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National Native American Heritage Month: Ketchikan Schools Partially Desegregated in 1929; Ketchikan Native family went to court for right of daughter to attend Main School By DAVE KIFFER - A quarter century before Brown v. The Board of Education ended separate but equal schools country wide, a case in Ketchikan determined that Alaskan schools shouldn’t be completely segregated.

Irene Jones, the daughter of Paul and Nettie Jones, was of mixed Indian and White heritage. In September of 1929, her family attempted to enroll her into the 6th grade at Main School.

In those days, the city of Ketchikan had three schools.

White Cliff was an elementary school in Ketchikan’s West End. Main School was a K-12 school above Ketchikan’s Downtown area. The Bureau of Indian Affairs ran a K-8 school for Natives on Deermont Avenue.

For two days, Irene Jones, sister Geraldine Jones and Janet Kennedy, attended Main School, but then Superintendent Anthony Karnes removed them from their classes and told their families they needed to attend the BIA school “where all of her kind should go” instead.

Paul and Nettie Jones appealed Karnes’ action to the School Board, which turned them down. The Jones’ then went to court to get the decision overturned.

It wasn’t the first time that parents had tried to enroll Native or part-native children into the “white” schools in Ketchikan, In fact, at various times, Native children attended school along with white students in Ketchikan’s early years.

But in 1928, Simon Booth had attempted to enroll his mixed race daughter at Main School and Karnes had denied her admittance.

Shortly thereafter, December 7, 1928, the Ketchikan School Board passed a new rule that limited attendance at White Cliff and Main School to only those students “who are not acceptable to the United States Bureau of Education.”

The Bureau of Education oversaw BIA schools, so any student who had any Native blood was now ineligible to attend either White Cliff or Main School. 

In their filings before the court, the Jones family, represented by prominent attorney William Paul, noted that in 1905 Congress had established a system of education in Alaska for “ white children and children of mixed blood who lead a civilized life” and that the new rule by the School Board violated Irene Jones’ 14th Amendment rights.

Paul argued that a local or territorial government could not overrule the Federal Government on this issue.

As part of its argument the Ketchikan School District also contended that because of “overcrowding” at Main School, there was no room for Jones or any other Native students who would want to attend Main School if the policy to not accept students with Native blood were overturned.

On October 9, Paul presented information to the court that contradicted the overcrowding argument. Four students who were currently enrolled at Main School actually lived outside the corporate boundaries of Ketchikan. Those students, who lived at Saxman and on Gravina Island, were only supposed to be accepted if no other in city students were eligible. Jones’ family clearly lived within the Ketchikan boundary.

Paul also found evidence that extra desks had been removed from the Main School sixth grade classroom and that the previous year, 1928, there had been 43 students in the class, 10 more than the 1929 number of 33.

Paul similarly raised the issue of accreditation at the BIA which apparently had not filed the property paperwork in a timely manner. Paul contended that an unaccredited school could not provide a comparable education to an unaccredited one and that Natives’ graduating from an unaccredited school would have trouble continuing their education elsewhere.

On November 29, 1929, Federal District Court Judge Justin Harding of Skagway ruled that the board’s Dec. 7, 1928 action was invalid and that Irene Jones be admitted to Main School. - More...
Monday PM - November 09, 2020

Ketchikan: Significant Increase in COVID-19 Cases Brings Ketchikan & Saxman Risk Level to High; Responsive action SHOULD be taken immediately By MARY KAUFFMAN - With the increase in COVID-19 positive cases in the local area, last week the Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center increased Ketchikan's community risk level to HIGH indicating there is a significant threat to life or property due to the increase in the COVID-19 virus or Contagious Disease Outbreak. Citizens are asked to take responsive action immediately to protect their health.

While few positive cases (4) were reported in September, October saw an increase of 34 positive cases. From November 01 - November 9, a total of 66 positive cases have been reported. Of the hospitalizations, as of today, there were no new hospitalizations reported today, and two of the previous four hospitalized individuals have been discharged. Two individuals remain hospitalized.

Today’s cases bring the cumulative Covid-19 case count, including travelers, to 171. The number of positive cases of individuals residing or staying in Ketchikan is 159.  Of the 159 cases, 74 are still active, and 85 have recovered.  (Case reports are provided daily by the Ketchikan EOC and can be found online -- scroll down to media releases to read the full reports.)

Today, there were 10 new positive cases reported. Saturday there were 12, Friday there were 11, Thursday there were 6, Wednesday 7 new positive cases were reported, 10 were reported on Tuesday, and 6 last Monday.

Local mayors representing the City, Borough and Saxman reached out to the public addressing the substantial increase in COVID-19 positive cases asking for cooperation from the community in flattening the curve.

