Wikipedia captured how I feel in this definition. “An expatriate (often shortened to expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than that of their citizenship. The word comes from the Latin terms ex (“out of”) and patria (“country, fatherland”). In common usage, the term is often used in the context of professionals or skilled workers sent abroad by their companies.” My family and I recently relocated to Bellingham, WA when we followed employment opportunities. Alaska always has been home, and despite the proximity of Washington to Alaska, and the sheer number of Alaskans living here, it still feels like I’ve left the country in many ways. So I’ve been thinking about how to help my girls understand how I feel about the place where I was born, grew up, and keep coming back to. I want to keep the spirit and appreciation of Alaska alive in our home by celebrating Alaska Day. At this age, they just want to get messy and be creative. Because I have little ones who are 5 years apart in age, we are going to do some arts and crafts that both can enjoy along with reading some of our favorite Alaskan children’s books. We plan to make paper plate polar bear masks, and maybe some other animals – paper plate whales, walrus, and owls. I’m printing some more intricate totem pole coloring pages for my oldest and the state flag for my youngest to color. We will pull some fish from the freezer and use my favorite sea salt – Alaska Pure: Alder Smoked (made in Sitka, and if you haven’t tried it – you should – I use it in everything!). And since the holiday is this month, October is the perfect opportunity to start telling them the history of how Alaska became part of the United States.
Alaska was formally transferred to the United States on October 18, 1867. This is quite possibly one of the largest land purchases in history with the acquisition of more than 375 million acres. The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 was larger. However, for those of us born and raised in “Seward’s Icebox” or who have by adoption come to call it home – Alaska will forever be the greatest not simply for its vastness, but the depth and height of its natural grandeur and the unique tenacity it requires of one to thrive here. Alaskan’s only become true Alaskan’s when they have the longevity to shed the title cheechako (an ignorant new comer, greedy and here only for what Alaska can give) for that of sourdough.
Alaska commemorates this event with two official state holidays. While Seward’s Day, celebrated on the last Monday of March, honors the March 30, 1867 signing of the purchase treaty, the largest celebration happens every year on October 18 – Alaska Day. This year, it will be observed by closure of state government offices, schools, and select businesses on Monday, October 19. An extensive week long festival takes place in Sitka where the Russian flag was lowered over the Governor’s house and that of the United States raised in its place. Information about schedule of events and current planning can be found at www.alaskadayfestival.org and at their facebook site, alaskadaysitka. Reservations and tickets for some events, such as the period ball are recommended as not only locals but other Alaskans and even tourists from out of state come for the events. In fact, extensive planning and marketing is already underway for the 150th Anniversary in 2017. In other parts of the state Alaska Day celebrations are much less noticeable. Historians would argue that regardless of one’s political opinions on the exploitation of the land and its distinctive indigenous population by early settlers, the transfer of Russian power to the United States marks a significant shift in Alaska’s part in world events and influences. Alaska continues to be important to the global community for reasons beyond our expansive size and abundant natural resources. I often wonder…. What do the majority of people who call Alaska home consider our position in the United States and the world at whole to be? What do we offer, what gets taken? What do we take? How do we find the balance so that Alaska remains the unique culture and land it has been for generations without becoming an isolationist state?
Jump on line at seakliving.com or the facebook page and share what you love about Alaska, how you honor your connection to this state in your homes (especially if you are not living in Alaska), and what sort of vision you have for the future of this Last Frontier.
Dr. Summer Beattie, ND is a graduate of Bastyzr University. She has over 8 years experience as a Naturopathic Doctor specializing in women’s health with an emphasis on environmental medicine. Having served two terms on the board of directors for the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians, she has also worked in the medical aesthetics field since 2008. You can reach her at onehealingcenter@gmail.com or
907-209-4611.
