We live in a time of dramatic changes and media coverage—politically, ecologically, socially, economically. But what do these things mean for everyday people? What do new policies, weather patterns, migration changes, and gun laws mean for smaller communities? We are investigating what might get passed by, even on a small island town in Southeast Alaska with only 14 miles of road from one end to the other.

We know how the last year of climate events, elections, laws, and legislation affect the country on a large scale. How can people find local connections and ways to give back? Here is one example. Thanks to Alaska Dave and the Salvation Army Corps. We're curious to hear about other examples in our community and beyond.

On this episode of 14 Miles, we talk with former Sitka City Manager Mark Gorman about his experience in government. What does it mean to be a engaged in a community? What should a community expect of its citizens? These are the complicated questions we're exploring.

This episode of 14 Miles raises the challenges of making ends meet in Sitka and the possibilities of starting a new business. How do new Marijuana laws impact the economy of a small town? How does the fast-growing cost of living influence who leaves and who stays?

How do we participate in and build community? How do we support each other? The song featured in the Native American Heritage Month and Veteran’s Day parade, "Tsu héidei shugaxhtootaan (Celebration Entrance Song)," was composed by Harold Jacobs Jr. It is based on a speech by elder George Davis and gifted to the Sealaska Heritage Institute. It is based on the words, “We will open again this container of wisdom.”

Before the Curtain looks at Sitka School of Dance's annual Nutcracker preparations. This year, the school will present an Alaska-themed Nutcracker, featuring dancers as eagles, herring, bears, and crab. Outside of Sitka, what are your community's winter traditions? How do they reflect the geography of the place you live? How do they change as your community changes?

The Fortress of Bears is a non-profit rescuing and caring for orphaned bears. When the sanctuary was first proposed, many Sitkans disliked the idea of wild animals in captivity. But now it is a main tourist attraction, with more than 20,000 visitors a year. What places in your community do you feel uncertain about? What would prompt you to go there and learn about them firsthand?

The transition to a New Year provokes reflection on the past year and what’s ahead. New Year’s resolutions tend to about self-improvement, but in 14 Miles-style, we also got locals reflecting on the community. What resolution-like ideas do you have for your community? How do your personal goals match with the goals of the community?

One of the fun parts of this project is spending time in new places within our small community. We’ve also have been thinking about the challenges and possibilities of operating a small businesses on this island. What corners or parts of your community have you never explored? What does it take to run a family business?

In this episode, we spend time with Karla, a teen with a strong spirit and a story she was willing to share. These are large broad questions, but ones we will be touching on again in 14 Miles: What challenges do young people face in your community? How does the community provide support to them? Karla’s story was made with the help of Youth Advocates of Sitka, KCAW Raven Radio, and the Sitka Pioneer’s Home.

For this episode of 14 Miles, we asked you to submit videos telling stories of how people reacted when you told them you’re from Alaska. The responses ran the gamut from the stereotypical (“do you live in igloos?”) to the unexpected (watch to see!). Have you had similar experiences? Are there stereotypes and reactions that we missed? How do people generalize the region where you live?

We traveled around town to watch the last moments of preparation of the 10th annual Sitka Wearable Art show. We explored what it means to be involved in the show with one’s personal influences, challenges, lessons, and creative process. How does a project like this bring people together? Who gets to decide what something means: artist or viewers? What does it mean to the community?

Made with students and teachers at at Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary as part of an artist in schools residency, 4th and 5th graders learn documentary skills, interact with local adults, and reflect on what it means to contribute to the community. This is Artist in the Schools project, supported by a grant from Alaska State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts with additional funding from the Rasmuson Foundation.

In this episode, we jump into the fray with Southeast Alaska salmon #trollers fearful about their future. They're concerned  about the state’s strategy for renegotiating the Pacific Salmon Treaty, a formal agreement between the U.S. and Canada to cooperate in conservation and harvest sharing arrangements. It is a complicated story and our episode, “Whose Fish?” is  a snapshot, resonating with questions about resource allocation, the negotiation of international treaties and livelihoods under stress.

Our 14 Miles crew likes to go behind the scenes. In this episode our focus is on the beloved thrift store, the White Elephant. We learned a lot about “stuff” and how much this local non-profit donates back to the community. If you don’t live in Sitka, what kind of place like this would you tell a story about? If you do, what other places like the White E do you think we should tell stories about?

#14Miles collaborated with Raven Radio - KCAW, Sitka for their series "The Cost of Living in Series" to shed light on the growing need for shelter in Sitka. Both Juneau and Ketchikan opened a men’s emergency warming shelter in 2017. Should Sitka should follow suit? Sitka does not have an overnight shelter for men. Gayle Young wants to change that. She and other members of the Sitka Housing Coalition are looking for a place where men can spend the winters nights. Temperatures are dropping and some Sitkans are without a place to sleep. At the 2018 Project Homeless Connect event, 25 Sitka men and 6 Sitka women reported themselves as unsheltered. Young estimates the homeless population may be closer to 35.

In this 14 Miles episode we meet Ariadne, a library page who recently headed off for college. Our conversation touched on questions such as: What does it mean to grow up rooted in one community, as well as one workspace—in this case, the Sitka Public Library? How can the horizons of adulthood, independence, and moving away shape one’s perspective towards the place they’ve called home?  

What’s your first memory of going to a public library? Can you imagine your community without one?