Re-dedication booklet preview ...

If you're around for the Re-dedication, which is now less than a month away, you'll have a chance to grab a hard copy of the booklet, created by Tracy Churchill of Southeast Design and Promotion.  The booklet is packed with some great photos of the island during the renovation, as well as historic shots of the 1940 Tribal House and potlatch.

That's a shot of the book cover.  To take a peek at the rest of it, click here!

Re-dedication less than 6 months away

We are less than 6 months away from the Re-dedication of Chief Shakes Island.  The Tribal House is right on schedule, with walls up, roof on and the interior ready for some electrical work.  It won't be long before the house posts and artifacts are back in their rightful location in the House.

Here's a look at the schedule of events for the Re-dedication Ceremony:


Friday, May 3, 2013

• Parade                                  12-2 p.m.
• Children's Regalia Contest    2-4 p.m.
• Canoe Races                         4-6 p.m.
• Bingo                                    7 p.m.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

• Canoe Landing                      9-10 a.m.
• Tribal House Re-dedication  10-1 p.m.
• Dancing                                 3-9 p.m.

This schedule is subject to change, partly because we've already had nearly 700 people RSVP and that's mostly just donators, dancers and those bringing the canoes.  Hotels have been booked up for months and we're looking all over for temporary housing solutions, but we're going to need help from the community of Wrangell.  If you can help house visitors, or help out in any way, please contact WCA.

Tribal House - October 31, 2012

Shakes Island Re-dedication - May 3rd & 4th, 2013

Welcome to the brand new Shakes Island Re-dedication blog.  Here we'll post updates about the Tribal House Re-dedication, which will take place on Chief Shakes Island in Wrangell, Alaska, May 3rd & 4th, 2013.

Restoration is on schedule and Wrangell Cooperative Association is looking for volunteers to help with the re-dedication ceremony.  They are estimating no less than 500 visitors here for the two-day celebration, which means we'll need a lot of help.  So far, in addition to the rededication ceremony, the schedule also boasts of a parade, Bingo, canoe races, children's regalia contest and more!

The WCA is in search of committee leaders, members and volunteers from all communities to help celebrate the re-opening of the Chief Shakes Island Tribal House.  If you can help organize housing, transportation, advertising, fund raising, dancing, gift giving or assist in any other fashion, please contact the WCA via phone (907.874.4304), email us at wcatribe@gmail.com, or stop by the office in downtown Wrangell.  If you are part of a dance group that plans on attending, please contact us and let us know you're coming.

We are also looking for volunteers to help prepare donated moose, deer and fish.  Butchering will be provided, but we do need some experienced hands to assist in cleaning the animals as they are donated, as well as canning or packaging the meat after it has been butchered.  Berry pickers, we could use your help too.  This is going to be a very traditional celebration and we'll be serving lots of traditional Stikine foods with your help.