Winter Film Series
At National Park
Sitka National Historical Park will host a winter series beginning Nov. 16 featuring films from national park units around the country.
Each month will have a theme, and in observance of Native American History Month, November’s films will be from parks throughout the country that preserve the history and culture of Native people.
The series will begin on Saturday, Nov. 16, with a showing of ‘‘Pipestone: An Unbroken Legacy,’’ in conjunction with a visit from representatives from Pipestone National Monument in southern Minnesota. The quarries yield soft red stone used for many years by Native Americans of the area to carve pipes for religious ceremonies and other uses.
The film will be repeated on Nov. 23 along with ‘‘Canyon Voices,’’ a film about the history and culture of the people of Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona.
Films will be shown at the park visitor venter on Saturdays at 1 p.m. and run about 30 minutes.
The schedule for November and December is:
–Nov. 16: ‘‘Pipestone: An Unbroken Legacy.’’
–Nov. 23: ‘‘Canyon Voices from Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona.’’ A repeat showing of ‘‘Pipestone: An Unbroken Legacy’’ will begin at 1:30 p.m.
–Nov. 30: ‘‘Chaco from Chaco Canyon National Historical Park, New Mexico.’’
–Dec. 7: ‘‘The Story Behind the Landscape from Lassen Volcanic National Park.’’
–Dec. 14: ‘‘Sand to Summit from Great Sand Dunes National Monument, Colorado.’’
–Dec. 21: ‘‘St. Croix: A Northwoods Journey from St. Croix NSR, Wisconsin’’ and ‘‘Return to the Moon from Craters of the Moon NationalMonument, Idaho.’’
–Dec. 28: ‘‘A Glorious Journey from John Muir NHS, California.’’
For information about the film series, contact the park visitor center at 747-0110. Learn more about the parks featured in the films at www.nps.gov.
Dinner, Movie
Date Changed
The Native American Heritage Month event “Dinner and a Movie,” hosted by the Sitka Tribe of Alaska Resource Protection Department, has been moved to Nov. 22.
The original date was Nov. 15.
Sitka Land Trust
To Meet Nov. 25
The Sitka Community Land Trust will meet 6:15-7:45 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, at the Sitka Public Library.
The public is invited to attend. The SCLT is a non-profit organization that relies on community support and participation, a press release said. For information contact Mim McConnell at 738-2888.
Open House at
SAFV Nov. 18
Sitkans Against Family Violence will host an open house 5-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, to introduce its newly renovated building.
The community is invited to help SAFV celebrate. Call 747-3483 with any questions.
Arts Council Sets
Annual Meeting
The Greater Sitka Arts Council will hold its annual meeting and membership drive 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
All are invited to ‘‘come learn about who we are, what we do, and how you can get involved.’’ For information, email thinkartthinksitka@gmail.com.
Pioneers Home
Auxiliary Meets
The Sitka Pioneers Home Auxiliary will hold its annual meeting noon Friday, Nov. 22, in the dining room.
The mission of the auxiliary is to assist furthering the well-being of the residents of the home.
New members are welcome. Call Linda, 623-7466, with questions.
Quilt Raffle
Tickets on Sale
Sitka Cancer Survivor Society will sell quilt raffle tickets at the Sitka Christmas Bazaar, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Centennial Hall.
The quilt, ‘‘The Batik Beauty,’’ is on display in the window at Abby’s Reflection. It’s a queen-size quilt created by Ocean Wave Quilt Guild, quilted by Vicki Swanson. Raffle tickets at $5 each may be purchased at the store as well.
Raffle tickets are for two prizes – the quilt and a “Handmade Moccasins” gift certificate by Linda Janacek. Winners can choose from either prize.
Proceeds help fund mini-grants for those dealing with cancer in Sitka. The drawing will be Sunday, Dec. 8.
Anyone who is dealing with cancer can apply for a mini-grant by contacting Candi Barger at Sitka Realty or any board member.
Artisan Market
Slated Dec. 6-8
The Artisan Market, sponsored by the Greater Sitka Arts Council, will be Dec. 6-8 at Centennial Hall.
