My name is Karen L. Johnson, I am a lifelong resident of Sitka and a Sealaska shareholder. I am strongly opposed to S.B.730 and H.R.1408.
Sealaska speaks of heritage, of being a fine steward of the land, of preserving customary and traditional values. Their history speaks differently. It speaks of greed, of picking short-term profit over long-term sustainability. It speaks of resource exploitation without regard of the consequences. It speaks of turning their backs on communities and different agencies that have voiced concerns.
Ask about the town of Hydaburg on Prince of Wales Island that, in 1986, had to fight Sealaska to protect the very watershed that supplied the town’s drinking water. Ask why instead of agreeing to protect Hydaburg’s drinking water themselves Sealaska proposed a deal giving the state the land in exchange for the right to select an equivalent amount of federal land elsewhere. Ask about how despite state agencies warnings, Sealaska logged the Natzuhini drainage on Prince of Wales Island causing numerous landslides dumping silt into spawning streams for pink and silver salmon. Ask why for over a year Sealaska would not respond to Ketchikan ADF&G’s requests for a plan to prevent future landslides in the same area. Ask about citations from the ADF&G and the Dept. of Natural Resources regarding Sealaska’s damage to Deer Creek, a steelhead and salmon spawning stream. Ask about the agreement made by Sealaska in 2006 to pay the largest fine yet obtained at that time for violations of the Forest Resource and Practices Act.
Sealaska is not a steward of the land. As Bob Loesher (former Sealaska CEO) stated in a 1986 Anchorage Daily News article by Hal Bernton “We don’t manage our lands for fish and wildlife resources, there is a different policy on private lands on what is the highest and best use.”
I ask you, are these actions and words of a corporation that will take care of our traditional subsistence and recreation areas? I may be a Sealaska shareholder but my concern is for all residents. Should Sealaska own the land that holds numerous sockeye streams that we rely on for subsistence? Yes, you should be worried about access since Sealaska objected to language in 2008 TLMP which stated “major discretionary land adjustment proposals will be considered if the proposed exchange of lands maintains conservation strategy, ensures public access for subsistence use, and at least a portion of the timber volume from the lands conveyed form the Tongass National Forest contributes to the timber manufacturing industry of Southeast Alaska.”
This bill is the wrong solution. As a Sealaska shareholder, I am not grateful that my senators are sponsoring it. I am not grateful they have let my corporation pick lands outside of the boundaries established in ANCSA. I am not grateful it has caused a huge rift in many communities. Stick to the boundaries established in ANCSA and take into consideration all residents, not the requests of a corporation interested in exploiting more resources. Don’t let Sealaska’s judgment on land management put us all at risk. We are the ones affected by these decisions, we live, hunt, fish, and work here. Listen to us.
• Johnson is a Sealaska shareholder who lives in Sitka.
Comments (25)
Add commentExcellent letter
More shareholders need to come forward to voice their concerns.You aren't the only shareholder who feels this way.
Email Murkowski and Begich. Tell Murky to withdraw her bill and let Sealaska make the final land selections inside the ANCSA boundaries. Here's their email:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=AK
Tainted Sealaska Directors
New directors in the future will need to be better land stewards. This particular land controversy is because of Sealaska directors and their pompous personal attitudes.
Sealaska directors reminds Me of a bunch of "rapists" who are promising to be better after an atrocious history of reproachable actions. (I am speaking in terms of land issues).
Sealaska shareholders have been "tainted" by Sealaska directors. Unforgivable. I wish "We" had some AJAX to remove the stain Directors have made on Sealaska Shareholders!
If only we could elect new directors
It's discouraging to see how the Sealaska board has manipulated the voting system to ensure they stay in power. Kudos to the independent candidates who keep trying to buck the corrupt system. Remember if you already submitted your proxy you can always change it. Only the last submitted proxy counts and you can vote online.
Hydaburg Watershed
Most of the discussion I have heard from Sealaska is about the very thing she addresses in her letter: conserving watersheds. The Hydaburg watershed is still preserved, as well as the Craig municipal watershed, which are part of Sealska's CURRENT selections for timber harvest. This is the very reason Sealaska is requesting to select OUTSIDE the current withdrawal areas. So shes against Sealaska being allowed to select OUTSIDE the box to avoid harvesting in the watershed? But she's concerned about timber harvest IN the watershed?
