Category: Community

Southeast Alaska Native leaders call on other Pacific leaders to sign declaration, a symbol of collaboration and commitment toward shared goals surrounding climate justice.   As

Sealaska believes that a better future for people and the planet is within reach. Join us for a four-part series exploring ocean health, navigating the

In 2019, Sealaska established three Shareholder Participation Committees (SPC), with a goal of increasing communication and collaboration between the board of directors and the shareholders

Over the summer, Alaska’s congressional delegation introduced new Landless bills to the 118th Congress: S. 1889 (introduced by Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan) and H.R. 4748

“Indigenous Resistance: Now & Then” is a powerful telling of stories of resistance from Indigenous perspectives, sharing recent history and the impacts of colonialism on

by Communications Intern Alana Walkush Forest and stream restoration is hard work. And one Klawock Indigenous Stewards Forest Partnership (KISFP) participant in particular has been

by Evan Roberts, Shareholder Development Intern   In the week leading up to Sealaska’s 2023 annual meeting of shareholders in Klawock, a group of seven

Sealaska’s 50th annual meeting of shareholders concluded Saturday in Klawock with the results of Sealaska’s annual election to fill available seats on the company’s board

As a part of the Sealaska Shareholder Development department’s newly expanded curriculum in mariculture, Klawock students recently ventured out to Seagrove Kelp at Port St.

The Prince of Wales Surf and Turf camp doesn’t serve up steak and lobster. Instead, something much more valuable is on the menu for students

Hundreds of people had gathered on the University of Alaska Southeast Campus on Thursday, June 15 to wish the crew of the Hōkūleʻa farewell as

Taylor Natkong wanted to learn to code, but without having to leave her culture and homeland behind. Before participating in a new software programming opportunity

At Sealaska, shareholders are at the center of everything we do. We cherish every opportunity we have to meet with each of you, learning more

The community of Klawock, located on Prince of Wales Island, is surrounded by water, rivers and streams that are home to salmon runs that have

Sealaska’s Haa Aaní Board of Directors held its quarterly board meeting in Klawock on Thursday, June 1 to discuss land management strategies and review operational

Join Sealaska as we welcome and bid farewell to Hōkūle’a and our Hawaiian relatives of the Polynesian Voyage Society (PVS) while they embark on the

2023 Angoon High School graduate and Sealaska scholarship recipient Cheyenne Kookesh, pictured here with her dad.  Sealaska is invested in education. We are proud to

Shareholders, let’s meet at upcoming in-person community meetings! In the most recent shareholder survey, shareholders across the nation expressed the want to connect in-person and virtually.

Additions to Board of Trustees will help support vision to make Juneau the world’s Northwest Coast arts capital. In a recent meeting, the Sealaska Board

The voyage aims to circumnavigate the Pacific over the course of four years, bringing attention to the role of Pacific peoples in stewarding our oceans

Language efforts and the Board Youth Advisor program took center stage at the first board meeting of the year. At a board meeting held on

“Molly of Denali” is one of the biggest shows on PBS — so big that it was recently nominated for the Children’s and Family Emmys

Happy New Year!  As we greet 2023, we at Sealaska also invite you to join us in reflecting on the 2022 year. In 2022, we

Partnership between local organizations and volunteers leads to snow sports celebration, connecting families with community resources. An evening of winter sports festivities on Jan. 6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDDnDGOQgoI&t=516s&ab_channel=SealaskaKwaan Applications are now open for the 2023 summer internship program! Sealaska hosted a virtual internship information session on Nov. 28 to help prospective interns

A memorial totem pole honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirits (MMIWG2S) was recently raised near Klawock. This beautiful, heartbreaking tribute is

Happy Dr. Walter Soboleff Day! Today, we recognize the remarkable life and tremendous legacy of Kaajaakwtí Dr. Walter Soboleff, reflecting on one of his most

Sealaska hosted a lunchtime policy update on Tuesday, September 13, to provide shareholders with up-to-date information about Sealaska’s public policy efforts. The policy committee, Naxtoo.aat

Sealaska welcomes new shareholders, remains committed to original shareholder base

“Nothing about us without us” is a widely recognized saying that describes why effective public policy cannot be created without the full participation of the

For 50 years, Sealaska and others have worked tirelessly to correct a major flaw in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). ANCSA created regional

Sealaska welcomes new shareholders, remains committed to original shareholder base

https://youtu.be/MykcB4xOCyg The enrollment process can seem overwhelming and confusing. To help ease those feelings Sealaska held a virtual enrollment overview on August 16. The event

