Joining the Wall
Hooligan habitat
Fish This!
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Beierly accepts award PAGE 8
Using science PAGE 3
May 28, 2021
Sk a g w ay, A l a s k a
ATRA passes, cruise ships head to Alaska
By Gretchen Wehmhoff Skagway may see some semblance of a tourist season after over a year without cruise ships. All it took was an act of Congress. On Monday, President Joe Biden signed the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act (ATRA) which sailed through both bodies of the U.S. Congress in an unprecedented ten days. The act, designed to remove obstacles holding back cruise sailings to Alaska, was sponsored and promoted by the Alaska delegation of Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Sen. Dan Sullivan and Rep. Don Young. It provides a temporary reprieve to the enforcement of a century old law, the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA). The PVSA prohibits foreign-flagged passenger vessels from sailing directly between U.S. ports. Usually, vessels arriving in Alaska from other U.S. ports such as Seattle or Los Angeles must dock in Canada on their way. With Canada’s decision to prohibit cruise ships in their waters and ports, cruise ships were stymied. The ATRA will allow suspension of the U.S. law until next year. “This bill represents an essential first step toward getting cruise ships back to Skagway. Our economy is almost solely dependent on cruise tourism and our future as a community is at stake,” said Skagway Mayor Andrew Cremata in a press release. He applauded the “dogged determination” of Murkowski, Sullivan and Young in getting the bill through Congress. Cremata warned residents to temper their anticipation as the harbor towns, cruise lines and CDC agree on continued on page 3
Award winning column PAGE 8
$1.50
Photo by Jason Verhaeghe
Finnley Verhaeghe (7) and Fable Wallace (8) splash in the Haines pool. They joined a charter boat on a trip sponsored by the Skagway Childcare Council (SCC). SCC organized the water safety and swim lessons as Skagway has no pool.
Labor talks continue as railroad prepares for summer By Gretchen Wehmhoff Grievance negotiations between White Pass & Yukon Route (WP&YR) and Teamsters 959 are headed towards arbitration. Twenty-seven jobs were abolished in February, leaving 27 railroad workers without employment. Another 15 employees have been called back from seasonal furlough status. The union initiated the contractual grievance process this past spring and the two parties are now headed to the third and possibly final stage, binding arbitration. “We’re always looking for a resolution,” said Teamster business representative Norm Blair. Blair says both sides are starting the process of suggesting arbitrators. Once the parties agree upon the arbiter, they will prepare to present their cases. “It’s very cordial,” said
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Blair. WP&YR Human Resource Director Tyler Rose said that since the situation is an ongoing employment issue that is being pursued through the contractual grievance process, they
won’t be commenting on the process. In the meantime, Rose says there have been no further permanent force reductions and that WP&YR has maintained the same active roster of fifteen. Cathy Hackett, one of the
27 employees whose position was abolished has been following the process. Hackett believes, “the abolishment of these jobs was totally unnecessary. These people were already
By Melinda Munson For the first time in Skagway history, Mayor Andrew Cremata acknowledged Skagway is on traditional Native Alaskan land before moving on to the Pledge of Allegiance at the May 20 assembly meeting. “Let us start this assembly meeting by formally acknowledging that we are conducting business on the traditional land of the Chilkoot Tlingit people,” Cremata said. “We honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have
stewarded it throughout the generations.” It was a special moment for Jaime Bricker, president of Skagway Traditional Council (STC), a sovereign tribal government located in the municipality of Skagway, representing approximately 65 enrolled members. “It’s significant to me and I know I speak on behalf of the Skagway Traditional Council membership that it’s nice to receive that recognition, possibly for the first time ever,” Bricker said. “It speaks to the cooperation
that I feel within the assembly and through the administration … It’s just the way that it should be. In the 17 years that I’ve been with the traditional council, it’s not the way that it has always been.” Bricker said the statement was a team effort as the mayor conferred with STC for advice on how to word the acknowledgment. “What he came up with last night, I thought it was perfect,” Bricker said, a day after the historical acknowledgment.
