Thompson center will bridge gaps
Published Saturday, June 28, 2008
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Stumble It!I remember the day very well. It was an average day in every way. But when my friend asked me if I had heard the news about Morris Thompson, that was when the normal day turned to one I will unfortunately never forget.
Morris, along with his wife and daughter, were among dozens killed in an airplane crash.
I couldn’t believe it. Morris Thompson was more than just a leader for the Alaska Native people; he was an icon. He represented dignity, integrity and leadership for all Alaskans. The community and the world lost a valuable resource with Morris’ untimely death.
Now there is an opportunity to honor the man who devoted much of his life to bridging the gap between the Alaska Native people and the western world. The Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center is taking shape on Wendell Street along the Chena River.
Dozens of community groups, Alaska Native and non-Native organizations, governmental agencies and more than 1,000 volunteers and donors have worked together for more than 10 years to plan and build the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. I plan to be among the hundreds who will be at its Aug. 12 dedication and blessing ceremony because I believe this is one of the most exciting developments in the downtown area in many years.
For those who are unfamiliar with the project, let me say it is incredible what three separate organizations can do if they have a strong focus and are committed to their goals. In this case, the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau teamed up with Tanana Chiefs Conference and the Alaska Public Lands Information Center — in full cooperation with the city of Fairbanks and the Thompson family — to create a new nonprofit that will accomplish several different goals.
It will celebrate how we live in Interior Alaska by providing a 100-seat theater that will be the home for fabulous dance performances and Alaska Native athletic game demonstrations as well as daily free films on Alaska’s natural and cultural history. An artisan’s workshop will house master artists teaching Athabascan art. Exhibits, which are expected to be completed by May 2009, will highlight our people, our land and our way of life in authentic, educational and sometimes humorous ways.
It will promote economic development via tourism. Those who have dreamed about and worked on this project for more than a decade believe the center will enhance Fairbanks as a visitor destination. I wholeheartedly agree!
The center will encourage visitors to extend their stay, take a side trip to a rural village, or come back again. With more than $1.6 billion spent every year by visitors to our state, the partners in the project are working together to make sure Interior Alaska reaps its fair share of the ever-expanding tourism industry.
And finally, the center will become a community gathering place. Like the man for whom it will be named, the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center will be a bridge between cultures — a place where diverse cultures can come together to learn to appreciate, understand and respect one another.
Fairbanks is the Golden Heart City — and downtown Fairbanks is the heart of the Golden Heart. For me, driving over the Wendell Street Bridge and watching the building take shape this spring, there is no doubt that it will be a major improvement to the downtown area. The Morris Thompson Center can go a long way toward helping the image of Fairbanks as a great place to live, visit, own property and run a business.
I am happy to be a supporter of this project that recognizes that Alaska’s past and future successes are dependent upon the unified efforts of Alaska Natives and non-Natives alike. Join me in helping make the exhibits a reality and double your investment thanks to a matching grant from the Rasmuson Foundation which provides a dollar-for-dollar match up to $500,000.
You can make a donation online at www.morristhompsoncenter.com or by calling 459-3880.
Morris Thompson was a man of dreams. But he also was a man that believed those dreams could become reality.
Community Discussion
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I can't wait to step over the passed out drunks, be hit up for spare change from the homeless vets, tip toe my way around the broken glass and worse, and be cursed at by the insane, so I can see this place. When does it open?
Another bridge to nowhere? Cant wait to see all the tour busses spewing their black exhaust into the Chena river, while the tour companys take their money and run.
Its amazing how many Bad Apples lives in Fairbanks and is not aware of People like Mr Thompson,that had repected and live his life to the fullest and others like him benefit from his work in Fairbanks.Looking forward to seeing the center open with pride.
Stay home, moondoggie. We'd rather see a passed out drunk or a homeless vet than deal with someone with your condescending, self-righteous attitude.
Why spoil such an uplifting article with your drivel?
I am tired of hearing all of the anti-downtown, anti-Fairbanks whining.
I pass through downtown Fairbanks all during the week. I can't remember the last time I saw a passed out drunk. In fact, although I see people walking around downtown, I can't remember the last time I saw someone who was obviously drunk. (I take that back; I remember one, this past winter.) And the only homeless people I've met were out-and-about, trying to better their lives and get on their feet.
The downtown Fairbanks that we read so much complaining about in these comments no longer exists. I'm not saying there aren't problems, but certainly not to the extend that one would think from reading all the whining in the News-Miner's comments section.
Every town has it's share of racism. At least they express it in writing, rather than perform genocide.
alaskaflower...uh, sorry to burst your rose-colored glasses...but I work in downtown Fairbanks and unfortunately for everyone (locals and tourists alike), there are far too many drunks wandering the streets. I was just approached by one yesterday as I got out of my car...ignored him as he used some very colorful language as I walked away. They are still there, with unfortunate consistency, and it's not a great place to give a first impression to the tourists. The MTC will just give them another loitering place.
I'm sorry there are so many sour people out there, you need to take care of that. Your grouchy rear end overlooked the whole point of the center; people like you don't have the type of 'oomph' to make this world better, you're too busy looking behind yourself as you go. Sadly, this forum allows you to crust up even more. Personally, I like to look to the future with hope, not criticize while doing nothing about it. Get over your self and allow others to be happy and productive.
