David Williams of Angoon won first place in the biennial black seaweed contest. Doris McLean of Yukon, Whitehorse, took first place in the institute’s second soapberry contest. McLean collected the berries last fall and preserved them over the winter to compete in the contest.

“I cooked them and jarred them and put them away for this,” McLean said. “I’m just beating it with sugar and water and smashing it up and putting a little other juices in there.”

Other winners of the soapberry contest were Fran Neumann of Carcross, Yukon, who took second place, and Louise Gordon of Atlin, British Columbia, who took third place.

Wilbert Kadake of Kake won second place in the seaweed contest.

The institute sponsors the contests to introduce young people to traditional Native foods and to highlight the health benefits of traditional Native cuisine.

Sealaska Heritage Institute is a private, nonprofit founded in 1980 to administer cultural and educational programs for Sealaska Corporation. The institute is governed by an all-Native Board of Trustees and guided by a Council of Traditional Scholars. Its mission is to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska.
 

CONTACT: Rosita Worl, SHI president, 907-463-4844

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