A REVIEW:
‘Tin Can Country’ Holds
Rich Tales of Canneries
‘‘Tin Can Country: Southeast Alaska’s Historic Salmon Canneries,’’ edited by Anjuli Grantham. Published in 2019 by Clausen Memorial Museum, Petersburg, Alaska.
‘‘Tin Can Country: Southeast Alaska’s Historic Salmon Canneries’’ (Clausen Memorial Museum, Petersburg, Alaska) is satisfying in every way. It is a beautiful book, with a bright and appealing design and dust jacket by Sarah Asper-Smith, clear maps by David Johnson, and lush high-resolution images of can labels, historic photographs, cookbooks, advertisements, and vintage diagrams. The inside of the dust jacket has a map by Johnson of all of Southeast Alaska, showing locations of all the historic canneries.
The visual appeal is complemented by editor Anjuli Grantham’s curation of a collection that illuminates and provides context for the salmon canning industry. Like a can of salmon, the contents are dense with tasty goodness. The text, by various authors, is short but well researched. Highlights include a short history of salmon traps in Southeast Alaska by Jim Mackovjak, the introductory essay on the origins of the industry in Alaska by Anjuli Grantham, and a fascinating, detailed period account of how salmon were caught and processed in 1900. In addition to the map of all the canneries inside the dust jacket, it has a complete chronology of all the canneries in Southeast up to 1949.
The book was a dream of friends Karen Hofstad and the late Pat Roppel. Pat was a historian who specialized in the history of the salmon industry. Her papers went to the Alaska State Library Historical Collections, inspiring her friend Karen Hofstad to donate her vast collection of salmon cans, labels and ephemera. Independent historian Anjuli Grantham (now with the Alaska State Museums) helped prepare that collection for donation and helped bring this book into being.
Karen Hofstad generously funded production of the book, and all proceeds benefit the Clausen Memorial Museum.
Every Southeast Alaskan will find some “aha” bit of information connecting the bits and pieces we already knew. It isn’t comprehensive (which would take an enormous volume) so of course there are things I wish there was more of, like Alaska Native cannery history.
But this selection of specific cannery histories, essays, and memoirs integrate the history of Southeast Alaskan canneries into the history of the nation and point to how this industry influenced and shaped the overall history of Southeast Alaska. The story of who came here, and when, resource management and mismanagement, the economy, the population, Alaskan politics, even our history of racial discrimination and the struggle for civil rights, are densely interwoven with the history of canning salmon.
This is a book for everyone in Southeast Alaska who has an interest in history. I think that’s pretty much all of us! It should be in every Alaska studies classroom, and is useful as a college text, with original research and sources cited in chapter endnotes.
‘‘Tin Can Country’’ is a gem, fun to look at and to read, and will be an indispensable reference for years to come.
–Rebecca Poulson
Longline Fisherman’s Group
Wins Conservation Award
Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association has been awarded the Lowell Thomas Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements by a Conservation Organization by the Alaska Conservation Foundation.
The award, which was announced June 11, was established in 2011 to annually recognize “an Alaska-based organization or program that demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to conservation through innovative problem solving, effective citizen engagement, and collaborative actions,” an Alaska Conservation Foundation spokesperson said.
It is named after the late former Alaska state Senator and Lt. Gov. Lowell Thomas Jr., who was awarded a lifetime achievement award by Alaska Conservation Foundation in 2004 because “his conservation efforts have preserved special places for the enjoyment of current and future generations.”
He also was given a lifetime achievement award by the National Parks and Conservation Association in 1995 for his active involvement in environmental issues and for helping establish the Chugach State Park.
ALFA is a Sitka community-based fishing group with a long history of promoting sustainable, small-scale fisheries and thriving fishing communities. ALFA members support science-based fisheries management through advocacy at the local, state, national levels and through collaborative research projects that engage scientists and fishermen. Its programs work to improve the economic viability of small boat fishing and to safeguard ocean health.
“We are thrilled to receive this award from the Alaska Conservation Foundation,’’ said ALFA Executive Director Linda Behnken. “ACF’s leadership in conserving Alaska’s rich natural assets is an inspiration, and their recognition of ALFA’s work is an honor. I am proud of ALFA staff and fishermen members; it is their dedication and hard work that has earned ALFA this award.”
