Motherhood Class
To Begin Nov. 17
‘‘Motherhood Is Sacred’’ will be offered 2-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Nov. 17 via Zoom.
‘‘Join us on a journey of discovery and strengthening your family through responsible parenting,’’ organizers said.
The class is hosted by Sitka Tribe of Alaska Social Services Department through funding from the Alaska Children’s Trust Grant.
To register, contact Jean Swanson at 747-3968 or jean.swanson@sitkatribe-nsn.
Top Ideas Named
At Economic Forum
The top three ideas have been chosen by the public via an online poll from the ideas submitted for the recent Sitka Economic Forum.
They are, in order: barge incinerators, vocational training, and community greenhouses.
Ideas were brought to SEDA during the Economic Forum from members of the community.
It is SEDA’s hope that members of the community with interest in any of these ideas will step forward and spearhead the project of their choice, a press release from the organization said.
‘‘All three of these ideas have great potential to benefit the community and we look forward to working with members of the community to get these pushed forward,’’ SEDA said. ‘‘If you are interested in working on one these ideas, please reach out to SEDA and we will get you connected with the appropriate committee.’’
For information call 747-2660 or go to www.sitka.net.
Sheldon Jackson
Museum Closure
The Sheldon Jackson Museum will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.
Winter hours of noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday resume on Nov. 12.
General admission is $5, and $4 for seniors. Visitors 18 years of age and younger, Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum, and those with passes are admitted free. Assistance is available for visitors who have special needs.
UAS Lecture Series
Continues Tonight
With Zoom Event
The annual UAS fall lecture series continues 7 p.m. tonight with a virtual presentation by Dr. Michael Yellow Bird on “The Neuroscience of Decolonization.”
This year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fall Lecture Series events will be offered virtually using Zoom. Each talk has a free registration link available on the UAS Juneau campus calendar uas.alaska.edu/calendar. A confirmation email is sent to those registering with information on how to join the meeting.
Future speakers in the series include: Nov. 13, topic and speaker to be announced; Nov. 20, Irene Dundas, “Repatriation of Clan Objects and Human Remains”; and Dec. 4, “Juneau During COVID-19: a Study of Resilience, Leadership, and Community Courage.”
Turkey Shoot
Slated Nov. 21
Sitka Sportsman’s Association will host its annual Turkey Shoot 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at 5211 Halibut Point Road.
The longtime Sitka Sportsman’s Association annual event is for both the outdoor shotgun trap and skeet and indoor 22 pistol and rifle shoot.
Anyone hitting a particular colored clay target during a normal round of trap or skeet, or winning one of the 22 pistol events, will win their choice of a turkey or a coupon for a free round of trap or skeet. There is a limit of one turkey or coupon per shooter. The cost per round of trap or skeet is $20 and $5 per pistol event, and both fees include ammunition. Loaner shotguns and pistols also will be available for use at no charge.
A barbecued hamburger lunch will be available for $5 each.
For more information call or text April at 738-4559.
Health Networking
Meeting Nov. 20
The Sitka Health Summit Coalition’s monthly Wooch.een (together in Tlingit) health networking and learning meeting will be held virtually noon-1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, by way of Zoom.
The purpose of the meeting is to spark partnerships and to promote cross sector collaboration, learning and networking to improve the well-being in Sitka.
For information go to sitkahealthsummit.org. If interested in joining the meeting, contact Amanda Roberts at amandar@searhc.org for the Zoom meeting connect information.
Climate Connection: Saving for the Future
By Leah Mason
For a couple of decades now, November and December have usually been a time when Alaskans have had a little extra cash up their sleeves. Along with income from summer fishing, summer jobs, or summer tourism, many of us would also be spending the “dividend” from the state’s permanent fund. Under normal circumstances, some would take a break and find some sun in Hawaii or in another part of the world. With COVID-19, we are still hunkered down and many of us don’t have that cushion of cash. People are finding it hard. Thankfully, we are still finding ways to help each other out.
As someone who had a well-paid job over the summer, I donated to causes, and even some local businesses, that I wanted to be here next year. I had to think about this, because I knew that I wouldn’t have an income by October, but hunkering down has also cut my spending to all time lows. So I helped out, I saved, and now I feel like the ant in the story about the grasshopper who didn’t prepare for the cold winter. So. Very. Grateful.
In Alaska, we’re still probably a lot closer to being that ant than most people in the lower 48. We plant, harvest, preserve, and hunt in the summer to stock our pantries and share with others. We are more than lucky to be able to do this. I never have to buy jam or fish because my family is generous, especially with those pesky unsealed jars! As long as the precious mason jars are returned, we get along pretty well! My pantry is their pantry and vice versa. And when my latest batch of rhubarb wine is ready to bottle, I’ll be handing one over to them... and one to the people who provided me with the rhubarb... and one to the people who showed me how to make it. I can’t drink all that wine and gifts are a good way to make sure that the resource is enjoyed at its best, and not wasted. Such gifts also create a pool of good will that we can all drink from.
How does this relate to climate change? It’s all about making timely decisions, doing the necessary work, and looking out for each other’s interests. As long as there is community, clean air and clean water, we have what we need to live well. So, what do we need to do now to ensure that we have these things later? Recognize that change is a constant - the seasons are always changing and tomorrow will never be exactly like today. Remember that the things we waste today won’t be there for us tomorrow. Understand that today is all the time we have to prepare for the future. Our future selves will thank us for our forethought and consideration. And even though they may never meet us, so will our great-great- grandchildren.
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Leah Mason is a grateful member of the Sitka Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