Each year Sealaska selects one shareholder descendant to be the Board Youth Advisor (BYA) for a one-year term. The Board Youth Advisor provides valuable input

Program Honors Students with Academic Achievement and Leadership Skills Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) has chosen a Ph.D. student with a focus on Alaska Native sovereignty

Shows support for proven leaders with a history of advocating for Alaska Native people The Sealaska Board of Directors today endorsed Bill Walker and Heidi

Today, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy signed House Bill 123, the Alaska Tribal Recognition Act – legislation that generations of Alaska Native advocates have worked tirelessly to

Sealaska and its partners in the Seacoast Trust gathered last week in Juneau to celebrate meeting the first major fundraising milestone — $20 million —

In June, Sealaska shareholders voted to extend eligibility for Class D (Descendant) stock to descendants with less than one-quarter blood quantum. Sealaska will no longer

Discover a Fulfilling Career! Are you a student starting to think about what to do after high school? Are you between secondary and post-secondary school

On August 16, Alaska will hold a special election to fill out the remainder of former Congressman Don Young’s term in the U.S. House of

Sealaska shareholders gave strong support to a resolution that will extend eligibility for Class D (Descendant) stock in Sealaska to lineal descendants of original shareholders

Q: What did the blood quantum resolution do?  A: When it was approved by shareholders, the resolution on this year’s proxy eliminated the requirement for

New Language Award Honors Founding Director Clarence Jackson, Sr. The inaugural Clarence Jackson Sr. Language Awards were presented at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

The Alaska Native Brotherhood and Alaska Native Sisterhood Grand Camp approved a resolution on Thursday, June 16 to support Sealaska’s proposal to remove as a

Sealaska Heritage Institute’s famed Celebration kicked off Wednesday, June 8 in Juneau after four long years and the community is abuzz with the energy of

Discussing blood quantum with friends and family can be challenging because no matter how you feel about the issue, it often strikes at the very

Sealaska announced today that it will award $1.2 million in scholarships to 426 recipients for the 2022-2023 school year. Scholarships were awarded to full- and

Sealaska announced Monday, May 23 that the Juneau Community Meeting scheduled to be held Wednesday, May 25 at Centennial Hall in Juneau will now take

Sealaska shareholders and descendants gathered online for a person-to-person discussion of the company’s resolution on the 2022 proxy that would eliminate the requirement to document

Alaska voters will face a series of elections between now and November — a special primary and general election to fill the seat left vacant

After two years of meeting virtually, Sealaska is excited to welcome shareholders back to in-person events this spring!   Shareholders and descendants are invited to

Pictured left to right: Joe Young, Andrea Cook, TJ Young, David R. Boxley and Greg Frisby. Photo credit: Connor Meyer Haida carver TJ Young (Sgwaayaans)

https://youtu.be/C1QSgMWNYzQ Sealaska’s board of directors approved $558,000 in funding for language preservation programs at a meeting held on April 8, pledging grants to seven different

Sealaska was saddened to learn of the passing of Alaska U.S. Representative Don Young, and would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences

Sealaska and Alaska Power & Telephone (AP&T) have teamed up to offer AP&T customers on Prince of Wales Island and in Haines, Skagway and Gustavus

Every two years, Sealaska conducts a shareholder survey to identify your priorities. Those priorities are the road map to our public policy work and help

As we welcome 2022, we at Sealaska have much to be grateful for. We end the year safe and successful, despite facing continued challenges and disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic. Sealaska continues

As Police Chief, Ed Mercer is the highest-ranking member of the Juneau Police Department. He has served as Juneau Police Chief since 2017.   On December 14, 2021,

Ruth Demmert (Kaanak) presented with Dr. Walter Soboleff “Warriors of Light award. Ruth Demmert Kaanak of Kake, Alaska is well known for her dedication and inspiration

A new fund that aims to support a prosperous, post-timber economy in Southeast Alaska has gotten a boost with twin $1 million investments from two

December 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), which was signed into law on December 18, 1971. ANCSA is

Today, Alaska  Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan introduced a companion bill to Rep. Don Young’s House Bill 3231, which, if adopted would resolve 50 years of injustice for five landless communities in

Sealaska recently joined Alaskans for Better Government in support of a proposed ballot measure to institute formal legal recognition of all 229 Alaska Native Tribes

Sealaska hosted its second in the “#NativeEnough” series of virtual events centered on the issue of blood quantum Tuesday night, Oct. 26. The purpose of

