The Museum of the Aleutians is sponsoring a contest in which Alaska students can win cash prizes for answering questions about Benny Benson, the Unangax̂ teenager who created Alaska’s state flag in 1927...
The research contest, which dives into the mysteries surrounding Benson’s life, opened on July 9 in concurrence with Alaska Flag Day. For the next year, middle and high schoolers statewide can answer research questions about Benson, with a $250 prize attached to each. Entrants may win up to eight possible prizes, for a total of $2,000. Questions center around Benson’s birthplace, family, height and other facts from his early life.
"Statewide contest invites students to research Benny Benson, the designer of Alaska's flag" by Andy Lusk, July 12, 2023. KUCB.org.
Wrangell Island’s public library has been a staple of the community for more than a century. And after the retirement of its previous long-time librarian, it’s got a new director, Sarah Scambler.
Sarah Scambler has been working as Wrangell’s assistant librarian since 2015, but her history at the Irene Ingle Public Library goes back much further.
“My mom actually worked at this library when I was a child, she worked the night I was born,” Scambler says with a laugh, “So I spent some time in this library growing up. It’s just always been a safe spot for me, and I think it’s a really great asset for our community. I’m proud to have been able to work here and to now take the helm, so to speak.”
An all-day chess tournament is this Saturday at the library and registration closes Wednesday (though you might be able to late register if there’s still space), the summer reading program continues, and a creative writing workshop takes place July 29. Pat Tully discusses this and much more.
A coloring book published last week by the Alutiiq Museum in Kodiak captures many aspects of traditional Alutiiq fishing practices and Alaskan fish — including the types of fish caught, fishing seasons, and fishing tools used.
The 28-page book “Coloring Iqalluut—Fish” was written by Hanna Agasuuq Sholl, and released on July 7.
Sholl’s original drawings are featured in the book. The book also includes Alutiiq language vocabulary that was shared by Elder Alutiiq speakers.
If you’re looking to spruce up your walls this summer, you can get a free Sydney Laurence print at Anchorage’s Loussac Library.
Former city mayor and the library’s namesake, Zachariah Joshua Loussac, left his collection of paintings by the famous landscape artist to the city of Anchorage to be displayed at the library.
Now, library staff say they want to make sure the artwork is shared with even more of the city, and they’re distributing the prints to the public.
Ammon Sweonson, July 6, 2023. Alaska Public Media.
In July, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) adopted rule changes to make it easier for Tribal libraries to participate in the E-Rate program, which provides support to eligible schools and libraries for affordable, high-speed broadband services and internal connections. The rule changes build on the 2022 order clarifying that Tribal libraries are eligible to participate in the E-Rate program. Learn more about these rule changes and how your library may be able to participate in the E-Rate program. The FCC also seeks comment on how to further simplify and streamline the E-Rate application process.
Extraordinary archaeological discoveries from a frozen 16th century Alaskan village on the shores of the Bering Sea can now be viewed online for the first time.
The Nunalleq Digital Museum and Catalogue features some 6,000 everyday objects found over a decade of excavations near Quinhagak in western Alaska, including dolls, ceremonial dance masks, jewellery, cooking utensils and sewing tools.
Meaning ‘the old village’ in Yup’ik, Nunalleq is a site dating from 1570-1675 AD. The permafrost has preserved tens of thousands of rarely seen artefacts from wood and other organic materials, and the collections ranks as one of the largest and best-preserved in the world.
The NN Cannery History Project won a national award of excellence from the American Association for State and Local History. The prestigious award recognizes the project - including the local team behind it - and their effort to preserve and represent the people and cultures of Bristol Bay’s processing industry.
The Diamond NN Cannery sits on the Naknek River in South Naknek, and was Alaska’s longest running processing facility. Founded in 1895, it operated for over one hundred years first as a saltry, then cannery and processor - touching the lives of workers from across the world, and instrumental to the Bristol Bay fishery.
The Congressional Research Service released a 28 page report on 7/11/2023 titled Frequently Asked Questions: Mapping of US Ocean and Coastal Waters. Pages 12-13 of the report note that the least mapped waters of the United States are “the ocean and coastal waters of Alaska and the lakebeds of the Great Lakes." The FAQ also outlines past efforts at mapping ocean and coastal waters across the United States.
Two Alaska Native authors will have their works featured at the 2023 National Book Festival as part of the Great Reads from Great Places program.
Lily H. Tuzroyluke’s “Sivulliq: Ancestor” was chosen as Alaska’s selection for adults while Michaela Goade’s “Berry Song” is the selected book for youths.
“We are especially honored to recognize two indigenous creators this year,” Alaska Center for the Book co-president Sara Juday said in a statement. The Alaska Center for the Book is all-volunteer, nonprofit affiliate of the National Library of Congress Center for the Book, which sponsors the Great Reads from Great Places program.
It’s June 23 in Akiachak, and the school is in its first week of a summer culture camp.
Teachers and Elders meet students at a large cutting table near teacher housing. Originally the morning catch was supposed to be processed at a nearby community fish camp, but those plans were scrapped because a black bear was hanging around.
Literacy coach Evelyn Esmailka wields a large ulu as she explains the differences between chum, chinook and sockeye salmon to the small group of children. After this lesson, the kids are going fishing on the nearby Kuskokwim River.
The IRS is warning people about a recent scam that involves a mailing in a cardboard envelope from a delivery service. The enclosed letter includes the IRS masthead and mentions that the notice is "in relation to your unclaimed refund." It may ask for photos of your driver’s license or ID and other sensitive information such as cellphone number, bank routing information, Social Security number, and bank account type.
It also may contain this poorly worded warning: "You'll Need to Get This to Get Your Refunds After Filing. These Must Be Given to a Filing Agent Who Will Help You Submit Your Unclaimed Property Claim. Once You Send All The Information Please Try to Be Checking Your Email for Response From The Agents Thanks"
Don’t be fooled. The IRS news release has more info, including what to do if you get one of these packages.
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