Alaska Conservation Foundation will host an award reception 6 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Anchorage Museum. For information and to purchase tickets online visit alaskaconservation.org.
Registration Open
For Boys Run I
Registration is open for Boys Run I toowú klatseen, an after-school running program for third- through fifth-grade boys that helps build self-esteem, healthy relationship skills, and respect while training for a final 5K fun run.
For information or to register, visit boysrun.org/register-a-boy/ or email ethompson@safv.org. Applications are due Sept. 13.
‘‘We look forward to practicing strength of spirit throughout this Boys Run season,’’ organizers said.
Christmas Bazaar
Listed for Nov. 30
Sitka Counseling is planning for its 39th Annual Christmas Bazaar, which will be held 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Centennial Hall. To reserve a table, contact April at 747-3636 or atroup@scpsak.org.
GriefShare Support
Group to Form
The GriefShare Support Group will meet 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 18-Dec. 11 at Sitka Assembly of God, 214 Kimsham Street.
Anyone who has lost a loved one is invited to join the support group led by Mae Dunsing. She holds a master’s degree in counseling and is a counselor at Sitka Christian Counseling.
The registration fee is $15 for a workbook; scholarships are available. Attendees can take a snack to the meeting.
GriefShare is a network of 12,000-plus churches worldwide equipped to offer grief support groups. The program is nondenominational and features biblical concepts for healing from grief. Learn more about GriefShare at www.griefshare.org. For information or to register, call Mae Dunsing at 752-8716.
Sitkans to be In
Tourism Industry
Fashion Show
The catwalk is coming to the Last Frontier, featuring 14 Alaska designers in a fashion show presented by the state’s tourism industry.
Three Sitkans are among those who applied for and were accepted in to the first Trend Fashion Show. They are 57 Peaks, Lois Verbaan and Cynthia Gibson.
The show is set 6 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Bill Sheffield Alaska Railroad Depot at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.
The fashion show is organized by the Alaska Travel Industry Association in support of the Tourism Works for Alaska campaign, which creates awareness by promoting the importance of tourism businesses within the state.
Designers in the showcase will highlight many different mediums including wearable art, jewelry, footwear, outerwear, high fashion and streetwear. They also represent various regions across the state, bringing local flair from each of the communities.
Rounding out the 14 presenters are Alaska PerSe, Claimjumper, David Green Master Furrier and FisheWear of Anchorage; Bobby Itta Designs, KD Roope, Opal Heart and Trickster of Juneau; Christy Ruby Designs, Ketchikan; Nataaq Gear, Nome; and Twinkle Toes/Wild Outdoor Wear, Palmer.
‘‘Alaska tourism is a major economic force in the state – more than 52,000 Alaskans depend on it,” said ATIA Board Chair Elizabeth Hall. “Our industry supports and honors Alaska’s culture and our unique way of life. Trend Fashion Show is a celebration of local artists and designers and the communities where they live and create.”
More about the fashion show, including how to purchase tickets, is available at www.trendakfashion.com.
Cancer Survivors
Support Given
The next Sitka Cancer Survivors Society Support Group meeting will be held 3-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at the Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center fourth floor boardroom.
Support group meetings will be held every third Sunday of the month at the same location.
Cancer support resources will be discussed. Family and friends are also invited. Contact support group coordinator Diane Linn, 512-659-3156.
Foods Network
Seeks Members,
Lists Sept. Events
The Sitka Local Foods Network is recruiting new board members as it gears up for the fall season.
Those wanting to help improve Sitka’s food security can attend the next board meeting 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Sitka Public Library Gus Adams meeting room.
Two more Sitka Farmers Markets are planned this season, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 7 and 21, at the ANB Founders Hall.
The 25th annual Running of the Boots costumed fun run fundraiser is Saturday, Sept. 28. Participants can meet at the big tent at Totem Square Park. Registration is at 10:30 a.m., costume judging about 11 a.m., and the race starts at 11:30 a.m.
