Christmas Bazaar
Dear Editor: The 2016 Annual Christmas Bazaar was our biggest and best in its 36 year history. Sitka Counseling would like to say a big “Thank You” to all Sitkans for showing their tremendous support for our organization and the bazaar. We could not have completed this year successfully without our wonderful vendors, staff and especially the community! The day was filled with smiling faces, it was obvious you enjoyed yourselves as much as we did. We would like to thank Sea Mart/Hames Corporation, Harry Race, Robb Farmer and the Harrigan Centennial Hall staff for their donations which made this event a huge success. All of us at Sitka Counseling look forward to next year. Happy holidays!
The Sitka Counseling Staff
Standing Rock Event
Dear Editor: On Saturday, Nov. 26, over 150 people came out to Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi for the Sitka Supports Standing Rock event. The event was spearheaded by a diverse group of Sitkans working in solidarity to support the water protectors at Standing Rock.
The evening’s community gathering opened with a powerful and inspirational welcome by Dionne Brady-Howard and Louise Brady, Kiksadi Clan of the Tlingit Nation. The Sheet’ka Kwáan Naa Kahidi Dancers shared traditional teachings, songs and dance honoring ancestral caretakers of this land and waters. In addition, Lakota Harden, who recently was at Standing Rock, shared a personal narrative accompanied by current front line video footage. Visiting indigenous Maori artist Courtney Sina Meredith gave an offering song in support of water protectors.
Together, we raised just over $5,000 to support the water protectors at Standing Rock. The money will be sent to groups helping on the ground: Standing Rock Medic and Healer Council and Water Protector Legal Collective. Sitka community members generated nearly 200 letters to state and national government officials, voicing concern about excessive force and militarized police efforts against the peaceful water protectors at Standing Rock.
Additionally, letters of support and solidarity were written to water protectors that will be sent with over 30 jars of wild food that Sitkans contributed. We wanted to not only speak in opposition to the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, but also to express support and gratitude for the water protectors, who are truly on the front lines working in harsh and threatening conditions to benefit all people and the future of our earth, as they fight for clean water and to protect sacred lands.
The night was truly an inspiring, collective effort. Many volunteers prepared food and helped the event run smoothly. The evening concluded with a very fun raffle and silent auction, made successful by a number of local artists and businesses.
We would specifically like to thank the following artists and businesses who contributed to the raffle and auction: Kristina Cranston, Indian Village Artists, Samuel Sheakley, Angie Ketah, Henry Larsen, Mary Wheeler-Goddard, Backdoor Cafe, Cass Pook, Lisa Teas, Julie Stroemer, Ritch Phillips, Bethany Goodrich, Yvette Peterson, Meghan Garrison, Gimbal Botanicals, Fisheye Coffee, Sailing Saint Tattoo, Kitty Sopow, Elizabeth Faulkner, Phyllis Hackett, Sitka Studio of Dance, Nancy Behnken, Sheila Clark, Sitka Sea Salts, Sitka Gigi , Rachel Moreno, Linda Janacek, Laura Kaltenstein and Liz Zacher.
And another huge thank you to the following individuals, groups and businesses who volunteered their time, knowledge, cooking and other skills: Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Dionne Brady-Howard, Lakrisha Johnson, Sheet’ka Kwaan Dancers, Lillian Feldpausch, Leo Jimmy, Element Agency, Ellie Schmidt, Kathy Ingallinera, Christine Davenport, Kari Johnson, Cayla Pook, Eva Fish, Tess Giant, Meredith Redick, Michelle Parke, Wesley Yiin and Yoga Union.
Finally, we would like to express gratitude to all the attendees who came to learn and engage with our community at this event.
Please stay tuned for an upcoming online auction featuring local art, including Kristina Cranston’s ‘‘Man Of Wealth’’ mask.
Donations of non-perishable, wild foods to send to Standing Rock water protectors can be left inside the Sitka Tribe of Alaska office on American Street. We are also collecting companion fares and airline miles to help interested locals travel to Standing Rock. If you would still like to contribute, donations are accepted at Fisheye Coffee, attention to Caitlin Way. Questions can be directed to 738-1856, or the Sitkans for Standing Rock Facebook group.
Gunalchéesh.
Louise Brady, Peter Bradley,
Amelia Budd, Lexi Fish Hackett, Lakota Harden, Lee House,
Matthew Jackson, Tiffany Justice, Elsa Sebastian, Devin Tatro,
Ben Timby, Caitlin Way
Thank You, Sea Mart
Dear Editor: This past Saturday I went to Sea Mart with my 3-year-old daughter to do our weekly shopping. Since we spent over $25, Sea Mart gave us a reusable bag.
My daughter was very excited when she got home to show her brother the “prize” we had gotten at the grocery store. She also proceeded to tell her grandparents and neighbors about the reusable bag we “won” at Sea Mart.
A while back, when I had finished my grocery shopping and finally got both my kids and groceries into the truck, my son says: “Mom! There is a plastic bag in the parking lot, you have to go and pick it up!” I was tired and shopping with two little people is always a challenge, I didn’t want to walk across the parking lot in the rain to pick up a dirty wet plastic bag. So, I said, “Someone else will do it, don’t worry.”
But, they wouldn’t take no for an answer. So I trudged across the parking lot, got the bag, put it in the trash can, and went back to the truck. As I approached the truck, I realized that my kids were cheering me on. They were clapping and saying, “Yeah Mommy! You saved the world!” Now I wish that saving the world was as easy as picking up a plastic bag, but instead of dashing their enthusiasm, I gave them both a high five and said, “You’re right. I saved somebody’s world!”
As I put my new bag away with the rest of my reusable bags at home, I realized that I have gotten a lot of reusable bags from Sea Mart over the years. So, thank you, Sea Mart, for all the reusable bags you handed out this Saturday and all of the past ones too! If we all use those bags, we can save the world of a marine critter or bird! A second big “thank you” from my daughter Walela for her prize.
Chohla Moll, Sitka
