By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
A “recital of lands acknowledgment” recognizing and honoring the Tlingit people of Sitka is being proposed as a part of future meetings of the City and Borough Assembly.
The vote was 7-0 Tuesday on first reading of an ordinance that would have the mayor read this statement after the roll call and before the flag salute at every meeting:
“The Assembly of the City and Borough of Sitka would like to respectfully acknowledge the traditional first people of Sheet’Ká, with gratitude we proceed on Tlingit Aaní.”
The ordinance is sponsored by Kevin Knox and Kevin Mosher. The Purpose section of the ordinance states:
“By doing so, the Assembly recognizes the importance of the land around us, that the land is who we are, our past, present and future. It is also the intent of the governing body and the community of Sitka to recognize and honor the Tlingit people of the land on which we work and live and this is a recognition of an effort to address historical trauma, an honor of history and an invitation of the truth of our shared history.”
Knox said he has worked on this idea with Sitka Tribe of Alaska council members and it has been discussed at government-to-government meetings.
“The writing of this is a ‘thanks,’ it’s an acknowledgment of the place that we stand (on), that we do business,” he said. “I tried to keep it simple and straightforward and to the point.”
The ordinance will be on the agenda for second and final reading at the Oct. 26 meeting.
Knox said the concept hasn’t yet gone before the tribal council as a whole, but he felt the Assembly should take it up first, and “bring it forward as really a small gesture of the work that we do with the First Nations people of Sitka.”
Mosher said such land acknowledgments “are becoming more common.”
“Controversial? I don’t think so ... It’s just simple expression of gratitude,” he said.
Prior to the vote on introduction Rebecca Himschoot proposed using the word “gratitude” instead of “thanks” in the original draft. The change was made without objection.
“I just like the sound of it better and I think it expresses better what I feel, which is more all-encompassing than a simple thanks,” Himschoot said.
Neither Knox nor Mosher is a Native Alaskan, which drew a comment of appreciation from Crystal Duncan, who is Tlingit.
“I want to thank both of the Kevins for bringing this forward. I think I’m the only person of color sitting up here,” she said. “And I think oftentimes it falls to me to bring these things before the body but I appreciate you guys looking into it and having these conversations, and seeing that this is important for the community. So Gunalchéesh to both of you.”
Eisenbeisz said he would take the proposal to the Sitka Tribe of Alaska council meeting on Oct. 20 to make sure it’s consistent with STA’s wishes.
The newest Assembly member, Dave Miller, joined Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Mosher, Knox, Duncan, Eisenbeisz, and Thor Christianson in the unanimous vote moving the ordinance forward.
Other Business
In other business Tuesday night the Assembly appointed Thomas Martin to the Sitka Library Commission. Martin arrived in Sitka in August as an Alaska Fellow, and volunteers for several nonprofit organizations.
Karen Lucas, a 31-year resident of Sitka, was appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission. She is a volunteer for several organizations, including Alaska Native Sisterhood, Camp 4, Sitka Homeless Coalition, and Port Alexander Historical Society.
After electing Knox as deputy mayor and Mosher as vice deputy mayor for the coming year Assembly members agreed on who would be liaisons on city boards, commissions and committees.
The assignments, with alternates in parentheses, are:
Climate Action Task Force – Mosher (Himschoot)
Gary Paxton Industrial Park – Christianson (Eisenbeisz)
Health Needs/Human Services – Duncan (Christianson)
Historic Preservation – Miller
Investment Committee – Christianson
Library - Himschoot (Christianson)
Local Emergency Planning – Miller (Duncan)
Parks and Rec – Knox (Mosher)
Planning – Christianson and Duncan
Police and Fire – Duncan (Miller)
Port and Harbors – Knox (Eisenbeisz)
Tree and Landscape – Himschoot (Miller).
Members also volunteered to serve as liaisons to Sitka Economic Development Association - Eisenbeisz (Mosher); Sitka Tribe of Alaska - Eisenbeisz (Miller); and School Board - Himschoot (Mosher).