continued on page 2
Mayor opens meeting acknowledging Skagway sits on traditional tribal land
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May 28, 2021
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
What is the status of Ore Basin remediation? By Bob Berto The Ore Basin remediation is an important community issue that has been challenging, complicated and time consuming. It is a matter that community members have requested action on, and it is also one of White Pass & Yukon Route’s (WPYR) highest priorities since Survey Point Holdings and partners purchased the railroad in July 2018. Though there are many potentially responsible parties liable for contamination, WPYR is committed to taking the lead to get remediation started. Previous WPYR ownership hired environmental engineers, Golder Associates, to conduct a study on the legacy contamination and the effects on Skagway’s Ore Basin. A risk assessment was performed in 2017 that was accepted by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC). ADEC is the regulatory agency that monitors contaminated sites, and the Ore Basin is listed as “open” in their inventory. Based on the information compiled in the risk assessment, ADEC is not requiring cleanup as long as current conditions remain. However, WPYR recognizes the community’s desire to have the site remediated. Current ownership of
WPYR re-engaged with Golder and retained environmental engineers at Anchor QEA to review and confirm Golder’s findings. WPYR met with the Skagway Assembly on Aug. 24, 2018, to answer questions and offer reassurances that it is WPYR’s intent to remediate as accepted by ADEC. The risk assessment was approved by ADEC. Golder and Anchor formulated an Options Analysis Report to assess different ways of cleaning up the site. Based on the analysis, sediment removal (i.e., dredging) is the best option for addressing community concerns regarding contaminated sediments. The cleanup area is adjacent to the ore loader. After going through ADEC’s public comment and regulatory authority review process, the plan was approved. ADEC hosted a public meeting in Skagway to present this plan on June 26, 2019. Not cleaning up under the ship loader was a concern to many. The ship loader is owned by Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA). AIDEA is contractually obligated to leave the ship loader in place and continue with their contractual obligations and operations until their lease expires in March 2023.
After a lengthy public comment period and regulatory review from the Environmental Protection Agency, ADEC, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, and National Marine Fisheries Service, the Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit in October 2020. Where does that leave remediation? Planning remediation around the ship loader and around the cruise season is imperative if we want to start before 2023. WPYR is committed to working with the municipality after the current tideland lease expires to remediate under the ship loader to a standard accepted and supported by ADEC if and when the ship loader is removed. AIDEA and the municipality do not have a public agreement post 2023. The municipality may have to decide if they want the ship loader post 2023 and if not, what, if anything will replace it. Contaminants under the loader should be addressed at that time, in conjunction with whatever Skagway’s future waterfront development entails. Before proceeding with remediation, it is imperative that White Pass receives the support of the municipality as the owner of the tidelands. The MOS press release dat-
Railroad looks towards summer season from front page
in layoff status. (The abolishments) are taking livelihoods away from people.” Hackett said some workers in the abolished positions have been with WP&YR for decades, a few joining right out of Skagway School. As the grievance process runs its course, WP&YR is looking at the recent passage of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act. “I think the whole community has been buoyed by this recent news,” Rose said. He said the railroad is working towards restoring train service in concert with the cruise traffic return. There are some ongoing construction projects.
“We are set to re-engage the work on replacing 15A Bridge in the coming weeks,” Rose said. Bridge 15A received damage last summer from a rock slide. Construction was going on in the area around the bridge at the time. The bridge had been in line for upgrades, but with the significant damage, the replacement was moved up. Should the railroad resume tourist operations, it will likely be limited to its Summit trip due to the current U.S. and Canadian border closure. The Summit Loop project was completed in 2019, allowing the train to turn around a loop rather than switch tracks and move cars.
Corrections
In the April 23 issue, The Skagway News incorrectly stated the cover photo taken by Jeff Brady was from March 12. The photograph was taken April 12.
ed May 7, 2021, indicates a general support for remediation of contaminated sediments. But the press release does not agree to the ADEC accepted remediation plan for which we are permitted. WPYR has contacted the municipality for a letter of support addressed to White Pass and acknowledging permit number POA-198100334 to ensure that we have full support for the entire plan. The proposed remediation plan is built with the intent to close the “contaminated site” with institutional controls, monitoring and support from the landowner. Starting this process specific to the details listed in WPYR’s Army Corps permit without support from the landowner is not an option. Every day that we do not have support means that we push the timeline for completion out further. Engineering, completed design, bidding the work, regulatory concurrence, mobilizing, weather and wildlife windows are all considerations that must be met before dredging; it is a process that takes a lot of time. Bob Berto is president of White Pass & Yukon Route.