This is the very reason Sealaska is wanting to make its final 85,000 acre selections OUTSIDE; to protect watersheds. The proposed selections encompass areas that were logged by AK Pulp Mill, Ketchikan Pulp, and US Forest Service. Its primarily second growth in areas that already have roads and wont damage watersheds.
If Karen Johnson understood the facts, she would realize Sealaska is trying to protect the watershed. If this legislation doesnt pass, Sealaska has little choice but to log in the original withdrawal areas. If she truly cared about the watersheds, she would support the legislation.
I'm a shareholder, and I support this legislation. I know plenty of others who do as well. However, I support Karen's right as an individual to disagree and have her different view.
Ravenhouse - you don't get it.
Sealaska should take the responsibility to protect the watershed of it's own villages! Essentially what you are saying is that Sealaska can't help but log and destroy every last acre you give it, so clearly it can't be responsible for watersheds in it's own villages - someone else needs to take responsibility for protecting those.
It would be like me saying - yes, I own a house, which I live in and it protects me - but I can't possibly be responsible for keeping up the property, since I destroy everything I own, so someone else needs to own the house, and maintain it for me, while I live there for free.
Guess what? When you are stewards of something - the land/it's people - sometimes you have to set aside some of what you'd like to spend on shoes and fast cars in order to protect that stewardship. It's called being a grown-up.
Actually, the FACTS are
@ Swimmer kid:
Actually, the FACTS are already laid out for you swimmer kid. Sealaska is trying to protect the watersheds; I dont think I could have been more clear-sorry you dont "get it". Sealaska ALREADY protects village sites and sacred areas. It doesnt cut all of its forests, and the proposed legislation will release those watersheds back to the public.
Those lands were not given to Sealaska to protect; they were given to them to log. At the time, there were other logging operations that were in operation at the time ANCSA occurred. Politically, it would have been a huge problem giving Sealaska selection rights within the existing timber contracts held by AK pulp and Ketchikan Pulp. So Sealaska was forced to wait to select its 85,000 remaining acres, which it now has to do to continue its operations, keeping over 400 people employed.
Why would Sealaska take on conserving watersheds when as a Nationally protected forest, those laws are already in place to protect the Tongass? Sealaska wasnt created to be a subsidiary of the US government.
Dont be so naive to feebly patronize me about maturity when your an emotional, uneducated, and misinformed kid with little to no practical wisdom of the world.
Ravenhouse
CAW! CAW! You are the emotional person. Didn't you ever listen to Dr. Soboleff? Why don't you try getting along with people and discussing issues rather than calling them names and insulting them? You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.
The idiot the other day
The idiot the other day says "Dr. Wayne Regelin" doesn't know how to read the bill.
LOL
Sealaska
Some Sealaska shareholders may disagree with the way the land is managed, but I bet you are right there to collect the twice yearly paltry dividend payouts!
@ Icummins
Im not sure Dr. Soboleff would much care for your antics Icummins. Its remarkable how many people contradict themselves and demonstrate blatant hypocisy.
You mock me then bring up Dr. Soboleff and suggest what he his tact and bearing. Are you really so unintelligent to fail to see your circular logic?
And do you see anyone else here "trying to get along" and discuss issues in a positive manner? Do you look at the mud slinging, muck raking, and ad hominem's posted by all the haters? But you pick me out of the crowd to mock? So strange and bizarre how you logic works; obvious where your bias is.
Besides, Im not Dr. Soboleff and this isnt a public forum. ITs more or less a peanut gallery where no one takes any responsibility for anything they say.
If you going to make a comment be consistent, logical, and balanced. Otherwise just dont say anything.
Steward: noun 1. a person who
Steward:
noun
1.
a person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others.
2.
a person who has charge of the household of another, buying or obtaining food, directing the servants, etc.
3.
an employee who has charge of the table, wine, servants, etc., in a club, restaurant, or the like.
4.
a person who attends to the domestic concerns of persons on board a vessel, as in overseeing maids and waiters.
5.
an employee on a ship, train, or bus who waits on and is responsible for the comfort of passengers, takes orders for or distributes food, etc.
6.
a flight attendant.
7.
a person appointed by an organization or group to supervise the affairs of that group at certain functions.
8.
U.S. Navy . a petty officer in charge of officer's quarters and mess.
