Heritage

The Vision of a Timeless Heritage

We are the descendants of the original inhabitants of Southeast Alaska and we carry the strengths of our culture and our Native values into the 21st century. Our heritage is our connection to the land and our commitment to future generations.

To survive as Alaska Native people we must take the gifts of our past and use every effort today to keep our culture, language, art, stories, songs and Native values alive.

The success of Sealaska's business operations enables us to support activities and programs that strengthen our cultural way of life. The Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) is a Native nonprofit organization conceived by clan leaders, traditional scholars and Elders at the first Sealaska Elders Conference in 1980 and established in 1981 by Sealaska Corporation.

SHI seeks to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures. SHI does this through a range of educational and cultural programs, including:

• Hosting the biennial Celebration festival
• Producing publications
  
• Offering arts and language programs
• Maintaining tribal archives 
• Advocating for cultural issues
• Providing scholarships for Southeast Alaska Natives
• Publishing news 
  

To learn more about our heritage please visit the Sealaska Heritage Institute.