The Tanana Chiefs Conference in Alaska is joining in the search for Oak Park resident Kathleen Garrigan, who disappeared Sunday while canoeing on a frigid lake in central Alaska.
Garrigan, 24, Travis Alexander, 19 and Liza Lomando, 20 were last seen canoeing on the lake Sunday afternoon. Lomando’s drowned body was found Tuesday afternoon around 200 yards from where the trio’s empty red canoe was discovered Sunday night.
The Tanana Chiefs facilitates and organizes the work of AmeriCorps volunteers in Alaska under the Tribal Civilian Community Corps (TCCC). Garrigan joined the TCCC in February for a 10-month stint of service work in Alaska and around the United States.
“The Tanana Chiefs Conference is organizing a separate search process with the blessings of the Alaska State Police,” said a spokesperson for the organization. “It’s involving a lot of people.” She said the group was organizing volunteers Thursday morning and afternoon.
Alaska is three hours behind Chicago time.
A special box superimposed over the group’s website, Tananachiefs.org, allows viewers to click on it and view an announcement from the organization. TCCC officials intend to update the information on that site as facts become available. The box currently reads:
Harding Lake Search & Rescue
On behalf of the staff at Tanana Chiefs Conference and its 42 Member Tribes, we are deeply saddened and affected by the tragedy at Harding Lake, where the loss of three Tribal Civilian Community Corps (pronounced “T triple C”) members has recently been discovered. The
three, Liza Lomando (New York), 20, Travis Alexander (Fort Yukon), 19, and Kathy Gerrigan (Illinois), 24, were participants of the
residential program based in Nenana, Alaska.
Lomando’s body was recovered Tuesday afternoon and the search continues for Alexander and Gerrigan. The full account of the incident won’t be known until the search is over and information is very limited. We are providing support to the victims’ families, current TCCC members, and staff as we await further results.
Tanana Chiefs Conference is coordinating a volunteer search & rescue, and recovery effort for Travis Alexander and Kathy Garrigan. We
welcome volunteers in every possible effort. Food donations are much appreciated and you can drop off at the Chena River Convention Center. Monetary donations are accepted at Administration on the 6th floor of the Chief Peter John Tribal Building.
To volunteer, we ask that you contact:
Ginger Placeres, Council Newsletter Editor
Tanana Chiefs Conference
122 First Avenue, Suite 600
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
(907) 452-8251 ext. 3570