Dear Colleagues,
Polar bears and mushrooms, archaeological field schools in Alaska and
subsistence activities in Russia, scientific research and cultural ties
between two continents. All these topics--and more--will be discussed when
leading American and Russian researchers, native organizations and local
residents meet in Anchorage next October 11-12 to present newly gathered
information about the Beringia region of Northwest Alaska and Northeast
Russia.
The two-day public program is an annual event sponsored by the National Park
Service's Shared Beringian Heritage Program, and co-sponsored this year by
the Anchorage Museum of History and Art.
The Beringia program recognizes the contemporary and historic exchange of
biological resources and cultural heritage in the Bering Straits region, and
works with local residents, Native organizations universities and other
groups in the United States and Russia in the conservation and understanding
of natural resources and protected lands.
All sessions of this year's event will be held in the museum auditorium and
are open to the public without charge. Sessions will be held between 9:00
a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11th and Thursday, October 12th. On
Thursday the 12th, the Cook Inlet Historical Society will be holding its
regular monthly brown bag lunch in the auditorium, and has scheduled an
Alaskan-Russian theme to coincide with Beringia Days. In addition, on
October 13th and 14th, the museum will host a two-day public symposium
related to its "Science Under Sail: Russia's Great Voyages to America,
1728-1867" exhibit. The exhibit, which runs from May 5th to October 22nd,
tells the exciting story of Russia's role in shaping the North Pacific
through pioneer scientific work while founding colonies in North America.
Sincerely,
Peter Richter
For more information about Beringia Days, please call the National
Park Service:
Peter Richter 907/257-2617
Katerina Wessels 907/257-2441 or
Bob Gerhard 907/257-2688