It is open to the public 6-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.
Members of the arts council can go to VIP early bird shopping 5-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. To become a member, visit www.sitkaartscouncil.org.
Sitka Park to Host
Supt., Artist from
Minn. Monument
Sitka National Historical Park will host Pipestone National Monument Superintendent Lauren Blacik and artist Cindy Pederson (Good Flower Woman) for three public events this month.
Blacik and Pederson will tell the story of the monument, located in southwestern Minnesota, in observance of Native American Heritage Month, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, and noon Wednesday, Nov. 20.
Pederson also will teach an artists workshop 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18. As the use of pipestone has been reserved to Native Americans, this opportunity is open only to enrolled citizens of a federally recognized tribe. Space is limited. Call Jessica Perkins at 747-0102 to reserve a spot.
Pipestone National Monument was created in 1937 to protect quarries of pipestone (catlinite) used by Native Americans, which are sacred, Sitka National Historical Park said.
The Monument’s website states, “For countless generations, American Indians have quarried the red pipestone found at this site. These grounds are sacred to many people because the pipestone quarried here is carved into pipes used for prayer. Many believe that the pipe’s smoke carries one’s prayer to the Great Spirit. The traditions of quarrying and pipemaking continue here today.”
Youth Football
Awards Night Set
Sitka Youth Football will hold a flag and tackle awards night and potluck 5:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at Centennial Hall.
Those attending are asked to take a dish to share.
The dessert auction will benefit the league.
The dinner is open to flag and tackle players, family, friends and supporters of SYFL.
This Week in Boys Run
By Sitkans Against Family Violence
Boys Run I toowú klatseen is an after-school program focused on instilling healthy life skills in boys through running and other fun activities. The program, now in its sixth season in Sitka, incorporates cultural activities that honor traditional Southeast Alaskan values. Thirty boys participate twice-weekly at Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School.
This week, Boys Run participants have been learning about communication, collaboration, and conflict. They learned about different communication styles – for example, in traditional Tlingit culture it’s often considered disrespectful to make direct eye contact, whereas in Western culture looking someone in the eyes can be a sign of respect. Boys practiced using “I” statements to express their emotions, to speak up for themselves, and to listen with care. Here’s what some of the boys said about what they learned:
– “It’s good to use I-statements because the other people don’t feel like you are attacking them.”
– “When you yell, they want to yell back.”
– “You don’t even need to talk to communicate a lot.”
– “Words can be like sharp sticks coming out of your mouth.”
– “Words don’t go away. If you say bad things you’ll still remember them and you still won’t appreciate that moment.”
Throughout this season, Boys Run will be providing the Sitka community with updates on the program. We also aim to give mentors and parents an opportunity to pass on skills from Boys Run to the children in their life. Consider using these conversation starters:
– What should you do if your words or actions hurt or disrespect someone?
–What are productive ways you can speak up for yourself if you feel like no one is listening to you?
Don’t forget – the annual Boys Run 5K will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, and you’re invited! If you are interested in volunteering, either to set up, or to run along with a boy, please contact Emma Thompson at ethompson@safv.org.
‘Sablefish’ Topic
Of Thursday Event
Matt Callahan, Rhea Ehresmann and Anne Beaudreau will present “Sablefish: The Honey Badgers of the Sea” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, in room 229 at UAS-Sitka Campus.
‘‘Sitka waters are swarming with juvenile sablefish (blackcod) this year. While many fish species suffer in “warm blob” conditions, sablefish are possible climate winners,’’ the presenters said. ‘‘These voracious little fish devour herring and salmon smolts but also provide food for adult salmon and seabirds. Our University of Alaska team has studied juvenile sablefish for the last seven years. In this talk, we present the story of our recent discoveries and what makes baby blackcod the ‘honey badgers of the sea.”’
Beaudreau is the principal investigator of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Coastal Fisheries Ecology Lab in Juneau, Matt Callahan is a master’s degree student with Beaudreau, and Ehresmann is a biologist with the ADF&G in Sitka.
