Friday Bulletin: Issues

More Updates from the Alaska National Digital Newspaper Project

"...Library of Congress has accepted and uploaded two new batches of Alaskan newspaper pages since our last post. These latest batches, nicknamed jaeger and icelandgull, contain over 3,000 newspaper issues and more than 22,000 pages covering the time period from 1923 through 1963. The titles included in these latest batches are the Seward Daily Gateway, the Seward Gateway, and the Nome Nugget!"

"New batches uploaded!" by Christopher Russel, February 4, 2022, Alaska's Digital Newspaper Project: Historic Alaska Newspaper Blog, accessed 2/4/22.

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Bridging Knowledge: Supporting Indigenous Scholars in the Field of Librarianship

Applications are open for a second cohort of Bridging Knowledge students. The Bridging Knowledge Grant Program is sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered through the Alaska Library Network in partnership with the American Indian Library Association and the Alaska State Library.

This grant project provides scholarships to American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian graduate students to earn the Master of Library and Information Science degree with an advanced certificate in strategic management of digital assets and services at San Jose State University.

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Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center Webinar:
Intergenerational Creativity and Learning Through Indigenous Comic Art Chickaloonies

Thursday, February 17, 10-11 am on Zoom

Join a discussion with the creators of Chickaloonies – a new Indigenous comic art series from 80% Studios – about building their work from Ahtna Athabascan knowledge, storytelling, and cultural heritage pieces in museum collections. The webinar will feature Chickaloonies collaborator and webinar host Melissa Shaginoff (Athna knowledge-keeper, artist and cultural advocate) and the 80% Studios team Dimi Macheras (Athna comic artist and storyteller) and Casey Silver (comic artist and storyteller).

Webinar link: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/j/85634343196?pwd=S1JHN0pKZS9tcVl0OFpXM3VJZ2FVZz09
Passcode: 535988 

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Preserving Aleutian History: Collection of 1970s Audio Reels Finds New Home Online

"A collection of audio reels made in the Aleutian region in the 1970s was digitized and will soon be available online through the University of Alaska Fairbanks."

"The recordings were part of a school project that started in 1977 when a group of Unalaska students and their teacher Ray Hudson started collecting texts about the culture, language and history of the Aleutians…The students put together six hefty volumes meant to bring the island community and Unangax̂ culture into the classroom. They contain things like fishing stories, letters, recipes for alodics (an Unangax̂ form of fry bread), as well as memories from Makushin and the other lost villages that were forcibly evacuated during World War II.

"For the most part, the book series is based on knowledge provided by Unangax̂ elders from around the region – a lot of which was documented on reel-to-reel tape.

“Preserving Aleutian history: collection of 1970s audio reels finds new home online” by Maggie Nelson, January 27, 2022. KUCB, accessed 2/3/22.

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After Vandalism, Museum Continues to Share Jewish Life in Alaska

"Incidents of antisemitism have been on the rise nationally and worldwide. Here in Alaska, a series of events last year highlighted the need for continued education to combat bigotry. As Alaska Public Media’s Adelyn Baxter reports, the Alaska Jewish Museum sees that as part of its core mission, even as it’s been a target."

“After vandalism, museum continues to share Jewish life in Alaska” by Matthew Faubion and Adelyn Baxter, January 27, 202. Alaska Public Media, accessed 2/3/22.

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Alaska Native Historic Documents Gifted to University Library

"Historic documents from the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA)—a monumental land claim that ultimately set the stakes by which Alaska Natives live in terms of land allotment and shareholder corporations—were donated to a university library in Anorchage on Wednesday." 

"The papers belonged to Ted Stevens, a former Republican US senator from Alaska who played a role in the settlement’s passage. The collection includes maps, photographs, official correspondence between the Senator and constituents on the impacts of the bill.

"Now, more than a decade after the Senator’s death in a plane crash, the non-profit foundation in his namesake is donating his ANCSA-related records to the University of Alaska Anchorage Consortium Library.

“Alaska Native Historic Documents Gifted to University Library” by Jenna Kunze, January 25, 2022. Native News Online, accessed 2/4/22.

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Tlingit & Haida Launches Gumboots Go! Series for Children

"The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida) is proud to announce the launch of its new educational YouTube children’s series called Gumboots Go!"

"The videos highlight the Tlingit, Haida and Tsmishian cultures in Southeast Alaska and are the product of a community collaboration with Cedar Group under Tlingit & Haida’s Child Care and Development Block Grant.

"In the first episode, Tlingit weaver Lily Hope shows children how to weave a traditional Chilkat robe with yarn she hand-spun from mountain goat wool. The second episode features Michelle Sáandlanaay Eakman doing a Xaad Kíl (Haida language) version of the song “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.”