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
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May 28, 2021
Skagway Traditional Council at ‘cutting edge’ with eulachon counting
Photo provided by R. Cash
STC scientist Reuben Cash prepares to take water samples.
By Melinda Munson At eight to 10 inches long, the silver colored eulachon may look less impressive than the more celebrated Alaska salmon, but with a greater fat content and an earlier run, the small fish provide much needed sustenance for humans and nature alike as spring starts to creep into Southeast Alaska. Eulachon, pronounced you-la-con, are often called hooligan, a result of western settlers being unable or unwilling to more closely
mimic Alaska Native pronunciation. The creatures are also called candlefish -- once dried they can be lit. Eulachon have sustained life for thousands of years, an important food, source of oil and trade item. The eulachon in Southeast Alaska are the first signs of spring. Locals fish for them by dipping nets in the roiling water, usually filling multiple coolers, later freezing, drying and canning the fish for future use. But this year, there was no flashing of sil-
ver bodies and no abundance of eulachon. This is bad news for those who fish, and even worse news for the ecosystem. “They (eulachon) feed the entire biological community,” said Reuben Cash, environmental coordinator for Skagway Traditional Council (STC). Normally, eulachon runs bring much needed nutrients to plants and animals. The run is “followed by a wave of animals” such as seals, birds and sea lions, who depend on the nutrition after a long winter. Not much is known about eulachon, which is why Cash, a ginger-haired former bartender turned professional scientist, is studying the species. He theorizes that eulachon have a five to six year cycle. According to Cash, 2016 was a poor run. Perhaps Skagway is now seeing the progeny of that disappointing return.
There might be other explanations. This spring has been unusually cold with snow melting slowly. Eulachon are opportunistic. Unlike salmon, they don’t need to return to familiar waters. They are sensitive to noise and will choose another path if conditions are too loud. According to Cash, the Chilkoot River was the only nearby waterway to have a sizable run. Cash joined a local study in 2017 to count eulachon. He described it as “really labor intensive” with 4-6 crew members working eight hours a day as they funneled fish through a trap that led to a holding container. Now, Cash uses environmental DNA (eDNA), collecting samples from the water before, during and after the run to estimate eulachon population. Cash said the new technology is less labor intensive and puts less strain on the
fish. STC works in cooperation with Chilkoot Indian Association, Takshanuk Water Council and Oregon State University for the eDNA project. Cash said STC and its partners are at the “cutting edge of science” and isn’t aware of anyone else studying the eulachon in a similar manner. Along with updated technology, Cash is also reaching out to those who know eulachon intimately -- Alaska Natives whose people have depended on and studied the fish for generations, passing down traditional knowledge. “I think we need to be asking more elders their stories,” Cash said. He noted a recent surge of scientific interest in Native people’s environmental wisdom. “Western science has finally figured this out. This is a treasure trove,” Cash said.
Agreements between cruise lines, port towns and CDC only hurdle left for cruise traffic from front page
COVID-19 safety protocol while ships are in port. He reported at the May 20 assembly meeting that he continues to work with other Southeast port communities and cruise industry representatives to “hammer out” a port agreement. The Skagway Assembly would then review and vote to approve the plan. Cremata said he was still waiting on plans from the port operator. “I’m disappointed that our port operator, White Pass, has not provided me with any information regarding COVID-related port operations readiness,” said Cremata in his report. White Pass and Yukon Route (WP&YR) Executive Director of Human Resources & Strategic Planning, Tyler Rose, responded to Cremata’s statement during public testimony saying he wanted to correct the record. “It was disheartening to see the mayor’s report in which he expresses his disappointment with White Pass.” Rose said that White Pass, cruise line agencies and MOS have had several meetings with other Southeast towns. “There are draft plans coming together for poten-
