Sitka Mayor Cheryl Westover presents Dep. Commissioner of Transportation Mike Neussl with a proclamation and a growler of root beer. Clan leader Herman Davis looks on. (Photo Robert Woolsey/KCAW)


The villages of Sitka and Angoon are connected again – by sea. The state’s fast-vehicle ferry Fairweather on Thursday (5-3-12) made the first voyage in six years between the two communities.

The Marine Highway system dropped the Sitka-Angoon trip in 2006, after ferry LeConte was converted to daytime-only service. That left travelers between the two towns to find their own way by float plane, fishing boat, or a ferry trip that might involve a two-night layover in Juneau, depending on the season.

The resumption of ferry service was more than just a scheduling decision. Sitka and Angoon have family relationships going back literally thousands of years. Tribal leaders from both communities used the Fairweather’s arrival to reconnect the ancient peoples of Baranof and Admiralty islands.

KCAW’s Robert Woolsey attended the ceremony at the Sitka ferry terminal, and sent this audio postcard.

Click here for iFriendly audio.
Some of the voices heard include Herman Davis, Andrew Gamble, Jr., John Nielsen, Bert Stedman, Dale Williams, Cheryl Westover, and Marlene Campbell. The Fairweather will run between Sitka, Angoon, and Juneau through the summer season.