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
December 12, 2013 Letters to the Editor
GMO-Free Events
Dear Editor: Our family officially launches our transcontinental run on Jan. 18 from Huntington Beach, Calif. David and I (Brett) will run while Kris and Olivia crew for the runners. We’re running for a GMO-free USA. GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organisms. We’ve got four run-related activities planned for this weekend:
1. Fund Run. Join us on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Moller field anytime between 9 a.m.-3 p.m. David and I plan to run some 100 laps. Join us for a lap or two! Kris and Olivia will serve non-GMO snacks, share info, and offer good cheer to all soggy runners. Donations are welcome.
2. Info booth at the Elvis Grind. If Elvis were alive (we’re not saying he’s not), this is what he’d say about GMOs: “T-R-O-U-B-L-E, Double Trouble, Hurt, A Mess of Blues, Don’t, I Feel So Bad, I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry, Don’t Be Cruel, All Shook Up, Devil In Disguise, and Return To Sender.” Like Elvis, we all believe “It’s a Wonderful World.” See you at the Grind.
3. Library Presentation. Sunday, Dec. 15, at 5 p.m. I will read from my book, ‘‘We’re Monsanto: Feeding the World, Lie After Lie.’’ Discussion will follow. We extend a special invitation to any and all people who take issue with our run and mission. Come and share your concerns. Books will be available upon donation.
4. Online fundraising campaign. If we don’t see you this weekend, we welcome your contribution online. Go to Indiegogo.com and search for “GMO Free USA” in the search box. Then click on and be amazed by our promo video produced by Owen Kindig. Thank you, Owen! Our campaign is off to a strong start. Your contribution will make it even stronger. Our success is your success because we’re Running For a GMO-Free USA. Call Kris for further information: 752-0447.
Brett Wilcox, Sitka
Minimum Wage
Dear Editor: While an increase in the minimum wage is better than nothing, Sitkans for a Living Wage are not organizing for $9.75. That is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. But it is pitiful as a wage that will enable a person or a family to meet its cost of living without public assistance. Sitkans for a Living Wage are seeking $17.50 an hour.
We currently are conducting a letter drive to the deputy mayor and are organizing a petition drive to place a living wage or $17.50 an hour on the ballot in the next election. We will submit the petition as soon as it is vetted by organizations assisting us. This will be a borough wage, not a state wage. Thank you.
Letter to Deputy Mayor Matthew Hunter follows.
Dear Deputy Mayor Matthew Hunter: I’m writing to ask you to sponsor a statue in the City and Borough of Sitka that sets a minimum wage at a live-able level. With a living wage a worker’s household can cover its own living expenses without public assistance. I know that two Assembly members are needed to sponsor a new statute. I ask you to urge one or more additional Assembly members to co-sponsor a living wage.
I support Sitkans for a Living Wage. I think they are on the right track when they state that a living wage will not only be good for workers, but will be good for business and for the economy. I know that $17.50 an hour is not far from living wages set by other cities, where living expenses are lower. For example, a municipality in Seattle recently set a minimum wage of $15 per hour.
I know that Sitkans for a Living Wage is organizing a petition drive for a living wage. Part of my reason for writing to you is to avoid making people who are suffering from low wages wait for the lengthy petition process. Hopefully, my letter will show you that that there is wide support in Sitka for the establishment of a living wage.
John Welsh, Coordinator of
Sitkans for a Living Wage
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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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