JUNEAU, Alaska- A Juneau-based Forest Service employee received a regional award for beginning a healing process between the Agency and Southeast Alaska Natives. Tribal Government Relations Specialist Lillian Petershoare’s work led directly to the agency acknowledging its removal of Native fish camps, smokehouses and cabins from the 1930s to the 1960s. She received the Hector Gandera Memorial Award for her efforts on the Tongass National Forest.

Regional Forester Denny Bschor and Tongass National Forest Supervisor Forrest Cole acknowledged the actions during an April 2008 gathering of over 300 Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian elders. Petershoare mediated a one-and-a-half-year process that led to an appropriate acknowledgement ceremony and set the stage for future collaboration throughout Southeast Alaska.

Even though the Forest Service cannot to make reparations for actions taken under U.S. law, Petershoare’s efforts provided the Forest Service a framework for future positive relationships with Native communities. Discussions have already begun in local communities between ranger districts and individual Native groups for projects important to the Tribes. This work will continue to build trust between Southeast Alaska Natives and the Forest Service.

Petershoare is a native and a resident of Juneau. She holds a B.A. in history from Yale University, a master’s degree in library science, and has been a Forest Service employee since 1994.

The Hector Gandera Memorial Award is an Alaska Region Forest Service award established in 1989. It recognizes employees that lead in civil rights; foster a multicultural organization; are involved in internal work-related projects that are not a part of their normal job; or participate in community outreach.

For info: Lillian Petershoare: lpetershoare@fs.fed.us (907) 586-7089
Tribal Government Work: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/ro/briefing_papers/documents/regional/bp_fish_camps.doc