In celebration of Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month, we will be recognizing a handful of shareholders that have served in the Armed Forces as part of our #RecognitionMatters Veterans Campaign. The first piece will be published today, in honor of Veterans Day. This story features former Sealaska founding director Aaron Isaacs who served in the Alaska Army National Guard and as a U.S. Army 82nd Airborne paratrooper. American Indians and Alaska Natives have a longstanding tradition of service and sacrifice, as they serve at a higher rate than any other demographic in the entire country. As a country, we take time every November to honor U.S. military veterans.

This November, Sealaska is holding space for the veterans closest to our hearts: Alaska Native Veterans. We are honored to share stories from a handful of the veterans in our communities.

Tlingit veteran Aaron Issacs served in the Alaska Army National Guard and as a U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper. He grew up in Klawock and serves as the president of the Prince of Wales Veterans Association. He attended Mt. Edgecumbe High School and went on to graduate from Haskell Indian Nations University in 1961. His life then took him to Oakland, California under the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ relocation program.

Isaacs’ service with the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division included getting pinned with silver wings.

Aaron is Tlingit, Yéil (Raven) L’eeneidí (Dog Salmon) from Craig.

As a country, we take time every November to honor U.S. military veterans.