Writer, actress, comedienne, and activist Jana Schmieding is known for her work with Native-themed series such as Rutherford Falls and Reservation Dogs, but she’s also a “Duck”.

The University of Oregon alum is this year’s commencement speaker and spent this weekend reconnecting with her campus community.

Schmieding graduated in 2005 with a degree in Theater Arts.

On Saturday, she and her family tied on aprons and cooked fry bread tacos at the UO Longhouse for Native students, alum, and special dignitaries including President Karl Scholz.

Schmieding says it turns out Scholz’s daughter is a fan of her work, and there’s a new project underway.

“We just shot a pilot also created by Sierra Teller Ornelas, Bobby Wilson, and Jackie Keliiaa, three comedy writers. Sierra was the co-creator of Rutherford Falls. And it’s a community center comedy that takes place in Oakland but we shot it in Portland. And if the show gets picked up by NBC for a series run, we will shoot it in Portland.”

For all of her comedy stylings, Schmieding says she takes her role as this year’s commencement speaker for the Class of ‘25 very seriously. She gave a preview summary of her speech.

“Special shout out to the Native grads. And I’m talking about Indigenous joy. I’m talking about joy in general. And just the importance of maintaining joy as resistance. Joy as an important part of sustaining our movements, and joy as a creative practice.”

Schmieding says the collective struggle she and others faced as people of color really motivated her through her university experience, so coming back after 20 years brings those efforts full circle.

People sing and dance in front of a new Kootéeyaa raised at the Hoonah Harbor on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Photo: Clarise Larson / KTOO)

The City of Hoonah and Huna Heritage Foundation unveiled a brand new, 21-foot totem pole during a ceremony at the Hoonah Harbor at the end of May.

The totem pole, called a Kootéeyaa in Lingít, was designed and raised to honor the community’s rich fishing history and traditions.

KTOO’s Clarise Larson was there and has this story.

It’s called the Fisherman’s Honor Totem Pole.

Carved into the yellow cedar log are depictions of different fishing methods locals use.

Above that you have the gill knitter, and then you have the rod and reeler all by hand.

Master Artist Gordon Greenwald describes the design of the brand-new totem that now stands at the Hoonah Harbor. He speaks through a microphone to a crowd of more than 100 people who gathered for the ceremony.

“This is what you’re looking at, the Huna fishing people, all of us in the past, all of us in the future, and all of us now.”

Many Hoonah residents attended the event and a catamaran brought dozens of people from Juneau for the ceremony.

Greenwald led the team of carvers who designed and created the Kootéeyaa, which took five months to complete.

Fishing is deeply intertwined with its economy and identity of Hoonah.

A person unveils the new Kootéeyaa raised at the Hoonah Harbor on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Photo: Clarise Larson / KTOO)

During the 1950s and 60’s, Hoonah became known as the home of the “Million Dollar Fleet”. That’s because of the local fishermen’s highly lucrative skills and success on the water.

Hoonah’s Vice Mayor Amelia Wilson thanked the crowd for celebrating the Kootéeyaa and the meaning behind it.

“To see so many of our fishermen and fisherwomen here really just makes me so proud to be honoring all of you and that legacy that we have of 1000s and 1000s of years of amazing fishermen.”

David Sheakley, a speaker at the event, says the pole honors the fishermen who are alive today and recognizes those who have passed away.

He references the rain, which patters down on the tents above the crowd. Many people present were active or retired fishermen.

“It’s as if this Kootéeyaa is here to help turn those tears of sorrow into tears of joy, to continue on the fishing that is so important within the community, to continue that on into the future.”

The ceremony included traditional songs and dances as the tarp was pulled away from the pole to unveil it to the community.

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