Community initiatives thrive with Alaska Fellows, projects and advocacy
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Discover how the Alaska Fellows Program is transforming lives with exciting prospects in Sitka. Explore the impactful projects accelerated by the Spruce Root team during their recent meeting, and learn about the groundbreaking Resilience Circles gathering hosted by Spruce Root. Plus, get insights into how advocates are sharing Southeast Alaska's sustainability story on a national stage in Washington, D.C.
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Photo by Bethany Sonsini Goodrich
Spruce Root’s Shaelene Grace Moler, left, joins Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy Storytelling Specialist Lee House and Kake Community Catalyst Hank Copsey on Prince of Wales Island in October to tour restoration work performed by the Klawock Indigenous Stewards Forest Partnership and Alaska Youth Stewards crew.
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Alaska Fellows Program offers exciting
opportunity in Sitka for growth
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Are you an early-career professional seeking a rewarding opportunity for growth?
Look no further than our Alaska Fellows Program Position for Community Economic Development, in scenic Sitka.
Take inspiration from Shaelene Grace Moler, Spruce Root’s current Community Economic Development Fellow, who has delved into various aspects of our work since September, particularly enjoying storytelling.
Shaelene's contributions include:
Moreover, she lends her expertise to workshop facilitation and technology, supporting events such as Business Basics for Artists and Financial Wellness.
At Spruce Root, we are committed to nurturing our team's professional growth. Our Community Development fellowship in Sitka presents an exceptional chance for early-career professionals to broaden their skills and networks. Apply now as applications are currently under review!
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Photo by Lee House
The Spruce Root team met in person to participate in project acceleration and case clinics for three different projects: The Sustainable Southeast Partnership spring retreat, Resilience Circles and an Indigenous lending and financial products.
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Spruce Root team meets in Sitka to accelerate three key projects
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In February, the Spruce Root team met in Sitka to accelerate various priority projects: the Sustainable Southeast Partnership spring retreat, Resilience Circles, and Indigenous lending and financial products.
The goal of the retreat was to establish foundational next steps to move these projects forward and create a basis of understanding across the team. It included wellness activities such as group yoga and paired walks, as well as community/partner visits to Kanga Bay pet store and the Sitka Sound Science Center.
The team also worked with Outercoast students to advance our projects through case clinics: an activity designed to address critical questions and provide feedback.
The team also learned how to introduce themselves in Lingít along with Outercoast students and shared meals with them to build relationships with the Outercoast community. We want to thank Outercoast for welcoming and hosting us throughout the week!
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Photo by Tripp J Crouse
Naomi Michelson discusses how to find natural growing medicines and how to respectfully harvest plants during a Resilience Circles practitioner retreat in Juneau.
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Spruce Root hosts groundbreaking Resilience Circles gathering
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In February, Resilience Circles hosted practitioners and facilitators in Juneau for three days who participated in sessions on healing intergenerational trauma, examining what it means to be trauma-informed and build trust.
This first in-person gathering of the practitioners sought to establish a common meaning and understanding of the work the group would continue through facilitated sessions with the cohort.
This meeting also created an opportunity to explore personal healing that will mirror the participant experience.
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Provided photo
First Alaskans Magazine: The Magazine of Native Peoples, Communities, and Ways of Life, Winter 2023-2024.
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Advocates share Southeast Alaska's
sustainability story in D.C.
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Published in February 2024, Sustainable Southeast Partnership Director Marina Anderson, Sealaska Director of Shareholder Development Tesla Cox, and Sitka Conservation Society Deputy Director Katie Riley share their journey to Washington, D.C. to advocate for the Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy (SASS).
This story covers what SASS is, how it came to be, and how it supports youth and community-driven projects throughout Southeast Alaska.
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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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