A Fishing Mother’s Daughter

Earlier this fall my daughter was presented with the challenge of creating a drawing that would be adjudicated by the Juneau Public Library in a contest that would grant winners the honor of their entry being printed into a bookmark for the library system. Out of all the 4^th graders who entered the contest, my daughter’s drawing received top honors.

When she showed me what she was going to submit I knew that she had a good chance of being recognized, but more importantly I realized how high in her consciousness fish really are. She comes from a fishing family and aspires to become more a part of our Bristol Bay salmon fishing operation. She loves to consume salmon at the table and also seems to be forming her own understanding of protecting Bristol Bay from large-scale industrial development, namely that of the proposed Pebble Mine. I really enjoy the animation and life that she placed on the creatures of the sea that are present in her drawing. She puts a lot of energy into her work. Juneau residents can pick up a copy of her bookmark at one of the Juneau Public Library branches.

Mariana’s accomplishment was also recognized by her Aunty in her comic blog http://lilyelainehawkwakawaka.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/my-niece-wins-a-drawing-award/. While visiting this post, be sure to check out her other comics and a link to her graphic wine reviews.

For more information about the threat of the proposed Pebble Mine and how it would affect Bristol Bay’s invaluable food resources visit www.savebristolbay.org.

Mel