In Sitka, All Eyes are on Tlingit Potatoes
Release Date: Sep 22, 2021
Contact(s): Paul Robbins Jr.
Sitka, Alaska, September 21, 2021—A short but exciting hands-on
celebration will be happening at the Sitka Ranger District Office on
Sept. 24, 2021. The Sitka RangerDistrict, Sitka Tribe of Alaska, and
Pacific High School gardening class will celebrate American Indian
Heritage Day (Sept. 24) and National Public Lands Day (Sept 25) by
following a time-honored tradition in Sitka – the annual harvest of
“Tlingit” (Maria’s) potatoes!
Forest Service employees, Sitka Tribe employees and volunteers,
and student volunteers will get their hands dirty at the Forest
Service office as they harvest the potatoes they lovingly planted
this prior Earth Day, April 22. Story tellers will talk about the
traditions behind potatoes and gardening and others will share
information on how to care for Tlingit potatoes, as well as their
biology, history, and cultural aspects. Participants will also say
goodbye to long-time Tongass NEPA Planner and “potato lady,”
Michelle Putz, as she assists with her last harvest.
“It could not be more appropriate or humbling than to
commemorate these two specific days, meant to honor
Native American heritage and volunteerism, with these
much-appreciated partners through harvesting a locally
important and traditional food,” said Sitka District
Ranger, Perry Edwards.
We look forward to holding a planting event next spring
that is open to the community. To limit the spread of
COVID-19, this year's celebration will not be open to the
public. In the meantime, those interested in learning more
about these interesting potatoes can view the Forest Service
video: Tlingit Potato Garden – Culture, Horticulture, Stories,
History at https://vimeo.com/416075040.
For more information about this project, contact Raeanna Wood
at 907-747-4202 or Raeanna.wood@usda.gov.
For interviews and information to be used for publication, contact
the Tongass Public Affairs Officer at 907-617-2063.
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