North Words Schedule
August 27-30, 2020
(cancelled – watch for Virtual North Words Schedule for Aug. 2-4 soon including many of panels, workshops & keynote below)
Special Theme: Writing at a time of a threatened natural world.
Faculty: Bill Streever, Caroline Van Hemert,
Heather Lende, Eva Holland, M. Jackson,
Bryan Fierro, Nicole Stellon O’Donnell
Aiders and Abettors: Katrina Woolford, Jeff Brady, Daniel Henry,
Kent Fielding, Katie Craney, Jess Callies.
Thursday, Aug. 27
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM – Faculty Meeting
AB Hall conference room
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM – Registratation
Westmark Inn Lounge – 3rd & Spring
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Opening Reception
and Readings from selected Sheltered Pieces
Friday, Aug. 28
6:45 AM – 7:55 AM – Early Bird Workshop with Nicole
Skagway Public Library – 8th & State
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8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Continental Breakfast,
Late Registration, Sign-ups
Sign up for consultations, participant readings,
and choice of Saturday activities
Arctic Brotherhood (AB) Hall – 2nd & Broadway
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Welcome! – Announcements & Introductions
Skagway Tribal Council, Organizing Faculty, Everyone
AB Hall – 2nd & Broadway
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Friday Panels at AB Hall
9:00-10:30 Writing while the world burns:
How to stand witness to challenges, change, and turmoil.
Why do it at all?
Panel: Bill, Heather, Caroline, Eva, Brian, Nicole, M.
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10:45 AM – 12:00 pm
Making science stick among skeptics:
Data is real, stupid. Or is it? What was the question?
Panel: M, Caroline, Bill
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12:00 – 2:00 PM – Lunch On Your Own!
Discover local cuisine/menus at Skagway Visitor Center in AB Hall or visit www.skagway.com
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1:00 – 2:00 PM – Book Signing: Bill Streever, keynote author
Skaguay News Depot & Books – across Broadway from AB Hall
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1:45 – 2:00 PM –
And now this message from your body
Afternoon stretch led by Linda Buckley and Mandy Ramsey
Reflection, Breathe, Release
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2:00 PM – 3:15 PM –
Stitching characters’ lives into a coherent fabric:
The quest to show purpose and place among relationships.
Panel: Bryan, Heather, Caroline
AB Hall – 2nd & Broadway
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3:30 PM – 5:00 PM – Faculty & Staff Consultations
AB Hall or other arranged locations
Half-hour sessions with faculty and staff; sign up Thursday at registration
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5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Dine out on your own in Skagway!
List of local restaurants/menus at Skagway Visitor Center at AB Hall or visit www.skagway.com
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7:00 PM – 8:30 PM – Faculty Readings
National Park Service Visitor Center Auditorium – 2nd & Broadway
followed by
8:30 – 9:30 PM – All Faculty Book Signing & Toasting
Skaguay News Depot & Books – across Broadway from AB Hall
Saturday, Aug. 29
Saturday Morning Sessions at AB Hall
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM – Continental Breakfast & Announcements
Organizing Faculty, 49 Writers (?)
8:30 AM – 8:45 AM –
And now this message from your body
Morning stretch led by Linda Buckley and Mandy Ramsey
Reflection, Breathe, Release
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9:00 AM – 10:15 AM –
Writing with risk:
Why should you try? What happens if you do?
Panel: Eva, Bryan, Nicole
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10:45 AM – 11:45 AM –
Seeing your words in black-and-white:
The shifting dimensions of getting published.
Panel: Bill, Linda, Eva, Jeff, Katrina
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11:45 AM – 1:00 PM Lunch/Workshop
The performance side:
Your words—live and in person—flung at others.
Panel: Nicole, Heather, Kent, Dan
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Saturday Afternoon Sessions at Presbyterian Church Sanctuary – 5th & Main
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Participant Readings
Individual readings of no more than 6-8 minutes
Sign up with Daniel Henry on Thursday morning
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3:15 PM – 4:30 PM –
The writer’s role as a source of hope:
From all these urgent, tragic, troubling stories—where is the light?
