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Thu, September 07, 2017

Knik Lecture Series: Exploring the Pacific World


Announcing the 2017/2018 Knik Lecture Series: Exploring the Pacific World

Where: Chugiak High School Auditorium

When:  September 21, October 12, February 8, April 12

Time: 6pm to 9pm

From the Pleistocene Ice Ages to a ‘hundred language’ city, Alaska has served as an ecological, strategic, and cultural crossroads that continues to connect the continental United States to the broader Pacific World.  Please consider joining us at Chugiak High School for four events this academic year, as we will explore Alaska’s Pacific story, and how Alaskans made history via land, sea and air.

The Knik Lecture Series connects our local story to global events through forums of dialogues, which we call “participatory history.” This series will take a closer look at the deep history of the communities along the Knik Arm while providing students an opportunity to engage in civic education. The Kink Lecture Series is a collaboration between University of Alaska Anchorage UAA Chugiak-Eagle River Campus, Anchorage School District (ASD), and Tundra Vision.

From Wilderness Frontier to Wartime Front: Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Alaska at War

In two events this fall, the Knik Lecture Fall Series will present fresh interpretations and perspectives on WWII, in order to better remember, understand and honor those who sacrificed so much 75 years ago today.

Perspectives of War, Thursday September 21

Public Reception, 6pm

Author Book Signing and Sale, sponsored by UAA Bookstore (Auditorium Lobby)

Showing of John Huston’s Report from the Aleutians, 1943 (Auditorium)

Featured Program, 7pm:

Welcoming Address: Ron Crawford, University of Alaska Anchorage, Chugiak Eagle River Campus

Moderator: Janet Clemens, National Park Service Historian

Attu and Kiska: Occupation from the Japanese Perspective, Paul Dunscomb, Professor of History, University of Alaska Anchorage

Crossroads of the Air World: WWII and the Transformation of Anchorage, Stephen Haycox, Distinguished Emeritus Professor of History, University of Alaska Anchorage

Attu Villagers’ Experience as Prisoners in Japan in WWII, Rachel Mason, National Park Service Cultural Anthropologist

Routes to War, Victory, and Freedom, Thursday October 12 (Eagle River High School)

Public Reception, 6pm

Author Book Signing and Sale, sponsored by UAA Bookstore (Auditorium Lobby)

Showing Untold Stories, War Stories, Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center (Auditorium)

Featured Program, 7pm:

Welcoming Address: Ron Crawford, University of Alaska Anchorage, Chugiak Eagle River Campus

Moderator: David Ramseur, ISER Visiting Scholar and author of Melting the Ice Curtain: The Extraordinary Story of Citizen Diplomacy on the Russia-Alaska Frontier

Uncovering the Lost Story of the Alcan Highway, Katherine Ringsmuth, Adjunct Professor of History, University of Alaska Anchorage

Code Name ALSIB: The Story of Lend Lease and the Alaska-Siberia Air Route, Craig Lang, Director of the BRAVO 369 Flight Foundation

The Cold War in Cook Inlet, Ivan Hodes, Deputy Director, Friends of Nike Site Summit

Spring Series

The Knik Lecture Series will continue to explore the Pacific World through the theme, Stories from the Sea.  Be sure to join us as we explore Alaska’s relationship to the Pacific waterscape, from ancient star navigators to cannery workers.  Stay tuned for event details.


For more information, please contact Katie Ringsmuth at 830-2251, or visit the Tundra Vision facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/TundraVision/