Wild Foods Potluck
Dear Editor: We are so thankful for the 300 community members who attended Sitka Conservation Society’s Annual Wild Foods Potluck last Sunday. This year, we were wild with gratitude especially for the inspiring presentations as well as the thoughtful dishes made from ingredients fished, foraged, hunted, or cultivated here in Southeast Alaska.
We want to thank Dawn Jackson for traveling to Sitka to share her experiences and perspective, Louise Brady and Dionne Brady-Howard for their grace in leading the blessing of the food, sharing story and song, Britainy Wright for describing her passion for conservation work, and Elizabeth Esmay for presenting on why she loves 4-H.
Many hands made this event possible including Centennial Hall staff, SCS super volunteers, and student volunteers from the AFS Intercultural Program and the Mt. Edgecumbe High School environmental club.
Thank you all for your participation in this event and dedication to the Sitka Conservation Society. This was such an illustration of our commitment to the Tongass and the strength or our community throughout Southeast Alaska. We are truly filled with gratitude. Gunalchéesh.
The Sitka Conservation Society
Prioritize Public Safety
Dear Editor: There is a countdown to helping – or harming – Alaska’s most vulnerable people. If the Legislature does not take action in the first five days of the 2020 legislative session, thousands of Alaskans face losing mental health and substance abuse treatment. Chances are we all know someone afflicted with mental illness or addiction.
If we genuinely value public safety and public health, then we must make addiction and behavioral health treatment a statewide priority. We cannot afford to go backwards.
The governor vetoed $6.1 million in behavioral health treatment and recovery grants to community programs and $10 million for addiction treatment facilities. Law enforcement officials will tell you the importance of treatment. When the Legislature convenes on Jan. 21, 2020, we have five days to overturn these vetoes. This will not happen unless your legislator hears from you.
Public outcry over the rise in crime drove changes to sentencing laws last session. However, if we fail to address addiction and mental health, we will continue to crime instead of addressing it head-on. The number of crimes committed by individuals battling addiction or suffering from mental health issues are alarmingly high.
I urge you to speak with your legislator about the need to overturn the vetoes for the behavioral health treatment and recovery grants in the operating budget and the funds for addiction treatment facilities in the capital budget.
Rep. Andi Story,
Juneau District 34
