Quilts Sought for
Annual Show
Ocean Wave Quilters will be accepting quilts for its upcoming show noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 1 and 2, at Whitmore Hall on the SJ Campus.
Each person may enter up to three quilts and each quilt must be accompanied by a filled-out story form obtainable at Abby's Reflection and Quiltworks or by calling Megan Pasternak at 738-2290.
Those entering quilts are also asked to sit the show for at least one hour. The show runs Saturday, May 8, through Sunday, May 16.
Alaskans Invited to
Move for a Cause
All ages and ability levels can join SEARHC in its monthlong “Move for a Cause” campaign that focuses on the mental and physical health benefits of activity.
Community members can hike, bike, walk or run for a cause.
Registration is free, and the number of miles logged, steps taken, or active outdoor minutes by participants will generate donations to Southeast Alaska Food Bank and CoastAlaska Public Radio through SEARHC. Online registration is open now at searhc.org/moveforacause.
Once registered, participants can log their time spent being active to support partners in community health. In light of food insecurities being faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for advocating local resources, SEARHC will make a donation in observance of every participant who logs all four weeks of activity to SouthEast Alaska Food Bank and CoastAlaska Public Radio through the Move for a Cause campaign.
“Together, we can make great strides in supporting our physical and mental health through activity and come together for important causes in our community during these challenging times,” said Martha Pearson, SEARHC Director of Health Promotion.
Throughout May, weekly raffle prizes will be awarded for those who log their weekly goals and activities. For more information, visit searhc.org/moveforacause or contact SEARHC Health Educator Heleena van Veen at 966-8914.
Dreamcatcher
Class at Museum
The Sheldon Jackson Museum will offer a dreamcatcher-making class with artist-in-residence Danielle Stickman (Dena’ina and Koyukon Athabscan).
The class, for ages 17 and older, is at the museum 2-4 p.m. May 22, 23 and 29. The class is free, but a materials fee of $20-$25 at the time of sign-up applies. To sign up for the class, call 747-8981. The deadline is April 30.
Traditionally, dreamcatchers were made by the Ojibwe people, the Sheldon Jackson Museum said.
Although not a traditional Athabascan craft, Stickman has made the artform her own by incorporating elements of her own culture and language into the process. In her designs, she utilizes natural materials including salmon skin, moose hide, salmon vertebrae, salmon otoliths, seeds, birch bark and more. She herself learned how to make dream catchers from an elder in Ninilchik 17 years ago.
The museum is open noon-4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday until May 12 when the museum will switch to summer hours and summer admission fees. Current admission fees for adults is $7; $6 for ages 65 and older; and free for youths 18 and younger and Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum or Alaska State Museum members.
The museum is compliant with state mandates pertaining to Alaska State Libraries, Archives and Museums. For information on COVID-19 health mandates and advisories, visit https://covid19.alaska.gov/health-mandates/
The Alaska Native Artist Residency Program is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum, Alaska Airlines, and private donors. People with questions about the Alaska Native Artist Residency Program, artist-led Zoom classes and talks, art class materials, or operating hours and admission fees may call the museum directly at 747-8981.
Keet Kids Run I
By Sitkans Against Family Violence
Keet Kids Run I toowú klatseen is a 10-week virtual after-school program for second- through fifth-grade students of all genders that helps build self-esteem, healthy relationship skills, and respect through fun activities and movement. The program, an adapted version of Boys Run I toowú klatseen created in response to COVID-19, incorporates cultural activities that honor Southeast Alaska traditional tribal values. More than 30 Sitka students participate weekly!
During the sixth week of the program, Keet Kids Run participants learned about communication and resolving conflict. Coaches and participants practiced using I-Statements to demonstrate healthy communication with friends and peers. Participants practiced several examples in which they used I-Statements in different scenarios to avoid peer pressure and share how they feel. They also journaled or drew about using BOFT: Breathe, Observe, Feel, Talk, when responding to conflict. Week six’s physical challenge was for participants to play a game such as wiffle ball, kickball, or basketball with their social bubble!
Throughout this season, we will be providing the Sitka community with updates on Keet Kids Run. We also aim to give mentors and parents an opportunity to pass on skills from Keet Kids Run to the children in their life. Consider using these conversation starters:
–What is an example of healthy communication? Unhealthy communication?
–How can you use “I statements” to resolve conflict amongst family members?
–What are some ways words can make someone feel respected?
Keet Kids Run I toowú klatseen is brought to you by Sitka Counseling, Sitka School District, Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Sitkans Against Family Violence, and Youth Advocates of Sitka, all members of the Pathways to a Safer Sitka Coalition. Pathways brings together diverse agencies and organizations and is dedicated to building equitable, accessible, and culturally responsive services and systems to ensure individuals are connected, cared for, and contributing back to their community.
Don’t forget about the Sheet’ká Active Family Outdoor Challenge! Please go to sitkakids.com/family-outdoor-challenge to find the challenge activities from the Pathways Coalition. All families are invited to participate and eligible to win prizes for completing the fun outdoor activities!
SJ Museum Plans
Silent Auction
The Friends of the Sheldon Jackson Museum silent auction will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 8 at the Sitka Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall, 408 Marine Street. The entrance and parking can be found on Spruce Street.
Winning bid items must be picked up between 4 and 5 p.m. on that day, the museum said.
Credit cards and checks will be accepted for silent auction items. For information on how to donate an item, contact friendsofsjm@gmail.com. Donations of Alaska Native Art as well as non-Native art will be gratefully accepted.
The last day to donate is April 30. Call 747-8981 to arrange a time to drop off donations and fill out forms at that time.
A cash-donation bake sale also is planned. All donations for the bake sale will be accepted at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall from noon to 4 p.m. May 7.
COVID-19 safety precautions, such as mandatory face coverings, will be required, without exception, while in the Fellowship Hall.
All proceeds will support the museum’s Native Artists Residency Program.
Quilts Sought for
Annual Show
Ocean Wave Quilters will be accepting quilts for its upcoming show noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 1 and 2, at Whitmore Hall on the SJ Campus.
Each person may enter up to three quilts and each quilt must be accompanied by a filled-out story form obtainable at Abby’s Reflection and Quiltworks or by calling Megan Pasternak at 738-2290.
Those entering quilts are also asked to sit the show for at least one hour. The show runs Saturday, May 8, through Sunday, May 16.
Ricketts Artwork
Celebration Set
The celebration of a gift from Sitka’s Nancy Ricketts will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, May 1, at Sitka Public Library.
The artwork, an embroidered scene, was created by Ricketts with design assistance from Norm Campbell. Author John Straley will serve as host for the event. All are invited. Masks and social distancing will be required. Call 747-5941 with questions.