The mission is to increase the amount of locally produced and harvested food in the diets of Southeast Alaskans. For information, contact Charles Bingham at 623-7660 or sitkalocalfoodsnetwork@gmail.com.
Unitarians Gather
For New Season
The Sitka Unitarian Fellowship will resume its weekly meetings on Sunday. The Fellowship is a liberal spiritual community welcoming all persons.
Sunday’s program will be the Water Ceremony for in-gathering after the summer break. Participants are requested to take a small amount of water or a stone or shell to represent sharing a meaningful place or event from their summer.
The gathering begins at 10:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 10:45 a.m. Soup and bread will follow the program at noon. The Fellowship Hall is located at 408 Marine Street, with parking behind off Spruce Street.
For information, call 747-3702.
Open House at
Boat House Set
The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society invites the community to the Japonski Island Boathouse open house 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Japonski Island Boathouse.
Please come by to enjoy some refreshments,
Attendees can learn about historic preservation, and help celebrate the progress made on the boathouse this summer. Refreshments will be served.
For information, contact SMHS at 623-8054 or sitkamaritime@gmail.com.
Renewable Energy
Fair Set Sept. 14
A Renewable Energy Fair will be 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the entrance to Harrigan Centennial Hall.
Electric vehicles, heat pumps, bicycling, and firewood heating will be featured. Attendees can talk to EV owners for advice and learn how to lower carbon footprints.
The family-friendly event will include cake, balloons and treats. It is open to the public.
Tribal Council
Meets Sept. 18
Sitka Tribe of Alaska Council will meet 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Sheet’ka Kwáan Naa Kahídi.
The council will review on first reading a revision to the gaming ordinance. A copy of the ordinance is available upon request at 456 Katlian Street. Contact Anne Davis at 747-3207 with any questions.
4th Medication Disposal
Box Installed at White’s
A new medication disposal drop box has been installed at White’s Pharmacy in AC Lakeside.
It joins three other community drop boxes, at SEARHC Pharmacy, Harry Race Pharmacy, and the Sitka Police Station.
Funding for the White’s Pharmacy/AC Lakeside drop box and the one at the police station is through the State of Alaska-Department of Behavioral Health, Strategic Prevention Framework-Partnerships for Success Grant received by Sitka Counseling/HOPE Coalition. The grant provides $150,000 per year for four years. This is the fourth year.
The goal of the SPF-PFS grant is to reduce the social availability of prescription opioids through increased in-home monitoring of prescription medications and their safe storage and disposal, the HOPE Coalition said.
To achieve the goal, the coalition has provided free medication disposal bags for safe in-home disposal as well as increasing community disposal sites. Working in partnership with several community agencies and organizations, greater access to both the medication disposal bags and drop boxes was made possible, the coalition said.
In addition to the disposal bags and drop boxes, the HOPE Coalition provides posters, brochures and flyers which explain how to safely store and dispose of all types of medications as well as general information about substance misuse prevention.
‘‘The coalition gathers data around substance use and misuse to help inform the community of the trends, scope and impact of substance misuse in our community,’’ organizers said.
Informational display racks are located at several locations throughout the city.
‘‘The ability to achieve the goals set forth come only through collaborations and collective actions, such as the one between the Sitka Police Department, AC Lakeside, White’s Pharmacy and the HOPE Coalition which made it possible to place the latest medication disposal drop box at White’s Pharmacy/AC Lakeside,’’ the press release said.
The HOPE Coalition also works with several local organizations, as well as the State Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention, to distribute opioid overdose response kits.
‘‘Anyone taking opioid pain medications has a chance of overdose and having a ‘NARCAN’ kit available could save a life,’’ the organization said.
NARCAN kits are available at Sitka Counseling, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Sitka Police Department, SEARHC Pharmacy, Harry Race Pharmacy, White’s Pharmacy, Sitka Community Hospital Pharmacy, Sitka Public Health Office, Sitka Tribe of Alaska SS, Sitka Public Library and Sitkans Against Family Violence.
Disposal bags are available at the above sites plus White’s Pharmacy/AC Lakeside.
Information displays are at Sitka Counseling, St. Peter’s, Sitka Police Department, Salvation Army Little Store, Salvation Army Chapel, Youth Advocates of Sitka, Sitka Lutheran Church and Pacific High School.
