Category: community

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, … Continued

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 … Continued

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 … Continued

Students currently enrolled or interested in signing up to study Sm’algyax, X̱aad Kíl and Lingít through the University of Alaska Southeast this spring have access to newly available scholarship funds made possible by an agreement between Sealaska and UAS. Sealaska signed an agreement offering tuition support for students enrolled in the Spring 2021 semester in … Continued

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. Day.   Hamilton is the son of George (Siigaay) Hamilton, Sr. and Joy (Haana Iwaans) Edenso Hamilton. He is of the Raven moiety and his crests are Owl, Brown Bear and Flicker. Longevity is in … Continued

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 in the past 10 days. The search for two Haines residents was called off after they disappeared in a mudslide on December 3, and more than 50 families are still under … Continued

Sealaska shareholders have told us that investing in traditional languages is a top priority. In 2019, Sealaska set up an endowment to support the revitalization of the Tlingit (Lingít), Haida (X̠aad Kíl) and Tsimshian (Sm’algya̠x) traditional languages. Sealaska hosted an hour-long discussion on traditional languages on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Sealaska Director Lisa Ka’illjuus Lang … Continued

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 American 40 Under 40 award recipient for 2020. The announcement came in November. Masterman is Tlingit. She is Wooshkeetaan (Eagle/Shark Clan), a child of German, English, Irish and Navajo ancestors, … Continued