Blad Eagle Fest

I promise you I will make my way up north soon. lol I thought it would be good to start off with a region and go with it so that if your searching the post aren't all jumbled up...

So now I start with Bald Eagle Fest in Haines Alaska..

Every year up to 4,000 bald eagles flock to Haines for the salmon run in October early mid November, each year the eagles flock to this town from as far away as Washington State. Can you imagine the site. This is the biggest gathering of bald eagles in the world.

Events to attend while at eagle fest would be:
The release of injured eagles which will take place at 1:30 pm at the preserve.

Started in 2003 the "Flight For Freedom" auction program raises funds for statewide educational programs having to do with the American Bald Eagle and the preservation of its habitat in Alaska

This years ABEF featured photographer of the year will be Ron Horn
ABEF Artist of the year is Rob Goldberg

All information on the event could be viewed on their web site http://baldeaglefestival.org/
If you in Alaska November 11th - 15th this might be of interest to you.

Alaska day in Sitka Alaska

Alaska Day Festival annually commemorates the Purchase Transfer of Russian claim of Alaska to the United States of America at Sitka on Oct. 18, 1867, and celebrates the diversity of cultures and historical perspectives of our people.

Alaska Day in Sitka starts off with a parade through down town which is a sight to see lots of candy for the kids and of course the coast guard makes their fly over, it's a time for people of Sitka to come together to celebrate 141 years since Alaska was purchased from Russia, at the time Sitka was considered the capital which is why it's such a big deal to this normally sleepy town.

I'm telling you things get crazy once it really starts when the Key Stone cops make their rounds also known as the kissing cops if you don't buy a button and they see you out at the local bars they will kiss you and not all key stone cops are cute. lol

Events of Alaska Day in Sitka include:

Costume ball, with prizes for the best period costumes; a concert with a variety of local and visiting performers, usually including the Gaaja Heen dancers, the New Archangel Dancers, and a U.S. Army Band; long distance races; an air-sea rescue demonstration by the Coast Guard; open house on board a Coast Guard Cutter or Naval Vessel; and a tea at the Pioneer's Home.
On Alaska Day itself, many dignitaries and representative groups from all branches of the armed forces join in a memorial service at the Sitka National Cemetery and in a parade through Sitka's business district. Local school bands, marching units, and costumed celebrants also participate in the parade, which ends near the site of the major event of the festival, the re-enactment of the 1867 ceremony atop Castle Hill.

So next time your in Sitka or are planing to come to Sitka check out Alaska Day it's always full of fun!

Celebration of Tlingit, Tsimshian and Haida cultures

Have you ever wanted to travel Alaska and wanted to find Alaska's best kept secrets? Well I am here to give you all the information on where to go, the best places to eat as well as let you in on allot of cultural activities that go on in the state so that you wont miss a thing. Who said you had to go on a cruise to see Alaska. That's not to say that going on a cruise wont show you the beauty but I am here to provide information on the alternatives.

The first topic I would like to introduce you to is Celebration. Celebration happens every two years and is held in Jueanu, Ak. This upcoming year (2010) it will be held June 3rd through the 5th and it's a very special recognition of Tlingit, Tsimshian and Haida dance and culture. Celebration 2008 had over 6,000 in attendance and 2,300 dancers and singers. I must note that hotels get booked up sometimes up to a year in advance so make them now if your thinking about taking in this event. Check out the celebration parade video. A site that is best seem in person, what an amazing feeling just watching the video.

It has become a ritual for some, a chance to connect to our culture and come together through a common purpose. Great thing to note is during the event they have booths with bead work and food that are traditionally prepared.

Every year people prepare all year to stalk up on traditional dry fish, canned smoked salmon and seaweed. Acquiring and preparing these foods are time consuming labor of love. They have competitions on the best seaweed and dried fish. If you haven't tried dried Halibut it is a must.

Every celebration has a grand opening (parade) in which each dance group represents their clan. You'll see lots of people in traditional regalia with elaborate designs, some designs being handed down from generation to generation and some with a contemporary feel.
Blanket making is very time consuming with a piece taking hundreds and hundreds of hours to complete but the out come is truly amazing. I myself am still working on my sons blanket which I started two years ago. I used mostly size 13 beads which made for one nice design but is also took twice as long as using bigger beads. But in every blanket one thing is undeniable, the beaders attention to detail. You'll see some blankets with cut out figures but the ones that are beaded just jump out at you and forever leave an impression.

Another thing you'll find is Tlingit Silver Jewelry. Tlingit jewelry is truly one of a kind. Most Tlingit's and Alaska natives can tell where a person is from based on their jewelry as most Tlingit's fancy their clans designs.

I would love to tell you how we prepare traditional food you might come across at the booths.
Canned fish strips: Well first off you have to go and retrieve all the fish required and this is hard work and is very time consuming. Traditional preparation of fish still goes on according to custom. First step after getting the fish is to cut the fish into strips and hang them in smoke houses, at the center of the smoke house is of course a fire, fish hang above the smoke and gives it that smokey flavor after a day or so they are ready for the next step, canning, this is done with pressure cookers and walla you have traditionally prepared Alaskan fish strips.
Seaweed: Is gathered off the beaches(certain places)and is then gridded and dried in the sun sometimes taking days. It is then bagged up and sold for sometimes $50 a gallon.

My aunt (Pauline Duncan) also specializes in devils club ointment which she's built a great following in state as well as out of state. Devils club is used to cure various elements from head aches to arthritis the list can go on. click on her name will direct you to a site with a short bio. Also she published a book of traditional recipes called Tlingit Recipes of today and long ago .

So next time your visiting Juneau make sure to check it out.