Sitka’s Kiks.adi to Host
Celebration of Herring
The Herring Rock Water Protectors and Sitka Tribe of Alaska are collaborating to host a Herring Party, or Yaaw Koo.eex’, 2 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at the ANB Founders Hall.
Guests will be welcomed from Sitka, Kake, Juneau, Wrangell, Angoon and Yakutat. A canoe voyage and march will proceed the Koo.eex’, with paddlers launching from Old Sitka and landing at the boat ramp behind Harrigan Centennial Hall, then continuing by foot to the ANB Founders Hall.
‘‘Koo.eex’ means ‘to invite,’’’ organizers said. ‘‘It’s a ceremony that honors our ancestors and our history. The Yaaw Koo.eex will honor the sacred relationship that Tlingit have with the herring and their integral role in our way of life – haa kusteeyi. The herring nourish the whales, the salmon, the seals, and all the foods we have eaten since time immemorial in this place. The return of the herring to our waters in the spring signals the change of season from the dark fall and winter to the light and warmth of spring. It is a time of rebirth!’’
Sheet’ka Kwaan has always been known for its herring eggs. Oral accounts dating back farther than written records document Sheet’ka Kwáan as a gathering place for relatives to share in the bounty of the food.
Visitors would land their canoes at Ghajáa Héen (Old Sitka) and dress in their regalia after which they would make the last leg of the journey to Aaya Aak’w (Japonski Island) for a traditional welcome from the local Sheet’ka Kwáan clans.
Organizers said the Yaaw Koo.eex’ will bring a version of this tradition back.
The main hosts of the Koo.eex’ are the people of the Point House. The reason for this is that Kik Shaa (Kiks.ádi women) are known as Kaxátjaa Shaa (Herring Ladies). Esther Littlefield told a story of the Herring Lady and the Herring Rock. There is also the story of Laakichanei that ends with the woman who turned into an owl after hoarding herring.
This year’s Yaaw Koo.eex’ supporters include Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Sisterhood Grand Camp, Sealaska Corporation, Sustainable Southeast Partnership, Sitka Conservation Society, The Nature Conservancy and the Herring Rock Water Protectors.
All are invited to the Koo.eex’ and the preparatory events.
The schedule is:
The schedule is:
Yaaw Koo.eex’ gift making, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 30, Sitka National Historical Park visitor center.
Canoe Landing and March to Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall, 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6, boat ramp at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
Yaaw Koo.eex’, 2 p.m. until late, Saturday, April 6, ANB Founders Hall.
Climate Connection
Connecting to the issues, the solutions and each other – a collaborative effort by Sitkans concerned about climate change.
By Libby Stortz
Did you know that putting food scraps, dirty pizza boxes and leaves in landfills increases climate change? Landfilled plant and food waste produce methane, a greenhouse gas detrimental to the ozone layer and climate because they don’t decompose with air. Composting, on the other hand, decomposes food, leaves and pizza boxes with air and that’s good for our climate, air and soil. We can make a big, positive difference by composting.
With very little effort you can make a compost pile, bin or hole in the ground. The easiest way is to pick a spot outside where you’ll layer kitchen and garden scraps with dead leaves. It can be wet, dry, sunny or shady, belong only to you or shared with friends. It can be in your yard, garden or even the woods. If you don’t have a yard, ask your landlord to provide a bin or area for your building to use. We can even create a community compost using the same model as our recycling station on SMC.
A very effective way to sequester methane and CO2, is to bury your kitchen scraps. If you bury these in your garden beds, do it at the end of the summer so it’s composted by spring planting. Compost bins require more attention and their contents take longer to decompose. Think about what method might work for you and give it a try. It’s easier than you think!
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Libby Stortz is a member of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Sitka Chapter
How composting helps decrease climate change. Sources: Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment-Ann Martin https://blogs.nicholas.duke.edu/exploring-green/fight-climate-change-with-compost/
Illinoiscomposts.org-has info on restaurant, business and residential composting strategies.
Rotary Organizes
Spring Cleanup
The Sitka Rotary Club is organizing a spring litter pick-up starting from Totem Square 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 6.
Volunteers are welcome. Gloves, bags and pickers will be provided. For information call Doug Osborne at 738-8734.
Scavenger Hunt
At Public Library
Spring bunnies are hiding all around the children’s area at the Sitka Public Library. Children under 10 are invited to find the nine bunnies dressed up as book characters to submit an entry for a chance to win a prize.
The spring scavenger hunt starts on Monday, April 1, and ends April 27. For information, call 747-8708.
‘Big Books’ Event for
Preschoolers, Toddlers
Toddlers and preschoolers are invited to a self-guided Big Books and Stay and Play program every Thursday in April from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Sitka Public Library.
Books and a variety of tinkering toys are available to use.
