By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Sitka Tribe of Alaska has a workforce of some 70 year-round and seasonal employees, has donated more than $1 million to community programs, and facilitated millions of dollars more in federal funds coming into the community this year, the Assembly was told Thursday.
Over a dinner hosted by the city at the Channel Club, members of the Assembly, city staff, Sitka Tribe of Alaska tribal council and STA staff discussed items of mutual interest in the city.
The twice-a-year government-to-government gatherings have become a tradition between the two bodies, with STA and the city taking turns hosting the dinner. The meeting is informal, with each body going through a short list of items to discuss.
It’s advertised and open to the public, but generally no members of the public except the media attend. The proceedings are not recorded, and it’s called the “semiannual dinner,” not an official meeting of the Assembly.
The gathering included the acknowledgment of awards the tribe has received, including the $300,000 pass-through grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Under the Tribal Resources Grant Program, the grant provided for updated software for the Sitka Police Department. The grant was available to tribal entities.
“We’re extremely excited ... we were able to help,” said Tribal Council Chair KathyHope Erickson. The discussion was paused for a group photo.
Sitka Tribe of Alaska General Manager Lisa Gassman, center, presents a giant $300,000 check to Sitka Police Chief Robert Baty during a meeting between STA and the city Assembly and city staff at the Chanel Club, Thursday evening. (Sentinel Photo)
Police Chief Robert Baty, who is a tribal citizen, said it was a “tremendous effort” to get the grant, which will help the department.
“I look forward to continuing the relationship (between STA and SPD),” he said. “This will go a long ways in helping us address the needs of the community.”
The two governments have a Memorandum of Understanding that describes the obligations of each under the government-to-government relationship. The three-page document says the two entities will cooperate on issues such as taxes and agreements for payments in lieu of taxes, economic development, protection of the environment and subsistence hunting, fishing and gathering, zoning, education and social advancement, administration of justice enforcement and cultural and historic preservation.
The first MOU was signed in 1998 by Council Chairman Lawrence Widmark, and Mayor Stan Filler.
At the Thursday evening meeting, tribal representatives spoke of the need to update the list of tribal properties in a separate document. The properties include the land under the tribal building at 456 Katlian Street, and properties at 429 Katlian and 204 Siginaka Way, formerly the U.S. Forest Service offices. Under an agreement between STA and the Assembly, some of the properties are tax exempt.
The two organizations have cooperated over the years in seeking federal and state funds to benefit not only tribal citizens but the entire community.
STA noted that the tribe authorizes SEARHC to utilize the STA allocation of Indian Health Service funding for the benefit of all users of the SEARHC-Sitka facility, supports and manages the Baranof Island Housing Authority as the major provider of affordable housing in Sitka, “for which the tribe obtained and retains status as a ‘tribally designated housing entity,’” STA said. The tribe also manages and operates The Ride as Sitka’s public transit provider.
On top of that, STA representatives said, it has contributed more than $1 million either in direct donations or pass-through grants to provide school backpacks, school supplies, shoes and clothing, funding for a new SAFV building, senior services, donations and scholarships.
STA representatives also spoke about “revitalizing” the Tribal Youth Diversion Education (TYDE) program. When minor consuming was a misdemeanor, youths and young adults were able to get the charge dismissed through completion of the TYDE program, which offered therapy and education services related to alcohol and substance use. Since minor consuming is now treated as a “minor offense,” not a misdemeanor, “people don’t choose it anymore,” the group was told.
There was general agreement to get the program going again, if possible.
The city’s list of issues for cooperation included the need for the two organizations to work together on getting funds for such items as ferry service, hydroelectric projects, and school funding.
“School funding is going to become increasingly hard,” Assembly member Steven Eisenbeisz said. “Without setting our kids up for success in the future, I don’t know who or what we are.”
Mayor Gary Paxton commented that Sitka state Sen. Bert Stedman is “worried about school funding, and really worried about school funding next year.”
Paxton said that in addition to working with STA, the city also gets help from Shee Atika, the urban Native corporation, to lobby on the city’s behalf in Washington, D.C. The city’s top needs are for help in funding for the secondary water system, relief on Blue Lake hydroelectric bonds through refinancing, and other costs associated with the city’s hydropower, such as renewal of the city’s license and generator upgrades.
“We’re really delighted Shee Atika can carry our message,” Paxton said. The city also has a lobbyist in Washington, who has represented the city for years.
Paxton also called attention to work underway to get a boat haulout established at the industrial park.
Interim Administrator Michael Harmon updated the gathering about the effort to fill the vacant positions at city hall, and talked about an idea for creating a regional transportation authority to access federal funds for the ferry system and other transportation needs.
“I think we should continue to think about that,” Harmon said. He also listed some major city public works projects, including expansion and upgrades to the Marine Street distribution plant, which is vital to the community’s power system.
In other STA items, tribal representatives suggested more designated tribal seats on city boards and commissions. Currently only the Sitka Historic Preservation Commission has a designated tribal representative. It was noted that most commissions have open seats and STA members are welcome to apply at any time, and that some of the boards – like the Local Emergency Planning Commission – are set up under state or federal guidelines.
The issue of changing the design of the city seal was on the city’s list, but there wasn’t much discussion. During a break Tribal Council Chair Erickson said she is “thrilled the city is going to be working on it.” The project is being coordinated by the city clerk’s office.
