Space for others to step up

A plane crash early in 2017 delayed Gerda Kosbruk’s sabbatical, but didn’t derail it. Instead, after several surgeries to repair her severely injured elbow, the tribal administrator for Port Heiden simply scaled back her plans.

By the time she left in September, her arm was still fragile, so Kosbruk needed to avoid crowds where it might get jostled. She’d also developed a fear of flying after the crash. So Kosbruk decided to stay in the Western U.S, visiting Seattle, California, Hawaii. Las Vegas, Arizona and New Mexico.

At first, she worried she might not be doing enough with the time away from the job she’d held for 16 years at that point, but then remembered this was about her, what she needed. And that was time to rest, heal and be with her loved ones.

“So I let it go and enjoyed myself in the moments, without concern for time,” she said.

Kosbruk reconnected with her husband and children, attended pow-wows, saw the redwoods, visited museums, parks, casinos and more. But home was never far from her mind. Kosbruk said whenever she travels, she considers if what she’s observing might make things better in her own village. She learned that feeling of responsibility from her dad, she said.

Meanwhile, Port Heiden was in good hands. As her team kept things running smoothly without her, Kosbruk realized she could let go of some of the daily concerns that previously occupied her 24/7. Upon returning to work, she began setting a definite beginning and end to her work days.

Kosbruk said her team also became more aware of their own strengths and skills, and took pride in how well they managed in her absence.

Most importantly, Kosbruk saw Port Heiden’s young leaders taking on more responsibility, learning they had the wisdom and ability to help their village and region and didn’t need to look to others.

Kosbruk’s sabbatical proved to be healing in many ways. The sun and heat did wonders for her injuries, both mentally and physically, she said. Relationships with her family became stronger, too, and she believes she became both a better person and employee to her Tribe. And she knows she’s not doing it alone.

“I feel that I am not carrying all the weight of making our village thrive. I now have people to help me carry this forward.”