Tongass Forest
Virtual Rally
Listed Jan. 20
Time is running out to speak in favor of reinstating essential protections on the Tongass National Forest, Southeast Alaska Conservation Council says.
To encourage comment, SEACC and several partners are hosting a virtual ‘‘Rally for the Tongass,’’ 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, via Facebook and Zoom.
The Biden administration last fall opened a public process to restore Roadless Rule protections on the Tongass. On Nov. 23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a 60-day comment period for the public to voice support for the reinstatement of the national rule. The public has since submitted official comments on the Biden administration’s decision to move to repeal the Trump-era “Alaska-specific” Roadless Rule, which removed 2001 national Roadless Rule protections from the Tongass in Southeast Alaska.
Those wanting to attend the rally can RSVP at SEACC.org/Tongass-Rally.
Addresses from Indigenous leaders, previews of films made by Southeast Alaskans with a focus on the Tongass, and a performance by Portugal. The Man are planned.
The pre-recorded virtual rally will showcase the ‘‘beauty, diversity, economic vitality, and cultural vibrancy held within the nearly 17 million acres of Tongass National Forest,’’ organizers said.
Rally hosts are the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, and partners Native Movement, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network, Environment America, Alaska Environment, Environmental Action, Student Public Interest Research Groups, The Wilderness Society, Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., Audubon Alaska, Alaska Wilderness League, Earthjustice, and the Center for Biological Diversity.
Grief Support
Meeting Listed
Brave Heart Volunteers will offer a Grief Support Group 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays
Feb. 8-March 15.
It is free to attend the group. For more information and to sign up, call 747-4600 or email Kathryn@BraveHeartVolunteers.org.
Filipino Scholarship
Planning Meet Set
The public is invited to a Filipino scholarship planning meeting 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, in the Baranof Elementary School commons.
Attendees can learn about the scholarship, help pick its name, and brainstorm fundraising ideas. Organizers said the meeting will be short and pizza will be provided. Text Kari at 752-7323 with any questions.
Sitka Pioneers Set
Meet-and-Greet
Sitka Pioneers of Alaska will mark its 101st year with a ‘‘mug-up and meet-and-greet’’ 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, at the Westmark Sitka banquet room 1.
Grand Igloo President Virgil Campbell will be in attendance. COVID protocols will be observed.
For more information go to pioneersofalaska.org or call 907-738-8891.
ANS Camp 4
Meeting on Tap
Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 4 will meet 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, at the ANB Founders Hall.
The public is invited to attend.
Local Native
Artwork Sought
Sitka Tribal Enterprises is seeking inventory from local Native artists to display in the ‘‘Made in Sitka’’ section at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi.
Email: reservations@sitkatribe-nsn.gov or call (907) 747-7290 to leave a message.
Quilters Meet
Ocean Wave Quilters will meet 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, at United Methodist Church and via Zoom.
Monthly meetings, September through June, are open to all, members or not. Those wishing to pay the $25 dues receive a monthly newsletter, discounts on classes and other benefits.
For more information call President Sarah Jordan at 907-738-7272.
Alaska Storytellers
Group to Form;
Meeting on Friday
A new group of Alaskans is aiming to educate and entertain visitors to Sitka this summer.
An information meeting will be held 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, at 215 Smith Street, Suite C, to explain information about the new group. Auditions will be held 5:30 p.m. Feb. 4, at the same location.
Alaska Storytellers debuts in May, presenting live, 30-minute performances that will feature Sitka’s history (as the former capital of Russian America), organizers said.
Dance, music, artwork, photos and video, produced by Sitkans, combine to offer visitors some of Sitka’s history.
“Everyone in Sitka has heard it before from our visitors, ‘Sitka is so beautiful! I just wish I had more time to explore it all,’’’ said Long-time Sitka resident Kristine Wilcox, Alaska Storytellers executive director. ‘‘Well, after living here for more than 20 years, I really get that. There is so much to see and experience here. Our goal as Alaska Storytellers is to communicate a vibrant slice of Sitka’s history, in an extremely entertaining fashion to those who are only here for a moment!”
“A part of what makes Sitka’s past so interesting are the larger than life characters who comprise our State’s historical tapestry,’’ said Sitka businesswoman Cynthia Gibson and co-collaborator to the project. ‘‘We hope to bring those stories to life with a theatrical performance.
“Authenticity is extremely important to us on all points,’’ Gibson said. ‘‘We are working hard to ensure that we are being as sensitive and as inclusive as possible with a story that naturally comes with challenging cultural hurdles. We hope that we can bring balance back into the telling of this story and provide, as much as humanly possible, a more objective point of view.” Wilcox concurs, saying, “We want our audience to leave with smiles on their faces and deeper appreciation for our inspiring history.”
In addition to auditioning, the community can attend an upcoming free rehearsal performance in preparation for the launch of Alaska Storytellers (time and place to be announced).
For information contact Kris Wilcox at 907-752-0447.
