread rapidly, fanned by gusty winds and fueled by the wooden buildings, many over a century old. Fortunately, no lives were lost, but property damage was estimated at the equivalent of $26 million today.
Low-interest disaster loans and insurance proceeds allowed the major structures to be replaced within a couple of years. A non-denominational fundraising campaign was started to assist the Russian Orthodox church in replacing the historic St. Michael’s Cathedral.
Completion of the replica in 1977 removed the last outward sign of the disastrous 1966 fire.
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20 YEARS AGO
February 2005
Photo caption: S&S General Contractors crew bury conduit along Sawmill Creek Road as part of a sewer line project. They’ve been working only at night, using portable lights to direct traffic. Sitkans living between Shotgun Alley and Indian River Road are asked not to use drains or toilets Thursday as pump stations will be turned off.
50 YEARS AGO
February 1975
Photo caption: Five players selected for the first All Tournament team in the American Legion Southeast Alaska Basketball Tournament hold their trophies. From left are Jeff Klanott, Klukwan ANB; Rick Ludigsen, Ketchikan Webber Air; Al Kookesh, Angoon ANB; Terry Friske, Klukwan ANB; and Mike Erickson, Ketchikan Webber Air.
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