Winterberry
Dear Editor: On Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the Sitka Public Library, UAF research ecologist Katie Spellman and English professor Sarah Stanley sponsored an event for Sitkans to create and share berry stories. You can interact with some of the narratives of 2017 CoW on the Winterberry website (https://sites.google.com/alaska.edu/winterberry/). More than 15 stories were collected in less than an hour! These stories certainly show the creative and uplifting diversity of berries and Sitka people! We are so proud of what Sitkans taught us through the shared values of place and story.
This event would not have been possible without the amazing help of coordinator of the Sitka Spruce Tips 4-H Club Jasmine Shaw, interim director of the Sitka Public Library Maite Lorente, University of Alaska Southeast biologist Kitty LaBounty, Executive Director of the Sitka Conservation Society Andrew Thoms, 4-H volunteer leader and parent Paul Rioux, and all the wonderful folks who showed up that night and helped us see the depth of the winterberry citizen science project and the power of berries!
Sarah Stanley, Ph.D
Director of University Writing
Associate Professor of English
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Candidate Support
Dear Editor: When I was younger, I remember people voting for the candidates that would represent the people, and not individual nor special interests. A democracy used to be a government ‘‘for the people, and by the people,’’ which is why we must exercise our right to vote for those people willing to serve who will represent the people of Sitka.
I am a strong supporter of Dr. Richard Wein, as the candidate who will represent us, the people, who will listen to us, the people, who has no ulterior motives but to serve the town he loves and the people he cares for. Richard Wein is a problem-solver with the heart of a servant. The city is in dire need of his intellect, passion for service, creativity, work ethic, and all colored with his phenomenal sense of humor. Richard is more than capable of ‘‘dissecting’’ the City and Borough of Sitka to locate the bleeding, stitch up the wounds, and monitor the healing process! He will find it, and he will fix it.
No more neighbors leaving because they cannot afford to live here, or seek medical care elsewhere. The life and vitality of our community, our families, friends and neighbors must occur here in Sitka, from birth to death, and nothing less. At one point in his brilliant career, Richard was in charge of 525 physicians, 125 of which were surgeons. His brain is desperately needed at the Assembly table; t’will liven up the conversation, challenge the ‘‘status quo,’’ and his researched, constructive thoughts and ideas, as well as votes at the table are certain to get our city back on track.
Whatever the issues, whether housing, health care, Blue Lake dam debt, electric bills, harbor fees, property taxes, and the many daunting challenges faced by the city, I have no doubt Dr. Wein can mitigate all crisis with vision, equity and aplomb. As a matter of fact, I think he may thrive in the ‘‘trenches.’’
Please exercise your democratic right to vote on Oct. 3, so that Dr. Richard Wein may step up to the table to continue serving our town in a new capacity.
With great appreciation,
Karen J. Lucas, Sitka
Chilkat Robe
Dear Editor: On Sept. 14, Sitka was privileged to witness a welcome home ceremony for a Chilkat robe that has been on the east coast since the mid-1800s. Without the help and guidance of many individuals, clans, and organizations this event could not have happened.
The Davenport family of Vermont, who have taken care of the robe for 150 years, deserve a special thank you for their determination to see this important cultural object returned to Alaska. After finding the appropriate place for it, they could have packed it up and sent it registered mail to the Sheldon Jackson Museum. Instead they chose to hand carry the robe to Sitka and take part in the celebration welcoming it home.
Thank you also to Pete and Margie Esquiro who were the Davenports’ first Alaska contacts and who recognized the importance of the robe. Jackie Fernandez-Hamburg, curator of collections at the Sheldon Jackson Museum, where the robe will reside, worked with the Davenports, clan leaders, and the conservators to make sure the robe was well cared for on its long journey back to Alaska. Thanks to Chilkat weaver Shelly Laws for her care and examination of the robe when it arrived and for her outstanding lecture on Chilkat weaving on Sept. 15.
Thank you to the clan leaders and spokespersons from Sitka, Juneau and Hoonah who took the time to make sure their Tlingit ancestor had the proper welcome home; Andy Gamble, Kaagwaantaan, Ray Wilson, Kik’sadi, Herman Davis, L’uknax.adi, Joey Zuboff, Deishitaan, Kenny Grant, T’akdeintaan, Paul Marks II, Kaagwaantaan, and George Bennett Sr., T’akdeintaan. They made sure this was a public and educational event for the community although for them it was a very personal occasion.
Thanks to Chuck Miller, L’uknax.adi, who made sure the evening’s events went smoothly and respectfully. Following the welcome ceremony, the audience was treated to dancing by the Noow Tlein and Sitka Kaagwaantaan dancers. Thank you all!
Financial support was given by Wells Fargo, Sea Mart and First Bank. Moral support and advice came from the Sesquicentennial Committee. Thanks also to Our Town Catering, Sitka Sentinel, ANS Camp 4, KCAW, and the always helpful and supportive staff of the Centennial building!
Behind the scenes were AmeriCorps volunteers serving the dinner for the family, clan leaders, museum staff, and the Friends Board. Thanks to Laura Bennett and Sarah Lawrie for organizing and coordinating this amazing group of volunteers. And thanks to the Board of the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum, for the months of planning, preparation and coordination they put in to making this the successful event it was! Linda Blankenship and Margie Esquiro put in excessive amounts of time in planning, contacting and coordinating. Thank you!
And thanks to all of you who came to witness this historic event.
Rosemary Carlton, President,
The Board of Friends of
Sheldon Jackson Museum
Candidate Support
Dear Editor: I commend everyone who has stepped forward and volunteered to run for the Sitka Assembly. It’s a big commitment, a tough job and takes many hours of time to address the many issues the body has to deal with. No matter who is elected I respect each and every one of them.
To my mind, one candidate stands out as a person I’d most like to see seated at the Assembly table. Ben Miyasato having previously served on the Assembly, is experienced and can step into the chair without the long learning curve necessary for a new member. He has already shown himself to be an intelligent, thoughtful person who carefully considers all issues, is concerned to have our town become a better place to live and cares about all the citizens of Sitka.
I urge my fellow Sitkans to vote for Ben Miyasato so he can again be a member of the Sitka Assembly.
Please remember to vote. Your vote does count.
Alice Johnstone, Sitka