tial regional agreement in response to the news in recent weeks,” Rose said. He was critical of Cremata’s “public admonishment.” “For the good of all of us in this community we need to work together,” Rose said. Cremata addressed the issue in his closing remarks. “It’s good to hear that White Pass is receptive to getting this, what I hope is just going to be a one-page document, done,” said Cremata. He continued, “It’s an ever-changing thing, that’s for sure.” As of deadline, multiple cruise lines announced plans to sail at least seven vessels to Alaska. Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) Norwegian Bliss will start sailing in early August through mid-October with Skagway on the itinerary. NCL recently donated $10 million to port communities in Southeast Alaska to assist the communities through the slow season. Skagway received $2 million. Royal Caribbean International (RCI) plans to send Serenade of the Seas north, however it does not appear to have Skagway on the itinerary. RCI’s Ovation of the Seas will set sail in mid-August, also docking in Skag-
way. Celebrity Cruises, part ports.” Alaska. As of deadline, no of the RCI group, will send It appears cruise compa- ships are expected in Seward the Summit to Alaska in late nies are limiting their 2021 or Anchorage. July. Alaska season to Southeast Carnival Cruises is sending their Carnival Miracle Chilkoot-GatewayInsurance Agency Our office is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the end of July and PrinDue to the size of our office, cess Cruises plans to sail the we can only accommodate one Majestic Princess around the person or family unit at a time so same time. Holland America PLEASE make an appointment. Line is preparing the Nieuw Masks are REQUIRED Amsterdam to begin voyagIf you feel strongly about the use of a face mask, give us a call as we can do es to Skagway at the end of most things electronically, if necessary. July with 11 scheduled deAgent Debbie L. Ackerman, CISR PH:(907)983-2240 251 State Street partures. America Cruise Lines announced in April plans to operate their scheduled Alaska season with a reduced capacity, sending the American Constellation on 8-11 day voyages up the Inside Passage. All the mentioned companies will require clients and crew to be vaccinated with their final dose 14 days prior to sailing. American’s website has testing protocols for unvaccinated guests, but notes that policies could change based on the requirements of the region. RCI’s CEO Richard Fain told Cruise Industry News, “A cruise ship can be as safe or safer than your local community ... as a result the CDC has now clarified and updated their rules to allow us to start sailing from U.S.
May 28, 2021
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THE SKAGWAY NEWS
Editors’ Column The voice that doesn’t speak
By Melinda Munson I’ve never heard my 17-year-old son’s voice. Born with autism and microcephaly (a small brain), vocalizing words is something that never happened for him. My mother-in-law used to check in every time we called or visited from out of state. Is Maruthi talking yet? No, not yet. Probably never, we said, after he reached the age of seven, which is when most health professionals stop expecting words to appear. My husband and I adopted Maruthi when he was three years old from an orphanage in Bangalore, India. We matched with him when he was just one, which meant we spent two agonizing years wondering if he was eating enough, hoping he was being touched and socialized. His orphanage did its best, but when we finally met
Maruthi in the oppressive heat of an Indian courtyard, he sat in a stroller with shoes three sizes two large (he wouldn’t walk until he was six) with obvious signs of neglect. The back side of his head was pancake flat. He preferred to lie on his back with legs and arms waving in the air, as equally dexterous with his feet as his hands. He couldn’t consume solid food and didn’t eat at all when he was anxious or stressed. When it was time to depart his homeland, we found ourselves at the airport forcing watered spoonfuls of baby cereal down his throat. I thought he would die. When we arrived at our home airport, our extended family greeted us with signs and balloons. Maruthi hunched down on the ground on all fours, violently rocking the foreign smells and sounds away as he moaned and hummed, his shirt filthy from the failed feedings. We spent most of those first months just sitting on the couch with our threeyear-old “baby” in our laps. He didn’t need anything, just touch. During our comfort sessions, I looked out our farmhouse window at pine trees and wildflower gardens. Maruthi, who was born without eyeballs, looked at nothing, and was content.
