Angoon receives multi-million dollar grant to boost local tourism
Posted by Erin McKinstry, KCAW | May 11, 2021
Aerial view of Angoon. (Emily Russell/KCAW Photo)
The Admiralty Island village of Angoon has received nearly 2 million dollars in federal funding to build a visitor center. The relief money is meant to combat economic impacts brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Local leaders hope it will boost a homegrown cultural tourism industry.
Angoon doesn’t get big cruise ships, even in non-pandemic times. But they still normally see a small but steady stream of tourists in the summer. There are a handful of fishing lodges and a couple of small boats bringing visitors to the island community of around 500.
Boat mishap claims life of a Sitka subsistence herring harvester
Posted by Robert Woolsey, KCAW | Apr 12, 2021
Theodosius “Dosy” Merculief. (Kootznoowoo, Inc. image)
One Sitka man has died and another sustained injuries after being thrown from their skiff while subsistence fishing for herring eggs last week (4-9-21).
Good Samaritans played a critical role in the rescue, which took place less than a quarter mile from shore.
Note: You can find a link to the GoFundMe campaign for the Merculief family here.
41-year old Theodosius Merculief known to family and friends as “Dosy” was pronounced dead at the Mt. Edgecumber Medical Center, shortly after he and his companion, 43-year old James Jensen, were pulled from the water near the Starrigavan boat ramp by Good Samaritans last Friday afternoon (4-9-21).
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Debbie Atuk was hired in January and officially took over as President and CEO of Kootznoowoo Incorporated on Feb. 1. (Photo provided by Kootznoowoo Inc.)
Even back when Debbie Atuk was an undergraduate student studying economics at the University of Chicago, she was thinking about Alaska Native corporations.
“I wrote a lot of essays, a lot of scholarship application essays, and I talked about the Native corporations and how I wanted to come back and apply my experience earning a degree in economics,” she said.
Atuk is Iñupiaq and grew up in Nome and Anchorage. She went on to earn an MBA from Dartmouth, and most recently worked for SkyView Investment Advisors in New York City. She also serves as board treasurer for Bering Straits Native Corporation.
Posted by Erin McKinstry, KCAW | Feb 9, 2021
Debbie Atuk was hired in January and officially took over as President and CEO of Kootznoowoo, Incorporated on Feb. 1. (Photo provided by Kootznoowoo, Inc.)
Angoon’s Native corporation has a new leader. Debbie Atuk took over as the President and CEO of Kootznoowoo Incorporated in February after a career in corporate finance and business.
Even back when Debbie Atuk was an undergraduate student studying economics at the University of Chicago, she was thinking about Alaska Native corporations.
“I wrote a lot of essays, a lot of scholarship application essays, and I talked about the Native corporations and how I wanted to come back and apply my experience earning a degree in economics,” she said.
Movers and Shakers for Feb. 14
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Alaska USA Federal Credit Union announced the selection of six new executives and two promotions.
Elizabeth Rense
Pavlas has been promoted to chief operations officer. Pavlas has more than 10 years of experience with Alaska USA in positions of increasing responsibility, most recently as executive director, Retail Financial Services.
Patrick Cosgrove has been selected to fill the position of chief lending officer. Cosgrove joins Alaska USA Federal Credit Union with more than 25 years of credit union experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Dickinson College in Pennsylvania.
Shannon Conley has been promoted to executive director, Retail Financial Services. Conley has worked for Alaska USA for more than 15 years and most recently held the position of senior vice president, branch administration.