Rodney Dial, Ketchikan Gateway Borough Mayor said in a prepared statement, "Throughout the pandemic the community has pulled together and we have done remarkably well protecting public health while minimizing the impacts to our economy and quality of life.   Unfortunately, due to a recent increase in cases the community has moved to level 3, the High-Risk Level. The response from the business community has been remarkable as many have taken extra precautions such as reducing capacity to less than 50%, and redoubling social distancing and sanitation procedures. In addition, we are asking that all bars close to help us gain control of our outbreak.   Failure to stem the growth of cases at this point, could lead to greater restrictions on our businesses in the future…something we all want to avoid. Remember the goal… keep the curve flat, to keep our hospitals from being overwhelmed.  This is best way to keep people safe and keep our economy open.   Thank you for leading the way Ketchikan, stay strong."

Frank Seludo, City of Saxman Mayor released a prepared statement saying, "Our community has had many positive Covid-19 cases recently with four hospitalizations.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to these people and their families.  Let’s slow down the spread of Covid-19 by taking some extra steps to stay healthy.  I am asking our families to stay in their own homes and keep a safe distance from people not in your household.  If someone in your household is sick with Covid-19, please take measures to keep that person isolated to their own room if possible, and to sanitize regularly.  Take advantage of grocery and restaurant delivery and pick up options.  Check on each other through phone calls and video chats. Thank you for working to keep our community safe.  We will get through this together."

Bob Sivertsen, City of Ketchikan Mayor, also released a prepared statement saying, "We have had a substantial increase in COVID-19 cases on our island and it is a serious concern.  I want to urge all of our citizens to join me in following the EOC’s recommendations so we can get back to a low case count instead of climbing to a higher risk level.  Please stay home if you are sick.  If you are a close contact to a positive case, you need to quarantine for 14 days – no exceptions.  If you are healthy and are not required to quarantine, please stay home except for essential services. By wearing masks when we do have to be out in public, we can all do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  I am urging everyone to follow these recommendations so we can maintain and even reduce our risk level.  I am positive that we can work together to reduce our cases in Ketchikan, and I appreciate all the hard work you are doing."  

What does the change in Risk level to High mean? - More...
Monday PM - November 09, 2020

Alaska: Governor Issues New Public Health Disaster Emergency Declaration for COVID-19; Governor asked to Convene Legislature to Address Disaster Declaration Posted & Edited By MARY KAUFFMAN - Friday Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy announced that he is issuing a new 30-day Declaration of Public Health Disaster Emergency (“disaster declaration”) in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The declaration will go into effect on 12:01 a.m. on November 16, 2020 and will expire on 11:59 p.m. on December 15, 2020.

Dunleavy’s initial March 11, 2020 disaster declaration was issued in response to the imminent threat of an outbreak of COVID-19 in Alaska, and expires in less than 10 days. The COVID-19 outbreak has not abated, nor is Alaska in a position to declare that a public health emergency does not exist. Recent conversations with legislators, health professionals, and business leaders confirm a broad consensus that it is in the state’s best interest to ensure we have an emergency declaration in place beyond November 15.

“This new disaster declaration is based upon the determination of moving from the threat of a pandemic to an actual pandemic. Given the tools the declaration will provide to the state, boroughs, and municipalities, as well as our health professionals and medical facilities, this declaration will continue to provide certainty to Alaskans during this pandemic,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. 

Dunleavy said, “The Legislature has indicated they do not currently have the support of their members to call themselves into a special session. If the Legislature chooses to convene to address this new order, my administration is ready to assist in developing long-term solutions to manage this emergency and protect the public safety and health of Alaskans.”

House Speaker Bryce Edgmon (I-Dillingham) said in a prepared statement Friday, “Today, we made clear to the governor that we are committed to do whatever it takes, including holding a special session on the sole issue of the disaster declaration, to give our healthcare workers on the frontline the tools to fight the pandemic without bureaucratic restraints."

Edgmon said, "However, the path the governor has chosen is fraught with risks, including opening the 30-day Declaration of Public Health Disaster Emergency to legal challenges that could remove the emergency powers the Legislature granted to Alaska’s healthcare providers. We will continue to work with his administration to find a legal solution to resolve this as quickly as possible."

Senate President Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage) released a prepared statement after Governor Mike Dunleavy announced that he is issuing a new 30-day Declaration of Public Health Disaster Emergency.  Giessel said, “Our continued public health response to the virus should be smart, secure, and protect Alaskans. As infection rates and deaths increase, Alaskans are looking for clear leadership and the preservation of important public health measures to support a robust response. Funding to our healthcare infrastructure and personnel must be readily available." - More...
Monday PM - November 09, 2020

Alaska: Alaska Division of Elections to Begin Absentee Ballot Count - Today Alaska Lieutenant Governor Kevin Meyer, with the Alaska Division of Elections, released the schedule for conducting absentee ballot counts on Tuesday, November 10th. Updated counts will be released twice daily: at 5:00pm AKST and again at close of business.