Edward Martin Bolton Feb. 2, 1938 - May 19, 2021
Born Feb. 2, 1938, Edward Martin Bolton grew up in Haines, moved to Juneau where he graduated from high school, then went on to attend Oregon Technical Institute in Klamath Falls where he received a degree in automotive body and fender. The joke in Juneau every summer after that was, “Whose body on what fender?” He met Sharon, his wife of 40 years, in Juneau in 1958, but they lost track of each other until 1981 when they reconnected, and he met his daughter, Denise, for the first time. Edward moved to Skagway in 1963, worked as a police officer, performed as Dangerous Dan in the Days of ‘98 productions and worked at White Pass for over 30 years before retiring in 2001. He was also a past exalted ruler and lifetime member of the Elks. He was a true artist (and perfectionist), often working with leather, woodcarving, knife-making, gun smithing and re-wrapping fishing rods. Edward was preceded in death by his mother Laura Bolton, stepfather Ray Bolton, brother Bobby, and sister, Leona. He is survived by his wife Sharon Bolton,
Maruthi eventually got a feeding tube. He struggled through puberty and is now almost as tall as I am. He lets me shave his face every few days with an electric razor and tolerates it when we brush his teeth. He feeds himself with a spoon, will stand when asked and can undress himself for bedtime. He loves loud music. (His favorite band right now is Skagway’s own Bad Hombres.) He often laughs for no reason and his touch is fleeting and delicate. He doesn’t speak, but he smiles when he wants something we offer. His teacher, Heidi Fairbanks, swears she and an aide heard him say “thank you” one day. When she brings this up, I cover my ears and sing loudly, unwilling to think he offered first words to someone other than me. People often ask if it’s hard to have a non-verbal family member. On the rare days he cries and can’t tell us what’s wrong, the answer is yes, it’s painfully difficult. But most days, when the other kids have asked me the same inane question twenty times (“Do coffee houses sell coffee?”), I sit next to Maruthi, gaze out the window at our rhododendrons, and listen to him hum. His voice is present, even if I can’t hear it.
Obituary daughter Denise (Mike) Welch, granddaughter Samantha Welch, and countless close friends who were like family. Edward died in Skagway on May 19, at home with all of his friends and family around him, as per his wishes. A celebration of life will be held in late July, with details announced at a later date.
Edward Bolton, right, with John Wayne, left
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
May 28, 2021
By Melinda Munson Newsweek named Skagway School District (SSD) the best district in Alaska, based on 2021 data from Niche. Skagway City School, the only school in SSD, educates approximately 141 students, preschool through grade 12, in a single
at SSD in 2000 as a custodian and wrestling coach. By 2013, Coughran was finishing his doctorate when he was named superintendent of the tiny school in Southeast Alaska. “We have some extremely bright children,” Coughran said, also praising “incredible teachers” and a “visionary” school board. Skagway School has free preschool for three and fouryear-old students. Coughran said he can’t remember a time before the district’s public preschool. He thinks the Kindergarten Readiness Profile shows the preschool program is working. “Our kids rank very well. If they’re ready for kinderschool building. According to Newsweek, garten, they’re ready for first “Niche rankings rely on grade,” he said. According to Coughran, statistics from the U.S. Department of Education, SAT/ the average teacher salary ACT scores, college read- is $71,183, placing Skaginess, teacher quality and way 19 out of 50. The school comes in 7th for proficiency graduation rates.” Superintendent Dr. Josh scores. Per student spending Coughran started his career is $27,098, with only five
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Skagway School District named best district in Alaska by Newsweek
Margaret Frans Brady Fund Arts Scholarships announced for 2021 The Juneau Community Foundation and the Brady family of Skagway announced the Margaret Frans Brady Fund awarded $10,500 in scholarship funding in 2021 for seven qualifying area residents who are pursuing artistic excellence: • Fiona Ferguson, Sitka – Fiona, a 2021 graduate of Sitka High School and already an accomplished young artist in her community, will be pursuing an arts education degree in the fall at Western Washington University. $2,000 • Finn Morley, Juneau – Finn, a 2021 graduate of Juneau-Douglas High School, has established himself as a talented cellist with dazzling rap recordings as the artist “Sharp Chedda.” He will be attending Vassar College in New York in the fall. $2,000 • Noatak Post, Juneau – Noatak, Juneau’s young viola virtuoso, will continue his pursuit of a degree in music education as a junior at Pacific Lutheran University in Washington, with plans to come home to teach some day. $2,000 • Virginia Potts, Juneau – Virginia, a 2021 graduate of Thunder Mountain High School, will take her unique drawing talents to the University of Hawaii-Hilo, where she will major in art in the fall. $1,000 • Peyton Rodig, Skagway – Peyton, a 2021 graduate of Skagway High School, will take her writing and musical talents to the University of Alaska Southeast in the fall. $500 • Claire Scott, Juneau – Claire, a 2021 graduate of Juneau-Douglas High School, already has two published graphic novels to her creative credit, along with being a men-
tor and volunteer in her community. This fall, she will attend the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. $2,000 • Mina Yee, Skagway – Mina, a show violinist at the age of 11, will be able to continue her professional lessons (virtually for the time being) with a scholarship grant to the Skagway Arts Council. $1,000 “We are so happy to see creative talents continue to rise up in our communities, in spite of having limited audiences during this difficult pandemic year past,” said Jeff Brady, chair of the MFB Scholarship Committee. “Hopefully, as we safely move forward and are able to gather again, we can applaud all of our wonderful SE Alaska artists.” The Margaret Frans Brady Fund was established in 2012 at the Juneau Community Foundation to support arts and education projects and programs in Skagway and northern Southeast Alaska. A separate MFB Arts Scholarship Fund was established a year later to assist students and artists in our area with scholarships to help them improve their creative abilities. Including this year’s awards, more than $62,000 has been awarded to 67 area students of the arts since the MFB Arts Scholarship fund was created. The MFB Fund continues to accept arts and education project applications from non-profit entities, limited on availability of funds. See more information about how to inquire and apply at https://www.juneaucf. org/index.php/fund-mfb-grants/.