All are welcome. Regular preschool story time will resume on May 23. For more information call 747-8708.
Testing Next
Week at SHS
The Peaks testing schedule at Sitka High School has been announced for April 1-3.
On Monday and Tuesday, buses will run regular morning routes and then an additional route three hours later for students to arrive for lunch. Ninth-graders will report for 8:45 a.m. testing. Tenth- through 12th-graders will report by 12:20 p.m.
On Wednesday, buses will run regular morning routes and then an additional route one and a half hours later so that students can arrive for second period. Tenth grade will arrive at 8:45 a.m. and ninth, 11th and 12th grades will report to school by 10:20 a.m.
Students can go to school for additional time and help starting at 9 a.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thursday and Friday will be normal school days.
Items Sought for
Welcome Bags
The U.S. Coast Guard Spouses’ and Women’s Association is putting together welcome bags for Coast Guard families moving to Sitka this year.
Those who have information or material to contribute can email katrina.cronick@gmail.com.
HR-763 Discussed
At Presentation
Michelle Putz, Kathy Kyle and Jay Stelzenmuller of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby will give a presentation on HR-763: Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act at Sunday’s meeting of the Sitka Unitarian Fellowship.
Gathering begins at 10:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 10:45 a.m. Soup and bread will follow at noon. The Fellowship Hall is located at 408 Marine Street, with parking behind off Spruce Street.
Multicultural Day
Open House Sat.
The Multicultural Day Open House is set 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at UAS-Sitka Campus.
Display tables, performances, crafting, dancing and food are to be offered.
For more information or to learn how to participate contact Jeanette Farah at 747-7721 or jfarahbucher@alaska.edu.
Blessing of Fleet
Scheduled April 14
The annual Blessing of the Fleet will be 2 p.m. Sunday, April 14, at Crescent Harbor Shelter.
The service includes U.S. Coast Guard color Guard, music, readings, bell-ringing and wreaths taken out to sea. Refreshments will follow at the Sitka Lutheran Church.
The blessing is sponsored by Southeast Alaska Women in Fisheries and Sitka Lutheran Church. Call Mary Todd Andersen at 738-0969 with questions.
Applications For
Douglas-Dornan
Grants Available
The Juneau Community Foundation’s Douglas-Dornan Foundation Fund is accepting applications for funding support April 1 through June 1. The fund offers grants to organizations that benefit and enhance the health, education and welfare of individuals in Southeast Alaska.
Examples of possible Foundation financial support include, but are not limited to:
–Charitable organizations, foundations or other non-profit 501(c) (3) organizations, or child care institutions, foster parent programs and early childhood education programs in Southeast Alaska.
–Individuals, within organizations, who are pursuing special training/education in any field of professional endeavor, for use in defraying costs for tuition, transportation or lodging expenses related to attendance at professional conferences, training or educational programs.
–Events or special services that enhance the overall quality of life, such as through amateur sports organizations or children’s music and theatre activities, and encourage participation through sponsorship of programs and events open to all individuals.
Applications will be evaluated based on the quality of program to be supported or attended, reasonableness and accuracy of proposed budget, background and experience of applicant, support from other sources, and appropriateness to the objectives of the Fund.
To find out more about this grant opportunity or to get an application form visit www.juneaucf.org or contact Paul D. Douglas, Advisor, 3014 Foster Ave., Juneau, Alaska 99801, Phone (907) 463-3042. Completed applications must be mailed to Paul Douglas and be postmarked no later than June 1, 2019.
Far Reaching
Ministries Here
Wes Bentley from Far Reaching Ministries, in Africa, will speak 7 p.m. April 7 at the Methodist Church.
FRM and FRM Aviation resources are used to rescue and prevent the suffering and exploitation of vulnerable communities in Africa by assisting to rebuild lives after facing religious persecution, violence, ethnic cleansing, rape, abduction, torture and humanitarian crises, a press release from the organization said.
‘‘FRM serves the afflicted, the starving, those enslaved by human traffickers, and the ill or dying by bringing aid for their physical needs, but most importantly, fulfilling their spiritual needs,’’ a press release said.
For information go to frmusa.org or call Calvary Chapel Sitka Pastor Dug Jensen at 738-5454 or Sitka Christian Center Pastor Al Hass at 623-7500.
Coastal Code
Cleanup April 20
All are invited to join the Sitka Sound Science Center Saturday, April 20, for the 2019 Coastal CODE Cleanup, sponsored by Alaskan Brewing.
Bags can be picked up at the Science Center starting at 11 a.m. Participants will need to have any trash collected brought back to the center by 3 p.m. A barbecue is slated for volunteers after the event.
Prizes will be given for various categories, including largest single item and strangest item.
For information, contact Sandy or Alex at 747-8878. Those wanting to pick up bags earlier than 11 a.m. on Saturday should call.
