‘Valdez High School Celebrates Native Alaska / Native American Heritage Month’ By Pamela Verfaillie

On November 15th, the Valdez High School Library, in partnership with the Valdez Museum and Historical Archive and local Alaska Native elders and cultural ambassadors, hosted an Alaska Native Culture Appreciation Day to celebrate Native American / Native Alaskan Heritage Month. VHS Library Associate, Pamela Verfaillie, approached her principal, Peter Baksis, with the idea and was told “sure – go for it. I’ll support you.” So she did.

One Gilson Middle School student claimed this was “the best class I have ever taken”.

The event was open to students from Valdez High School and Gilson Middle School, their parents, and community members. With 2 sports teams on the road, a major basketball tournament, and waking to 6” of snow, she didn’t have to worry about too many people crowding the library. But, the mix of students, parents, and community members made for a richer experience and was enjoyed by all.

This type of event is possible because of Valdez’s new Flex Friday schedule at their middle and high schools. Students attend regular classes Monday through Thursday and have an optional half day on Friday. The Flex Friday schedule ensures that students traveling for sports are missing less instructional time, students needing extra assistance can meet with their teachers outside of regular classes, and students have the opportunity to explore enrichment activities. The Alaska Native Culture Appreciation Day is one example of what can happen on a Friday.

Activities in the library were a mix of drop in and longer programs that required pre-registration. The  drop in stations included Alutiiq visors and sun goggles with Faith Revell, Curator of Education & Public Programs and Interim Executive Director at the Valdez Museum, Alaska Native clothing with VHS/GMS Art Teacher Katy Rowland and volunteer Amber Westerlund, and the history and meaning of Nanwalek Seagull Dance with Sonya Selanoff. There were also longer programs – sewing a beaded fur cuff bracelet with Diane Selanoff and her daughter Chelsea Selanoff, and beading jacquard pouches with Betty McIntosh. Throughout the day, participants made connections through storytelling and learning traditional skills. As Diane Selanoff stated, “All cultures, not just Alaska Native, have historical knowledge from making things with their hands. When we create, we also connect with our ancestors.”

The Valdez High School Library’s Alaska Native Cultural Appreciation Day demonstrated what can happen when a community comes together to share their knowledge with today’s students. Whether learning new things about their own culture or someone else’s, all participants walked away with new skills, knowledge, and a bit more understanding of Alaska Native culture.