Category: The Writers Room

A place to talk about writing.

“The Blanket, The Dream, and the Song”

By Alex Atkinson Jr.

There are moments in life that are too exact, too timely, too profound to be coincidence. I want to share one of those moments with you—an experience that has stayed with me for years and still stirs something deep in my spirit.

I was living in California at the time. One night, before our regular home group meeting, I had a vivid dream—so vivid it woke me up and lingered in my thoughts the next morning. In the dream, a man stood before our group, speaking. I couldn’t understand what he was saying, but I saw him clearly. He called me forward and “protocoled” me—something I wasn’t raised with or fully understood at the time. In the dream, he draped a large wool blanket over my shoulders, one with Native designs, vibrant and heavy with meaning. As he placed it on me, he spoke of how the Creator had called me to lead our people. Then, just like that, the dream faded.

I woke up thinking, What was that?

The next morning, I arrived at the house for our meeting. People were getting the coffee and donuts ready—everything smelled like breakfast and fellowship. As I walked in, I noticed a man behind the counter. I’d never met him before. But when our eyes met, we both froze for a second.

“I know you,” he said.

“I know you too,” I replied. “You were in my dream last night.”

We both laughed, a little startled, a little amazed. His name was Reesey. We sat down, and he began sharing about his journey—how he had been learning about Native American culture, about honor, land, music, and story. And just like in my dream, he stood up, spoke to the group, called me forward, and protocoled me. He reached into his bag, pulled out a Native American wool blanket, and draped it over my shoulders.

He spoke about the calling our Creator had placed on my life, calling forth things that had been buried, dormant—things that were waiting to awaken.

I was wrecked. In the best way. It was one of those moments you don’t forget, that marks you for life.

Then Reesey shared another story—one that shook me even more.

He told us about a group of First Nations people from the Pacific Northwest who had traveled with a woman named Linda Prince to British Columbia, and then all the way to Jerusalem. They sought permission to sing and honor the land and its leaders at the Western Wall. With permission granted, they approached the wall in full regalia, singing the songs of our people—the drum echoing through the holy site.

As they sang, the rabbis came out, visibly moved.

“Why are you singing the songs of our people?” they asked.

“These are the songs of our people,” the leaders replied. “Songs buried for generations. We believe now is the time to bring them back.”

The rabbis, stunned, responded, “You don’t understand. You’re singing in ancient high Hebrew. These are songs of worship given by the Creator.”

Let that sink in.

The rabbis told them: You might be the lost tribe of Israel.

How do you explain that?

You don’t. Not with logic, anyway. Only the Creator could orchestrate something so layered, mysterious, and beautiful.

That story has stayed with me just as much as my dream about Reesey. It awakened something in me—something ancestral, something holy, something deeply tied to identity, purpose, and land.

I believe these songs, these stories, these blankets of calling are rising again. And I believe our Creator is on the move.

“The songs of our people are being awakened again.”
—Alex Atkinson Jr.

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Honoring Our Guests, Honoring Our Ancestors

“A Night of Song, Dance, and Ancestral Pride in Metlakatla”
Notes from Alex – July 16, 2025

I wanted to take a moment to share something deeply personal and powerful that I experienced yesterday here in my hometown, Metlakatla.

NOTE: This is the song(s) sang last night, but the recording is from a few years ago I love love love this song series:

A local dance group performed at the Longhouse—an evening of dance and song offered in honor of the guests who are visiting and helping our community. What struck me most wasn’t just the performance, but the spirit behind it. The conviction in the voices, the rhythm of the drums, the movement of the dancers—it brought tears to my eyes.

As I sat there watching, I felt something I can only describe as sacred. The songs carried a weight, a history. In that moment, I imagined our ancestors standing with us, watching with pride. It was more than a performance—it was a living memory. A connection between past and present, carried in each step and every note.

To the dance group who performed last night: thank you. Your passion and dedication to keeping our traditions alive stirred something deep in me. And to others in our community who do the same—your work matters. It uplifts us. It reminds us of who we are and where we come from.

I’m so proud to see our people embracing our culture—our songs, our stories, our history. These traditions aren’t relics. They are alive—and they are powerful.

Amazing things are happening here in Metlakatla. I’m grateful to witness them.

—Alex

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What It Means to Be Connected


Why Belonging, Support, and Shared Purpose Matter More Than Ever

In a world that often pulls us in different directions, the power of connection has never been more important. Whether you’re in a tight-knit village like Metlakatla, a family business, a church group, or a professional team, the strength of any group lies in its ability to connect on a human level. But what does it really mean to be connected?

Belonging: The Heart of Connection

At the core of every thriving community is a sense of belonging. It’s more than just being present—it’s being seen, heard, and valued. When people feel accepted and understood, they naturally show up more fully. It’s the invisible thread that makes someone say, “These are my people.”

Shared Identity: Our Common Ground

Communities with strong connections often share more than just physical space. They share stories, values, and a collective history. Whether it’s a cultural tradition, a shared vision for the future, or simply growing up in the same place, shared identity is what gives a group its soul.

Mutual Support: Leaning on Each Other

True connection means knowing you can count on others—and they can count on you. It’s the neighbor who shows up when your generator goes out. The friend who listens without judgment. The coworker who steps in when you’re overwhelmed. Mutual support transforms groups into families.

Meaningful Relationships: Depth Over Surface

Surface-level connection isn’t enough. We thrive when we build meaningful relationships—when we know people’s stories, their struggles, their dreams. Authentic connection requires vulnerability, trust, and a commitment to showing up for one another in real ways.