“It is the mission of my office and the Division of Elections to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by administering elections with the highest level of professional standards, integrity, security, accuracy, and fairness,” said Lt. Governor Meyer. 

Meyer said, “With a record amount of absentee ballots issued, and an outstanding amount of early voter turnout, we are taking very seriously our role in tabulating all ballots.” - More...
Monday PM - November 09, 2020

Southeast Alaska: SHI TO SPONSOR LECTURE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN INDIGENOUS SOUTHEAST ALASKA; Free virtual event part of Native American Heritage Month celebration - Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) will sponsor a free online lecture this Thursday on sustainable development in Indigenous Southeast Alaska as part of its series in recognition of Native American Heritage Month.

The lecture, "Values, Tenure, and Organization: Critical Dimensions of Sustainable Development in Indigenous Southeast Alaska," will be given by Dr. Thomas Thornton, dean of Arts and Sciences and vice-provost of Research and Sponsored programs at the University of Alaska Southeast and affiliate professor at Oxford University's Environmental Change Institute.

Values, tenure, and organization are highly evolved tools for achieving sustainable development in complex and changing social-ecological systems. However, for sustainability success they must be productively aligned, Thornton wrote.

This is well illustrated by the development of the Indigenous values, tenure, and organization at the regional intra- and intertribal scales in greater Southeast Alaska, wherein a complex socio-political organization developed over thousands of years to sustain balanced use of the rich but dynamic and "patchy" Pacific coastal waters and temperate rainforest. Native cultural values and institutions were severely disrupted and subordinated with colonization, however, and then only partially realigned with the progressive, hybrid neo-institutionalism of the Alaska Native Brotherhood, Indian Reorganization Act, and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act eras. - More...
Monday PM - November 09, 2020

Political Cartoon: 46th President
By Bart van Leeuwen ©2020, PoliticalCartoons.com
Distributed to subscribers for publication by Cagle Cartoons, Inc.

After news organizations called the presidential race for former Vice President Joe Biden earlier on Saturday, an exuberant Harris, quoting the late congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis, said, “Democracy is not a state. It is an act,” and told cheering supporters that they had “ushered in a new day for America.”

The vice president-elect called her mother, who was 19 years old when she came to the U.S. from India, “the woman most responsible for my presence here today,” saying her mother “believed so deeply” in America.

Harris also credited the “generations of women — black women, Asian, white, Latina, Native American women” who made possible her rise to the second-highest office in the land. - More...
Monday PM - November 09, 2020

RICH MANIERI: LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE 2020 ELECTION - Sure, we didn’t know who won right away, or the next day, or the day after that, but we still learned quite a bit from the election.

Among other things, I learned that “pollster” should no longer be considered a job.

Those who have made polling their life’s work need to pursue another vocation. They blew it “bigly” again, with an assist from a media that lapped up every flawed percentage point.

In some cases, the media made a hash of their own polls. For example, on Oct. 28, a Washington Post poll had Biden with a 17 point lead over President Trump in Wisconsin. “Missed it by that much,” as Maxwell Smart once said. Yes, former vice president Joe Biden won the state, but by less thanß a percentage point, as of Thursday. - More....
Monday PM - November 09, 2020

TOM PURCELL: AMERICA 2020: A GOOD TIME FOR A NICE, LONG SLEEP - “It’s a miracle!” said the doctor. “You’ve just awakened from a coma after a terrible accident in October 2016, but you’re doing well, all things considered!”

“I’ve been out for more than four years?” said the patient.

“That’s right,” said the doctor. “You must have several questions?”

“You bet, Doc! I remember when America elected President Obama, a time of great healing and hope and change. Americans are surely getting along better than ever now?”

“It’s best that we come back to that one later,” said the doctor. “Anything else?”

“I remember Hillary Clinton won the Democratic nomination and appeared she’d - become America’s first female president,” said the patient. “How’s she doing?”. - More...
Monday PM - November 09, 2020

Financial Focus: Protect Your Finances from “Cyberthieves” Provided By Ben Edwards, AAMS® - You’ve no doubt heard reports of personal data being stolen and used for financial fraud – anything from online shopping on your credit cards to actual theft from your financial accounts. This problem won’t go away anytime soon – but you can take steps to defend yourself.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Use multifactor authentication or other extra security options with online accounts. Many of your online accounts offer extra security by giving you the option to prove your identity in different ways. With mutifactor authentication, you must provide at least two different factors to prove your identity when you log in to an account. This additional layer of security provides you with much greater protection.

• Be creative with passwords. Create different passwords for work, financial services sites, social media and email – and give each password some length and complexity. Consider passphrases – actual words combined with symbols and numbers (for example, “ThisIsAPassphrase!2468”), for sites that allow them. - More...
Monday PM - November 09, 2020