School Renaming
Dear Editor: The Sitka School Board already passed a motion to change the name of Baranof School; please see the minutes for Jan. 6, 2021.
Thank you to those who advocated and put the ball in motion to get the name changed, and thank you to the board for the passing of the motion; change is necessary! However, the motion was specific to say the name chosen will be the name of a cultural educator. While this was worded with good intentions, it limited the renaming options and there are just too many cultural educators to choose from who are worthy of having a public-school building named after them.
Some of those cultural educators could be the following: Ellen HopeHayes, the first female Native superintendent of the Sitka National Historical Park; Margaret Mcvey, librarian at Baranof school; Marie Guthrie, artist/instructor; Esther Littlefield, artist/teacher; Archie Demmert, teacher at Baranof; Terri Rofkar, renowned weaver/instructor; A.P. Johnson, teacher at Mt. Edgecumbe High School; Marie Laws, weaver/tribal judge; Pauline Duncan, retired teacher from Baranof school; Pete Esquiro, carver and tribal judge; Margie Esquiro, retired teacher from the Sitka School District; Nina Bernhardt, teacher of self-esteem curriculum in the schools; tribal educators Jessie Johnny, Naomi Kanosh, Herman Kitka Sr., Anita Wright, Albert Duncan Sr., Ethel Makinen, Charlie Joseph Sr., Wilma Bacon, John and Roby Littlefield, Emma Duncan Thomas, Anne Johnson, Irene Jimmy. These names mentioned are just a few of many cultural educators and I apologize to have left any out. That was not my intention. Each of you could add to this list or have your own, very different list that may not include any of these names.
Are any of these cultural educators above the others? I think not. I support a new school name that is not after just one specific person but inclusive, uses the Tlingit language, relatable across cultures, and meaningful to children.
Your community input would be much appreciated. Please complete the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/baranofschoolrenaming. In addition, you may email your public testimony to schoolboard@sitkaschools.org.
This is an independent survey, not sponsored or associated with the School Board. The results will be provided to the School Board to hopefully assist them in making a very difficult decision on a new name. Gunalchéesh to those serving on the board who will take on this task.
Melonie Boord, Sitka
Co-chair of my humble abode
