Our Wild Gratitude
Dear Editor: All of us at Sitka Conservation Society want to thank the community of Sitka for showing up to our 2023 Wild Foods potluck and annual meeting, and for making it such a success. We are so grateful to have spent the first gentle snowfall of the season at Harrigan Centennial Hall, filling its rooms and halls with laughter, music, and an abundance of delicious dishes made with harvested wild foods.
We want to extend our wild gratitude to the many community members who supported the event this year. Gunalchéesh, thank you to our speakers: Gheistéen Chuck Miller for sharing traditional Lingít stories and knowledge so deeply tied to this beautiful place; and to Cameron Peters, who enlightened and entertained us with his Sitka 4-H experiences out on the lands and waters of Lingít Aaní; and Adrienne Wilber, who graciously emceed our event and grounded us with a beautiful blessing. Thank you to Ted Howard and Rick Fleishman, for their lively music which helped set our event’s festive mood. Thank you to Gretchen Stelzenmuller and Enoki Eatery for catering at our event, to the Seafood Producers Cooperative for providing 50 pounds of salmon and halibut, and to AC Lakeside for their generous donation of groceries to help round out the meal. Thank you to Harrigan Centennial Hall staff for all their help making the event and space ready, and to the many incredible volunteers at Mt. Edgecumbe High School, Outer Coast, JVC Northwest, and other community members who worked diligently behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. Thank you to James Poulson and Arrowhead Press for printing beautiful flyers and posters for our event, and to our Alaska Way of Life 4-Hers for making the centerpiece decorations for our tables and tasty berry bar desserts.
Last but not least, we want to once again express our deepest appreciation to everyone who helped pack Centennial Hall with wonderful food and community. Every year, this community comes together and blows us away – not only with the diverse ways that they prepare foods from the lands and waters of the Tongass, but also with how they celebrate and care for each other.
Thank you, Sitka, for being in community with us!
Sitka Conservation Society
Staff and Board
WhaleFest Thanks
Dear Editor: We would like to take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude to the outstanding individuals and organizations who made the Sitka WhaleFest 2023: Sound Science Voices from the Ocean, an outstanding success. Their unwavering support and dedication were instrumental in creating an unforgettable event.
A special acknowledgment goes to the SSSC board members who played a pivotal role in the festival’s success: Rob Allen, Michael Mausbach, Trish White, Kitty LaBounty, Linda Waller, Elizabeth Bagley and Drew Wilson. Their guidance and commitment were invaluable throughout the planning and execution of the event.
We are also grateful to the financial sponsors Alaska Airlines, Sitka Seafood Market, North Pacific Research Board, Saltchuk Family Foundations, Rachel Myron and Steve Lewis, Sandra Kincheloe, Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, and the National Science Foundation. Allen Marine for their generous donation of a cruise as well. Thank you to Westmark Sitka for the special SWF room rate. We’d also like to thank the Sitka WhaleFest Science Committee that selected and hosted the speakers and developed the theme: Dr. Lauren Wild of University of Alaska Southeast, John Moran, NOAA, Dr. Lauren Bell, SSSC.
We would like to express our appreciation to the scientists who flew in for the symposium, including Hans Thewissen, Lauren Bell, Matthew Burtner, Christina Bonsell, Heidi Pearson, Kevin Boswell, Kim Goetz, Erin Falcone, Billy Adams, Kate Stafford, Michael Castellini, Jan Straley and the family of Craig George. Their talks were fabulous and their knowledge and expertise enriched the festival providing valuable insights into marine science.
Thank you to: UAS Campus Director Paul Craft and staff, Prince William Sound Science Center, University of Alaska Sitka and Fairbanks, Chet Udell from Oregon State University, Ohio high school students, Andrew Cyr, Kristina Tirman from Ocean Conservancy, Alec McCarrel of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and Shellie Dunn.
The WhaleFest Run organized by Bridget Hitchcock, with assistance from Chris Horan, KK Prussian, Jeremy Strong, Randy Hitchcock, Emily Pound, Val Edwards, Carolyn Black, Carolyn McIntyre and Enzo, the exchange student. And thank you to all the runners, walkers and fans.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Kim Kirkness and Elisabeth Schaffer, who served as the Green Room staff that fed the speakers throughout the weekend. Their organization and attention to detail ensured a smooth and enjoyable experience for all participants. The Outer Coast students brought their enthusiasm and passion to the festival, contributing to its vibrant atmosphere by helping to move equipment and supplies and volunteering throughout.
We extend our gratitude to the MEHS High School student dancers, under the direction of Chohla Moll, for their captivating performances. Their talent and dedication were truly remarkable. Additionally, I would like to thank the Sitka High School student volunteers for their invaluable support throughout the festival.
The market vendors, including Enoki Eatery, Ludvig’s Bistro, Sitka Cirque, Red Herring, The Fresh Fish, The Donut Lady, and Graigels, with their delicious offerings, were a highlight for attendees. Also grateful to all the market vendors, Sitka school groups that participated in the WhaleFest art show, Cheryl Vastola, Steve Bay, Terri Dunham Bay, Old Harbor Books for ticket sales, the Greater Sitka Arts Council for hosting The Grind, Jeanne Stolberg and John Herchenrider, Jeff Budd, and Charlie Morgan-The Grind sound and tech crew, Harry’s Custom Printing, Alyssa Russell-the graphic designer, and the Sitka Public Library all played vital roles in making the festival a resounding success. Thank you to KCAW and the Sentinel for promoting our events so well.
A special thanks to Jennifer Mingo and the Harrigan Centennial Hall staff for the use of their facility and support. Their commitment to ensuring a wonderful experience for all attendees was evident throughout the festival.
We would like to acknowledge the bus companies, including Sitka Tours, Sitka Tribal Tours, and The Cool Bus, for their invaluable transportation services during the festival. They played a crucial role in ensuring smooth logistics for attendees. Sitka Fine Arts Camp lodged many of the students who visited from other places. Special thanks go to Ellen Frankenstein and the participants of Sitka Tells Tales for their engaging storytelling sessions; Paul Fitzgibbons and the MEHS video department, Louise Brady, and Chuck Miller for their contributions and Tlingit welcomes. We extend gratitude to the Sitka High School art department, and Stacy Golden, the Sitka High School science teacher and co-leader of the whale re-articulation project, for their exceptional contributions.
We are appreciative of the Sitka Pioneers Home, Mean Queen, Mary Goddard for her Tongass to Table adult workshop, Mike Vieira for his metal art workshop, Tam Conatser, Jan and John Straley, Norm Campbell for his scientific illustration workshop, naturalist extraordinaire Matt Goff, Ellen Chenoweth for her work with Ocean Bowl and other community volunteers for their generous contributions of time and expertise
Our entire staff plans throughout the year, alongside festival producer Tiffany Pearson, but clearly it takes a village to pull off an event of this magnitude. Volunteering is the backbone of Sitka and all the businesses that provide services and donate to make this particular time of year and this event pretty darn special. Yes, it takes volunteers and staff but it also takes participants. This year was Sitka WhaleFest’s largest year by registrations. People came from around the country, Southeast and our community. Thank you for your enthusiasm and curiosity about the ocean.
Sitka Sound Science Center gang
