Alaska’s Together Tree connects communities and agencies
ALASKA – Over the past five years, Southeast Alaska communities and organizations have been collaborating to deliver a holiday tree to the Alaska Governor’s Mansion in Juneau. The tree is known as the Together Tree and this year came from Wrangell, Alaska.
Multiple organizations, both local and federal, along with other Southeast communities worked in partnership to ensure this symbolic tree was ready for its 2021 holiday debut.
The stakes were high in selecting a tree that would eventually be displayed for all to enjoy in the state’s capital city, and the Wrangell Ranger District timber and vegetation management group was able to scout and find a stately 14-foot lodgepole pine from Etolin Island.
Two members of the Wrangell Cooperative Association brought the sustainably harvested tree to the Chief Shakes Tribal House for a blessing by Virginia Oliver.
Oliver, whose Tlingit name is Xwaanlein, was adorned in a woven cedar hat and beaded gloves, as she welcomed a gathered crowd onto the ancestral home of the Naanyaa.aayi.
In most other states and capital cities, the tree would be driven to its destination. In the coastal area of Southeast Alaska, where communities are separated by ocean, extra coordination was needed. Thanks to the U.S. Coast Guard, the tree was loaded onboard the Elderberry cutter to be delivered to Juneau.
Unfortunately, shortly after departure from Wrangell, the cutter’s engine started experiencing problems which forced the ship to moor in neighboring community Petersburg. Upon investigation, it was determined that fishing line tangled in the propeller and caused the engine to overheat. After many frantic phone calls, divers came to the rescue to remove the line, and the Elderberry resumed its journey meandering through the Inside Passage to the destination.
“The crew and I were extremely honored to have been a part of this very important holiday mission,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Garrett Kravitz, officer-in charge, Coast Guard Cutter Elderberry. “Delivering this year’s Together Tree to Juneau reinforces the bond the Coast Guard shares with our local, state, tribal and federal partners and highlights the importance teamwork plays in serving and safeguarding Alaska’s residents and communities.”
Once positioned at the Governor’s Mansion, the tree was adorned with ornaments hand-crafted by students from Ketchikan’s elementary school.
While the tree’s journey had its share of challenges, organizers persevered and overcame, continuing this important holiday tradition.