The rural City of Saxman has received a $60,000 grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development (USDA-RD) it was announced on Thursday by USDA State Director Jim Nordlund.

The funding for the roof replacement of Saxman’s Tribal House was provided by USDA_RD Alaska’s  Community Facility Direct Grant, it was reported.

“This much-needed funding will be used to replace the roof of the City owned Tribal House in Saxman. The building is the centerpiece of Totem Park and is of great value historically, culturally and economically,” Nordlund said.

Replacing the roof will prevent damage to the red cedar ceiling purlins which are custom made and very expensive to replace.  The space is used for Native cultural activities including memorials, ceremonies cultural dancing, celebrations and heritage tourism performances.

Saxman, which was founded in the 1800s when the communities of Tongass and Cape Fox consolidated their communities,  was also in the news earlier this year when the community regained its rural status. Its status as a rural community was stripped when, under pressure from the state of Alaska, the Federal Subsistence Board terminated that status and grouped the community with the city of Ketchikan in 2006.

Saxman had filed suit to regain their status, but the case was settled out of court in Saxman’s favor. The fix allows Saxman community members harvest priority for fish and game on public lands.[xyz-ihs snippet=”Adsense-responsive”]

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