My name is Madeline Perreard and I’m a new reporter at Chilkat Valley News. I grew up between Washington, Oregon and Iowa. Some don’t believe me when I tell them I love Iowa just as much as Alaska, but most people haven’t seen the price of groceries there.
You may recognize me from my other job working for Alaska Seaplanes. If you don’t recognize me, try to recall me saying “I’m sorry, your flight has been canceled due to weather in Juneau.” Now do you know who I am?
My dad moved to Haines in 2019 after accepting a job offer at the Presbyterian Church. My mom had grown up in Juneau and my grandparents lived in Hoonah, Juneau, and Metlakatla, but Alaska still felt foreign to me. I made plans to spend the following summer in Haines, but my plans were expedited when the pandemic arrived and my college moved online. My belongings were locked in a dorm indefinitely, so I arrived in Haines with a suitcase of cotton t-shirts, mismatched socks, and the few fitting clothes left from my childhood bedroom. I came to Haines with just my dad as a familiar face and left with friends that I now call family.
This spring, I graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Five days after commencement, I gathered my belongings, meticulously packed and repacked my Jeep, and began the nearly 3,000 mile move to Haines. I drove with the company of my friend, Greta, an ambitious queue of podcasts, and several pounds of trail mix. We were welcomed with endless sun.
I am thrilled to be in Haines writing for Chilkat Valley News. Writing will always be a passion of mine and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow.