The Wrangell Cooperative Association welcomed one of the earliest and largest contributors to the Chief Shakes restoration project to Wrangell last week, as members of the Rasmuson Foundation paid the Tribal House and Carving Shed a visit on June 25.
“The Chief Shakes Island Tribal House restoration is exactly the type of project the Rasmuson Foundation likes to get behind,” said CEO Ed Rasmuson, who before becoming President and Chairman of the Board for National Bank of Alaska spent two years running the Wrangell branch after the tenure of former Governor Frank Murkowski.
“I called Wrangell home in 1966 and 1967 and it still holds a place in my heart,” he said. “I would like nothing more than to see the Native culture preserved for future generations. Throw in the visitors that the restored Tribal House and a new carving facility will bring to town and this was a no-brainer project for us to back.”
Rasmuson added that his organization enjoys focusing on projects in the region.
“The Rasmuson Foundation absolutely loves Alaska,” he said. “We’ve contributed more than $2.5 million to Wrangell projects and are proud to have contributed to Wrangell Cooperative Association. We can’t wait to see the Tribal House and Carving Shed completed and the totems back in their rightful place again soon.”
WCA’s Carol Snoddy worked for Rasmuson at the National Bank of Alaska and Wells Fargo for 30 years and said she was very encouraged with the foundation’s visit.
“The members and their spouses were all really enthused on the island and genuinely excited to see our progress,” Snoddy said. “I really do believe that Wrangell is one of the bright spots in Southeast Alaska right now and our progress will help to strengthen our community and Native culture. Now it’s time to get the House back together and get those totems back up.”
During the visit, project manager Todd White gave foundation members a rundown of the project during the Shakes Island visit, showing off the freshly raised corner posts and mapping out the next steps in the restoration.
“The south wall framing is in place,” White said. “We’re waiting on the second batch of our cedar donated by Sealaska so we can finish the front wall, so we’re going to do some roof work in the meantime.”
Regarding the south wall of the Tribal House, White admitted to being a little nervous as superintendent Richard Oliver made cuts through the corner posts for sill beams and framing.
“I was a little nervous for the first cut,” White said. “There’s a lot of pressure riding on the cuts at this stage, not only due to the time and manpower involved in getting the cedar here, but by the time the logs were finished, delivered and then adzed, they are valued at $30,000 a piece. I just told Richard, ’If you can’t make the cut, nobody can.’”
According to Snoddy, volunteers are still needed for the 2013 Shakes Island re-dedication. Those interested should contact the WCA office at 874-4304.
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