The Story That Had to Be Told
Our journey has been one of purpose, perseverance, and unwavering commitment. Every step has been guided by a deep respect for those who came before us and a responsibility to preserve their stories with honesty, dignity, and care. What began as a vision has become a movement rooted in remembrance, restoration, and hope.
Following the Journey
Every milestone tells part of the story.
From the earliest days of historical research and cemetery restoration to community cleanups, LiDAR surveys, memorial planning, construction, and ultimately the completion of the memorial entrance, this page documents the journey that brought us here.
Each update reflects the dedication of countless volunteers, partners, Tribal citizens, descendants, and community members who worked together to honor the children connected to the Jesse Lee Home and restore dignity to this sacred place.
Because You Chose to Stand Beside Us
A Historic Partnership
With Gratitude to the City of Seward
Some decisions leave a lasting mark on a community.
Others become part of its history.
The City of Seward's decision to support the transfer of the Jesse Lee Cemetery into the long-term stewardship of the Qutekcak Native Tribe is one of those moments.
This is more than a resolution.
More than a legal process.
More than the transfer of land.
It is a profound act of trust.
It is the recognition that this sacred place deserves to be protected, preserved, and cared for with the dignity and respect it has always deserved.
For years, the Qutekcak Native Tribe, community volunteers, descendants, researchers, and countless partners have worked to restore the Jesse Lee Cemetery. Together, we uncovered forgotten history, restored neglected grounds, identified children whose stories had been lost to time, and created a memorial that now welcomes every visitor with the words:
"They Mattered Then... They Matter Now."
Throughout that journey, the City of Seward chose to walk beside us.
They listened.
They asked questions.
They learned.
They recognized that the Jesse Lee Cemetery is not simply another historic site—it is sacred ground. It is a place that carries the memories of children, the grief of families, the resilience of a people, and a history that deserves to be preserved with honesty and care.
By passing a resolution recognizing the significance of the Jesse Lee Cemetery, supporting the Tribe's role in its stewardship, and allowing the formal process to begin toward long-term Tribal care, the City demonstrated that preserving history requires more than words—it requires meaningful action.
We are deeply grateful that the City has also committed to supporting the next steps by assisting with survey coordination, subdivision planning, boundary review, and survey costs as the transfer process moves forward. These are not simply administrative tasks—they are the careful and necessary steps that ensure this sacred place will remain protected for generations to come.
The Qutekcak Native Tribe extends its heartfelt appreciation to Mayor Sue McClure, City Manager Janette Bower, the Seward City Council, Daniel P. Meunierick, Community Development Director, the Seward Electric Department, and every City employee who helped move this vision from conversation to reality.
Thank you for your leadership.
Thank you for your willingness to listen.
Thank you for recognizing the historical, cultural, and emotional significance of this sacred place.
Thank you for believing that difficult history deserves to be acknowledged rather than forgotten.
Thank you for trusting the Qutekcak Native Tribe with the responsibility of caring for this land into the future.
The transfer of the Jesse Lee Cemetery is not simply about ownership.
It is about stewardship.
It is about ensuring that this sacred ground remains protected with the care, cultural understanding, and long-term commitment it deserves.
It means future generations will continue to have a place where they can gather to remember.
Where descendants can reconnect with their families.
Where children can learn the truth of our shared history.
Where healing can continue.
Where remembrance will always have a home.
This partnership between the City of Seward and the Qutekcak Native Tribe demonstrates what is possible when governments, Tribal Nations, and communities choose collaboration over division, understanding over indifference, and shared stewardship over forgotten history.
Long after today's meetings are over...
Long after today's resolutions have been filed...
Long after all of us are gone...
This sacred place will remain.
Children will walk these grounds.
Families will gather here.
Descendants will reconnect with their history.
Visitors from around the world will stop beneath the memorial entrance and ask questions that lead to understanding.
That future is possible because the City of Seward chose to invest not only in preserving land—but in preserving memory.
That is an extraordinary gift.
On behalf of the Qutekcak Native Tribe, we offer our deepest gratitude to the City of Seward for your trust, your partnership, your leadership, and your commitment to ensuring that the Jesse Lee Cemetery will remain a place of dignity, remembrance, truth, and healing for generations to come.
Together, we are preserving more than history.
We are preserving humanity.
We are preserving memory.
And together, we are ensuring that the children connected to the Jesse Lee Home will always be remembered.
