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Fred Elvsaas

Fred Elvsaas

Fred Elvsaas was born in Seldovia, Alaska in 1933 to Agnes Ponchene Elvsaas and Herman Elvsaas. His father was originally from Norway and his mother was from Kodiak. Fred grew up in Seldovia, with the family moving to Hoen's Spit in the summertime where his mother had a large garden. Fred worked as a commercial fisherman. He played an active role in the establishment of the Seldovia Native Association (SNA) after the 1972 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and served as the organization's president for twenty-five years. He also has served as president of the Seldovia Native Tribe, and was chair of Southcentral Foundation's Traditional Healing Elder's Counsel from 1999-2011. Fred is well known for his knowledge of local history and his skill as a storyteller. Fred Elvsaas passed away on September 25, 2017. For more about Fred, see his obituary in the Alaska Dispatch News.
Date of Birth:
May 28, 1933
Date of Death:
Sep 25, 2017
Fred Elvsaas appears in the following new Jukebox projects:
Interview Title Abstract Archive #: Oral History Project Date of Interview
Fred Elvsaas, Interview 1, Part 1, Side A

Fred Elvsaas was interviewed on August 8, 2008 by Charles Mobley for the Seldovia Sewer and Water Monitoring -- Archeological Monitoring Project at Fred's home in Seldovia, Alaska. This is Side A of the first part of a two part interview. In this part of the interview, Fred talks about growing up in Seldovia, being a kid on the boardwalk, his family's activities, fishing, and various buildings and businesses in the community.

 2008-21_PT.1_SIDEA Seldovia Aug 8, 2008
Fred Elvsaas, Interview 1, Part 1, Side B

This is a continuation of the interview with Fred Elvsaas on August 8, 2008 by Charles Mobley for the Seldovia Sewer and Water Monitoring -- Archeological Monitoring Project at Fred's home in Seldovia, Alaska. This is Side B of the first part of a two part interview. In this part of the interview, Fred continues to talk about growing up in Seldovia, and various buildings and businesses in the community. He also talks about Seldovia getting running water and sewer, the local sawmill, as well as fishtraps and canneries.

 2008-21_PT.1_SIDEB Seldovia Aug 8, 2008
Fred Elvsaas, Interview 1, Part 2

This is a continuation of the interview with Fred Elvsaas on August 8, 2008 by Charles Mobley for the Seldovia Sewer and Water Monitoring -- Archeological Monitoring Project at Fred's home in Seldovia, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Fred talks about the 1964 Alaska Earthquake and the changes to Seldovia with reconstruction after the earthquake. He also talks about his father-in-law, Dad Ritchie.

 2008-21_PT.2 Seldovia Aug 8, 2008
Fred Elvsaas, Interview 2

Fred Elvsaas was interviewed on September 24, 2014 by Jan Yaeger at his home in Seldovia, Alaska. In this interview, Fred talks about commercial setnet fishing, the equipment used, and maintaining his gear. He also talks about establishment of the Seldovia Native Association, their land selections, and business deals.

 2014-17-04 Seldovia Sep 24, 2014