Celebration planned for Sidney Huntington’s 100th birthday

Sidney+Huntington+is+shown+here+on+Nov.+11%2C+2012%2C+in+the+Galena+elders+center%2C+watching+a+Native+dance+performance+by+Galena+students+and+visiting+artist+Stephen+Blanchette.

Photo by Paul Apfelbeck

Sidney Huntington is shown here on Nov. 11, 2012, in the Galena elder’s center, watching a Native dance performance by Galena students and visiting artist Stephen Blanchette.

By AUTUMN JENSEN-ROEHL, staff writer

A celebration is planned for Sidney Huntington, revered elder of Galena who will be turning 100 years old, on Saturday, May 9 at 5 p.m. in the Sidney C. Huntington School gym.

Everyone is invited to the potlatch, which is being put together by his daughter Agnes Sweetsir and representatives from the school, tribe, and community.

“I think he’s determined to make 100 and it’s actually quite an accomplishment not only for him but for this community – without all the support he gets, this wouldn’t happen,” wrote Mrs. Sweetsir in an email.

The event will begin with a program with a limited number of speeches, due to Mr. Huntington being hard of hearing, according to Mrs. Sweetsir.

Those who want to share testimonials about Mr. Huntington are asked to write them in a letter to P.O. Box 49, Galena, AK 99741, or send it via email to [email protected]. Letters of appreciation can also be dropped off at the Galena elder’s center. The letters will be printed and given to Mr. Huntington for him to read, and following the celebration, will be published in a book.

After the potlatch, there will be a slide show put together by Mr. A’s students. The celebration will conclude with a dance. There will also be a few local musicians who will be performing along with the Native Dance group.