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An early November dispatch from the Spruce Root team
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It's remarkable how quickly we've reached the middle of November already!
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Hello, from the new communications specialist!
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Aniin! Boozhoo! My name is Tripp and I’m the communications specialist for Spruce Root. I began in August, as the previous comms specialist Izzy Haywood transitioned to leading events and facilitation for our team.
 I’m Indigenous – Ojibwe and Two Spirit (my pronouns are they/them and sometimes she/her) – and though my mom is from the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, I grew up mostly with my father in Illinois.
I am a 20-year recovering journalist and have worked in print, digital, web, audio, radio, photography and video – most recently serving as News Director for KNBA, an Alaska Native-owned and -operated public radio station in Anchorage, Alaska. Before that, I was the digital media editor at KTOO.
I was drawn to Spruce Root because of the community and economic development work the team does in rural Southeast Alaska – and the opportunity to create space for storytelling.
I’ve lived in Alaska now six years, and I fall in love with it a little more each day. That being said, you may have noticed Spruce Root's tone shift. That’s me! In September, we started transitioning our various platforms over to me, and I look forward to sharing our message with you all. |
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Registration now open for the 2023 Southeast Alaska Farmers Summit
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PETERSBURG, Alaska – For the first time in four years, the Southeast Alaska Farmers Summit will be held in-person February 23-25, 2023, at the Holy Cross House, 406 Excel St., Petersburg, Alaska.
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The summit focuses on bringing farmers together in order to learn from one another and from other industry professionals. The summit offers a mix of formal presentations, farmer roundtable discussions, hands-on workshops, and lots of good food and snacks!
Most participants say the most valuable aspect of the gathering is creating lasting connections with other growers in the region.
The goal of this gathering is to inspire and support commercial agriculture in Southeast Alaska, therefore strengthening food security across the region.
Several sessions will also be available via Zoom.
Two free pre-conference workshops will be available to all SEAK Farmers Summit participants on the Tuesday and Wednesday respectively preceding the summit. For more information about the pre-conference workshops, visit seakfarmerssummit.com/faqs.
Area hotels including The Scandia House and The Tides Inn are offering special rates for SEAK farmers Summit participants. OBI Seafoods is offering low-cost bunkhouse-style accommodations at $25 per night that you can reserve when you register for the summit.
To register, go to seakfarmerssummit.com and click the Register now button.
This project was funded in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and with the help of multiple sponsors.
For more information, go to seakfarmerssummit.com. |
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In our third quarter, Spruce Root entrepreneurial workshops served more than 150 participants, with 94 percent reporting that their skills improved as a result of their participation in a workshop.
At least 140 participants identified as Tlingit & Haida citizens.
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The Ecotrust team brainstorms ideas for their work to strengthen the food systems of Southeast Alaska. Our Spruce Root team is grateful to have been invited to facilitate the session. (Photo by Aaron Ferguson)
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Spruce Root Administration Coordinator Aldyn Brudie and CDFI Director Michael Ching attended the 2022 Opportunity Finance Network Conference in New York City in October 2022. They participated in a pre-conference gathering of other Native CDFIs, and networked with funders and partners both new and old, throughout the week. Aldyn also spoke on a panel discussion hosted by Oweesta Corporation on "Communicating Success," sharing Spruce Root's approach to sharing and uplifting our client's stories.
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Path to Prosperity's Annual Business Competition Boot Camp
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In October, 11 Path to Prosperity Business Competition finalists participated in a three-day intensive entrepreneurial boot camp.
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Congratulations to all the Path to Prosperity Business Competition finalists! You Completed Boot Camp! We want to take this opportunity to thank all the finalists, facilitators and mentors who helped put on a tremendous boot camp. We couldn't have done this amazing work without the help of some excellent sponsors. (Photo by Connor Meyer)
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During these highly interactive sessions, finalists engaged with Spruce Root facilitators, mentors and each other as they grew a network of support for each business.
Finalists will prepare to submit a business plan, financial projections and pitches in December. Two winners will be announced in early 2023, with each winning $25,000 to grow their business.
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- Preliminary announcement of a month-long wolf harvest sparks outcry from trappers (Raegan Miller/KRBD, Nov. 3, 2022)
- Petersburg Parks and Recreation Proposes Bike Park Near Sandy Beach (Rachel Cassandra/KFSK, Nov. 7, 2022)
- Big change could be on deck for Juneau’s waterfront (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire, Nov. 8, 2022)
- What infrastructure projects do Wrangell residents care most about? The borough wants to know. (Sage Smiley/KSTK, Nov. 2, 2022)
- Scientists present theories for deer decline at Prince of Wales Island deer summit (Raegan Miller/KRBD, Nov. 2, 2022)
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SSP Rural Economic Development Catalyst: The overall goal of the Rural Economic Development Catalyst is to catalyze and support economic development activities in rural, especially tribal communities in southeast Alaska. You should expect these economic development activities to be guided by a blend of indigenous cultural values and a triple bottom line framework that integrates economic, social and ecological sustainability principles into each economic development project and activity.
SSP Communications Catalyst: Communications Catalyst is responsible for development, management, and coordination of communications for the Sustainable Southeast Partnership. The position is also responsible for managing emerging and innovative communications projects, including development of an annual SSP Communications, Outreach, & Engagement Strategy, growing funding for new programs, and positioning the SSP within Southeast Alaska communities to achieve the objectives of the Partnership.
Southeast Alaska Resilient Circles Director: Resilience Circles Director excited to co-develop the pilot implementation plan and lead the program management team in Alaska. The ideal candidate is looking to dedicate 20+ hours a week to support the success of the Resilience Circles pilot program in Southeast Alaska, with an openness to the growth of this role.
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Thank you to all our partners, supporters, donors and communities for continuing to share in our vision for the region!
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Spruce Root is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Our services for small businesses include coaching, training and lending for startup enterprises, working capital, business expansion, leasehold improvements and other business capital needs. We are a driver of a regenerative economy across Southeast Alaska so communities can forge futures grounded in this uniquely Indigenous place.
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