They Mattered Then. They Matter Now. They Will Always Matter.
Our Story
The Jesse Lee Cemetery Memorial Project
A Journey of Restoration, Remembrance, and Hope
Every meaningful journey begins with a single question.
Ours began with this one:
How do we ensure that the children connected to the Jesse Lee Home are never forgotten?
That question became a commitment.
That commitment became years of research.
Years of restoration.
Years of partnership.
Years of prayer.
Years of listening.
Years of uncovering stories that had quietly waited to be told.
What began as an effort to better understand the history of the Jesse Lee Home soon became something much larger. We discovered that while history had recorded some names, many children had quietly disappeared from public memory. Their stories remained scattered across government records, cemetery maps, death certificates, church records, historical archives, and family histories.
The more we learned...
The more we realized how much work remained.
The Qutekcak Native Tribe committed itself to doing that work—not because it was easy, but because it was necessary.
We began reviewing historical records dating back nearly a century.
Death certificates.
Burial records.
Bureau of Indian Affairs documents.
Church records.
Historical publications.
Census records.
Family histories.
Archived cemetery maps.
Every document revealed another piece of the story.
Through years of research, we identified additional children connected to the Jesse Lee Home whose stories had never been fully documented. We worked to locate descendants, verify identities, document burial locations, and restore names to children who deserved to be remembered.
But history wasn't the only thing hidden.
The cemetery itself had become almost unrecognizable.
Years of brush...
Decades of overgrowth...
Fallen trees...
Rotting stumps...
Dense vegetation...
Had slowly reclaimed the land.
Many families could no longer locate the graves of their loved ones.
Markers had disappeared beneath the earth.
Pathways had vanished.
What should have been a peaceful place of remembrance had become increasingly difficult to access.
That is when another journey began.
Not one of research...
But one of restoration.
For years, volunteers, Tribal citizens, community members, and dedicated partners returned to the cemetery.
Among those partners, North of Hope became an extraordinary part of this story.
Long before there was a memorial...
Long before there was funding...
Long before anyone imagined an archway...
North of Hope was already serving.
Together, volunteers spent years carefully restoring the cemetery.
Brush was cleared.
Trailers were filled.
Trees were removed.
Stumps were excavated.
Pathways reopened.
Grounds were reclaimed.
More than 27 trailer loads of brush and 12 trailer loads of stumps and debris were removed as volunteers slowly uncovered the cemetery that had been hidden beneath decades of neglect.
Every cleanup day revealed something new.
Hidden grave markers.
Forgotten pathways.
Pieces of history that had quietly waited beneath the surface.
As restoration continued, technology became another important partner.
Metal detectors helped locate grave markers buried beneath the earth.
Ground Penetrating Radar mapped probable burial locations.
LiDAR scanning created detailed models of the cemetery landscape.
Historical records were compared with physical evidence.
Every discovery strengthened our understanding and guided respectful preservation efforts.
The work was never rushed.
Every decision was made with cultural respect.
Every discovery was treated with dignity.
Every child mattered.
As the cemetery slowly emerged from beneath years of overgrowth, another vision began to take shape.
What if every visitor entering this sacred place immediately understood its significance?
What if the entrance itself reminded every person that these children mattered?
What if remembrance began before someone ever stepped onto the cemetery grounds?
That vision became the Jesse Lee Cemetery Memorial Project.
The Qutekcak Native Tribe began designing a memorial entrance that would permanently honor the children connected to the Jesse Lee Home while reflecting the resilience and cultural heritage of Alaska Native people.
The Rasmuson Foundation believed in that vision and provided the funding that allowed the project to move forward.
PND Engineers generously donated professional engineering services and developed the structural design that transformed the vision into reality.
The City of Seward, City Manager Janette Bower, the Seward City Council, and the Seward Electric Department partnered with the Tribe through land coordination, installation support, and community collaboration that made construction possible.
Marie Gage donated beautiful Forget-Me-Not flowers, Alaska's state flower, creating a living reminder that remembrance continues long after ceremonies end.
Seward Folly and SakTown News helped tell the story so the community—and ultimately the world—could better understand the importance of this place.
And then...
North of Hope returned.
Once again.
Not to clear brush this time...
But to help build something that generations would remember.
Together, volunteers, contractors, engineers, Tribal staff, and community members raised the memorial entrance by hand.