I think people fail to understand the definition of steward. Hope this helps
@ vallbay
Yes Vallbay I agree with you a 100%. They cant cash those dividends quick enough.
Ravenhouse
I have tried to stay neutral on this issue for many reasons.... and I will remain neutral now. What I have to say is in regards to your "verbal treatment" of swimmergirl, who is no kid. Your words are rude and juvenile. "with little to no practical wisdom of the world."?!?!? Just who do you think you are? You need to take a step back and think about how YOU are treating others on this board. If you are representative of Sealaska's "side" in this matter, I will have to think strongly about remaining neutral. MY native brothers and sisters would never resort to such insulting and disrespectful words to another. You owe her an apology. Icummins had it right - you should have listened more carefully to Dr. Soboleff.
So your saying her words are
So your saying her words are mature and respectful? Again... please demonstrate consistency and equal judgement of ALL comments; not ignore the harsh subjective words of your friends and then only be critical of the same tone when people apply the same tone to her.
Ive seen her posts on many issues and her message is the same: All attitude and no facts. She dishes out her share of verbal abuse; she can take it. If shes a big girl then let her answer for herself.
I think Icummins should listen to his own advice and your friend swimmergirl needs to do the same; wouldnt you agree? I doubt the Dr would stand behind either of them and their mockery of others. Again, be consistent and logical;your bias is easily manifest. When you hold your friends accountable for their poor choice of words, your argument will have some credibility to it.
Its also ridiculous for those
Its also ridiculous for those of you that Bring up Dr. Soboleff when he supported Sealaska and supported the legislation. He would not be in support of all the negative attacks, and deliberate disinformation pieces by haters of Sealaska. Stop misusing and abusing his image and positive messages as an instrument of your hypocrisy.
Ravenhouse
Good luck on your life. I can see you have lots to deal with. I hope that you can find happiness and can enjoy time with friends and family. Life is too short to be so angry.
"Good luck on your life. I
"Good luck on your life. I can see you have lots to deal with. I hope that you can find happiness and can enjoy time with friends and family. Life is too short to be so angry the"
.... says the hypocritical mocker....
more disingenuous commentary from someone pretending to be a being of harmony and balance. Maybe you should look more into yourself. Stop making this about you and me.
Ravenhouse
I took your advice and read her comments and then yours (BTW - I have never met her, so your "friends" comment, was just more smoke and mirrors) NOT ONCE did she personally attack you - as YOU did to her. There's no doubt in my mind that the good Dr. would not stand behind you either.
Ravenhouse...
First, I did not call you names (thanks JNUKara and Icummins) I always do my absolute best to always use people's proper titles (President Bush) and never take anyone's 'handle' and twist it - I just think it's unnecessary, and mean-spirited.
Second - I did not call you juvenile, my comments regarding the watersheds were directed at Sealaska. I did say that I didn't think you got it, re: watersheds. Perhaps it would have been more accurate to say I didn't think you got how other people feel about it.
I think there have been more than enough facts given regarding the damage Sealaska has done though its logging practices.
And yes, it is entirely the point that watersheds are protected, as they should be. You said land was given to Sealaska "to be logged". Which seems to make my point. I merely think it's pretty cheeky to stand up and say "you gave us (or we selected?) all this acreage. But the water to our village runs through this land. We can't log it, but we don't want to save it for deerhunting and clean water on our own. We want you to take it, since you can't do anything with it either. You save it for us to have clean water and hunt on, and give us land somewhere else that we can log."
if you review your initial
if you review your initial post, your tone is sarcastic and patronizing, and you make assumptions about my values. You suggest I dont understand what it means to be a grown up, and your overtly critical of Sealaska; you paint a negative picture of them.
I mostly share a car with my girlfriend, and my shoes are about 5 years old and cost me $40. I make enough to pay my bills and have a few bucks left over. And Im fine with all that because its all I need and I know its better off than others; I count my blessings.
Sealaska has many positive impacts on the Southeast and its logging practices are open to interpretation about whether they are good or bad.
@JNUKara: I dont ask nor expect Dr Soboleff to stand by me; I stand on my own as I am my own person with my own life experiences and values. I dont think Dr. Soboleff's message was: "Be like me. Everything you do, make sure I approve of it."
