Vigil Thanks
Dear Editor: On Saturday over a hundred people came together to grieve the tragic losses our community has endured over the past year. Thank you to all who attended, to the University of Alaska Southeast Sitka Campus for allowing us use of the space.
Thanks to Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Sea Mart, Sitka Counseling, Alaska Marine Safety Education Association, and Brave Heart Volunteers for their support. A special thanks to Kathryn Winslow of BHV. Thanks to the clergy members for their presence and support: Grace Nubua, Dug Jensen, Julie Platson, and any others I may have missed.
Thanks to Joe Montagna, Jen Reid, Peter Apathy, and Elias Erickson for sharing their musical talents with us. Extra thanks to Elias for gathering and setting up sound gear.
Thanks to every one of you who gave praise and encouragement.
Please remember that the national suicide prevention hotline is available by call or text at 988 and that Brave Heart Volunteers has resources available to support people that are feeling grief.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season, and the very best in 2025.
Paul Rioux, Sitka
Community Vigil
Dear Editor: I’d like to thank the community for coming together and acknowledging each other in a vulnerable display at this vigil. Oftentimes we see one another and the general reflex to connect is “how are you doing?”
More often than not the truest response is unable to be conveyed and received due to it being short on time, proper venue to share or privacy concerns.
As we all could feel the emotional toll of these experiences, ba3With some manner of discomfort, whether it is firsthand and in our personal lives, or a matter we are supporting of someone close to us. These last few years it has felt like both.
The “How are you doing” can be “how are you doing now and how do we feel today?”
Supporting people in grief: ... My personal share. A grieving person will often not want to ask for assistance or help with anything.
If you aren’t sure what to say “share you aren’t sure what to say.”
I once had someone offer their condolences for me with experiencing loss in an unconventional display of language and it stuck with me in disbelief as I was grieving.
Showing support and checking on people long after tragedy. Lakota Harden shared “Offering a smile and hugs rather than returning them to a place of grief when you see them.”
I’d like encourage people to utilize the resources of a professional for grief as our friends and family may or may not have the background to assist in a way to support fully and dedicated adequate time to have a filling outcome of growth.
Please contact 988 for support if you feel you need to speak to someone 24 hours a day for support. There is no timetable for grief.
The surviving family and friends need our smiles when we see their faces.
Prayers to the community as a whole and I wish everyone healing and safety in their hearts and spirits.
Special thanks to: University of Alaska Southeast Sitka Campus for the short notice to offer space; Sitka Tribe of Alaska for your supportive outreach; Sea Mart for flower donations; Sitka Counseling for mental wellness; Alaska Marine Safety Education Association; Brave Heart Volunteers for emotional and supportive knowledge and tools; and Grace Nubua, Dug Jensen, Julie Platson, Jen Reid, Joe Montagna, Peter Apathy, Elias Erickson, Anna Schumacher and Paul Rioux for taking the call of the community and physical and emotional action.
Nalani James, Sitka
