August - December 2008 News Archive

Shareholder Restaurant Declared Small Business of the Year Shareholder Rose Miller of Pelican, Alaska is known for taking care of her community. If someone needs a roof over their head or a place to eat, her business Rose’s Bar & Grill is usually where people find it. She’s owned the community’s favorite gathering place for 35 years. Her commitment to Pelican was recognized this year by the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce. Rose was honored with the Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year Award. Her devotion to the economic sustainability of Pelican was a driving force for her nomination. Rose is Eagle Daklawedi (Killerwhale). Please join us in congratulating Rose for being a strong member of her community and for her accomplishments. Visit Rose’s Bar & Grill at One Salmon Way, Pelican, AK 99832 or call them at 907.735.2288. Listen to Rose Miller’s story on Sitka’s KCAW Raven Radio at www.kcaw.org.

Alyssa London Named Seafair Princess, Awarded Scholarship Like many other students, Alyssa London spent her summer applying for college scholarships. Her hard work paid off. Alyssa applied to the Seafair Scholarship Program for Women and was named Seafair Princess, receiving a college scholarship that she will use to attend Stanford University in California. “This was a unique and interesting approach at scholarship opportunities,” Alyssa said. The scholarship program has evolved over the years to reward academic ambitions, celebrate diversity and showcase future leaders. Alyssa participated in an intense schedule of public speaking and community events over the summer, promoting community service and emphasizing Native education. This summer, she raised a total of $21,000 toward her college education, including a $10,000 scholarship from Morgan Stanley. Alyssa is the daughter of Sealaska director and shareholder Tate London and Debi of Bothell, Wash.

Shareholder Jaeleen Kookesh Araujo has been appointed as Sealaska vice president and general counsel. Prior to joining Sealaska, Jaeleen served as senior associate at Van Ness Feldman in Washington, D.C., a law firm representing several Native corporations, including Sealaska. At Van Ness, Jaeleen provided legal representation in the fields of Alaska Native, American Indian, natural resources and energy law, including Sealaska’s Haa Aaní land legislation and descendant and Leftout enrollment legislation. Jaeleen holds a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico School of Law. Jaeleen is L’eeneidí (Dog Salmon) from Angoon.

Shareholder Darlene Watchman has been hired as Sealaska’s director of shareholder relations. Darlene brings a vast background of experience from the State of Alaska with the Department of Commerce and Local Boundary Commission, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and the University of Alaska’s Department of Alaska Native and Rural Development. She holds two master’s degrees from the University of Puget Sound and the University of Washington. She also holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin. Darlene is Kaagwaantaan (Eagle) from Sitka.

Shareholder Angel Lindoff is a new addition to Sealaska corporate accounting. Angel will be our accounts payable technician and administrative assistant. She recently was the administrative supervisor with the PFD division at State of Alaska Dept. of Revenue. Angel is Eagle Wolf. Her mother is from Hoonah but she was raised in Juneau and Anchorage.

Shareholder descendant Anthony Lindoff is Sealaska’s new business development analyst. Anthony was previously an intern for our Office of Diversity Solutions and recently received his degree in international business from Fort Lewis College. Anthony is Eagle Wolf, Kaagwaantaan from Hoonah.

Shareholder Susan Till will be providing assistance to Sealaska records and information management. Susan will work closely with Records Manager Linda Wynne. For the past six years, Susan worked with the Division of Personnel at the State Department of Administration. Susan is also a shareholder of Goldbelt, Inc.

Shareholder Aaron Edenshaw is likely the person you will talk to when calling Sealaska’s Bellevue office. Aaron joins Sealaska after completing a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Occidental College. Aaron is the son of Cliff and Mary Edenshaw. He was born and raised in Seattle and is Haida and Tlingit.

Shareholder Lynette Page joins Sealaska as senior corporate accounting technician. Lynette was previously a staff accountant with Altman, Rogers & Co., and an accounting technician for Goldbelt and Central Council Tlingit and Haida. She is Raven T’akdeintaan from Hoonah.

Sarah Antioquia recently joined Sealaska as assistant to Chief Operating Officer Sam Landol in the Bellevue office. Sarah is the daughter of shareholder James Antioquia and Shelia of Seattle, Wash. Sarah has applied for Sealaska stock as a descendant shareholder.

Interning on the Alaska Marine Highway System Amber Jean Michel served as a Cadet-Intern on the Alaska Marine Highway System this summer. Amber will be entering her final year at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy as Honor’s 4.0 Cadet. In her first year, Amber received the Cadet of the Year award. Amber’s Tlingit name is Sga’toot, she is from the Tin.aa Hit (Copper House) of the Kiks.adi (Frog Clan).