Shared Experiences: The Glue of Community

From potlucks to fishing trips, community cleanups to youth basketball leagues—shared experiences create memories that bind us together. These moments deepen our bonds and remind us that we’re in this life together.

Active Participation: You Get Out What You Put In

Connection is a two-way street. It doesn’t happen by accident—it happens when people actively engage. Show up. Contribute. Help set up the chairs, lead the project, share your voice. Your presence matters more than you realize.

When Connection is Missing: What Can Be Done?

Disconnected communities don’t just feel lonely—they become ineffective. But we can bridge the gap:

  • Start with Communication: Honest, respectful conversations lay the groundwork for trust.
  • Create Opportunities to Gather: Don’t underestimate the power of a meal, a story circle, or a volunteer project to bring people together.
  • Encourage Collaboration: Shared work builds shared purpose.
  • Practice Empathy: Listen deeply. Be willing to see the world through someone else’s eyes.
  • Celebrate Diversity: Unity doesn’t mean uniformity. Our differences are strengths, not weaknesses.
  • Support Inclusive Leadership: Leaders who prioritize people over power are the ones who build lasting communities.
  • Address the Hard Stuff: Conflict, fear, or mistrust can block connection. Face it head-on, with grace and honesty.
  • Keep Showing Up: Relationships take time. Don’t give up when things get tough. Be patient. Be consistent.

Final Thoughts: Building Connection is the Work of a Lifetime

To be connected is to be human. It’s how we thrive. It’s how we heal. It’s how we build communities that last.

If you’re part of a group that feels disconnected right now—don’t wait. Start with one conversation, one shared meal, one small act of care. That’s how we begin again.

Let’s talk:
How do you build connection in your own community? What’s worked—and what hasn’t? Drop your thoughts in the comments or share this with someone who could use a reminder that connection is possible, even now.

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Title: Metlakatla: Built on Strength, Ready for a New Chapter

“From Self-Governance to Self-Made Futures: Metlakatla’s Next Chapter”

Post:

Metlakatla, Alaska has always been more than just a dot on the map—it’s a story of resilience, sovereignty, and vision.

From our earliest days, we have stood apart as a self-governing, self-sustaining community. Guided by leaders who carried deep wisdom and clarity of purpose, we built a home grounded in shared values, spiritual strength, and cultural pride. For decades, we thrived through industries that suited our land and waters—timber, fishing, canning. We didn’t just survive—we built, we led, we governed ourselves.

But times change.

Markets shift. Global demand for timber and fisheries has waned or rerouted. The industries that once sustained our families and funded our futures are not what they once were. And so now, just like our ancestors did generations ago, we stand at another crossroads. Another moment of reckoning—and possibility.

We are once again being called to be trailblazers.

This time, it may look different. It may look like small businesses, like digital creators, like food sovereignty projects, local tourism, artisan crafts, technology, and cultural exports. It may mean turning inward to invest in our young people’s ideas, or turning outward to build bridges with global markets that respect our values.

Whatever the path—we must create it.

Entrepreneurship isn’t just for the big cities. It belongs here too—in the soul of a people who have always carved their own way forward. Is it scary? Yes. Is it risky? Of course. But risk has never stopped us before. From crossing oceans to forming new systems of governance, to asserting our rights as the only federal Indian reservation in Alaska—we’ve always moved forward.

The next generation of Metlakatla leaders, builders, and visionaries is already among us. They’re watching. Listening. Learning. They need to see us take that first step toward new ideas, new businesses, new industries—rooted in who we are, and bold about where we’re going.

We are a community with the heart of pioneers. Let’s keep pioneering.

Let’s build again. Let’s lead again. Let’s dream—and do—together.

Call to Action:

Now’s the time to step up.

✅ Got a business idea? Share it with a mentor, or start sketching out a plan.
✅ Interested in entrepreneurship? Attend the upcoming Community Innovation Workshop at the Civic Hall (date TBD—stay tuned).
✅ Know a young person with a spark? Encourage them. Uplift them.
✅ Let’s talk, brainstorm, and build—together.

Drop a comment below with your ideas, or message me directly if you want to collaborate. Our future is still ours to shape—let’s make it bold.

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A time of Vulnerability

Title: Through the Haze

Many years ago, when the world seemed to spin just a little too fast, I found myself caught in the whirlwind of relentless work. My days blurred into nights, and I lost sight of what truly mattered. As the hours piled up, they exacted a toll far heavier than I had imagined—my marriage.

I take full responsibility for the crumbling of my relationship with my wife. The absence of moments we should have shared, the laughter that never echoed through our home, and the love that slipped through my fingers—all were casualties of my ceaseless ambition.

After the divorce, a new ache settled in my heart. I longed to see my boys, to be there for them as they grew, but the harsh reality of finances held me back. I tried everything within my power to scrape together the funds to visit them, but it was never enough. The distances, both physical and emotional, widened with each passing day.

My heart remains broken, the weight of regret a constant companion. Yet, in the quiet moments, I hold onto a glimmer of hope. I hope that one day, my boys will understand the depth of my love and my sorrow. That they might find it in their hearts to forgive me and let us rebuild the bridges that time and circumstance tore down.

Through this haze of past mistakes and lingering pain, I strive to become a better man, worthy of their forgiveness and love.

I hope this resonates with you and reflects your journey. If you’d like to add more details or adjust anything, please let me know.

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