In early September, Sealaska asked shareholders to tell us how blood quantum impacts their lives. So far more than 600 people have responded. We are

Support for Healing of Domestic Violence Sealaska’s board of directors recently approved a $25,000 contribution in support of the creation of a totem pole that

Sealaska shareholders and followers of Sealaska social media channels were asked a simple question about a month ago: “Tell us how blood quantum impacts you.” During a lunch-hour

Sealaska will mark September 30, the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools, with its support for a day of events on Thursday, Sept. 30 in

#SealaskaWayofLife photo submission by Sandra Rose Sealaska is proud to share the winners of our 2021 #SealaskaWayOfLife photo contest! We created the #SealaskaWayOfLife photo contest

Trooper Granda on assignment in the Kuskokwim region After 23 years of law enforcement service, Alaska State Trooper Mark Granda retired on Aug. 31, 2021. Like his family,

Pictured from left to right: Isabella (Bella) Hoppe of Klawock, Priscilla Trudeau of Craig, Gonzolo Sanchez (G) of Klawock, Crew Leader-Reuben Schafir, and Joel Delacruz

One of the few remaining birth speakers of the Northern Haida dialect of Xaad kíl, Jane Kristovich (K’ujúuhl), joined her ancestors on August 18, 2021

On Friday, July 23, Sealaska’s board of directors approved a resolution to give full support and cooperation to the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, which

2021 Board Youth Advisor, Tia Silva-Martin, showing of her #SealaskaWayofLife What does the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian way of life look like through your lens?

Sealaska welcomes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement last week that it is dedicating $25 million toward sustainable opportunities for economic growth and community well-being in and around

Sealaska issued a statement expressing its position on the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday, June 25 that settled litigation over whether Alaska Native Corporations

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision today affirms the critical importance of our nation’s support for Alaska Natives, many of whom live in remote, rugged environments

Hearts are heavy at Sealaska after the passing of Sealaska director Albert Kookesh, Tlingit leader, former senator, business owner and fierce advocate for Alaska Natives.

Join Sealaska and the Polynesian Voyaging Society this Thursday, April 22, at 12 P.M. AKDT for a Special Earth Day Zoom session! At Sealaska, we

Growing up in Juneau, Rain Felkl had no fear of the mountains, she said. Her parents would let her play at the glacier or spend

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQs3Kce85Is Sealaska’s most recent virtual event invited panelists to share their experiences with cold water dips, an ancient ritual among our people that was designed

Sealaska invests in Southeast Alaska businesses through a yearly commitment to Spruce Root, Inc. Spruce Root supports businesses through loan capital and support services to

San Diego’s new mayor, Todd Gloria, is Tlingit, Filipino and has Dutch and Puerto Rican roots. He often describes himself as the proud son of

Campaign organizers with Alaska Natives Without Land are optimistic that legislation advancing the land claims of Alaska Natives from five Southeast communities will be reintroduced

During the month of February, we are highlighting shareholders who are contributing to policy and advocacy efforts and who positively impact people and communities.   Washington

The summer of 2019 was the most promising yet for Stormy and Bonnie Hamar’s tourism business, Kasaan Arts, Museum and Canoes.   They had a big write-up in the local travel guide, fresh brochures to

On Feb. 2, Fred (Sḵwaal) Hamilton, Sr. of Craig will mark his 100th birthday. The day has been designated by the Craig City Council as Fred Hamilton, Sr.

Sealaska has committed $30,000 to assist with emergency relief and disaster preparedness efforts in Haines and Klukwan.   The two communities have experienced severe flooding and mudslides

https://youtu.be/_Hx9KuiiX-E Sealaska shareholders have told us that investing in traditional languages is a top priority. In 2019, Sealaska set up an endowment to support the

At just 25 years old, Sealaska shareholder descendant Stephanie (Sxhaalghén) Masterman was recognized by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development as a Native

As walls rapidly go up on the new Mendenhall Valley location of the Glory Hall, Sealaska’s board of directors sent a strong message of support

Earlier this year, Sealaska marked an important milestone in its growth and development as a company – following the board election this spring, our board

Close your eyes. Clear your mind. When you hear the word ‘scientist,’ who do you envision? Is it an ‘old guy,’ with ‘crazy hair’ in

Caitlin Way never had any intention of being an entrepreneur. Even after becoming a business owner, she had a hard time embracing the identity.  When

Her business card says she’s the president and CEO of The CIRI Foundation, but Susan Anderson jokes that her real title ought to be “fairy

When the Healing Hand Foundation was established, it was designed to fill gaps in the medical and health-care services available to beneficiaries of Southeast Alaska

A video recording of Sealaska’s interactive Zoom session with Tlingit and Koyukon Athabascan actor Martin Sensmeier is now available at the link below for viewing.