Every beam placed.
Every bolt tightened.
Every piece carefully assembled.
Not simply to build an archway...
But to build a promise.
Today, every visitor entering the Jesse Lee Cemetery passes beneath those words:
"They Mattered Then... They Matter Now."
Those words have become more than the theme of a memorial.
They have become the mission of this entire journey.
They remind us that history deserves to be acknowledged.
That healing begins with truth.
That remembrance requires action.
And that every child deserves dignity.
Today, the memorial entrance stands as a permanent symbol of remembrance.
But the journey is far from complete.
The Qutekcak Native Tribe is now entering the next chapter.
Phase Two will bring traditional Alaska Native totem poles to the memorial entrance, completing the vision first imagined years ago. These carvings will honor the children connected to the Jesse Lee Home while celebrating the enduring strength, culture, and resilience of Alaska Native people.
Future work will continue through preservation, historical research, educational programming, descendant outreach, cultural interpretation, and stewardship of the cemetery for generations yet unborn.
Because this project has never been about an archway.
It has never been about landscaping.
It has never been about construction.
It has always been about people.
About children whose lives deserve to be remembered.
About families searching for connection.
About descendants looking for answers.
About a community choosing remembrance over forgetting.
About healing through truth.
And about ensuring that future generations inherit not only history...
But the responsibility to protect it.
One day, children will walk beneath this memorial entrance and ask,
"Who were they?"
Because of this work...
Someone will be able to answer.
That is why this journey matters.
That is why we continue.
That is why we remember.
They Mattered Then.
They Matter Now.
They Will Always Matter. ❤️
A Vision Made Possible Through Partnership
What began as a commitment to honor the children connected to the Jesse Lee Home has grown into a lasting movement of remembrance, restoration, and hope. Every milestone reflects years of research, stewardship, community partnership, and an unwavering dedication to preserving this sacred place for future generations.
What defines this journey is not simply the work we have accomplished, but the purpose behind it. Every decision has been guided by respect for history, compassion for those who came before us, and a commitment to ensuring their stories continue to educate, inspire, and heal.
Phase 2: Completing the Vision
The completion of the memorial entrance marked an important milestone—but it was never intended to be the final chapter.
From the very beginning, the vision for the Jesse Lee Cemetery Memorial has extended beyond the archway. The entrance serves as the gateway to a much larger story—one of remembrance, cultural resilience, healing, and hope.
Phase 2 will bring that vision to completion through the creation and installation of traditional Alaska Native totem poles that will stand alongside the memorial entrance.
These totem poles will do far more than enhance the landscape.
They will tell a story.
A story of children whose lives deserve to be remembered.
A story of Alaska Native resilience through generations of hardship.
A story of healing, survival, culture, and hope.
Working with Native artists and cultural advisors, the totem poles will reflect the traditions, values, and heritage of Alaska Native people while honoring the children connected to the Jesse Lee Home. Every carving will carry meaning, ensuring that visitors leave with a deeper understanding of the history of this sacred place and the strength of the people who continue to preserve it.
Phase 2 will include:
Traditional Alaska Native totem pole carving
Cultural design and artistic interpretation
Cedar log procurement and preparation
Transportation and installation
Site improvements and landscaping
Educational interpretation surrounding the memorial
Continued preservation of the Jesse Lee Cemetery
The Qutekcak Native Tribe believes remembrance should never be passive.
It should educate.
It should inspire.
It should create opportunities for healing.
When completed, the Jesse Lee Cemetery Memorial will become more than a place of remembrance—it will become a place where history is acknowledged, culture is celebrated, and future generations can learn the importance of preserving both truth and memory.
Today, visitors are welcomed by the words:
"They Mattered Then... They Matter Now."
With the completion of Phase 2, those words will be surrounded by artwork that reflects the enduring spirit, resilience, and traditions of Alaska Native people, creating a memorial unlike any other in Alaska.
How You Can Help
The Qutekcak Native Tribe is actively seeking partners, sponsors, foundations, businesses, and individuals who share our commitment to preserving history and honoring those who came before us.
Your support will help complete this memorial and ensure that future generations inherit a place where remembrance, education, and healing can continue for decades to come.
Together, we are not simply completing a memorial.
We are completing a promise.
A promise that these children will never be forgotten.
A promise that their stories will continue to be told.
A promise that future generations will always know...
