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NEWS | Sheriff’s Log [2] ARTS | Lost art is found in an old luggage [10] CULTURE | Music at Jazz at the Labs [9]
WEDNESDAY, August 12, 2015 n VOL. 108, NO. 32 n 75¢
Ferry Native art comes alive Primary election fare to results increase Journal staff report
By Oct. 1: 2.5 and 1 percent for car and walk-on, respectively By Meredith M. Griffith Journal contributor
Ferry fares will be going up again this fall. The Washington State Transportation Commission voted unanimously on Aug. 4 to raise ferry fares, spurred on by a directive in the 2015-2017 state transportation budget that requires Washington State Ferries to generate an additional $8.1 million between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2017. “I think people understand that the legislature sets the expectation for how much ferry users need to contribute to ferry operations,” Paul Parker, the commission’s deputy director, told the Sounder. “The question facing the commission is, how is that $8.1 million raised?” Beginning on Oct. 1, car and driver ferry tickets will cost 2.5 percent more, and passenger tickets will cost 1 percent more. The fares are scheduled to see an identical increase again in May 2016. The commission expects the fare hikes to help generate the $357 million required by the 2015-17 state transportation budget. The commission’s stated goal is to increase walk-on ridership over vehicles by raising passenger fares less than vehicle fares. This differential fare increase was proposed in 2013. In October 2013, vehicle fares were raised 3 percent, while passenger fares only rose by 2 percent. In May 2014, vehicle fares rose another 2-and-a-half percent, while passenger fares rose just 2 percent. “Growing the gap between vehicle and passenger fares is following the Washington Transportation See FERRY, Page 4
Staff photos/Anna V. Smith
Eagle down floats off of a hand carved, wooden bird mask worn by a dancer in cedar shavings, left. The ceremony was to bless the totem pole, above, on Craig Tall’s property on McCracken Point, carved by Tom Hunt. By Anna V. Smith Journal reporter
Heavy drumbeats from across the water announced the arrival of the Chief George Hunt Memorial Dance Group to Henry Island Friday, Aug. 7. The members of Kwakwaka’wakw Nation came to bless a totem pole commissioned by Craig Tall for McCracken Point, carved by Tom D. Hunt, son of hereditary Chief George Hunt and Mary Hunt. The 35 foot tall, 9,000 pound totem pole was carved from a single tree, and started out weighing seven tons. The pole features an eagle at the top with its wings outstretched, a seal, sea lions, salmon eggs, a raven and an orca whale, as well as a bubble man, a traditional figure in Kwakwaka’wakw Nation artwork. Kwakwaka’wakw means “people who speak Kwak’wala,” and the First Nations group is made up of many Kwak’wala speaking tribes from Vancouver Island and British Columbia. “It is the aesthetic of where we come from, that is what the art form means,” explained Kevin Cranmer of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation to the crowd gathered at the totem pole. Cranmer explained that each animal and carving represented a familial link, or connection to a place. Tall said he hoped that the totem pole could be a gift to McCracken Point, which faces Canada.
He thanked Lee Brooks of Arctic Raven Gallery, Deb Nolan, and Henry Island caretakers Mark Yerex and Lori Twietmeyer for their help with the immense project. “We talked a lot about what story we wanted to tell with the totem pole,” Tall said. “Instead of telling the story of our family, we wanted to tell the story of the animals on McCracken Point.” According to Tall’s daughter Kristina Gladstein, the totem pole and the blessing ceremony were life-long wishes finally fulfilled for her and her father, recalling her childhood time spent in the islands and on Henry Island with her family. “To get the opportunity to take care of this land feels so special, it’s a real responsibility,” Gladstein said of McCracken Point. “To own this piece of land, we really feel more like stewards.” During the blessing, Chief Bill Cranmer, Tall and Gladstein encircled the totem pole wearing traditional Kwakwaka’wakw robes and headdresses made of abalone shell and fur, dusting the ground with eagle down to bless the guests and earth. A Tła’sala, or peace dance, was performed after the blessing, and Chief Cranmer spoke to the crowd about the importance of keeping First Nation cultures vibrant, reminding the audience that Kwakwaka’wakw ceremonies such as these were banned from 1884 until 1951. See TOTEM, Page 5
The votes for the Public Hospital District #1 Hospital Commissioner position 2 primary are in: candidates Barbara Sharp and Michelle Loftus will continue to the general election in November. “I was very happy with the results,” Sharp said, adding that her campaign was also excited about the results. “We are looking forward to proceeding to the general election and talking to voters on the island about the issues. We’ll also have a booth at the county fair, and I hope to talk to islanders at that venue.” Barbara Sharp had 1,425 votes, which is 65.85 percent of all ballots cast as of Aug. 7. Michelle Loftus had 610 votes, which is 28.19 percent. Daniel Miller garnered 129 votes as of Aug. 7, or 5.96 percent of the votes, eliminating him from the running. The next ballot count will be Aug. 17. See ELECTION, Page 4
Fair time
Our annual county fair guide includes schedules, events, hours, admission prices, fair features, list of entertainment, and more. Find it inside.