Reparations
Dear Editor: Reparations have begun in a few cities. Nationally, the topic seems to deal with reparations to Black people. The issue is immoral wealth that was accumulated by their unpaid labor and by their exclusion from the economic benefits of society.
Here in Sitka, I believe we have some reparations to make. For instance, I believe that the harbor frontage and hillside along Katlian Street were commandeered during WWII. Prior to the use of the land for national defense these areas belonged to Tlingits. Mysteriously, when the World War ended, much of this land apparently converted without compensation into commercial properties.
Consider the Post War use of Japonski Island. Ultimately Sitka Community Hospital yielded to more successful administration by SEARHC. Most recently, a Native board of directors protected Sitkans from COVID-19, rolling out vaccinations with an alacrity unmatched in most of the nation.
Who owes whom?
John Welsh, Sitka
Herring Moratorium
Dear Editor: I want to commend Leah Mason and Johnny Elliott for their fine letters concerning overfishing of the Sitka herring and the proposal for a five-year moratorium on the sac roe fishery.
I have one objection to this because it should be a 10-year moratorium. However, five years is better than none. Herring have been overfished in Sitka and have been overfished everywhere else in Southeast Alaska almost to the point of extinction.
I have taken note of the downward spiral of herring populations in Sitka Sound and Salisbury Sound for the last 40 years. I and my family support the five-year moratorium recommended by Alaska Native Sisterhood and Alaska Native Brotherhood.
Ben Mitchell, Sitka
