Through this project, interviews with local experts have been initiated to formally document traditional and local ecological knowledge of Sitka Sound’s nearshore subtidal and intertidal environments, and highlight important areas of productivity and subsistence harvest in these systems. These interviews are ongoing and more excerpts will be uploaded soon; if you are interested in being interviewed or know a good candidate for interview, please contact SSSC.

Jerold Deppa – ‘Jerry’ Deppa, who was the at-large Field Biologist for Southeast Alaska with the Alaska Department of Fish and Wildlife in the 1960’s & 70’s, shares his memories of Sitka Sound before, during, and after sea otter reintroduction to the area.

(Recording made at the Sitka Sound Science Center on Oct 31, 2017; length 42:50)

Fred Hope – Fred Hope (Tlingit name Shaayieesh) belongs to the Kiks.ádi clan and was born in Sitka. He shares memories from his younger years living in Sitka and fishing with his family. 

(Recording made at the Sitka Pioneer Home on Jan 05, 2018; length 26:15)

Florence Welsh – Florence moved to Sitka in 1975 from Boston, and has spent her life here exploring, learning and harvesting along Sitka’s rocky coasts. She reflects on how Sitka appeared to her when she first arrived, as well as changes she’s noticed over time. For more chronicles of Florence’s harvesting experiences, check out her website.

(Recording made at the Welsh residence on Dec 16, 2017; length 35:12)

Burgess Bauder – Burgess has lived in Sitka for 45 years, and self-identifies as the oldest living commercial diver in the state of Alaska. He describes some of the changes he’s witnessed over his years of working underwater in Southeast Alaska. 

(Recording made at Bauder’s veterinary office on Dec 14, 2017; length 31:20)

Matt Goff – Matt is a life-long Sitkan, and describes himself as having become “moderately obsessed with natural history” in the area as an adult. He shares his memories of the local coastal system from his youth to today. Matt hosts the Sitka Nature Show; episodes can be found on his website.

(Recording made at Sitka Public Library on June 22, 2017; length 30:00)