of the top districts spending more per pupil. “Thank you to everyone that works at, is affiliated with, and supports our incredible school district. As well as the students, whose dedication to learning would not have made this recognition possible otherwise,”
said Cory Thole, school board member. The Skagway School year ended on May 20, with optional reading and math labs scheduled for June and early July to help offset lost in-person class time due to the pandemic.
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Family Fun Page - print and share Across 1 Got grayer 5 Catch you later 10 Hint 11 Most Kurds 13 Popular type of party, often at universities 14 Horn of Africa resident 15 Spain and Portugal 17 Above 18 Indian flatbread 19 Speck of soot 21 First US orbiter 23 Leading soap actor Anthony --27 “And the rest,” in short 29 Aviation regulator 30 What a soufflé should do 33 Recurrent 35 Said by a confessor
May 28, 2021
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THE SKAGWAY NEWS 20 Hard on the eyes 22 ... on a --- know basis 24 Burning 25 Dried grape 26 Regatta entrants 28 Portrayed 30 Edge 31 Concept 32 Darth Sidious’s group 34 Karate blow 36 Off-color
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200, Skagway, AK 99840. The local Food Bank helps those in need with groceries. If you need assistance, or know anyone who needs assistance, at any time of year, call any pastor or 907-6120313. (1cp)
NEW STC HOURS FOR FREE COVID-19 TESTS. Tues/Thurs 4:30 to 7PM, Sat 10-2pm (closed on 6/26th) On 11th and Broadway behind STC next to the garage. See online for more information Current result turnaround time is 1-2 days www.skagwaytraditional.org For time sensitive appointments outside of open hours call STC
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LEGAL ADS PUBLIC NOTICE MUNICIPALITY OF SKAGWAY BOARD OF APPEALS - NOTICE OF HEARING The Borough Assembly will be sitting as the Board of Appeals to hold a public hearing on the following: SUBJECT: Appeal of Planning & Zoning Commission’s Decisions Regarding the Following National Park Service Variance Permit Applications: • Variance Permit Application
BROADWAY BULLETIN BOARD Police & Fire Blotter Submitted by Skagway Police Department
May 9 A Skagway resident reported they received a scam phone call. May 10 EMS personnel responded to a medical emergency on 23rd Avenue.
May 11 A Skagway resident reported they received a scam phone call. May 15 EMS personnel responded to a medical emergency on Main Street.
EMS personnel assist- May 21 ed Guardian with a EMS personnel assisted medevac from the clinic. the clinic with a patient transfer to the airport.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR Library Hours:
SKAGWAY WORSHIP DIRECTORY
Closed Sunday 8 patrons max. (COVID-19 mitigation practices are in place) Call 983-2665 or email library@skagway.org Dahl Clinic Winter Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Sat. and Sun. For after-hours emergencies, please dial 911. Incinerator Hours T, Th, Sa. 1 - 3 p.m. Skagway Museum Closed for the season Border stations: 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. Call each station for specifics. Ferry Terminal Hours M-F 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
No. 21-05: Requesting building setback relief • Variance Permit Application No. 21-06: Requesting fence requirement relief • Variance Permit Application No. 21-07: Requesting parking space requirement relief Lots 1 & 2, Block 27, Skagway Townsite: Business – Skagway Historical Zone DATE: TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2021 TIME: 5:30 P.M., ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
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Assembly of God Church
8th & State • 907-983-2350 Sun. Worship....................11 a.m. Wed. Bible Devotions & Prayer 7 p.m. Email skagwayag@outlook.com
First Presbyterian Church
5th & Main • 983-2260 Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wed. Women’s Prayer 1:30 p.m. Thursday Bible Study 3:30 p.m. Online access available to all events.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
11th & State • 983-2518 Sun. Sacrament Meeting...10 a.m. Sun. School/Primary ...11:10 a.m. Relief Society/Priesthood..12 p.m.
