Tlingit Artist to Talk On
Ancestors at SJ Museum
The Sheldon Jackson Museum and Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum invite the public to attend two artist talks to be given by current artist-in-residence Eechdaa Dave Ketah (Tlingit).
The first talk will be 3 p.m. Friday, July 22, on Zoom and in-person at the Sheldon Jackson Museum. Ketah will give a talk on a selection of artifacts from the permanent collection of the Sheldon Jackson Museum.
Zoom details are: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86043522805?pwd=akJBaERLeTUxNGd0a0MyRHA1S3M0UT09; Meeting ID: 860 4352 2805; Passcode: 755531.
On Saturday, July 23, 3 p.m., also on Zoom and in-person at the Sheldon Jackson Museum, Ketah will give a talk titled “What Type of Ancestor Will You Be?”
‘‘I imagine a reflection on my process of discovery that has taken place as I have explored my Tlingit heritage,’’ Ketah said about the focus of his talk. ‘‘I have learned of the difficult history, since contact, that led to many in the current generations being separated from practicing or participating in their Tlingit heritage. My story has developed through taking risks and stepping into unknown areas in order to learn who and what I come from. I’ll share my experiences travelling to Klawock, not knowing anyone there, camping in a tent, and eventually learning to carve there.
‘‘My great-grandfather was the lead carver of the CCC totem park there, but my family’s presence ended there in the mid-20th century. It was an unsettling experience at first, feeling like a stranger in a part of Lingit aani where my ancestors were so prominent. This reflection will continue as I share my experience in Sitka, in what will be another first visit to a place where I am a stranger, yet is within the bounds of the land of my people. These reflections will be accompanied by my thoughts on how I became separated from my culture, why it has been difficult to reconnect, and how my process aims to answer a question that gives me purpose: “What type of ancestor will you be?”
Zoom details are: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88092990531?pwd=blpRbHU2c21LMW9CVThEb3A4RXJNQT09; Meeting ID: 880 9299 0531; Passcode: 802019.
The Tlingit carver, drum-maker and painter is the museum’s first Alaska Native artist-in-residence of the season.
He will be working most days through July 30. Ketah was born and raised in Ketchikan. His ancestors are the Hinyaa from the south of Lingít aani (Tlingit land – Southeast Alaska).
For years, what he knew about his Tlingit identity came from what his grandmother taught him as a boy. Living outside Lingít aani for most of his adult life, he struggled against assimilation into the dominant culture through learning from reading, the Internet, and museum visits, a press release from the museum said.
The pandemic opened new opportunities and was the catalyst in Ketah’s becoming a practicing student of his language and the creative expressions of formline design, carving, and regalia making. Ketah pursues growth as an artist with a passionate approach and prolific productivity.
He and his wife have two children, who are also just beginning to explore their Tlingit and Inupiat heritage.
To reserve a spot for either of the in-person talks or for assistance with the Zoom links to attend online, call the museum at (907) 747-8981.
Summer hours are 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m, Monday through Saturday, except holidays. Summer admission is $9 for adults and $8 for seniors. Visitors 18 and younger are admitted free of charge. Assistance is available for visitors with special needs. For information on operations or events, contact the museum by calling (907) 747-8981.
Elaine Calhoun
Services Listed
A memorial service for Rose Elaine Calhoun, 84, will be held 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, at St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church. She died June 21.
A reception will follow the service, at the See House.
For those unable to attend in person, a Zoom link is available upon request at stpetersbytheseak@gmail.com.
Word 2 The Wise
After-Party Set
Word 2 The Wise festival after-party event will be July 30 at the Mean Queen, downstairs.
Tickets are $20 presale and $25 at the door. They are on sale at the Mean Queen
It will be a night of comedy, musical performances and dancing.
All proceeds go toward youth basketball events in Sitka.
The after party follows the Word 2 The Wise 10 Battle Rap Event, that begins at 3 p.m. July 30 at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi. Tickets are on sale at Russell’s and Fisheye Coffee.
48-Hour Films
Posted Online
The Sitka Film Society and Coliseum Theater’s 48-Hour Film Fest Showcase is available on YouTube at bit.ly/3zbcRqV
Six filmmaking teams rose to the challenge of making a 2- to 7-minute film in 48 Hours, incorporating clues – or “prompts” – they were given at the start of their 48 hours: A baseball cap as a prop; a line of dialog “All it took was a Fig Newton”; and the character, Jules Burns, life coach. The contest was open to all.
The 31-minute reel of all the films was screened before an audience at the Coliseum Theater, and this week was posted onto youtube in the above link. It’s free and includes filmmaker Tom Poulson’s homage to Tom Cruise’s intro to “Top Gun: Maverick.”
Information about the Artchange films in progress that were shown July 13 is available at artchangeinc.org\beautifulplace and cruiseboomfilm.com.
Those wanting information about next year’s contest or upcoming screenings can Like the Sitka Film Society on Facebook, and watch for announcements by the Sentinel, KCAW-FM Raven Radio and posters. Other information is available at 738-0602.
Mountain Goat
Season to Open
Mountain goat hunting season begins Aug. 1, except in the South Baranof zone which will close by emergency order on July 31.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game said mountain goat populations appeared to be at or near historic high levels in 2019. A series of mild winters along with hunters being selective for male goats likely led to this increase. Mortality data from collared goats during the three subsequent winters indicate that the goat population on Baranof Island has probably declined from those historic levels. Due to poor flying conditions, no surveys were conducted in 2021.
The South Baranof zone could be over-utilized due to low population levels and accessibility, the department said. Managers will re-assess and make in-season adjustments to quotas and zone closures when updated surveys are conducted in September.
Those portions of Unit 4 not affected by this emergency order will remain open until harvest quotas are reached or the season concludes.
Hunters are to target billies. Successful hunters are required to take their goat’s horns to ADF&G for sex and age verification.
For maps, zone quotas, FAQ’s and other information, contact the Sitka area office at (907) 747-5449.
Cancer Survivor
Society to Meet
The Sitka Cancer Survivor Society will hold its annual meeting 6 p.m. Aug. 18, via Zoom.
Annual reports will be given. Anyone wanting to attend is asked to contact Patti MacPike with your email address so she can send the Zoom link. Email to pmacpike@gmail.com.
Those with questions can call Carolyn Fredrickson at 907-623-7028.
SMC Property
Owners Get
Inspections
The City and Borough of Sitka assessing department will conduct inspections between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. for real and personal property for taxation purposes for all properties and homes south of the U.S. Post Office at 1207 Sawmill Creek Road.
Appraisers will be updating property records by taking pictures, measuring structures, and adjusting for any changes in the property.
Visit the assessing department page at https://www.cityofsitka.com/departments/assessing for information or contact (907) 747-1822 or assessing@cityofsitka.org with questions.
Harbor Mountain
Road to Close
Harbor Mountain Road #7576 will be closed Wednesday, July 27, to accommodate the use of heavy equipment for road maintenance activities. The road to be closed for one day only, and will re-open to the public the following day.
Other road maintenance activities will occur before and after the announced closing date, beginning on today and ending on July 28. The public should be aware of road maintenance equipment in the area during that time and pay attention to any traffic hazard signs posted, the Sitka Ranger District said.
For information, contact the Sitka Ranger District at 907-747-6671.
Moose Lodge Sets
Highway Cleanup
Sitka Moose Lodge will hold its first Adopt-a-Highway cleanup event 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 23.
All members can join the event, starting at the north Halibut Point Recreation Area parking lot. The lodge will provide trash bags, gloves and safety vest. The cleanup will take about an hour, organizers said.