Sealaska joins with Alaska’s congressional delegation and its 4,400 landless shareholders in the communities of Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Haines and Tenakee Springs in celebrating the

https://youtu.be/dR4nVR4xukQ It is with great sadness, but also reverence, respect and gratitude for his innumerable contributions, that we share the news of the passing of

Sealaska established a $10 million language endowment to focus on the revitalization of Tlingit (Lingít), Haida (X̱aad Kíl) and Tsimshian (Sm’algya̠x) languages. In Alaska, very

Sealaska shareholder descendant Andrea Ts’aak Ka Juu Cook will serve as one of two conference guides for this year’s First Alaskans Institute Elders & Youth

Sealaska established a $10 million language endowment to focus on the revitalization of Tlingit (Lingít), Haida (X̱aad Kíl) and Tsimshian (Sm’algya̠x) languages. In Alaska, very

This month, a partnership between Sealaska and the Alaska Longline Fisheries Association (ALFA) will result in the distribution of 49,000 pounds of salmon to families

Late this summer, a series of happy coincidences led 40 Yakutat kids out of the doldrums of the pandemic and into the icy waters of

2018 Kake Culture Camp image courtesy of The Sustainable Southeast Partnership In Kake, the Keex’ Kwaan Culture Camp is a rite of passage. Held annually

Capital City Fire Rescue (CCFR) and the Juneau Unity Group partnered to incorporate formline art onto a refurbished ambulance. The Unity Group is a collaborative

2020 #SealaskaWayOfLife Grand Prize Winner – Avery! Sealaska hosted an inaugural #SealaskaWayOfLife photo contest, inviting our social media audience to showcase their Tlingit, Haida and

IT IS UP TO YOU TO MAKE SURE YOUR COMMUNITY GETS A FAIR SHARE OF FEDERAL FUNDING – FILL OUT THE 2020 CENSUS Every 10

In early April 2020, Joel Jackson was taking action to ensure his community of 550 people had access to food and basic essentials. This past

“Our way of life!” Visual storytelling is at the heart of Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people. We want to continue to tell the story from

Letter from Board Chair Joe Nelson: #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd Outraged. Yes. Outraged after watching Officer Derek Chauvin murder George Floyd. Outraged after watching Officers Tou Thao, Thomas

Capital City Fire/Rescue uses Sealaska’s donation to ensure communal safety while protecting first responders in the process. Fire Chief Rich Etheridge has been working as

The sudden passing of Byron Mallott today forces us to cancel the virtual community meeting that was planned for Saturday, May 9. Byron left an

The sudden passing of Byron Mallott — Elder, leader, mentor and tireless advocate for indigenous people across the globe — is a devastating loss for

As we strive to heed the words of our Elders, we also strive to ensure their health and well-being, even  more so during these unprecedented

In light of COVID-19, food banks all over the country have seen an onslaught of demand as store shelves have gone bare, and unemployment rates

For the last two weeks, the @Southeast Alaska Food Bank and Sealaska transformed the parking lot of the Sealaska Plaza in Juneau into the Food

In early April 2020, Sealaska’s board of directors approved a $55,000 donation to the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe (YTT) to support the construction of a crime

The coronavirus is exposing longstanding vulnerabilities that our Alaska Native communities have faced for years. Many of our people are more at risk because of factors

Bill Bennett keeps a bentwood box in his office containing dozens of handwritten thank you notes. He also displays many of the notes on his

Sealaska’s board of directors has approved a $1 million COVID-19 relief and recovery package to help Alaska Native communities respond to the impact from the

We are working with our partners on the shared priority of keeping our people and communities safe. SEARHC offers some timely medical information for our

Sealaska offices in Juneau, Alaska will be closed to the public beginning Monday, March 16, 2020. On Thursday, March 12, 2020, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy

For the past several weeks, Sealaska has been monitoring the news about the spread of coronavirus (also known as COVID-19). To date, there are no

Educational leaders and members from the business community from across the state gathered in Anchorage Feb. 27–28 for the Alaska CAN! Conference. Their goal was

