Banner photo: Chilkat Valley Catalyst Katrina Hotch looks out from Klukwan.
Ḵaa Yahaayí Shkalneegi Muriel Reid is a X’aaka Hít Kiks.ádi Lingít from Sheet’ká and a grandchild of the Ch’áak’ Kúdi Hít Kaagwaantaan. In 2022 and 2024, he joined the SSP as a Storytelling and Engagement intern hosted by the Sitka Conservation Society and supported by the Sealaska Internship program. In autumn, Reid visited Klukwan and Haines with a group of SSP catalysts—touring some of the great projects happening in the area.
I step off the Alaska Marine Highway ferry in Deishú and am greeted by Shannon Stevens, the deputy director of Sustainable Southeast Partnership. As we drive into town she tells me what restaurants might be open, where she cold water dips, and it’s comforting to know how deeply at home she is here. We make our way along the river up to Tlákw Aan, where we will find Katrina Hotch, SSP’s community catalyst for Tlákw Aan and Deishú (Klukwan and Haines).
Inside Klukwan’s school, staff are busy with the school’s culture days, where kids sing and learn and play for two days. When I find Katrina she’s in the school’s gym, helping students remember to focus on the two-foot high kick. Matthew Quinto is teaching them traditional games. She sits amongst them.
After they break for the day, Katrina and I meet at the Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center, which sits right next to the river. We chat about how busy things seem to be here in Tlákw Aan, she tells me about fish processing camps, and we walk over to the community gardens.
Katrina has strong roots in Klukwan, her family has lived here for generations upon generations, and upon meeting her, I understand why everyone has been excited for me to meet her. Here in the breeze of late afternoon, Katrina speaks of her projects in facilitating cultural gatherings and supporting the community garden—I can feel the love she holds for this place.
The next morning I tag along as Shannon, Jennifer Nu (Regional Food Systems Catalyst), and Clay Good (Regional Energy Catalyst) speak with the Northwest Conservation Philanthropy Fellows— visitors interested in supporting work in support of Indigenous cultures, healthy forests and waters. SSP Catalysts are always looking for ways to build connections across Southeast Communities, as well as with partners and potential funders from the lower 48.
Afterwards, Shannon and I tour the Takshanuk Watershed Council’s upcoming composting facility. A special thank you to the Rasmuson Foundation, USDA SASS, and Central Council of Tlingit and Haida for their generous support on this project that will divert compostable materials from the landfill and support feeding the soil and helping the goal of local food security. Most household’s trash contains 40% compostable materials. 5.2M pounds of trash go to the landfill every year in Haines, 2M lbs per year could be composted, helping close an important loop for the community.
Hours before my ferry back, Erika Merklin leads me to the Victory Garden at Mosquito Lake. This 6,000 sq ft garden is led by volunteers to address local food security and takes root on an old school ground. Erica picks me sweet peas and I eat them through the evening as mountains pass, when I arrive in Juneau its past dark, and I have just enough peas to share.
