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Sep 6, 2012
Posted Under: Dennis's blog

Chief Shake’s House, Wrangell, Alaska – Sept. 5, 2012

Today I am in the green and beautiful southeast Alaska community of Wrangell. A few years ago I spent many days here working with the community to help them complete a new conference center and museum, the Nolan Center.

Now another group, representatives of its first inhabitants (the tribe), are nearing completion of another dream, the renovation of their most important structures, Chief Shake’s House. And while this is cause for celebration the same group is also closing in on the starting date for another big project, a carving shed, where a new generation of carvers, like the ones who used to live on this island and create magnificent totems, are identified, developed and nurtured.

The smidgen of insight today is that a few dedicated people can build the sense of community for all by dreaming big and following through. The completion of such large visions requires communities to work together. While a few people can build momentum with a great vision, it takes the cooperation of a community to complete big projects.

When you get a chance, stop by this unique Alaskan community and marvel at their realized dreams.

Dennis