Elizabeth Peratrovich
Dear Editor: I would like to take a moment to express my appreciation to our community for making the vision of celebrating Elizabeth Peratrovich Day such a success. Our theme was “Celebrating Civil Rights” and we came together in this spirit. Thank you for helping us honor Roy and Elizabeth Peratrovich. As we reflect our right to equality within our city, state and nation, we can move forward with dignity and hope. I would like to say a special thank you to our elders who were advisors and elder panel guests. Margaret and Fred Hope, Herman Davis, Herb and Polly Didrickson, Bertha and Pete Karras, Patricia Alexander, Irene Paul, Harriet Beleal, Grace Larsen, Gus Adams, Herb Didrickson Jr., Virginia Philllips, Alice Titel and Marsha Strand.
Thank you to the Peratrovich family for your support during this honoring. Our patriotic appreciation goes to our guest of honor the Sitka veterans group who lead the parade and posted the colors during the ceremony. Our city Mayor Mim McConnell and Pete Esquiro for presenting the anti-bullying proclamation and a call from Duck Didrickson, mayor of Indian village, for offering his blessing to the event. Nels Lawson, ANB Camp 1, and Victoria Canul Dunn, ANS Camp 4, presidents for graciously conducting the program as masters of ceremony.
The day’s events were organized by Elizabeth Peratrovich Day co-chairs and we appreciate their work in helping make this vision a reality. Betty Joe Moore, Chad Titel, Kathy Howard, Alice Titel, Sheri Mayo, Steve Warren, Jeff Moebus, Jean Arnold, Harriet Beleal, Les Widmark and Andrew Roberts. The groups that participated were especially appreciated. “Switching Gears” for giving our elder’s buggy rides in the parade. The Women’s Drum Group, Party Ranch, Homer Miller, Idle No More, Sitka Native Education Program, combined Tlingit dancers, Salvation Army and all others who participated in the parade and program.
A special recognition is in order for our MEHS students who presented the play, ANB junionr members, MEHS Yupik, Inupiaq and Athabascan Dancers. We appreciate the support of MEHS Principal Bernie Gurule and Cultural Arts Coordinator Tom Gambell; Sitka High School Principal Dr. P.J. Ford Slack, Howard Wayne and Mikolas Berkeris; and SHS student Ryan Morse for videotapping the event.
The Unitarian Universal Fellowship and the Easter Group provided a wonderful dinner. Over 250 people enjoyed homemade soup and bread. Thank you for sharing a great meal during the event.
One of the many highlights of the event came in the evening. There was a time when certain establishments were off-limits to people of a certain heritage. As Roy, Elizabeth and many others fought for equality and human dignity, this began to change. On Feb. 16, 2013, the ANS/ANB held a social event “Dancing at the Baronof” as part of the celebration. MEHS student Nelson Kanuk and Felicia Osborn played a young Roy and Elizabeth and started the dance off as they re-enacted entrance into the Baranof Hotel in Juneau after the Anti-Discrimination Act was passed. It was a grand evening with music from Will Hanbury and Steve Warren.
Manager of the Baranof Hotel was contacted and he, Steve Hamilton, rolled out the red carpet for Sitka’s celebration of civil rights. The Westmark chain expressed over two certificates for one suite and $100 credit in the gold room. This $600 value was symbolic of a changing time. Thank you, Baranof Hotel. The winner of this grand prize are Bertha and Pete Karras, and Kathy Howard. As chair of the dance committee, Steve Warren also was successful in obtaining a special gift for the ANB Founder’s Hall. Presented to the ANS/ANB president was a photo of Elizabeth Peratrovich dancing. It is a wonderful picture that will be part of the permanent photo collection at the hall. A special thanks to Peter Metcalfe for the historic information and photo lead. An honorable mention to Adam Howard of Harry Race Pharmacy of expressing the photo processing and Sealaska for archiving the photo.
The media coverage was exceptional. Thank you, Sitka Sentinel,Tsunami TV, Problem Corner, STA and SEARHC health promotions and Sitka High School for covering the event for future endeavors.
Thank you for our generous sponsors: Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Sea Mart, SEARHC, Party Ranch/Junk Trunk, Easter Group, Velma Baines, Silver Bay Seafoods and the Westmark Sitka and Baranof Hotel in Juneau. Door Prizes from local business were well received. Thank you for your donation. Russell’s, Ben Franklin, The Cellar, Old Harbor Books, First National Bank Alaska, Harry Race Pharmacy, Shee Atika, Jeanie Gamble, Sally’s Designs, Unity Botanicals, Jean Frank, Brenner’s Fine Clothing and Gifts, Stereo North, Hair Loft and Linda Wilson.
We could not have done this without all the volunteers, ANB/ANS members and local support. For your tireless help a big thank you to all the behind-the-scenes workers. It is important that we observe and celebrate Elizabeth Peratrovich Day each and every year. So many Native leaders have left us a legacy to aspire to and hold up.
Paulette M. Moreno, Sitka
