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It is late August and despite the nip in the air as fall descends on Interior Alaska, 56 elders and emerging elders eagerly gathered to learn and share their traditional Native activities at the third Denakkanaaga Elders Mentoring Elders Cultural Camp. Held at the scenic Howard Luke Gaalee'ya Spirit Camp on the Tanana River, the elders joined together to celebrate Native traditions, values, stories and skills. "The camp is an opportunity to support elders who were disconnected from their...
It could be said that I owe my existence to square dancing. My parents met at a square dance in the basement of the Seward Methodist Church in the early 1950s. Dad grew up on a ranch in Montana and came to Alaska for adventure and work. Mom grew up in a Pennsylvania town and came to Alaska as a missionary nurse. They married in 1954 and lived in Seward, Anchorage and Cooper Landing before moving their growing family of four children (I'm the oldest) to Glennallen in January 1963. Glennallen did...
The Elder Mentor Program, part of RurAl CAP's AmeriCorps Seniors Program, serves children across Alaska in pre-K and school settings. Elder Mentors, age 55 and older, volunteer to support school readiness and academic engagement as mentors and culture bearers. They receive training, support and a small stipend for their service. John Borromeo has been part of the Elder Mentor program since 2022 and volunteers at the Pilot Station school with students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Last...
The Anchorage Museum Atwood Resource Center has been working to identify individuals, places, natural features, and elements of the built environment in historic photographs of rural Alaska villages. In support of this project, the museum hosts a booth at the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) annual convention and attendees are invited to stop by and help identify any unknown people, places, or features in the historic photographs from the Anchorage Museum collection. The booth will be located...
The Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame (AWHF) has announced its 2024 inductees, recognizing ten remarkable women who have made significant contributions to their communities, professions, and the state. The honorees will be celebrated at a virtual induction ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 6 p.m. The event will be broadcast live on the AWHF website, providing a platform for the inductees to share their inspiring stories. This year’s inductees include a diverse group of women whose achievements span various fields, from science and education to hea...
In the heart of Alaska, Karen Eddy, the director of Community Services for the Fairbanks Native Association (FNA), has dedicated nearly a decade to championing elder justice. A retired educator originally from Sitka, Karen's journey is one marked by a deep commitment to her community and heritage. Her Native name is Sh'tanaax, such an old name it doesn't have a meaning anymore. Karen's ancestral ties are to the Taku River. She embodies a profound respect for cultural traditions and elder...
For the last two years, the Age-Friendly Anchorage team-comprised of AARP Alaska volunteers, community partners and Anchorage community leaders-has been collecting input from the community on ideas for actions that would make Anchorage a more age-friendly place to live. While working to collect community input, the Age-Friendly Anchorage team conducted several walk audits to learn more about potential improvements for pedestrian safety in several areas of concern in the city. One of these walk...
Reverend Doctor Chief Anna Frank is a name synonymous with unwavering dedication to her community. At 82, she continues to inspire and lead, drawing on decades of experience as a health educator, community leader and spiritual guide. Her story is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring importance of cultural traditions. Born and raised in Old Minto, Alaska, Anna Frank's journey began in a small village where she was deeply influenced by her aunt, the first...
The "pop" of the lids on the jars as I lifted them out of the pressure cooker was music to my ears. It's always a relief to know that the last of the many steps to "canning" my bone broth is successful. Although if one or two jars don't seal, it really is no big deal. I just use them first or freeze them until needed. Ten pint jars of caribou bone broth stood cooling on the counter in August 2020. Making and canning bone broth is a rather new endeavor for me. Bone broth came to my attention...
Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) will sponsor a free fall lecture series featuring talks on diverse topics, ranging from Tlingit property law and Indigenous knowledge and art to the history of glacial movements in Southeast Alaska. The lectures will be held at the Walter Soboleff Building in Juneau and live streamed on SHI’s YouTube channel at noon Alaska time. Recordings of the talks will be saved to the institute’s channel immediately after. The lecture series schedule for September: Sept. 4 Our Submerged Past: Exploring Inundated Late Ple...
I'm a fabriholic. I admit it. But I'm not alone. I buy fabric, allegedly to make quilts. But I would have to live to be 300 to use all the fabric I have. And I'm certainly not alone: According to the latest data, there are 22 million quilters in the U.S. and that number is growing by about 4% per year. The average age of a quilter is 63-about 65% are older than 45. And since most of them have been quilting for a while, their fabric collection-known as a "stash"-is now worth nearly $6,000. What...
In 2009, Agnes Sweetsir noticed that the Yukon Koyukuk Elder Assisted Living Facility (YKEALF) in Galena was empty. "It just sat and sat," she recalls. "I lived right down the street and was embarrassed. It was just a monster of a building." Agnes prayed on it. "I figured I could help get it up and running for a few months, but I didn't realize we needed an administrator." She took on the role. "I worked 60 to 80 hours a week for $25,000 a year. Charlie Green was our maintenance manager-same pay...
