HB 179 would legalize the donation of fish and game, harvested through sport or subsistence, to non-profit meal programs, such as schools and senior centers. The bill is inspired by the success of such programs as Sitka’s Fish to Schools. (Robert Woolsey/KCAW photo)

Last Wednesday (4-1-15), eight legislators introduced a bill that would allow Alaskans to donate sport- and subsistence-harvested fish and game to non-profit meal programs. Under House Bill 179, schools, senior centers, and other non-profits could legally serve donated fish and game, such as moose, venison, caribou, and salmon. Alaska law presently bars the sale of such foods.

Sitka Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is the primary sponsor of HB 179. He says it’s about writing legislation to catch up with the times.

“Out in the bush, a lot of people in Western or Northern Alaska will donate caribou to the senior center, so that elders can eat caribou stew and that happens very frequently,” said Kreiss-Tomkins. “That’s technically not simpatico with the rule of the law. So this bill basically brings what happens in Alaskan communities – which is people coming together and donating fish and game for children or for elders – and makes that compatible with what Alaska’s laws say.”

Kreiss-Tomkins says the bill also responds to a statewide movement within schools to eat food that’s healthier and locally sourced. As examples, he mentioned Sitka’s Fish to Schools program and community supported agriculture in the Mat-Su Valley.

The bill had seven co-sponsors when it was read across the floor. They include Reps. Cathy Muñoz (R-Juneau), Charisse Millett (R-Anchorage), Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan), Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak), Neal Foster (D-Nome), Sam Kito III (D-Juneau), and Tammie Wilson (R-North Pole).

Kreiss-Tomkins considered such early sponsorship unusual, but indicative of the bill’s widespread support.

“We’ve sponsored a number of different pieces of legislation but this is one we’d like to see pass in the law quickly,” said Kreiss-Tomkins. “We’re on that path right now. So I think that’s why [this bill] got a little more attention. It’s got hearings coming up, it’s got a huge list of co-sponsors, and it’s a Kumbaya Alaska issue. Everyone gets it.”

HB 179 is in hearings this week.

A former biologist, Bill Foster says a stuffed red squirrel would convey an important message in Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins’ office. “I’d put a red squirrel against a polar bear anytime,” says Foster. (Flickr photos/Borderslass, ruby blossom)

Sitka Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins’ office may soon be home to some historic Alaskana — and much more — if he can come to terms with a local collector.

“You could say there’s the memorabilia equivalent of earnest money, in that we have been the grateful and fortunate recipients of a few priceless items of Bill Foster political memorabilia, including a 1977 legislative license plate with the number 49.”

That plate reportedly belonged to former Alaska Speaker of the House and Senate President Jay Kerttula, whose daughter Beth represented Juneau until last year. 49 remains the most coveted license plate number in the legislature.

And if that were not enough, Kreiss-Tomkins says Foster has offered one final touch — a stuffed red squirrel.

“You know, any upstanding legislator needs at least one dead animal on their wall — or that’s the argument that Bill has advanced to me. Rep. Neal Foster, two doors down from me, from Nome, has a polar bear. Of course, Congressman Young has pretty much every furry creature that has walked this earth on his wall.”

Reached for further explanation at his Sitka residence, Bill Foster is dead serious. The only question is how to bag one.

“Well I think a road kill would be the best way. But they’re pretty fast at scurrying across the road. I would have to drive pretty fast to get one.”

Red squirrels were introduced on Baranof Island in 1922 at the suggestion of Ted Kettleson — of Kettleson Memorial Library Fame — who was secretary of the Sitka Fish & Game Club. The intention was to provide prey for marten, and support trapping. It didn’t work. Now red squirrels inhabit all of the island, where they’re known to feast on bird eggs.

One idea for a squirrel mount. Bill Foster, however, would prefer something more fierce. (Flickr photo/Peter Turvey).

Foster thinks the squirrel should be mounted in a fierce pose with its teeth bared.

KCAW’s Robert Woolsey asked him if a squirrel — in any pose — would be sufficiently fierce.

KCAW – Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins told me that he’s got a neighbor just down the hall who’s got a polar bear in his office. And I just wonder if people who might be visiting these offices on the same day might come away with the wrong message?
Foster – If you’ve ever trapped a red squirrel, they’re ferocious. You don’t want to deal with one. And I would put that red squirrel up against that polar bear anytime.

Foster says he has in fact trapped red squirrels on his own island property in Sitka — at least a half dozen. He says all are now safe in the Federal Witness Relocation Program.