St. Therese Catholic Church 9th & State • 983-2271 Sun. Mass.......................5 p.m. Mass Mon. & Tues.....12:10 p.m. (when a priest is available)
4/28 47 32 4/29 47 36 .04 in 4/30 46 39 .28 in 5/1 48 39 .01 in 5/2 51 38 5/3 55 32 5/4 57 40 .12 in 5/5 54 39 .01 in 5/6 58 39 5/7 61 40 trace 5/8 50 41 .12in 5/9 53 41 .02 in 5/10 51 41 trace 5/11 56 43 5/12 55 45 5/13 54 42 5/14 50 40 .25 5/15 51 42 .31 in 5/16 53 43 trace 5/17 51 41 trace 5/18 59 38 .01 in 5/19 67 36 trace 5/20 62 38 5/21 61 42 -
See www.skagway.org for borough meeting updates.
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RECREATION CTR SCHED Skagway Recreation Center • OPEN regular hours 5:30am-NOON and 4pm -8pm Please sign up for classes, wt. room use and cardio floor use at https://signupschedule.com/src
Phone:907-983-2259
Fish this!
Page 8
By Andrew Cremata Long before the Klondike Gold Rush, the people that called the Upper Lynn Canal home understood that everything in nature possessed its own spiritual essence. A world alive with spirit creates a connection that transcends mere appreciation, even if defining the true nature of ‘spirit’ remains elusive. In traditional Tlingit culture, shamans provided a link between humans and the natural world. Shamans undoubtedly possessed a keen understanding of the delicate interplay between microcosm and macrocosm. Indeed, the very nature of their belief provided them with a unique language designed to preserve balance and manifest desire. An animal imbibed with vitality and genius has a story to tell. The ability to hear its story and understand it would give the entire clan a distinct advantage for survival, especially living within a tremendously unforgiving landscape. In other words, Tlingit shamans were keen observers with a peculiar knack for practicing thaumaturgy. They understood that life strives toward increasing complexity. Certain insects only thrive at certain times of year within a very specific environment in an event referred to as a ‘hatch.’ It takes a whole lot of insects to feed a few fish and a whole lot of fish to feed a few humans. Breaks within these natural cycles could spell disaster, and what better way to maintain organic equilibrium than to approach the natural world with sacred reverence? The Tlingit’s spiritual relationship to the land is nowhere more identifiable than in the place names they bestowed upon significant
May 28, 2021
A little enchantment
geographical features. Not only do these names provide indigenous peoples an enduring relationship with the land, but they also embody acquired knowledge spanning generations. In this way, the very mountains and bodies of water that surround us express their own spirit. The personal relationship with nature enjoyed by the Upper Lynn Canal’s traditional people was supplanted by the empirical analysis employed by imperial settlers. While it’s true that both the shaman and scientist use observation to craft a worldview, only the shaman claims the extraordinary ability to listen. What the scientist fails to realize is that an animal or mountain deprived of its spirit can no longer communicate. There is no better way to erase identity than through the process of renaming. There is a local traditional story of a mythical woman who transformed herself into stone. Her name was Kanagoo. It is said that this woman causes strong channeled winds to blow within the fjord, which in turn makes the seas become rough. The name of these windswept seas? Sha-ka-Géi or, as we call it, Skagway. William Moore tried to name it Mooresville because of course he did. I for one am glad he failed. It seems likely that what we now call the Dewey Peaks possessed a traditional name, but it’s now a secret only the mountain could tell. We call them the Dewey Peaks because they were so named during the Klondike Gold Rush after Admiral George Dewey, who on May 1, 1898 earned a decisive victory over the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay during the Spanish American War. Unfortunately, the mountain never once was able to meet its namesake. Even worse, Admiral Dewey is a man barely remembered for his notable military exploits even though a mere century has passed. In another century, Dewey likely won’t even merit a Wikipedia entry. Any lover of the outdoors inherently understands that open spaces, places, and the animals that inhabit them are all capable of expres-
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
