NEWS & MEDIA

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 promote economic, social, cultural and environmental resiliency.  Sealaska economic development partner Spruce Root just announced the winners of its annual Path to Prosperity business competition, with two Southeast businesses winning $25,000 each. In the competition, 12 finalists receive intensive business coaching from Spruce Root experts. The pool is eventually winnowed to two winners. This year, winners include Naomi Michalsen of Ketchikan-based Kaasei Training and Consulting, and

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 a hotel maid and a gardener. Gloria is San Diego’s first non-white mayor, and also its first LGBTQ mayor.   “I’ve been the first of many things in my career,” Gloria said. “The goal is always not to be the last one.”  Gloria started volunteering on political campaigns as a high school student. He received Sealaska and Goldbelt scholarships to help get him through

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 117th Congress, which got underway on Jan. 3, 2021. Haines, Tenakee, Ketchikan, Wrangell and Petersburg were inexplicably left out of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971, and were unable to form urban Native corporations. Alaska Natives from these communities have gone 50 years without the economic benefits that are associated with

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 State Representative Debra Lekanoff is a champion for environmental policy and protections. She has given her time at the tribal, village, state and national level. Her efforts and professional background led some Alaskan policymakers to advocate that she would be ideal to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 office, which oversees Alaska and

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 stock in ferry terminals and B&Bs, and a new contract pending with a day-cruise operator that would’ve guaranteed a stream paying customers throughout the summer of 2020.  But like so many others, their business took a major hit when the coronavirus pandemic forced the virtual cancellation of Alaska’s summer tourism season in 2020.   “Everything was going in the right direction,” Bonnie said. “Last year’s