Communities up and down Southeast Alaska are feeling the impacts of loss of ferry service. Southeast Alaska is made up of thousands of islands that

Like Sealaska’s core values, the basis of the upcoming 2020 Innovation Summit, Feb. 26-27, at Centennial Hall in Juneau  is working together to address business

For Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people the basis of identity begins with a deep connection to land and water. A recent request from the City

Sealaska shareholder and Staff Sergeant Bryant Bearfield Sealaska shareholder and Staff Sergeant Bryant Bearfield has been serving in the U.S. Army for 13 years. Bearfield

Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL) has been administering a demonstration project over the last three years to increase culturally appropriate independent living services in the

Molly of Denali YouTube channel. Follow the adventures of 10-year-old Molly Mabray. Molly of Denali is a new animated series that follows the adventures of 10-year-old

On March 12, 2019, the Alaska Native Vietnam Veterans Land Allotment Act was approved via the Dingell Act. Alaska Native Vietnam era veterans who served

Damen Bell-Holter, Sealaska’s Director of Youth and Community Development “This position will give a fellow a special opportunity to engage with rural communities while learning

Apply by Friday, May 31, 2019 Damen Bell-Holter at Kake Culture Camp 2018, Photo by Bethany Goodrich courtesy of the Sustainable Southeast Partnership The Men’s

Sealaska launched another addition to the scholarship program by adding eligibility for part-time students enrolled in colleges or vocational-technical schools. The scholarships, which will be

Nicole George, previous Board Youth Advisor, presented Michael Cesar with a scholarship for the 2018-19 school year at Juneau-Douglas High School last year. More than

One of the top Sealaska policy priorities for this year is continued AMHS funding and services for our communities Sealaska is one of four Alaska

This news item is an update to our story we published on March 12, 2019. The Klawock, AK community comes together to raise a totem

“We Belong Here” was a free youth leadership and basketball gathering for students grades 4-12. The three-day gathering was hosted by Juneau youth organizations, March

Sealaska is growing, and that growth is rooted in core businesses that are working to manage healthy lands, create exponential value and demonstrate sustainable stewardship.

“Finally, this long-time need of our Veterans is being addressed. On behalf of the Sealaska board, we thank our Alaska Congressional Delegation for their unwavering

Image from 2016 herring season. Image by Bethany Goodrich, Sustainable Southeast Partnership Sealaska supports the Sitka Tribe of Alaska (STA) taking legal action against the

Sealaska is dedicated to connecting our young shareholders to opportunities that better their future endeavors. Sealaska’s programs focus on career development, helping shareholders and shareholder

Veterans prepare to carry Veterans Totem Pole, representing all branches of the U.S. military.  Alaskans and the rest of the nation are taking time this

The 2018 midterm elections are Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 and will feature hundreds of congressional, state and local races across the country. Throughout this election

Ethel Lund, former Sealaska Director, is honored at the 2017 AFN Convention Participation in AFN provides Sealaska with a forum to address statewide issues of

Accepting the award for Sealaska Anthony Mallot, Albert Kookesh and Joe Nelson Sealaska was named “Philanthropic Business of the Year” by the Juneau Community Foundation,

Sealaska has been actively engaged in supporting healthy salmon habitat in Alaska for decades by helping develop policies and recommending actions toward ensuring these salmon

GOTNV Southeast, is hosting public forums featuring discussions with candidates in upcoming state and local elections over the next few weeks. A complete list is

The Sealaska board of directors announced its endorsement in support of the re-election of Governor Bill Walker and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott. The Sealaska board

A Celebration of Life for Ross Soboleff will be held Wednesday, September 12, 2018. Celebration of LifeWednesday, September 12, 2018Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall320 W Willoughby AveJuneau,

A blog post about intern development week by Andrew Wysocki, 2018 Sealaska communications intern Several times this spring, my grandmother and parents urged me to

https://youtu.be/Rud5rZq9ToIThe Klawock community came together in late August and stood up a totem pole representing all branches of the U.S. military. The totem now stands

Summer in Juneau, Alaska, means another class of interns gets to experience Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) behind-the-scenes. Celebration, research projects, collections housing and youth summer

https://youtu.be/EntydJnhMVM Sealaska directors unanimously approved a resolution to deed Sealaska land in Wrangell to the federally recognized tribe, Wrangell Cooperative Association.  The land is the

Talia Davis is a past scholarship recipient Sealaska’s scholarship program is getting a $10 million boost–the first increase to the Scholarship Endowment Fund since its