Sheldon Jackson Museum
Offers Native Arts Classes
The Sheldon Jackson Museum will host two virtual Alaska Native artist-in-residence-led art classes this month.
The first, taught by current artist-in-residence Abel Ryan (Tsimshian), will focus on painting formline designs; the second will be taught by upcoming artist-in-residence June Pardue (Alutiiq) and will show how to create a pair of fish skin or moosehide earrings with porcupine quill and beaded embellishments.
Both classes will be taught on Zoom and are free of charge. Classes require different materials, and have different age limits and recommended age groups.
The virtual painting class by Ryan will be 3 p.m. Saturday, July 11. During this one-hour virtual class, Ryan will teach how to paint formline designs using acrylic paint. To participate, people can go to the link: https://bit.ly/2Z60wlK and enter the meeting ID: 842 1638 0113 and password: 693862.
The second class, led by Pardue, will show students how to make a pair of earrings using hide (moose or fish skin) and porcupine quills.
The class will be in two parts – the 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25, and 2-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 28. Students should attend both sessions. The class will be limited to 12 participants ages 17 and up. Pre-registration is required and only people who have registered will be provided the Zoom web link, meeting ID and password information.
Residents of Sitka signing up for Pardue’s earring making class may opt to purchase a kit of the required materials already put together directly from her starting July 24. If interested, plan to go to the museum Wednesday through Saturday between noon and 4 p.m. with cash or a check for $25 made out to June Pardue to cover the cost.
This year’s Alaska Native Artist Residency Program is made possible with an Art Works II Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and with support from the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum, Alaska Airlines, and private donations.
Walk-in visitors may visit the Sheldon Jackson Museum noon-4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Admission fees for adults is $5, $4 for ages 65 and older, and free for youths 18 and under or for Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum or Alaska State Museum members. The public should continue to pay by credit card.
Those with questions about the Alaska Native Artist Residency Program, artist-led Zoom classes, art class materials, or operating hours and admission fees may call the museum directly at 747-8981.
Positions Available
On Municipal Boards
Volunteer positions are available on municipal boards and commissions, including: Animal Hearing Board (category specific seats), Building Department Appeals Board, Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board of Directors, Health Needs and Human Services Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Library Commission, Local Emergency Planning Committee, Parks and Recreation Committee, Planning Commission, Police and Fire Commission, and Tree and Landscape Committee.
Submit a letter of interest and board application to the Municipal Clerk’s office at 100 Lincoln Street. Applications are available online at www.cityofsitka.com or at the Municipal Clerk’s Office. For information, call Melissa at 747-1826.
Care Provider
Funds Offered
Sitka Tribe of Alaska is offering financial assistance to those wanting to become licensed child care providers.
Covered expenses include license and application fees; background checks for household members; required safety items; educational supplies and equipment; CPR/first aid training fees; provider training; and professional development fees.
Contact Jean Swanson, 747-3968, or jean.swanson@sitkatribe-nsn.gov for information.
Funding is being made possible through the Child Care and Development fund Grand Award #QBAKCCDF 1019-2022 and Sitka Tribe of Alaska.
STA Offering
CARES Funding
Enrolled Sitka Tribe of Alaska members currently residing in Sitka can submit applications to the COVID-19 CARES Act Funding Community Service Block Grant Emergency Assistance Program.
A household may qualified for up to $500 every 12 months.
Eligibility will be determined after a completed and signed application and all accompanying documentation have been submitted.
Applications are available at STA Social Services, 204 Siginaka Way. Call 747-7293 with questions.
COVID Testing
Now Available
Testing for the COVID-19 virus will be available to everyone in Sitka starting Saturday, regardless of whether they have symptoms, the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium announced Monday.
Testing by “self-swab nasal collection” will be available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at the drive-up testing center next to Mountainside Family Clinic, 209 Moller Avenue, the health consortium said. Walk-ups or bike-ups are welcome, SEARHC marketing and communications director Maegan Bosak said.
There is no charge for the testing, which is being funded through a grant from the U.S. Indian Health Service, SEARHC said.
The testing type will be self-swab nasal collection and staff will be available on-site to instruct and answer questions.
“SEARHC is excited to offer COVID testing to asymptomatic patients in Southeast,” said SEARHC Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elliot Bruhl. “Quickly identifying and responding to positive cases in our communities is the most effective way to combat the pandemic. Asymptomatic testing will be a reality in the coming weeks and paint a clear picture of how COVID has penetrated our region.”
For information on SEARHC’s pandemic response, including testing guidelines, visit covid19.searhc.org or contact the COVID-19 Hotline at 966-8799.
Tribal Council
Meets July 15
Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council will meet 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15. Those who wish to attend the meeting telephonically can contact Anne Davis at 747-3207.
The Tribal Council will hear the first reading of the proposed amendments to the Enrollment Ordinance. To make written comment, submit via email to anne.davis@sitkatribe-nsn.gov. Written comments must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. Monday, July 13. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Sitka Tribe of Alaska offices and buildings will remain closed. Sitka Tribe is following the state guidelines closely and taking precautions to protect and slow the spread of the virus, the organization said in a press release.
Lunchtime Chats Set
With Tlingit & Haida
A lunchtime chat with the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska is slated noon-1 p.m. Thursday, July 9, on Facebook.
Go to www.facebook.com/ccthita.
The subject will be Tlingit & Haida’s child care and child development services.
Each session also will be recorded and posted to Tlingit & Haida’s YouTube channel.
