News and Updates
THRHA Continues Construction on Three Duplex Units for Tribal Housing - (updated 8/3/06) - click here to see photos!
Construction continues on three new Duplex rental units for OVK, and new photos have been uploaded. This project has been in planning phases for about eleven years, and it is finally coming into fruition! This is a joint project between OVK and the Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority (THRHA) and Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC). THRHA is funding the project as OVK's Tribally Designated Housing Authority (TDHE) under guidelines of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and ANTHC is engineering and installing the water and sewer lines for the commuity expansion project. This is a symbol of Kasaan's development and growth, which encompasses economic development, community building, Tribal capacity building, and a dedication to bringing our people back home. Please click on the icon below to see updated pictures and specific updates on the project, and feel free to contact our office if you have questions, concerns, or wish to inquire about housing and economic opportunities in Kasaan!
OVK Completes Comprehensive Strategic Planning Session - (updated 4/24/06) - click here to see the plan!
It is the story of the small Tribe that could. The operating philosophies of the Organized Village of Kasaan (OVK) are stretching the limits of what can be done, and sharing information for the benefit of other small Tribes, the entire community of Kasaan, and the lineal descendents of Kasaan's indigenous residents. In early May, the Tribal Council, Staff, and Consultants of OVK met in Kasaan for a two day strategic planning session, followed by a staff retreat in Craig.
During this planning session, OVK developed organizational charts, and created a road map for the next year, the following 2-5 years, and then the 6-20 years after that. This plan was created to help ensure that OVK continues to grow and develop the ability to manage projects and programs for its Tribal Members and traditional Tribal Territory. The group also came up with the following Mission Statement and Vision for the Tribe:
Mission Statement:
The Organized Village of Kasaan is committed to promoting, preserving, and protecting indigenous Haida identity and values. For our elders and youth, we look to the future in unity, by developing economic opportunities, promoting education, and utilizing our cultural, natural, and social resources.
Vision:
Success Thorugh Commitment & Unity
The planning session comprised of thirteen participants, and a copy of the completed plan can be found on the Kasaan website (www.kasaan.org) under the “News” section.
Year Two of Prince of Wales Steelhead Assessment Project Begins! - (updated 4/24/06) - click here to see photos!
With spring on the way, it is time once again for the return of steelhead (Onchoryhnchus mykiss) to local streams across Prince of Wales (POW) Island. As many POW residents know, their island offers some of the best steelhead fishing throughout Southeast Alaska. However, very little data for managing steelhead populations exists. That is why the Organized Village of Kasaan (OVK), the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Hydaburg Cooperative Association (HCA) have embarked on a three year steelhead population assessment study in six streams across the island.
During the spring of 2005, this group of collaborating agencies counted steelhead in the Harris River and Big Ratz Creek, using a weir. A weir structure funnels fish into a trap box, as they are migrating upstream, where they can be identified, sexed and measured. In addition, scales are taken from the fish in order to determine their age. The fish are then released upstream so they can spawn. The life cycle of a steelhead is complex because they are repeat spawners, and they will return to their natal stream system several times over their life span. This makes assessing the population difficult, however collecting scales can also be helpful in that they will also indicate how many times a steelhead has returned to freshwater.
Historically, steelhead streams are managed for sport and subsistence fishing based on population estimates that are derived from methods such as snorkel surveys and stream walk counts. The use of a weir is a more accurate way to count fish, as each fish has to pass the weir before migrating upstream. However weirs are also more expensive to run and more labor intensive than the observational counting methods. In this study, snorkel surveys are also being conducted in conjunction with the weir to determine if there is a consistent correlation in estimating the population of a steelhead return by snorkel surveying alone.
This spring, weirs are being placed on Eagle Creek and Cable Creek and will be running from March through May. Streams are chosen based primarily on their use and importance for subsistence fishing, as the project is funded by the Office of Subsistence Management’s Fisheries Information Services program and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Subsistence. In addition to collecting data, this project provides the opportunity for the Tribe and the State to work closely together on a data collection project that has the potential to provide information back to management agencies for making decisions on how to manage steelhead for subsistence and sport fisheries.
If you are interested in more information or in setting up a visit to the weir for educational purposes, please contact Richard Peterson (OVK) at (907)542-2230, Tony Peele (HCA) at (907)285-3666, or Kelly Reppert (ADFG) at (907)225-2859.
OVK Totem Pole Project Underway - (updated 4/20/06) - Click here to see photos
Master Carver Stan Marsden has been busy preparing the beautiful cedar log that will be the first totem pole carved in Kasaan in over fifty years. During the early part of the 20th century, the carvers in Kasaan produced poles that were placed in Saxman, Ketchikan, and Sitka; and long before that, incredible pieces of monumental artwork decorated Old Kasaan and were traded along the Northwest coast. The beaches of Old Kasaan were undoubtedly Haida, and showed a strong tradition with some of the finest totem poles and clan houses.
The cultural landscape of Kasaan has changed, though, as it has in all Haida communities. At one time, there were at least 24 Haida villages, with four of them on Prince of Wales Island. Adverse living conditions forced these villages to consolidate or migrate, and Old Kasaan, Howkan, Sukkwan, and Klinkwan collectively became Kasaan and Hydaburg. From around 1920 on, cultural activities receded, especially in language learning and the carving of monumental items like clan houses, totem poles, and sea going dugout canoes. These things happened because the Haida people were experiencing near extinction, as population numbers dropped from 70-90 percent within their villages due to foreign illnesses and food shortages.
It was a dark time for the Haida people, but once again, that landscape is changing, as Kasaan begins its first totem pole in modern history. The pole itself is symbolic of a reawakening of Haida culture, and will be one of the Healing Heart totem poles, like the ones that Stan Marsden carved in Craig and Metlakatla. These poles not only represent a cultural resurgence, but also a willingness to share culture and education across cultures. It is a representation of unity.
Mr. Marsden is a Carver of Tsimshian decent, but understands the stylistic differences between traditional Haida, Tsimshian, and Tlingit carving. His philosophies with monumental projects are togetherness, respect, and a positive drug and alcohol-free environment in which life is brought to the pole. It is in that spirit that the Organized Village of Kasaan (OVK) invites people to visit this project, and to be a part of its creation. Any willing person with a positive attitude, respect for themselves and others, and a commitment to work within a traditional carving environment is encouraged to come and carve with Stan and the Kasaan community.
What is asked of all visitors and participants is that they are conscious of what they bring into the carving area. OVK requests that all participants refrain from drug and alcohol use while near the totem pole, and that harsh and negative language is also not used around the pole. The energy around the pole needs to be one of unity, cooperation, and respect at all times. Click here to see pictures!