Panel: Heather/Caroline, M, Bryan, Nicole
Presbyterian Church
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Evening Hoedown Schedule
5:30 PM – Van/Shuttle Pickups for ride to Alderworks in Dyea
Pickup locations: White House (8th & Main), Morning Wood (4th & State), Westmark (3rd & Spring), Skagway Inn (7th & Broadway)
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM – Hoedown at Alderworks!
Hosted & Sponsored by Alderworks Alaska Writers & Artists Retreat (1 West Creek Rd)
BBQ by the cabins and new studio, music by Jess & J Dot
8:30 PM – Vans/Shuttle departs Alderworks for Skagway
Drop off locations: 8th & Main , 4th & State, 7th & Broadway, 3rd & Spring
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9:00 PM – Out of Book at Skagway Brewing Co.
Led by Dan and accomplices
Sunday, Aug. 30
Introducing a Choice of Day Activities • Sign up Friday
(new this year, both limited to 20 people)
OPTION 1 – Morning Train Ride and Denver Glacier Hike
– PASSPORTS REQUIRED –
Hosted by White Pass & Yukon Route and Packer Expeditions
7:15 AM – Buses Depart to Train Station (Fraser Train platform mid-town)
Pickup locations: White House (8th & Main), Morning Wood (4th & State), Westmark (3rd & Spring), Skagway Inn (7th & Broadway)
7:40 AM – Board Train & Depart for 6-mile rail journey to Denver Glacier Station
Upon arrival at the trailhead you will detrain for a guided walking tour by Packer Expeditions and our own glacier expert M. Jackson to view Denver Glacier. The trail winds its way through a lush forest along the rushing East Fork of the Skagway River. As hikers distance themselves from the train tracks, they enter a world of dense vegetation that filters light to the forest floor, creating a soothing environment enveloped by silence. The trail continues to wind through a beautiful old growth Western Hemlock forest, thick with an amazing array of mushrooms, climbing past the splendid Denver (Elway) Falls, to the upper end of the valley. There hikers are greeted with stunning views of Denver Glacier’s hanging blue ice and the surrounding Sawtooth Mountains. Upon returning to the tracks you will hang out by the old caboose, restored as a US Forest Service Cabin, and have a snack before re-boarding our train and returning to Skagway. We recommend this hike only for those who are in at least fair physical condition. This is a wilderness hike over uneven and sometimes difficult terrain. Lightweight hiking boots or shoes with some ankle support are recommended. Bring a rain jacket just in case.
See more at https://wpyr.com/excursions/product/skagway-to-denver-round-trip/
11:50 AM – Board southbound train for return to Skagway
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NOTE: AB Hall will be open during the day if you just want to hang out in Skagway and get some quiet work done. Lunch on your own.
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OPTION 2 – Afternoon Boat Excursion to Burro Creek Waterfall Lodge with writing exercise
Hosted by Burro Creek Lodge & Red Onion Saloon
1:15 PM – Bus Departs to Boat Harbor: Pickup location: SMART Shuttle stop by AB Hall
1:25 PM – Board Boat for trip across bay to Burro Creek
The afternoon begins with a scenic, private boat ride across Lynn Canal to the magical Burro Creek Lodge. Here guests will relax and enjoy mimosas, a stroll to our world class waterfall, endless photo opportunities, scenic creek and bridge, and a hydro demonstration given by the on-site naturalist. The group will then gather in the lodge for a writing discussion/exercise led by Daniel Henry. Afterwards, members of our party can opt for a longer walk to the ‘Mossy Glen,’ or simply relax by the campfire or by the shore. Lodge will also provide coffee, tea and biscuits.
See more at www.burrocreeklodge.com
4:15 PM – Board boat for return to Skagway
(SMART Shuttle will pickup at 4:30 pm)
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Evening Keynote Banquet Schedule
5:45 PM – Shuttles depart Skagway hotels for closing banquet at Poppies at Jewell Gardens
Pickup locations: White House (8th & Main), Westmark (3rd & Spring), Morning Wood (4th & State), Skagway Inn (7th & Broadway)
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Closing Banquet at Poppies with Keynote by Bill Streever
Poppies at Jewell Gardens
(on Klondike Hwy. left after Skagway River bridge)
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9:00 PM – Closing Night in Skagway!