Bear Risk at ‘Medium’
On National Park Trails
The fish are running in Kaasda Héen (Indian River) and Sitka National Historical Park’s bear activity risk level is now at ‘‘Level 2-Medium Risk (Yellow),’’ in accordance with the Human and Bear Management Plan.
Bears have been recorded in the park evenings and at night over the past week. One bear has been observed day-fishing in the river.
The National Park Service has posted yellow advisory signs at trail entrances and is continuing morning roves along trails, using an airhorn to discourage bears from hanging around the area during the day.
Those seeing bears should call the bear hotline, 907-747-0145, at the visitor center, or notify any park ranger. The date, time and location of the bear sighting, a description of the bear, and what the bear was doing should be included.
Visitors should be bear aware by following the following safety tips:
–Stay alert: Use your eyes, ears and even your nose to detect the presence of a bear. The sooner you are aware of a bear, the more time you have to react appropriately.
–Keep Fido leashed: Dogs are required to be on a leash in the park and under your immediate control.
–Be visible, make noise: Bears don’t like to be surprised. A surprise encounter with a bear is dangerous. Avoid surprises by traveling in open areas with good visibility. Talk or clap to make noise as you walk, particularly if there’s low visibility. Be extra alert in windy conditions or near noisy streams that mask your sound.
–There’s safety in numbers: The larger your group is, the less risk of a bear attacking. Group members should stay within a few feet of each other, particularly if visibility is poor.
–Avoid bears: If possible, change your course to avoid bears that you’ve detected, or move slowly away from them. Never approach a bear, even from a boat or kayak; approaching a bear can cause undue stress and provoke an attack.
–Store food and trash properly: Keep all food, trash, and scented items under your immediate control, at all times. At home and while camping, keep a clean area and store food appropriately. Do not allow a bear to get your food or trash. It will only encourage the bear and make the problem worse for the next person.
–Report bear encounters: If you have an encounter with a bear in the park, report it to a park ranger as soon as possible. This will alert others and enable park staff to respond appropriately to the situation, if necessary.
More information about staying safe in bear country can be found on the National Park Service website at nps.gov/subjects/bears/safety.htm.
Coho Clan Sets
Sunday Meeting
L’uknax.adi (Coho Clan) will hold a koo.eex’ planning meeting noon Sunday, Sept. 18, at the Kaayaashka Hit (Mother Coho House).
For information, contact Lillian Young at (907) 752-0867 or Chuck Miller at (907) 738-4025.
Indigenous Peoples’
Day Activities Sought
The Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration will be 5-8 p.m. Oct. 10 at the UAS-Sitka Campus. This year’s theme is “Our Journey Forward.”
The planning committee is looking for individuals or groups to lead one-hour breakout sessions during the event. Sessions can include leading an activity or presentation and can also be shortened to two 30-minute sessions.
Contact Jean Swanson at jean.swanson@sitkatribe-nsn.gov or (907) 747-3968 by Sept. 21 to sign up to lead a session, or use the registration form: https://forms.gle/h2nxsjBn54aavQENA
Vendors Sought for
Indigenous Day
The Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration committee is seeking Indigenous artists to display or sell their items at a table during the event 5-8 p.m. Oct. 10 at UAS-Sitka Campus.
Tables are on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Jean Swanson at jean.swanson@sitkatribe-nsn.gov or (907) 747-3968 by Sept. 21 to register for a table or use the registration form: https://forms.gle/7r5rTPsMjdaVfzdG6
Witnesses Knocking
On Doors Again
Jehovah’s Witnesses have resumed their trademark door-to-door ministry after a two-and-a-half-year suspension of the work was officially lifted.
The decision to resume their door-to-door ministry marks the complete restoration of all pre-pandemic in-person activities for the 1.3 million Jehovah’s Witnesses in the 13,000 congregations in the United States.
“I missed having direct interactions and conversations with people, ” said Ben Schiller of Sitka, who has been knocking on doors since childhood. “Talking with people face to face lets you really see how they feel,” Schiller said. “It’s a good way to get to know what people in the community are concerned about.”
For more information about Jehovah’s Witnesses, their history, beliefs and activities, visit their official website, jw.org, with content available in more than 1,000 languages.
Support Classes for
Eating Disorders
Parents, adult siblings, spouses, roommates and friends supporting an individual with an eating disorder are invited to a free training.
The Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance is offering a free training with Dr. Laura Hill on ways to support a loved one’s recovery using the latest genetic and neurobiological research.
Training is set 1:30 p.m. Sept. 22 on Zoom.
Register at www.akeatingdisordersalliance.org/workshops. For information, contact Melissa Wentzel at (907) 738-0462.
School Board
Attends Academy
Sitka School Board members will attend the AASB Fall Boardmanship Academy in Fairbanks, Sept. 16-19.
AMSEA Marine
Training Set in
Massachusetts
The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association is conducting a marine safety instructor training class 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 11-15 in East Falmouth, Massachusetts.
The intensive train-the-trainer course prepares individuals to teach cold-water survival procedures, the use of marine safety equipment, and vessel safety drills.
The MSIT is the only marine safety instructor course, specific to commercial fishing, that is nationally accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Upon completion of the course, participants will be prepared to teach AMSEA’s U.S. Coast Guard-accepted Fishing Vessel Drill Conductor training, pending authorization from the Coast Guard. The cost for the class is $995. Scholarships are available for qualifying commercial fishermen, thanks to support from the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health and the U.S. Coast Guard. Mariners can register online at www.amsea.org or call (907) 747-3287.
Natural History
Seminar Sept. 21 Joanna Young, Sitka Sound Science Center’s scientist in residency fellow, will give a presentation titled “Alaska’s shrinking glaciers: What are the downstream impacts?”
The seminar will be 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21 via Zoom. To register for the free event, go to https://tinyurl.com/sitkaglacier.
The series of talks was started by one of SSSC’s board members, Kitty LaBounty, where visiting speakers have a formal platform to discuss natural history topics focusing on Southeast Alaska.
Ukulele Taught
To Beginners
Free beginner ukulele instruction will be 5 p.m. Sept. 18, Oct. 9 and 16 at the Pioneers Home chapel, followed by extra practice at 6 p.m.
Participants should take their own ukulele. Text Jeannie, 510-610-0075 with questions.