sion. After spending many years hiking a certain trail or fishing along a narrow riverbank, a person gains a deep understanding of its very nature. Anyone discounting this wisdom as the product of mere observation has never heard the call of the wild (and it’s no coincidence that Jack London’s canine protagonist was animated with its own spirit). The only way to summon nature’s ancient chaotic voices is to listen. After a while, they begin to coalesce into a harmonic rhythm that’s both balanced, loving, and unforgiving. Within that space is a voice that bestows the gift of belonging. While the last Tlingit shaman walked upon this land almost a century ago, the voices they were trained to hear haven’t been entirely silenced. Sometimes insects land on the surface of the lake and trout rise up from the bottom to feed. This is when fishing is easy. At other times, the lake is perfectly still and may even appear totally devoid of life. In quieter moments, after some time spent methodically casting and retrieving,
a silent voice whispers a secret that feels like inspiration, and the mind inherently and instinctively knows that the next cast will result in a trout. Sudden momentary and unexpected tuning into this primeval vibratory current is even better than catching the trout. Now imagine that the Tlingit shaman could use his gift of elemental tuning for acts of enchantment like bringing rain or bringing a healthy salmon run before the onset of winter. The empirical modern mind will disregard such claims but the indigenous people of our region survived for more than 10,000 years without upsetting the delicate equilibrium of their environment. Will we be able to say the same when we reach the cultural ten-century mark, 9,878 years from now? How about in 50 years? I recently read an article about how four out of the five Alaskan salmon species are getting smaller. Theories abound and two possible culprits include global warming and hatchery pink salmon, which are the sole Alaskan salmon species re-
taining their historic size. All of the theories had one common element -- human consumption. Everyone knows that major changes in our collective lifestyles are way past due. Even a young child knows what happens when an adult sits on the other end of the teeter-totter. Without balance, all systems will meet the same inevitable dire fate. But enough of the doom and gloom. Considering the events of the past 14 months, I’m guessing everyone would appreciate a little enchantment in their lives. While hiking and fishing around Skagway and Dyea, I’ve been trying to imagine what life was like in these valleys 1,000 years ago, 5,000 years ago, and 10,000 years ago. How stories and place names and families animated the world around them into a rich tapestry of interwoven threads traveling through space and time. Sometimes, on calm, windless mornings when my mind wanders far enough into oblivion, I could swear I hear voices.
By Melinda Munson Andrew Beierly, vice chair of Skagway Traditional Council (STC), accepted Skagway City School’s Don Hather Wall of Fame award May 17. The honor is given to individuals or groups who “have contributed to the benefit of Skagway School in an exceptional manner over the course of several years.” Originally started in 2012, the wall is in honor of Skagway resident Don Hather, a former coach and booster of Skagway School and its sports teams. School board president John Hischer nominated STC for their “unwavering commitment to the Skagway School District,” noting the council has “funded and actively participated in numerous programs that have benefited students.” In just the past year, STC donated $60,000 to the school to be used for COVID-19 mitigation. They provided COVID-19 testing
for families and staff, spearheaded mindfulness training for students, brought a mental health first aid course to high schoolers and continued their salmon in the classroom program. STC also funded the decorative sidewalk in front of the school’s main entrance, sponsored Lance Twitchell from the University of Southeast Alaska to discuss Tlingit culture and contracted artist Able Ryan to teach drum building with animal
skins and formline art. STC helped facilitate the hiring of Skagway artisan, Beau Dennis, to create the new school logo using Northwest Coast Formline. Beierly gave an acceptance speech in his traditional Tlingit blanket, first in Tlingit, then in English. “The tribal members are really proud of getting this award,” Beierly later said. “We’re always trying to help the community -- our members, and the community.”
STC added to Don Hather Wall of Fame
Photo provided by Jaime Bricker
STC vice-chair Andrew Beierly accepts Skagway School’s Don Hather Wall of Fame award.