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After
receiving a $60,000 USDA_RD grant, the Tribal House in Saxman
will receive a new roof. Image-NARF
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The rural City of Saxman has received a $60,000 grant from U.S.
Department of Agriculture-Rural Development (USDA-RD) it was announced
on Thursday by USDA State Director Jim Nordlund.
The funding for the roof replacement of Saxman's Tribal House
was provided by USDA_RD Alaska's Community
Facility Direct Grant, it was reported.
"This much-needed funding will be used to replace the roof of
the City owned Tribal House in Saxman. The building is the centerpiece
of Totem Park and is of great value historically, culturally and
economically," Nordlund said.
Replacing the roof will prevent damage to the red cedar ceiling
purlins which are custom made and very expensive to replace. The
space is used for Native cultural activities including memorials,
ceremonies cultural dancing, celebrations and heritage tourism performances.
Saxman, which was founded in the 1800s when the communities
of Tongass and Cape Fox consolidated their communities, was also
in the news earlier this year when the community regained its rural
status. Its status as a rural community was stripped when, under
pressure from the state of Alaska, the Federal Subsistence Board
terminated that status and grouped the community with the city of
Ketchikan in 2006.
Saxman had filed suit to regain their status, but the case was
settled out of court in Saxman's favor. The fix allows Saxman community
members harvest priority for fish and game on public lands.
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