This year’s Grand Marshals for the Fourth of July parade are Rosa L. Miller, Jim Triplette, Bea Findlay and Selina Everson. Each are treasured longtime members of the community who represent the values of this year’s parade theme of “heritage.”
Miller is a 90-year-old elder of the Dog Salmon Clan from the Yax te Hit “Big Dipper House.” She is the Tribal Leader of the Yax te’ Taan (Auk Kwaan). When she was 12 years old she joined the Alaska Native Sisterhood, Camp 2, and now is a Lifetime Member.
Triplette said he is “proud of being a life-long member of the Juneau community, and wish to honor my parents’ pioneer spirit and the hundreds of Juneau’s skilled craftsmen who have worked for Triplette Construction for over the last 72 years.”
At 70 years old, Findlay describes herself as the “world’s oldest drum major.” She will be marching in her eighth and final parade this year. Not to be confused with a majorette, Findlay eschews gender conventions with specially-ordered costumes.
Everson was one of 12 children born to George and Fannie James in a fish camp across from the village of Angoon. She has been an influential and hardworking member of the Alaska Native Sisterhood, serving as ANS Grand President for three different terms.
Those wishing to participate in this year’s Fourth of July parade are invited to apply through forms that can be found at Cycle Alaska downtown and at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. Deadline for entry is June 25, 2017. For further information, please call 790-4444.
