Two representatives from the Juneau Public Library are traveling to Haines Oct. 16-18 to interview locals for StoryCorps, a national oral history project with a mission to honor and celebrate the lives of everyday Americans by listening to their stories.
Ten people, together with their families, have been invited for interviews, with at least five of the interviews focusing on the theme of “Alaska Native Educational Experiences.”
Library education and cultural coordinator Jessie Morgan will join her brother James Morgan in speaking to their father, Al Morgan, about his educational experiences.
“We’re going to ask him about growing up and going to a boarding school in Wrangell, which is an experience he values to this day,” Jessie Morgan said.
Paulina Phillips and Joe Hotch also are scheduled to be interviewed.
“The storytellers receive a CD recording of their interview. I think that’s valuable to keep in the family,” Morgan said.
Storytellers will also have the option of having their recordings archived at the Juneau Public Library, Sealaska Heritage Institute and the Library of Congress.
StoryCorps airs weekly broadcasts on NPR’s Morning Edition. Since 2003, the project has collected and archived more than 60,000 interviews from more than 100,000 participants.
The Haines Public Library invites anyone who wishes to be interviewed to call and schedule a time. Currently, interview times are from 10 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Sunday will mostly be open for anyone who wants to schedule an interview, Morgan said.