“'When we learn our language, it can heal and make our hearts bigger and it can make our minds stronger. Then we can share it with our friends and family. Then our language will survive; it won’t go anywhere because we are all sharing it together,' Sáandlanaay tells viewers.

In honor of Elizabeth Peratrovich Day on February 16, check out the Elizabeth Peratrovich Rap Sing Along with Daaljíni Mary Cruise.

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This Valentine’s Season the Haines Library will Set You Up on a Blind Date

Programming idea from Haines Library:

"There’s a new shelf in the lobby of the Haines Library with a series of books and movies wrapped in brown paper and a string of red and pink hearts."

"Library assistant director Rebecca Heaton explains, with a wry smile.

"'They’ve got a little clue on them just saying what they might be about. And you check them out in the same spirit in which you would check out or attend to blind date, you kind of committed to a blind date, you can’t just peek in the window and say, Oh, no and leave, right. So you can’t get to unwrap it and just say, nah. Once you’ve committed you unwrap it, and you read the book, or you watch the movie.'

"Like a blind date, this one is all about excitement, intrigue, and opening up to the unknown.

“'It’s a way to encourage people to maybe step out of their genre, or their comfort zone' Heaton said. 'And they might discover an author that they didn’t know they loved. Or genre, they suddenly thought, Oh, my goodness, I’m a fantasy fan.'

“This Valentine’s season the Haines Library will set you up on a blind date” by Corinne Smith, January 28, 2022. KHNS, accessed 2/3/22.

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Virtual Lunch & Learn with the Library: Black Lives in Alaska--Justice, Journey, Joy

Experience a museum exhibition and add to your reading list over the lunch hour with this collaborative program from the Anchorage Museum and Anchorage Public Library.

Presented within the context of the Black Lives in Alaska: Justice, Journey, Joy exhibition, Virtual Lunch & Learn invites dynamic conversation with experts, and shares resources from the Anchorage Public Library. Included is a suggested reading list of library resources available for your own exploration.

The live event was 2/3/22, but you can now view the recording.

Related Resource: Black History in the Last Frontier from the National Park Service and University of Alaska Anchorage

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Stories from Gulf of Alaska Fishermen are Heading to the Library of Congress

"A fisherman from Seldovia [Josh Wisniewski] is collecting stories from fellow Gulf of Alaska fishermen, and the oral history audio project will eventually be sent to the Library of Congress."

"‘When I was a kid and came across the bay here and started, you know, meeting and fishing for Alaskan Native elders who have been here forever – but as well as other people who had been fishing here since before statehood,” he said. ‘I was just amazed by peoples’ stories for one, but also the depth of peoples’ knowledge.’

"The Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center hands out grants annually to document the oral histories of tradespeople across the country. They’re then sent to the Library’s archive. Wisniewski was one of six awarded the grant last year through the Alaska Marine Conservation Council.

“Stories from Gulf of Alaska fishermen – including ones from Kodiak – are heading to the Library of Congress” by Kirsten Dobroth, February 2, 2022. KMXT, accessed 2/3/22.

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Virtual Winter Wildlife Lecture Series from ADFG

The next talk in this monthly series is "Brown Bear Denning Ecology in the Rainforest of Southeast Alaska" on February 24 at 7 pm.

Brown bears are surprisingly specific and particular when it comes to selecting a den site in the coastal temperate rainforests of Southeast Alaska . . . Join #adfg Wildlife Biologist Anthony Crupi as he dives into some of his research on the denning habits of brown bears in the temperate rainforests of Southeast Alaska. This talk will outline hibernation strategies brown bears have adapted — including types of sites and some common characteristics, to name a few — in order to survive and thrive in the region’s harsh winter weather. A question and answer period will follow the presentation. Registration is required.

Register >>

Annual Science for Alaska Lecture Series on Zoom

"The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute will host free live online public talks about Arctic Ocean exploration, retreating coastal glaciers, DNA mystery solving, benefits of GPS and the workings of the Alaska Satellite Facility."

The 2022 lecture series will be held virtually due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Stay comfortable in your own homes and tune in to these engaging stories from UAF researchers!

The talks will be held via Zoom and streamed live over the UAF and Geophysical Institute Facebook pages.

The 2022 Science for Alaska Lecture Series began Tuesday, Feb. 1, and runs every Tuesday through March 8. Talks start at 7 p.m. on Zoom and will be streamed live to the UAF and Geophysical Institute Facebook pages. Presenters will answer questions after each talk.

“30th annual Science for Alaska Lecture Series announced” by Rod Boyce, January 24, 2022. UAF News, accessed 2/3/22.

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