Shareholder Descendent Completes Eagle Scout Thus far, 2008 has been a terrific year for Shareholder Descendent Ryan Breseman. In January, just under the deadline of his 18th birthday, he completed his Eagle Scout project and other requirements to receive the highest award for Boy Scouts. Only ½ of 1% of all Scouts attain this level.  Ryan wound up his Inglemoor High School career by completing the rigorous International Baccalaureate full diploma program in June, receiving Washington State Principal’s Scholar Award, President’s Award for Educational Excellence and has been named a National Merit Scholar. He has been accepted as an incoming freshman at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York and intends to gain a degree in Computer Science. He is deeply appreciative of scholarship awards he is receiving that will help him reach this goal. He is the recipient of the Rensselaer Carvel Wheeler Scholarship and Sealaska Heritage Institute Award. Ryan is the son of proud parents, Rick and Eileen Breseman of Maltby, Washington.

Tlingit Leaders Memorialized in Anchorage Alaska’s largest city now houses a 10-foot bronze sculpture honoring the work of Tlingit leaders Roy and Elizabeth Peratrovich. The sculpture titled Flight of the Raven was unveiled in Anchorage, Alaska, on June 30 and pays tribute to their work at getting the nation’s first anti-discrimination law. Flight of the Raven was created by shareholder Roy Peratrovich, Jr., the eldest son of Roy and Elizabeth. Roy was born in Klawock, Alaska, and was the first Native licensed as a professional civil engineer in Alaska. Once retired, he took up his life long passion of art. Roy is Tlingit of the Raven Clan. Visit his website at www.ravenworksart.com.

Studying the Past Benefits the Future This summer, shareholder descendant Melissa Goade will be a teaching assistant for a team that will lead classes on a dig at the Dark Mold and Pigg sites in southwest Colorado. Melissa is scheduled to complete her anthropology degree this year at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo. Her parents Stacy and Dave Goade envision her returning to the region and sharing her knowledge for important anthropological and archeological pursuits that benefit and record the historical value of Alaska Native cultures in Southeast Alaska. Melissa is a recipient of a Sealaska scholarship. Her parents thanked Sealaska for the educational scholarships provided to students, along with the value of Alaska Native culture that is behind the scholarships.

Mother’s Day is Special to Young Author Veronica Morgan Younack spent last Mother’s Day in a way few 10-year-olds have—holding her first book signing. Her book Veronica and the Alaska Muskoxen was born out of a school project and an annual tradition. Veronica has spent every Mother’s Day since she was born at the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer, Alaska. At age 4, her mother Sharon Younack recalls, Veronica announced, “I will work here!” Three years later she began volunteering at the farm, reading stories to the baby musk oxen and their mothers. The interaction helped the animals become accustomed to having people around before seasonal farm tours started. Two years ago, Veronica began researching the musk ox for a school assignment with help from her grandmother, Patricia Younack (Littlefield). When the information was compiled, the pair decided to turn it into a book. The process started with Veronica choosing her favorite photos from the farm and laying out the book. Then, after several trials and errors, she read her story into a tape recorder and her grandmother transcribed it. They self-published the book, which can be purchased through a link at www.sealaska.com, on Amazon or direct through the publisher at www.authorhouse.com. Veronica’s love of sharing reaches beyond the musk ox. In kindergarten she organized a breast cancer awareness campaign, and at age 8 she cut her hair for the national program Locks of Love, which provides hairpieces for financially disadvantaged children who have lost their hair. Veronica also talks with students about the importance of voting as a means to express their views and encourages her classmates to talk about politics with their parents. Veronica, whose Tlingit name is Gaguan Eeti, which means “rays of the sun,” lives in Palmer and is Tlingit, Athabascan and Polish.

Shareholder Wears Symbolic Bib to Graduation Shareholder Barbara Franks graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage on May 4 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in human services. Pictured above is the bib with a beaded coho and lifesaver ring she wore for graduation. Barbara says the lifesaver is a logo for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Barbara aspires to work with suicide survivors one day.

Shareholders in the Military Name: Edward A.C. Gossman Rank: Private First Class, U.S. Marines Edward A.C. Gossman graduated from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in June and is now a private first class for the U.S. Marines. In boot camp, Gossman achieved “sharp shooter” status. He is currently training at Camp Pendleton before receiving orders to his first duty station. Gossman, who is Han Athabascan, is the great-grandson of Ruth Mae Spromberg, grandson of Carol A. Spromberg and son of Jennifer Gossman, all from Ketchikan. He and his wife, Monica Lynn Dunn, are expecting their first child in November.

Wrangell Shareholder Earns Master Municipal Clerk Certification Sealaska shareholder Christie Jamieson received her Master Municipal Clerk designation earlier this year. Christie has worked for the City of Wrangell as city clerk for the past 10 years. Her family says she has spent the last several years obtaining the certification. “The effort was substantial but the difficulties were worthwhile,” Christie said. “I’m very proud and couldn’t have done it without my family, the City of Wrangell and all of the city councils I have worked under.” Christie is the daughter of the late Marcus and Mae Dailey of Wrangell and the great-granddaughter of Chief Shakes VII, Charles Jones and wife, Susie.

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