The dictionary defines a prospector as one who searches or explores. Members of the Alaskan Prospector's Society (APS) are continually prospecting for fun and knowledge about the great state of Alaska. The celebrates its 80th birthday this August. According to the organization's website, APS organized in June of 1944 at Elmendorf Air Force Base, now Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. APS was a spinoff from a popular course titled "Short Course in Mining," at the University of Alaska's extension...
Sassa Alexandria Dunn was born October of 1933 and given the Yupi'k name Amarchuli by her mom, Nanny Franklin, and dad, George Andrew. When she was just three years old Sassa's mom passed away and she was raised by her grandma. Sassa remembers having a beautiful childhood filled with laughter, stories and family. Her favorite memories are from her time at fish camp on the Igushik River. When Sassa was old enough, she moved to Naknek to work. where she made 50 cents per week washing dishes for a...
The "Eyes of Freedom" memorial exhibit, featuring the poignant "Silent Battle" sculpture, will visit Anchorage in July 2024 to honor the memory of Lance Cpl Grant Fraser, a fallen Marine of the Marine Forces Reserve's 4th Reconnaissance Battalion. He was from Anchorage. This exhibit, which travels nationwide to honor fallen military personnel, will be displayed at three Anchorage locations: July 20-21 Arctic Thunder Open House, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The exhibit will be accessible...
July is peak season for festivals around Alaska. Here are some highlights: Chugiak/Eagle River Bear Paw Festival, July 10-14. Free. Grand parade, Slippery Salmon Olympics, Human Foosball Tournament, community service awards, classic car show, music, vendors, much more. www.bearpawfestival.com Girdwood Forest Fair, July 5-7. Free. A family fair that features Alaskan artists, hand-crafted items, exotic foods, and entertainers from all over Alaska. https://girdwoodforestfair.com/ Homer Peony...
The twists and turns of everyday life can sometimes take a toll on families and individuals residing in the Mat-Su Valley, unexpectedly and through no fault of their own. Just paying the bills to keep utilities on and prevent eviction can become a serious challenge at times. But there is a program in the Valley that can provide financial housing assistance during those low times. Since 2012, the primary purpose of Valley Charities, Inc. (VCI's) Housing Assistance Program (HAP) has been to help f...
Two white guys have written a book, "Black Lives in Alaska." We are glad they stepped up. Ian Hartman, associate professor and department chair at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Department of History, and David Reamer, well-known historian, especially to readers of his column the Anchorage Daily News column "Histories of Alaska," both say they published the stories because of "the absence of material on this subject." "This book has its roots in the Anchorage centennial publication,...
Fairbanks Senior Center's reception area, pictured here in April, gets a serious remodel makeover, with removal of 1980s-era wallpaper and installation of new enhanced lighting, new flooring and paint and a new reception desk. The center's renovation project started in August 2023, and will include a 3,700 square foot expansion. Closed to the public due to COVID in March 2020, the center has undergone upgrades and expansion and will finally reopen this summer. An open house celebration, with a...
Congratulations to Jim Bailey, here displaying his award plaque for the 2024 Ron Hammett Award for Community Service. He was presented the award at the Older Americans Month Kick-Off Event, May 1 at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center. The award recognizes people whose work and dedication has benefited seniors in the Anchorage area. Jim's resume is long, being actively involved in many initiatives and workgroups to enhance the voice and safety of seniors, from playing an integral role in the...
Spring is a season of renewal, symbolizing hope, and growth. As snow melts away and nature awakens, its impact on Alaskans living with Alzheimer's and dementia and their caregivers is profound. The changing season may spark memories and enhance cognitive function. The sight of blossoming flowers or the smell of freshly cut grass can evoke nostalgic feelings, fostering moments of clarity and connection. Additionally, exposure to natural light can help regulate sleep patterns and improve mood, reducing agitation and anxiety commonly associated...
Senior Voice contributor Lawrence Weiss sat down in late March for an interview with longtime Anchorage resident Cal Williams. Here is their Q&A. People often refer to you as a "community activist." Why is that? Just prior to coming here, I was involved with CORE, the Congress of Racial Equality, in Monroe, Louisiana -marching picketing, doing voter registration and voter education with CORE-the summer of 1964. Then in September of 1964, I, along with six other black students, was accepted at...
The Federal Trade Commission recently shared its 2023 fraud report, “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2023.” I looked at the data for Alaska and was shocked to see that 6,456 Alaskans reported losing 20.5 million dollars in 2023. Impostor scams are the top reported fraud in Alaska, making up 22% of all reported scams. These scams generally start with an unsolicited call, email, text, or social media message posing as someone you trust—your bank, a business you know, or even a government agency. Criminals play on our emotions by creat...
I am a Certified Medicare Counselor working under SHIP. My office is in the Soldotna Senior Center, but I serve the state via phone. If you are local, I can help you as a walk-in. I am here Mondays through Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Fridays, 8 a.m. to noon. Call with your Medicare questions, 907-262-2322....