They Mattered Then. They Matter Now. They Will Always Matter. ❤️
With Our Deepest Gratitude
The Jesse Lee Cemetery Memorial Project is the result of years of dedication, partnership, research, restoration, and unwavering belief that the children connected to the Jesse Lee Home deserved to be remembered with dignity and respect.
No single person or organization could have accomplished this work alone.
It has taken countless hours of historical research, cemetery restoration, archaeological documentation, engineering, volunteer service, fundraising, planning, construction, cultural stewardship, and community collaboration to bring this vision to life.
The Qutekcak Native Tribe extends our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped transform this vision into a lasting place of remembrance.
Our Sincere Appreciation
North of Hope
For your years of faithful stewardship of the Jesse Lee Cemetery. Long before the memorial entrance stood, you were clearing decades of overgrowth, removing brush and debris, restoring pathways, uncovering forgotten grave markers, and helping prepare this sacred ground. You returned year after year with willing hands, generous hearts, and an unwavering commitment to this community. Thank you for helping restore dignity to this sacred place.
Rasmuson Foundation
For believing in this vision and providing the funding that made the memorial possible. Your investment transformed years of planning into a lasting legacy for future generations.
PND Engineers
For your generous donation of engineering services, technical expertise, structural design, and professional guidance. Your work ensured this memorial would stand safely while honoring the cultural and historical significance of the site.
The City of Seward
Including City Manager Janette Bower, the Seward City Council, and the Seward Electric Department, thank you for believing in this vision, supporting the land exchange, and partnering with the Tribe throughout this journey.
Healthy Land & Sea
Especially David and his crew, thank you for your generous assistance with LiDAR scanning, mapping, and preservation planning. Your expertise helped identify and protect this sacred ground for generations to come.
Carol Conant
Thank you for your tireless historical research, documentation, and steadfast commitment to uncovering and preserving the history of the Jesse Lee Home and its children. Your countless hours of work laid much of the foundation for the progress we celebrate today.
Marie Gage
Thank you for your beautiful donation of Alaska's state flower, the Forget-Me-Not. Your gift serves as a living reminder that remembrance continues to bloom and that these children will never be forgotten.
Tiffany Siller
Leona Gottschalk
Marti Wallis
Nick Jordan
Chugachmiut Heritage Preservation
Thank you for your support, encouragement, and contributions to preserving the history of the Jesse Lee Cemetery and honoring the children connected to the Jesse Lee Home. Your commitment has helped ensure that this work continues with integrity and respect.
Seward Folly & SakTown News
Thank you for helping tell this story and ensuring that the history of the Jesse Lee Cemetery reaches our community and future generations.
Our Elders
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, guidance, prayers, and stories, helping ensure this work remained grounded in respect, culture, and remembrance.
The Families and Descendants
Thank you for trusting us with your stories and allowing us to help preserve the memory of your loved ones.
Researchers, Historians, and Preservation Partners
Thank you for the countless hours spent reviewing historical records, death certificates, cemetery maps, Bureau of Indian Affairs records, census records, church records, and archival materials that helped restore names, identify children, and reconnect families.
Community Volunteers and Partners
Thank you for every cleanup day, every truck and trailer load hauled away, every tree removed, every grave marker uncovered, every meal shared, every prayer offered, and every act of kindness that helped restore this sacred place.
The Qutekcak Tribal Council
Thank you for your vision, leadership, and commitment to preserving the history and heritage of our people.
The Qutekcak Native Tribe Staff
Especially Dolly Wiles and Staff who dedicated countless hours to research, grant writing, fundraising, planning, project management, community outreach, and preservation efforts. Your dedication made this vision possible.
Every Donor, Sponsor, Contractor, Business, Organization, Friend, and Supporter
Whether you gave financially, donated equipment, volunteered your time, shared your expertise, prepared meals, offered encouragement, or prayed for this project—you became part of this legacy.
Every contribution mattered.
Every act of kindness mattered.
Every hour mattered.
Because...
Every Child Mattered.
Together, We Created More Than a Memorial
We restored sacred ground.
We preserved history.
We honored lives.
We strengthened our community.
And together, we created a lasting place where remembrance, healing, education, and hope will continue for generations to come.
They Mattered Then. They Matter Now. They Will Always Matter.
Quyana. From all of us at the Qutekcak Native Tribe, thank you for helping create a legacy that will endure for generations. ❤️