Dear Editor: I would like to thank everyone who made the 10th season of Boys Run I toowú klatseen a success this spring! Twenty-four third- through fifth-grade boys spent 10 weeks building confidence and life skills while forming new friendships and training for a sports birthday party-themed 5K. We could not have had such a successful 10th 5K without the support of BRITK families, friends and community members who came to set up, run with participants, and cheerlead along the course. Thank you to everyone who helped to make our 5K successful and fun.
Boys Run I toowú klatseen is coordinated in Sitka by partners of the Pathways to a Safer Sitka Coalition. Those of us at Sitkans Against Family Violence are grateful to Pathways partners Keet Gooshi Heen, Sitka Conservation Society, Sitka Counseling, Sitka Tribe of Alaska and Youth Advocates of Sitka for contributing coaches to serve as role models, planning and facilitating aspects of the program, providing resources, and helping to make the 5K possible. We also feel fortunate to have worked with four community members who volunteered to coach this season.
Boys Run I toowú klatseen also receives support from local and statewide businesses and organizations that made this season possible. We would like to thank AC Lakeside, the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Harrigan Centennial Hall, KCAW, KIFW, Russell’s, Sea Mart, Sitka National Historical Park, and the Daily Sitka Sentinel for their contributions.
We are grateful to offer this program on Lingít Aaní, and we are grateful to the Lingít people for stewarding this land since time immemorial. Boys Run I toowú klatseen is rooted in Southeast Alaska traditional tribal values and throughout the season, participants have learned about these values and what they look like in their daily lives, from holding each other up as a team to speaking with care when facing challenging conversations.
Many individuals, agencies, teachers and cultural knowledge bearers across Southeast Alaska have contributed to the program since its inception. This season, we would especially like to honor Daanax.ils’eik, Chuck Miller, who played a key role in the development and delivery of Boys Run I toowú klatseen, and who our community lost last July. We are incredibly grateful to Chuck for his contributions not only to this program but to the legacy he left in this community and across Alaska.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to and participated in this season! We are excited to offer Boys Run I toowú klatseen and Girls on the Run in the upcoming school year. If you are interested in participating, coaching, or volunteering with either program, please reach out to schools@safv.org or 747-3493. We would love to have you join us in this important work!
Gunalchéesh,
Claire Weber, Coordinator,
Boys Run I toowú klatseen
Sitkans Against Family Violence
