Daily Sitka Sentinel

March 28, 2023, Community Happenings

Bill Novcaski

Dies at Age 85

William John Novcaski, a longtime resident, died Monday at his home. He was 85.

More information will be published later.

Herring Film

Night, Panel

Set March 30

UAS-Sitka Campus will host a herring film night and potluck dinner 5-7 p.m. March 30.

Two films will be shown about the importance of yaaw (pacific herring,) followed by a question and answer discussion. The discussion panel will include filmmakers Andrés Javier Camacho and Xéetl’ee Katelyn Stiles, and herring egg harvesters Paulette Moreno and Andrew Roberts.

Those attending can take a dish to share.

The event is hosted by UAS-Sitka Campus’s support grant team as part of the university’s biannual PIED (Perspectives on Inclusion, Equity and Diversity) series. This semester, the theme is “Indigenous Food Sovereignty.”

The world premiere of ‘‘Sitka Herring: A Tale of Two Harvests’’ will be shown. It was created by filmmaker Andrés Javier Camacho and produced by KTOO. The film immerses the audience in the distinct rhythms of the commercial sac roe herring fishery and the subsistence harvest of herring eggs in Sitka Sound.

‘‘Yee eedé tooshí áa (We Sing to You)’’ was created by filmmakers Xéetl’ee Katelyn Stiles and Ḵ’asheechtlaa Louise Brady. The short film centers the voices of herring ladies as they Yaaw Koo.eex’ (herring celebration), fighting to protect their yaaw relatives through song, dance, protest, ceremony, and respectful harvest.Tlingít women of the Kiks.ádi Clan in Sheet’ká are known as Kaxátjaa Sháa (herring ladies) through oral history of the first woman to call to yaaw. In 2021, Kaxátjaasháa X’óow (herring lady robes) were created as new at.óow (ceremonial objects or relatives), carrying their ancestors and their reciprocal relationships to yaaw.

Benefit Lunch

At Legion Hall

The American Legion will hold a fundraising lunch 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 1, at the hall.

Indian tacos, $10 each, and clam chowder and fry bread, $10 for both, will be on the menu.

Cancer Survivors

Set Annual Meet

Sitka Cancer Survivors Society will hold its annual meeting and luncheon 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday, April 16, at Marina Pizza and Grill at Totem Square Inn.

RSVP for the no-host luncheon to Carolyn at 907-623-7028.

Board members include Carolyn Fredrickson, president and publicity manager; Candy Barger, vice president; Patti MacPike, treasurer; Shannon Callahan; Jill Scheidt, Facebook; and Bonnie Richards, quilt sales.

The mission of the society is o honor, educate, comfort and inspire individuals and families affected by cancer.

Tsunami Siren

To Sound Wed.

Sitka will participate in Tsunami Preparedness Week by sounding its emergency siren at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday in unison with other Alaska communities, Sitka Fire Department said.

The National Weather Service, Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and the Alaska Broadcasters Association will be conducting the test of the Alaska tsunami warning system.

The test will be broadcast on radio and television stations and will state that it is only a test, organizers said. Cell phone WEA Alerts will not be activated; however, some cell phone apps may alert if that is an option.

NOAA all hazards weather radio listeners will hear a tone alert followed by a test message.

After the test, feedback may be provided at www.ready.alaska.gov. The test will be canceled in the event of any significant seismic activity. The routine monthly U.S. Pacific/West Coast and Alaska Comms Test will occur on Friday, March 31.

Tsunami Preparedness Week and the test on Wednesday provides an  opportunity to practice tsunami drills both at work and at home. Tsunami preparedness and education materials are available at https://www.weather.gov/safety/tsunami-before. 

Candidates Sought

For School Board

The Sitka School Board is seeking a candidate to fill a vacancy on the board until the Oct. 3 election.

Letters of interest can be delivered to the district office by 4 p.m. April 12. The Sitka School District said candidates will be announced April 13 and public input will be accepted either in writing or by email at info@sitkaschools.org by 4 p.m. on April 18.

At the April 19 School Board special meeting, the candidates will be interviewed, and one will be appointed by a majority vote to serve until the fall municipal election.