Roger Higley Dies
At Home at Age 80
Roger DeWitt Higley died late Monday night at his home. The longtime Sitka resident was 80.
An obituary will be published later in the Sentinel.
Herring Gathering
Set for Saturday
The Herring Gathering is planned 1 p.m. Saturday, April 10, at Totem Square.
In the spirit of yáa at wooné (respect for all things), the Herring Protectors will host the event ‘‘so that the community can honor the yaaw (herring) together.’’
The outdoor event encourages social distancing and mask-wearing. Limited seating will be available, prioritized for elders, organizers said.
‘‘Be nourished by ceremony and song, watch dance performances and live art demonstrations, listen to speakers, receive gifts and enjoy a complimentary bowl of seafood chowder prepared by Our Town Catering,’’ the Herring Protectors said.
Banff Film Festival
To Show in Sitka
The public is being invited to join the Hames Center, a program of the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, when Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour brings the spirit of outdoor adventure to Sitka 7 p.m. April 16 and 17 at the Sitka Performing Arts Center.
Sitka will feature films including ‘‘A Few Steps from Home,’’ ‘‘The Ghosts Above’’ and ‘‘Ocean to Asgard.’’
For tickets and information visit www.fineartscamp.org/shows. Call 747-3085 for information.
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. Over 30 Sitka students participate weekly.
During the fourth week of the program, Keet Kids Run participants learned about media messages and peer pressure. Coaches and participants discussed gender stereotypes and brainstormed positive responses to peer pressure. Participants talked about the importance of standing up for themselves, staying true to their values, and having inner strength. They also journaled about actions that break stereotypes and wrote about a healthy mentor they have in their lives. Week four of Keet Kids Run kicked off our first family challenge; participants and their families completed the Herring I Spy activity and shared the sea life they found around Sitka.
The Herring I Spy Challenge is just one activity from the Sheet’ká Active Family Outdoor Challenge. Please go to sitkakids.com/family-outdoor-challenge to find the Family Outdoor Challenge and see more activities from the Pathways Coalition. Even if you are not registered for Keet Kids Run, you can still complete the family challenges to win prizes.
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 lives. Consider using these conversation starters:
What is a stereotype? What are some stereotypes that exist for boys? Girls? Why is it sometimes difficult to know the right thing to do? Why is it important to talk to and stand up to your peers when they are pressuring you to do something that makes you uncomfortable?
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.
Cooking Class
Uses Food Boxes
Nalani James will teach a free, virtual Sitka Kitch class, ‘‘Cooking With Culture: Using Farmers to Families Food Boxes,’’ 5-7 p.m. Friday, April 16, using Zoom.
The class is intended to help give inspiration on how to use some of the food items offered in the weekly boxes.
In partnership with Sitka Moose Lodge 1350, the Sitka Kitch community rental commercial kitchen is offering the class for free. Registrations are required and needed by late Tuesday, April 13, so organizers can send out the Zoom link and ingredient list.
The menu for this class hasn’t been set, since the list of items in the Farmers to Families food boxes changes from month to month. The menu will be tailored to the box contents for April. In recent months the boxes have contained potatoes, apples, onions, baby carrots or cabbage, milk, yogurt (plain or flavored), sour cream, hot dogs (or canned salmon), and smoked chicken leg quarters.
James had a baked goods booth at the 2019 Sitka Farmers Market, and she became market co-manager in 2020. In March, she was one of the winners of the Sitka Food Business Innovation Contest with her egg business, Eggstravagant. She loves to have ethnic foods from the regional area and works to simulate the flavors and textures of the dish.
The registration deadline is 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, so organizers can send Zoom log-in information and an ingredient list. Register on the Sitka Kitch EventSmart online registration page, http://sitkakitch.eventsmart.com (click on class title).
For information about the class, contact Jasmine Shaw at 747-9440.
