I live and write on Lingít Aaní, and gratefully acknowledge the past, present and future caretakers of this beautiful place, the Jilkaat Kwaan and Jilkoot Kwaan.

It’s dark, and early– I hoped to swim at six, but the pool was unexpectedly closed. My sister was waiting too, and said, “Well, it will make us appreciate it more next time.” (Optimism runs in the family.)

And I have extra time before the day’s duties begin,  so I can tell you how the now famous Haines Glacier Bears wrestling team did. The team is small but mighty– as you know. Seven wrestlers competed in the state championships in Anchorage and they all placed in the top five or better ( Dalton 1st, Leo 2nd, Hayden 2nd, Nolan 2nd, Jackson 3rd, Colton 5th, James 5th) giving Haines enough points to finish 2nd overall. They also won the sportsmanship trophy, and Andus was coach of the year!

There was supposed to be a big to-do yesterday before the Follies to welcome them home at the airport, but the weather grounded planes again, and the ferry isn’t running until Wednesday, so the school chartered an Allen Marine tour boat that will bring them up from Juneau this morning, arriving in the small boat harbor at 10. No doubt they will be greeted by much fanfare, joy and pride.

It is really something– and not just for the trophies– actually, that’s the least of it– it is the getting there, the families, the team, the coaches, the school– the town. The big old Pavlof and Brent.   (It’s why I live here.)  Mostly, what they- we– the other kids in this little December seaside town, have just learned is that teamwork and working hard and having faith in each other, and the voice in your heart that says you can do the thing you really want to  — matters. It just changed their world. As they carry this lesson of faith in community and themselves throughout their lives, they may just change our world for the better too– don’t you think?