I do not disregard him and his I believe his leadership was of value to all; not just Natives. Again, he was a supporter of Sealaska and he supported its practices and he would not appreciate negative commentary of it, or its staff. You want to use his image as a tool, but then contradict his stance on Sealaska's practices and policies? Odd
This sounds like old married
This sounds like old married couples talking and not listening to what the others are saying. He said this,-- no I said that-- but you ment this even if you didn't say it....
If Sealaska had been righteous in their treatment of the land all along then communities would maybe not be so opposed to them as neighbors. But that did not happen , and the ONLY thing we have to go by is past performance. No matter what they say has changed, we only have their say so that this is true. In this legislation they have voiced many untruths when responding to negative response, in their letters and statements. When we see these it is hard to believe that their words of " good stewards" hold any meaning. Our communities have been involved with these lands , and protecting our areas of subsistence for over 30 years. Why should we give these areas up to Sealaska to clear cut, after working as communities with the USFS year after year, indeed many of these areas are only here because we fought off the timber Co. during the 50 year contracts. Why should we now give them over to Sealaska because their ancestor may have spent the night on the beach here. Who has the most right to these lands when put in that context.
We fought for these lands for the last 40 years , Sealaska didn't
i can see why yoe feel that
i can see why yoe feel that way ravensquak; I have experienced Sealaska differently than you have.
From what I understand, Sealaska intends to manage these selections differently than when they first started logging in the 70's . They logged aggressively to jump start their assets and were following a model that proved to be a paradigm that was outgrown so to speak. They intend to put out about 40-50 mbf opposed to the 100 mbf from what I understand.
To date, they have only clear cut roughly 30% of their existing selections.
But regardless ravensquak, you make your argument in a fair way and raise valid concerns. I wish others could follow your objective model and disagree without attacking and degrading folks.
Ravenhouse
You said "You want to use his image as a tool, but then contradict his stance on Sealaska's practices and policies? Odd"
Show me where - anywhere - I contradicted his stance on Sealaska's practices and policies? I only contradicted YOU and your insulting words to swimmergirl. I said then that I remain neutral on this issue. I listen to everyone's opinion and don't call other people names. Dr. Soboleff's "stance" is not at issue - his words and ways are to be respected:
"People just can't grow up," he once said. "The world needs a good philosophy of life. My philosophy of life is tolerance, it doesn't hurt you."
And then he said in Tlingit, "Sh yáa.awudanéiyi a kwáan. Respect People. Respect yourself, too, and other people will respect you."
~ His philosophy of life is a good one. One that I strive to follow....
AGAIN Ravenhouse...pitiful!
Ravenhouse to Swimmerkid)...."Dont be so naive to feebly patronize me about maturity when your an emotional, uneducated, and misinformed kid with little to no practical wisdom of the world."
Ravenhouse quoted: "Besides, Im not Dr. Soboleff (NO KIDDING!) and this isnt a public forum. ITs more or less a peanut gallery where no one takes any responsibility for anything they say." (At least you do not seem to take any Ravenhouse!)
"If you going to make a comment be consistent, logical, and balanced. Otherwise just dont say anything." (please follow your own advice here, Ravenhouse!)
You deserved this one, Ravenhouse! "CAW! CAW! You are the emotional person. Didn't you ever listen to Dr. Soboleff? Why don't you try getting along with people and discussing issues rather than calling them names and insulting them? You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar."
AND LASTLY, Ravenhouse....this IS good advice from JNUKara, please take to heart...".I have tried to stay neutral on this issue for many reasons.... and I will remain neutral now. What I have to say is in regards to your "verbal treatment" of swimmergirl, who is no kid. Your words are rude and juvenile. "with little to no practical wisdom of the world."?!?!? Just who do you think you are? You need to take a step back and think about how YOU are treating others on this board. If you are representative of Sealaska's "side" in this matter, I will have to think strongly about remaining neutral. MY native brothers and sisters would never resort to such insulting and disrespectful words to another. You owe her an apology. Icummins had it right - you should have listened more carefully to Dr. Soboleff."
....................................................................................................................
My God, woman...please refrain from posting, PLEASE! I think you have lost your way here....I'm feeling a bit ashamed for you.
I know it seems....
...like I'm chasing you around, Ravenhouse. But please read this before commenting any further. Honestly, there is much for any of us to learn from this...including me. :)
Cross-cultural competence and power-based rules: A native American case study.Author: Gelaye Debebe. Available online at www.sciencedirect.com International Journal of Intercultural Relations 32 (2008) 399–414.