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In all cities, small towns you have percentage of drunks, homeless people of all different races and cultures. We just happen to live in Fairbanks where higher degree of people mentioned above our Native. My own Uncle (he was white) in Ohio was found frozen to dead in the middle of the winter by railroad track. He wasn't the first white person nor will he be the last. Please respect people and their race and culture. Lets give tribute to those who help improve the quality of life and give so much to their community. Lets come together and unite instead of tearing down people. If you think you can do better than what people are trying to do in this community than do something rather than complain all the time.
Per the Police Chief you are talking about 25 to 50 people who are homeless. Coming in July, Fairbanks has the pleasure of hosting WIEO. Maybe if some of those who have been so critical of Native culture actually take the time to learn something about it, you just might have a change of mind.
This center is the third in the stream of Ted Stevens PORK projects along the river. The riverside property could have been developed by tax paying hotels instead we have tax using government buildings of dubious value. The taxpayer funds should have been spent on needed road projects or better yet not spent and help reduce the deficit.
Although I am skeptical, I will allow sufficient time to see if these goals are actually met, before I form an opinion as to whether the funds to build this might have been better spent else where! Just to let all know, I am an Alaskan Native also!
moondoggie.....you are a bigot, plain and simple! Your kind are not welcome here!
oldakcuss.....you appear to be suffering from the same affliction. You have obviously not been in Fairbanks very long or you would notice the tremendous strides that have occurred over the years, with downtown Fairbanks transitioning from a rundown, lawless area to a place all Fairbanksans can be proud of.
AKflower and PK-better look up the defintion of bigot. Then look up the wording of the first amendment and repeat it in front of a mirror. Have a nice day.
I had the previlage to know Morris and his family and have great respect for him as a man, but also for the dedication he set forth in making his home, Fairbanks, and Alaska a better place to live in. With regret it is always with the passing of one. that has accomplished things for the betterment of ALL people, that they are remembered with something being named after them. But still, it is a way of honoring what they stood for and the difference they made in life.
is there a heat vent? like the side of the marriot-get a job and quit standing under the vents drinking away and then get mad at me as i drive by laughing. seriously dont be bitter toward us that go to work everyday and budget our money so we can pay our bills. If theres extra in the budget sure i might go get a drink w/some friends, enjoy a night out.
AR_85, you act as if any of them are going to: 1) locate a computer, and 2) read your comment, and 3) care what you think.
I gotta agree with FreeDarfur--
every town has its share of racism.
Seems that the notion of the author that this "bridge between cultures--a place where diverse cultures can come together to learn to appreciate, understand and respect one another" only applies to appreciating, understanding, and respecting the old indigenous Alaskan culture.
Incidentally, I like downtown, although I do think it should have kept a few local bars. As a choice somewhere between the Mecca and the so-Seattle-like Lavelles.
I also see lots of drunks. During the school year, I drive right through downtown early every weekday morning and see them getting up or walking around. I see them all the time. I agree with someone's post a while back--they're sorta part of the culture of Fairbanks.
I was recently in St. Charles. Their old downtown is virtually nothing but bars. Seems to work out just fine there. Maybe their cops aren't such goons, and I did notice the people didn't seem to be such do-gooder busybodies...
Beware the fun police!
AR_85, why do you drive by laughing? why would any sane person do something so mean and ugly? that's so senseless and dumb! we all have the right to live as we choose. yes, we have a right to speak freely too but that a man made right in the USA. God gives you the right to choose where you spend eternity. what you do here on earth determines that, if you are a God fearing individual. i am an athabascan native who lives among you. i have not fully assimilated, nor will i ever....because i highly value my native traditions and subsistence way of life....when i am able to. i work a full time year round job, pay a mortgage, car payment, insurance and the same prices you do at the stores.....yet, Morris taught us to do that much and still hold tight to our native identity and way of life. the center is all that Kyong has stated and more. thanks for the great article and for bringing it to the public's attention.
I think moondoggie and the likes think they need a "whiteman" heritage center. Us poor, poor white folks, we're sooooooo neglected and under-represented in our society. BOOHOO.
I myself can't wait to visit the center. The ill-tempered can stay home, listen to michael savage and yell out their windows about how oppressed they are.
moondoggie......
definition of bigot
"a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance"
.....and yes, the first amendment does, indeed, guarantee you the right to freedom of speech......even ignorant statements are protected! I'm guessing you are also an avid Rush fan.
How did this forum get turned into another debate about chronic inebriates in Fairbanks?
i'm sure the tourists will love the new center. i don't feel a need to visit it. i have been out and worked in native villages, have dated native women, and have completed courses on native history at the university of alaska. i've learned enough about native culture. but i hope you folks enjoy it.
I too can not believe the turns this article has generated. I knew Morris and he indeed was a great, kind and giving person. Did we need a center? I don't know. The prophets say the end of the world is 2012. How's that for a new twist. I do look forward to visiting the center and all communities have homeless not just Fairbanks.
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