I have hours of footage to go through but I was up past midnight editing the first videos documenting the trip. I have posted them across all of my socials and I am asking folks to first amplify the posts. More videos will be coming soon as I process the events of the ceremony and what I learned on the tours of two of the gravesites.
The history will continue to grow darker as we proceed, please be prepared as we navigate this together.
My tasks are becoming clear to me, I have work to do. I will be focusing on introducing the public to the history, and will be pivoting to lobby for legislation on a federal level to address this as we go forward.
The posts I want amplified are on my TikTok, Instagram and longer videos will be coming to YouTube. I am planning to go to a conference in Alaska in September. But here are my raw thoughts on yesterdays visit to gravesites:
The difference in energy between the two sites we visited was overwhelming. The first site was cared for, each grave had a marker, sometimes only with a number, but they were marked and the site was maintained. However, Greenwood was haunting. I felt sick to my stomach as I arrived at the gates.
At least 200 unmarked graves, buried with no way to know who was who. Hidden in a heartbreakingly overgrown ravine on the property. If you did not know to look one would never know what was buried there. Erik, one of the Lost Alaskans researchers talked with my dad and told us the names and deaths that he was able to document. He spoke of his struggles of getting access to records, noting how often the institutions would resist cooperating.
Coming back to the hotel afterwards, I was sick. My body ached with multiple generations of grief. I puked, showered, and collapsed in bed. But my mind raced with the names and stories of the people I visited.
I went to dinner with my dad that night. Just the two of us. It was a good visit.
That night in my hotel room I was hyper focused on the footage. I couldn’t shut my brain off until I had a video edited. I was up way past midnight going through footage and photos. Piecing together the events and the conversations between my dad and Erik, two graveyard guys discussing the work that will be necessary to clear Greenwood and eventually begin the work of identifying and repatriating.
I was able to make this trip because of all of you. Thank you so much to everyone who donated or supported on Patreon. You paid for my train and hotel, and allowed me to spoil my dad a little making sure he didn’t have to worry about a thing. On a personal note, I have joked about “internet money” before but in all seriousness; I am determined to give my dad the opportunity to retire and rest. The work has taken its toll on him, most of it he has done for free. My task is to bring the story of morningside into the mainstream. And on a personal note, also make arrangements to make sure my father is comfortable and supported. He deserves that.
I am on the train home now. Exhausted but lighter. A tightness has eased in my chest and stomach. The ceremony on Saturday was profoundly healing. For those doing the work, and for my father and I. My relationship with my dad has been distant most of my life. My parents split when I was 6, and I was raised in another state with my mom’s family. We have reconnected a few times over the years. But his work has taken him all across the country and the world. When I was young I held a lot of anger, not understanding the scope of what was taking my dad from me. As I have grown and entered the work in my small way, I am no longer angry. Just deeply sad that the work must be done.
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