Peratrovich Day Events Set
Elizabeth Peratrovich Day will be observed on Feb. 16 in Sitka with a parade, public presentation and essay contest.
Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 1 and Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 4 invite the community to celebrate the Alaska’s Native civil rights leader.
The theme ‘‘Standing Our Ground,’’ honoring Tlingit Aani, and the signing of the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945, attributed to Peratrovich’s strong, persevering, articulate presence at the Alaska Territorial Legislature, and unwavering purpose to gain equal rights for all Alaskans.
Human and civil rights groups, and individuals, can march in the parade with signs and banners for their cause. Parade participants can go to Crescent shelter at 1:30 p.m. for the line-up with the parade starting at 2 p.m. from Crescent shelter to the ANB Founders Hall. Participants are being reminded to dress for inclement weather.
Exercising the rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of speech, a presentation of Peratrovich’s life and accomplishments will be given by ANB president Peter Karras Jr. and ANS president Grace Larsen at the ANB Founders Hall. It will be followed by an open mic for groups and individuals who would like to address the public in solidarity with Elizabeth and the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945, and other current or historic human and civil rights causes addressing freedom from oppression.
At the ANB Hall, social distancing and mask wearing are strongly being encouraged. Ventilation will be provided, organizers said.
This year ANB and ANS are sponsoring an Elizabeth Peratrovich essay writing contest for all students, grades kindergarten through 12, whether public, private or home-schooled. It is divided into four categories: kindergarten to second grade; third through fifth; sixth through eighth; and ninth through 12.
First-place winners of each age group will be awarded $50.
The theme of the contest is ‘‘The Heroism of Elizabeth Peratrovich,’’ and may include how she has impacted the author’s life today. The essay should not exceed one page typed and double-spaced or may be legibly handwritten as one or two paragraphs, or sentences, depending on grade level.
All entries must include the students name, school, class and teacher, or other contact information. Essay submissions can be mailed to ANS, 235 Katlian Box 2, Sitka, AK 99835, postmarked no later than Feb. 18, emailed to karenjeanlucas@yahoo.com or left with a teacher for pick up by calling 747-7803 by Feb. 18.
Winning essays will be announced and published in the Daily Sitka Sentinel, and prizes will be awarded the following week. Those with questions concerning the celebration or essay contest may call 747-7803 to leave a message and call back number.
SJ Museum
Friends Plan
Annual Meet
Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum will host its annual meeting 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at Harrigan Centennial Hall and simultaneously on Zoom.
Guest speaker Preston Singletary, Tlingit, is an internationally-recognized artist working in glass. He draws upon designs from his Tlingit cultural heritage in his glasswork.
“The art of Preston Singletary has become synonymous with the relationship between European glass blowing traditions and Northwest Native art,’’ his website says. ‘‘His artworks feature themes of transformation, animal spirits and shamanism through elegant blown glass forms and mystical sand carved Tlingit designs.”
Singletary’s artworks are included in museum collections across the country. His most recent exhibition, ‘‘Preston Singletary: Raven and the Box of Daylight,’’ is opening at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
Go to FriendsofSJM.com/AnnualMeeting for the Zoom link.
The event is made possible with the support of Aspen Suites Hotel Sitka and Sea Mart. To learn more, email friendsofsjm@gmail.com, visit www.friendsofsjm.com, or call (907) 747-8981.
In-person seating is limited for the free event. Individuals can join via Zoom without a reservation.
To make a free seat reservation, visit FriendsofSJM.com/AnnualMeeting or call (907)747-6233. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m., the event begins with a brief Friends of SJM meeting at 2 p.m., and Preston Singletary’s presentation will begin at around 2:30 p.m. Masks are required for all inside Harrigan Centennial Hall. Visit the City of Sitka website at www.cityofsitka.org for COVID-19 mitigation information.
Mini Quilts are
Up for Auction
The Ocean Wave Quilters Guild will hold its annual mini quilt scholarship auction 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
The free event features two silent auctions plus an outcry auction for other quilt and sewing items.
Cash, credit cards and checks will be accepted. All proceeds go toward scholarships awarded to Sitka, Mt. Edgecumbe and Pacific high school seniors and Sitka Fine Arts Camp.
For any questions, call Megan Pasternak at 907-738-2290.
Health Networking
Meeting on Tap
The Sitka Health Summit Coalition’s monthly Wooch.een (together in Tlingit) health networking and learning meeting will be held virtually noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24.
The group meets to spark partnerships and to promote cross sector collaboration, learning and networking to improve the well-being in Sitka.
Go to sitkahealthsummit.org for information. If interested in joining the meeting, contact Amanda Roberts at amandar@searhc.org.
Presentation On
Ocean Wave Energy
Oregon State University graduate student and Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education fellow Ali Trueworthy will give a presentation on ocean wave energy and its potential applications in Sitka 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Sitka Sound Science Center.
Guests from the Renewable Energy Alaska Project will also join virtually to talk about current projects going on around Alaska. Trueworthy also will talk about how to get involved in a new design study.
Legislature Sets
Week’s Meetings
The Legislature will have the following meetings this week.
House Fisheries: 10 a.m. Tuesday presentation on ‘‘Disaster Declarations for Alaskan Fisheries’’; and 11 a.m. Thursday ‘‘Statewide Salmon Assessment.’’
House Finance: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday overview on ‘‘Statewide Transportation Improvement Program and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.’’
Senate Finance: 9 a.m. Wednesday SB 164-Capital Budget, Department of Education and Early Development FY23 Capital Request.
For a full list of topics, visit akleg.gov and click on “daily schedule.” If public testimony is being taken, individuals may call in at 844-586-9085. Meetings may be canceled at any time. Track bills by text. Call the Sitka Legislative Office at 747-6276 or visit akleg.gov for more information.
Essay Scholarship
Offered by SSA
Sitka Sportsman’s Association has announced its annual scholarship to a graduating senior who resides in Sitka.
The scholarship application process is open to public, private or home-schooled students.
Qualified applicants will be those planning to attend a college, or participate in a vocational program during the 2022/2023 school year.
Each applicant must write an essay based on “The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.” The application and the essay requirements will be available at each school’s counseling or administration offices.
The essay submission deadline is 3 p.m. Thursday, April 14. Contact the association’s secretary April Ault (907)738-4559 sitkasportsmans@yahoo.com with any questions.
Peeps Diorama
Contest Planned
Sitkans of all ages can participate in the first-ever Sitka Public Library Peeps diorama contest.
Participants can create a shoebox-sized diorama starring Peeps marshmallow candies as the main characters. Inspiration can come from pop culture, current events, books or music. Rules and entry forms can be picked up at the library.
Submissions and completed entry forms should be turned in between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 16. Entries will be on display at the library from April 18 to 30, and the public is invited to come and vote for their favorites in each category. For information, call (907) 747-4020.
