Letters to Santa:
Dear Santa: We are learning about your reindeer. I’m looking forwerd for Chistmas. How are your elfs doing? What list am I on? (unsigned)
Dear Santa: Can I pleas have a shot gun for Christmas. PS Thank you for last years presents. Love, Jacob Kisaka, age 8
Dear Santa: Can I please have bubble gum? How was Christmas Eve? How are you doing? Bye. Love, Matthew Kisaka, age 3
PS Thank you for last year’s presents.
Dear Santa: Can I have a scoped pellet gun please. Love, Lucas Kisaka, age 6
PS Thanks for last year
Goat Hunting
Closure Noted
The Mount Katlian Zone will close 11:59 p.m. Dec. 17 to the harvest of mountain goats, said Sitka District Ranger Perry Edwards, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has issued a concurrent closure in the same zone. The remainder of Baranof Island is open to goat hunting until the season closes, unless closed by special action.
A map and description of the closed areas are available from the Sitka Ranger District and the Sitka area office of ADF&G. Information on Federal subsistence management special actions for the Tongass National Forest can be found at http://www.fs.usda.gov/news/tongass/news-events. For additional information, call Zone Fish and Wildlife Biologist Justin Koller at 747-4297 or email him at justin.koller@usda.gov.
Information on the Federal Subsistence Management Program is at https://www.doi.gov/subsistence
Gift Shop Open
Online for SSSC
The Sitka Sound Science Center Gift Shop is open online at the website sitkascience.org.
Local delivery, pick-up and mail order are available for all online orders.
Lutherans Plan
Christmas Worship
Sitka Lutheran Church will have both in-person worship and worship via Zoom during the Christmas season.
To receive an invitation to a worship via Zoom, or more information, text or call 907-752-0123.
Candlelight Christmas Eve at 3 p.m. on Dec. 24 will be at Pioneer Park. It will include prayer, scripture, singing and hot chocolate.
Those attending are asked to wear a face covering, and take a candle and their own beverage. Physical distancing will be practiced, the church said.
The Christmas Eve service will be 6 p.m. Dec. 24 via Zoom for those who are unable to attend the 3 p.m. gathering. It will include prayer, scripture and singing.
On Christmas Day, Dec. 25, will be ‘‘Worship in the Home.’’ Copies of the worship bulletin are available from the church. Call or text (907) 752-0123.
On Dec. 27 will be the first Sunday in Christmas event at 10 a.m. at Pioneer Park. It will include lessons and carols led by laity.
Handbook On Indigenous
Environmental Info is Out
Tom Thornton, dean of the school of arts and sciences at the University of Alaska Southeast has published the ‘‘Routledge Handbook of Indigenous Environmental Knowledge.’’ Shonil Bhagwat of the School of Social Sciences and Global Studies at the Open University in the United Kingdom also had a part.
This volume gives an overview of key themes in Indigenous Environmental Knowledge. It provides an overview of the conceptual and philosophical issues, while giving examples of how IEK studies have been implemented.
Collectively, the chapters in the handbook cover indigenous knowledge not only in a wide range of cultures and livelihood contexts, but also in a wide range of environments, including drylands, savannah grassland, tropical forests, mountain landscapes, temperate and boreal forests, Pacific and Indian Ocean islands, and coastal environments.
The book is a guide for graduate and advanced undergraduate teaching, and a key reference for academics in development studies, environmental studies, geography, anthropology, and beyond.
Thornton serves as the UAS dean of Arts and Sciences and is also the vice-provost for research and sponsored programs. He was previously associate professor at the Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, UK.
Bhagwat is professor of environment and development, and Head of the School of Social Sciences and Global Studies at the Open University, UK. His research focuses on the links between environment and development in the context of global challenges.
“Shonil Bhagwat and I started putting this book together several years ago, having worked together previously on projects related to Indigenous knowledge, climate change and biodiversity issues,’’ Thornton said. ‘‘We realized that there was a lot of good work being done around the world and a desire on the part of researchers and laypersons alike to better understand the field as it is developing. This includes practitioners seeking to better engage with indigenous environmental knowledge, collaborative methods, and rights in the policy realm. Hence the handbook format. Several of the contributions draw from Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.’’
The book is available now at routledge.com. Learn more about indigenous knowledge and Alaska Native Studies at the University of Alaska Southeast by visiting uas.alaska.edu/apply/programs or by speaking with an advisor at (907) 796-6000.
New Year Grind
Presenters Sought
The Sitka Monthly Grind is seeking presenters for the Jan. 23 Happy New Year Grind, which will be shown virtually via YouTube.
The philosophy of Sitka Monthly Grind is ‘‘family oriented, nonpolitical, and affordable.’’ Those who want to participate and submit a video for the show can contact Jeanne at sitkajean@gmail.com or 738-8083 for instructions by Jan. 9. Other questions can be directed to Jeff at 747-4821.
Armchair Travels
Speaker Series Set
The first event in Sitka Public Library’s Armchair Travels Speaker Series is scheduled 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, via Zoom.
Kathryn Winslow will give a presentation on her 2016 trip to the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, where she helped to uncover tombs at archaeological sites. Registration is required. To sign up, call the library at 747-4020 or email margot.oconnell@cityofsitka.org.
Chamber Launches
‘Share Your Spark’
The Chamber of Commerce is inviting Sitkans to ‘‘Share Your Spark’’ this holiday season.
Multiple prizes will be given away by using the hashtags #shopsitkalocal and #sitkaspark on social media, and by email.
Make a food or gift donation, volunteer, or complete an act of kindness and use the hashtag #sitkaspark on Facebook; post a photo shopping locally to Facebook and add the hashtag #shopsitkalocal; or email a photo of your home’s Christmas decorations along with the address to communications@sitkachamber.org by Dec. 18.
Decorated homes will be included on the Chamber’s Share Your Spark Holiday Map.
