Meredith Redick

6 days ago | kcaw.org | Meredith Redick

The Sitka Native Education Program, otherwise known as SNEP, celebrated 50 years of Indigenous cultural education in Sitka this year. The federally-funded program is a collaboration between the Sitka Tribe of Alaska and the Sitka School District. It was started in 1974 as a way to preserve Lingít language, dance, and values. In a full-day koo.éex’ last weekend, participants shared song, dance, and memories of the history of the program.

2 weeks ago | kcaw.org | Meredith Redick

The Alaska Legislature passed a bill Friday that would boost per-student education funding by $1,000. The bill now advances to Governor Mike Dunleavy, who has said he plans to veto it. In an 11 to 9 vote Friday morning, the Senate passed a stripped-down version of House Bill 69, removing all policy items and leaving only the funding increase. Later that day, the House passed the amended bill 21-16.

2 weeks ago | kcaw.org | Meredith Redick

Sitkans Against Family Violence (SAFV) is hosting the second annual Sitka Rose Awards on April 25. The Rose Awards honor women and LGBTQ+ people who have honored SAFV’s core values of safety, community, and respect. The event will include a variety show, raffle, and local food trucks. Shelter supervisor Mel Beadle joined KCAW’s Brooke Schafer to share more about the history of the event and how it supports SAFV’s mission.

2 weeks ago | kcaw.org | Meredith Redick

More than 20 Sitkans testified in a community listening session hosted by SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) and the Sitka Community Health Council on Monday. The event, which lasted just under two-and-a-half hours, is required by charter and represents the community’s annual opportunity to speak directly with hospital leadership. Several people spoke about challenges in communication, citing problems with phone systems and lack of transparency from leadership.

2 weeks ago | kcaw.org | Meredith Redick

First responders searched for an overdue boater Monday night, only to learn that the man had returned home independently. Just after 10 p.m. on Monday, the Sitka Fire Department received a call about a boater in Sitka Sound who was two hours overdue. Fire department engineer Zach Carlson said the department reached out to Coast Guard Sector Southeast to conduct a helicopter search for the boater, who was reportedly traveling in a ten-foot rubber inflatable raft.