A radio show/podcast that seeks to bring awareness of the diverse experiences and contributions of Petersburg’s indigenous community.
The stories in our community are part of its soul. The Petersburg Listening Project seeks to keep the history of our community alive and remind us of the interwoven connections between all of us. If you would like to participate, contact Kari Petersen (kpetersen@petersburgak.gov / 907-772-3349)
Kate Thompson talks to her father, Harold Thompson, and family friend, Roxy Lee, about how they became such good friends, about opening Lee’s Clothing, the maiden voyage of the Alaska Marine Highway, and how fishing gear has changed over time. This interview was recorded in the Spring of 2024 as an assignment in Mr. Shumway’s Senior Alaska History Class at Petersburg High School.
Claire King talks to her granddaughter, Issabella Carow, about what it was like owning a remote fishing lodge and cabins on Prince of Wales Island. This interview was recorded in the Spring of 2024 as an assignment in Mr. Shumway’s Senior Alaska History Class at Petersburg High School.
High School Coaches and brothers, Rick and Dino Brock, sit down with student player, Devon Guthrie, and Petersburg Indigenous Awareness Committee members, Diane Benson and Kari Petersen, to discuss the pride basketball brings to a community, the history of basketball in Southeast, and what basketball has brought to their lives.
Will Ware talks with Kari Petersen about growing up in Petersburg, being raised by his Lingít Grandparents, Billy and Marth James. He tells about traditional Lingít harvesting methods and storage of foods before refrigeration that he was taught. Will discusses the traditional structure of Lingít society and cultural protocols needed to keep the ancient culture alive today.
Ray Duguqua sits down with Molly Taiber to talk about growing up in the village of Kake in the 1930s. He tells about going to Fish Camp in Saginaw Bay with his grandparents, about Kake Day, and what it was like to leave the village to attend school in Sitka. This is a rare glimpse into a world that now only exists in memory.
In this Listening Project conversation Jonas Hallingstad, Skip Hallingstad, Colyn Lyons and Brenda Louise discuss the legacy of Amy Hallingstad
Gloria Ohmer came to Petersburg as a young woman and has been involved with St Catherine's Catholic Church since her early days in town
Kris Norosz, the Director of Government Affairs at Icicle Seafoods, INC., sits down with Sue Paulsen to talk about how she got started in the seafood industry.
Jane Smith and Gina Esposito have worked together as archaeologists for over 20 years on the Tongass National Forest.
Steve Berry came to Petersburg in the early 1970s for a two week vacation and decided to stay. He started fishing and has since run charter boats, yachts for movie stars, and whale watching research boats all over the Pacific along with fishing boats and tenders in Alaska.
In this conversation Polly Lee talks with her daughter Anne Lee about her involvement and advocating for the formation of the original Alaska State Council on the Arts. Polly’s impact on the Arts not only in our community, but also in our State is impressive.
Retired teachers Kathy Bracken, Susan Holmes, Sally Riemer and Mel Stockton sit down during their weekly Thursday morning coffee ritual to talk about how Petersburg’s teachers have formed a lasting bond well into retirement.
Tareq Haluh and Angele McDonald met in 2008 in Petersburg. Angele was working checkout at a local grocery and Tareq was on a student visa in Petersburg, working in a cannery for the summer. They later married and now have a young daughter, Jude.
Linda Ensign talks with her mother Florence LeRoy about growing up in Canada and training as a nurse.
Dieter Klose talks with his son Dylan about growing up in Virginia and discovering climbing, Dieter’s life passion.
Karen Hofstad talks about what it was like being a woman on a fishing boat in the 1960’s, just after Alaska Statehood.
Ethelyn Lopez talks with her friend Brenda Louise about growing up in Kake in the 1930’s and 1940’s, meeting her husband and raising a family, and teaching Tlingit culture in Stedman Elementary School in Petersburg.
D.J. Roundtree speaks with her friend Heidi Lee about the Roundtree family cabin in Beecher’s Pass, built in 1927 with logs from Thomas Bay.
Danya Davis interviews Ty and Martha Cummins about the challenges and satisfaction of building their own home in Petersburg.
Colleen Nicholson talks with her friend Sally Riemer about downtown Petersburg in the 1940s.
Carli Loucks Byrer was in second grade when her family packed up and left Ceour d’Alene, Idaho to live and work at a logging camp in Rowan Bay on Kuiu Island, west of Petersburg.
Barry and Kathy Bracken talk about their lives in Alaska including Barry’s experience in the Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964 and Kathy’s first year as a school teacher in Kake.
Kevin Kivisto talked with his mother, Irya Peterson, about her life in Michigan and Alaska and their family’s Finnish ancestry.
Carol Enge provided a home away from home for kids in her First Street house since the 1950’s.
Patty Simpson and her sister Irene Roundtree started their lives in Petersburg as Wasvicks. Five Daughters Hill in Petersburg is named after the five sisters in their family.
When Patti and Gloria went to apply for a loan to start their store “the Cache”, the banker was dubious.
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Paul Bowen and his wife Neva trolled for salmon along with their daughters Nina and Nevette...