Lock boxes can be found at Sitka Counseling.
End-of-life pamphlets are at Sitka Counseling, St. Peter’s, Alaska Pioneers Home, SEARHC Home Health, Prewett Funderal Home, Sitka Long-Term Care, and Brave Heart Volunteers Homecare.
Woman’s Club
Meets Saturday
Sitka Woman’s Club will meet noon Saturday at the Bayview Pub.
Those needing more information can call Robin McNeilley at 752-8575.
Tots Carnival
At Elks Lodge
Sitka Imagination Library will hold a Tots Carnival 10:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Sitka Elks Lodge.
The free family event will include story time, games, crafts and snacks. It is for families with children ages 5 and younger.
The carnival is made possible with support of the Sitka Elks Lodge and Sitka Emblem club. All events held at the Elks Lodge are for members and guests.
Texan Returns
To Sitka Lutheran
Marianne Gould, a retired music teacher from New Braunfels, Texas, will return this month as a volunteer at Sitka Lutheran Church.
‘‘A half-dozen trips to Sitka by this generous-spirited, Christian lady always seems to raise the spirits of the congregation,’’ the church said.
Gould is a skilled artist with a passion for watercolors, youth leader with a zeal for participatory activities, pie-maker with a special love for Alaska Day pies, professional musician who relishes playing the Kessler Organ, Directing the choir and Christian with a passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
‘‘Marianne brings smiles, hugs, talent, positive energy and goodwill whenever she lands in Sitka,’’ the church said.
Regular Sunday morning worship services are held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. a weekly soup supper is held in the church followed by a short prayer service. Youth Group, quilting, and monthly Messy Church services round out a few of the activities at the church.
Climate Connection: Can We Be More Like Norway?
By Leah Mason
Southeast Alaska uses fossil fuels for a lot of tasks - transportation, heating, important subsistence activities, and, er, ATV fun. No wonder people are terrified, thinking of a future that has no place for fossil fuels. We are not ready for it. On the other hand, we aren’t ready for the high temperatures and lack of rain we’ve experienced this year either. What to do, eh?
Well, we could take a leaf out of Norway’s book. Like Alaska, Norway has produced a lot of wealth from its fossil fuel assets. Like Alaska, Norway has natural beauty that people come to see from all around the world. Like Alaska, Norway also has a lot of renewable hydropower. Unlike Alaska, Norway is using its profit from oil development to invest in and develop new technologies that will reduce their own use of fossil fuels.
A recent article from the Smithsonian website noted that Norway’s capital has the world’s highest share of electric road vehicles per capita, and a national goal of ending the sale of new road vehicles that aren’t zero emission by 2025. That’s just five years from now. In six years, they intend to limit visits to their world heritage fjords to zero emissions seacraft. Norway launched its own zero-emission 400 person “sight seeing” ferry in 2018, and has 63 new electric ferries in production. The “launch site” for the “future of sustainable nautical travel” is described in the article as ... wait for it ... “ a rustic port village” and “remote goat-farming hamlet and summer escape set deep among the region’s icy fjords and towering, snow-capped peaks ....”
Aside from the goat-farming, it sounds a lot like Sitka. This feels like a challenge to me. Are we rustic and remote enough to become a center of innovation? Do we have enough foresight to invest our oil, fishing, and tourism money in a sustainable future? Some of our community members are already leading the charge (pardon the pun) on electrification. Many Sitkans are installing heat pumps and driving electric cars. An energy efficiency study supported by Alaskan Longline Fishermen’s Association also found that our trolling, gillnetting and longline fishing boats could improve their bottom line with more use of hybrid drive systems that would reduce their fuel costs. The same study also identified other ways to reduce fuel use in our fishing fleet, and you can test your own boat using the Fishing Vessel Energy Analysis Tool developed using local boat information at http://35.232.113.60/energyaudit.
As the negative impacts of higher temperatures and drought conditions become clearer, are we ready to be more like Norway? More ambitious? More “can do”? I like to think we could.
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Leah Mason is very interested in electric boats and is a member of the Sitka Chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby.
