Statue Removal
Dear Editor: The Social Justice and Racial Equity in Sheet’ká group would like to thank everyone who has supported the removal of the Alexander Baranov statue from its place in front of our town hall. We would also like to thank those who may be learning for the first time about the historical and modern impacts of colonialism. We recognize this has been eye-opening and enlightening for some and we are grateful for all voices.
Our group aims to reduce racial inequity and trauma in Sitka. Tlingit culture and way of life were disrupted by colonialism, and we support efforts to promote community education, dialogue and healing for all of our neighbors. Everyone in Sitka benefits from living in a caring and culturally diverse community. The decision to relocate the Baranov statue is a significant step towards healing past and ongoing trauma, and helps ensure all members of our community feel welcome in our town hall.
We would like to thank our fellow community members and the Assembly for choosing to stand on the side of compassion and honor. Gunalchéesh for working towards a future for Sitka that will give us all greater pride.
Signed,
Aaron Bean, Abbey Rothfeldt, Abbey Volmer, Alaire Hughey, Albert “Alec” Duncan, Albert Franklin Duncan, Alicia Duncan, Alison Brazel, Allison Kirby, Alysha Guthrie, Amanda Capitummino, Andrew Lawrence, Andy Lee, Anne Pollnow, At Tugani Johnson-Galanin, Aubrey McCarty, Auriella Hughes, Ayatwuskheen (Teresa L. Moses), Barbara James, Ben Gebhart, Brandon Galanin, Brit Galanin, Callie Simmons, Camden James, Camilla Pfeiffer, Cara Jane Murray, Carol Hughey, Carolyn Rice, Carrie Fenton, Celia Lubin, Chandler O’Connell, Charles Bingham, Charley Hughes, Cheryl Stromme, Cheryl Vastola, Chohla Moll, Chookán (Lakrisha Johnson), Chris Dangel, Christopher Washko, Cindy Duncan, Claire O’Halloran Hill, Clarice Johnson, Collauna Marley, Coral Pendell, Courtney MacArthur, Crystal Duncan, Daasdiyaa (Ethel Makinen), Darby Osborne, Dave Kanosh, Deanna K. Moore, Delainey Steffes, Denise Blankenship, Dianne McKinley, Dionne Brady Howard, Doreen Marics, Dorothy Gordon, Doug Osborne, Drew Larson, Edith Johnson, Eleyna Rosenthal, Eli Lawrence, Elle Campbell, Elliot Galanin, Ember Livingston Emmons, Emma Thompson, Eric Hanson, Eric Matthes, Erika Apathy, Erin Matthes, Evy Kinnear, Frank Eccher, Gina Lawson, Gina Newkirk, Grace Dean, Grace Denney, Gretchen Clarke, Gunal.áat (Natalie Galanin), Hannah Wolf-MacPike, Harry Bradley, Hector Hurtado, Heleena Juli van Veen, Helen Koenig, Helen Raschick, Inga Stromme, Isaac Koenig, Issam Samman, Jack Petersen, Janet Peratrovich, Jason Mears, Jeb McCleod, Jennifer Carter, Jeremy Strong, Jerrick Hope-Lang, Jerrod Galanin, Jesse Remund, Jillian Hayden, John M. James, Johnny Elliott, Jolie Tulley, Jonathan Emmons, Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, Josh Houston, Julie Platson, Kaax’áxooskaa (Lillian Young), Kaia Gleason, Kale Perkins, Kamala Shaddock, Kari Johnson, Kari Perensovich, Kari Sagel, Kate Johnson, Kathy Ingallinera, Kaya Duguay, Kayden Galanin, Kimberly Bradley, Krista Galanin, Kwádzee (Isabel Carter), Kathleen Branch, Kerry McAdams, Kersten Christianson, Kh’sheechtlaa (Louise Brady), Krista Perala, Kyle Gladden, Lakota Harden, LaNelle Bacon, Larisa Manewal, Larry Edwards, Larry Garrity, Laurie Ann Jones-Serka, Laurie Cropley, Laurie Salness, Leah Mason, Lee House, Levi Galanin, Lexi Hackett, Liam Hughes, Lisa Schwartz, Liz Zacher, Lori Whitmill, Loyd Platson, Madison Sprague, Maggie Gallin, Maite Lorente Rial, Mady Weaver, Mandy Evans, Mandy Todd, Margaret Hart, Margot O’Connell, Mariyah Harrell, Marlis Boord, Martina Kurzer, Mary Magnuson, Mary Turcott, Matiatos Michael, Melinda McAdams, Melissa Baggen, Melissa Beadle, Melonie Boord, Merritt Johnson, Mia Nevarez, Michael Mausbach, Michelle Roberts, Mim McConnell, Mindy Samman, Missy Mongiovi, Molly Blakey, Monica L Eastham, Nancy J Furlow, Nancy Jo Bleier, Naquoia Bautista, Nathaniel Bean, Nellie Lipscomb, Nina Vizcarrondo, Noelle Galanin, Nova Galanin, Nyla Duncan, Owen Johnson-Knipes, Otsitsya Johnson-Knipes, Pamela Ash, Pat Hanson, Patricia Dick, Patrick ODonnell, Pauline Duncan, Peter Vu, Rachel Larson, Rachel Watts, Randy Hughey, Rita Jeanette Goodrich, Robert Hoffmann, Ronald E. Dick, Russell James, Ruth McMaster, Ryan Hill, Ryan Morse, Sam O’Brien, Sarah Ferrency, Savannah Holder, Scarlett Galanin, Scott Maxwell, Sharon McIndoo, Sharon Sullivan, Shawn McLeod, Sotera Perez, Stephanie De Luna, Stephen Courtright, Suzanne Portello, Sydney Carter, Tamara Kyle, Tamara Oneill, Taylor White, Ted Howard, Thomas Bacon, Tina Bachmeier, Tonia Puletau-Lang, Tori Hay, Tory Curran, Tracy Sylvester, Tristan Shaquanie, Vicki D’Amico, Victoria Compton, Wendy Alderson, Willa Johnson, Yeidikin (Kyla Young), Yéil Ya-Tseen (Nicholas Galanin), Zailey Dangel
