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Click here to visit SHI's online Language Resources!
See photos of the Eagle totem pole project at UAS

SHI 2008 Annual Report Now Available Online
Click here to view SHI's online Flash version of its 2008 annual report. To request a hardcopy, contact Kathy Dye, kathy.dye@sealaska.com  
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Download Flash Player)

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Learn Tlingit Basketball Terms Interactively!
Click here to learn more than eighty Tlingit words and phrases related to basketball. These are phrases students will also learn at the Latseen Hoop Camps scheduled in Kake, Juneau and Yakutat in summer 2009. (Download Flash Player) (Flyer) (Application)

Transformation Masks Coloring Book Now Available
Transformation Masks coloring book is now available through SHI. The book by Pamela Huteson celebrates masks of both past and present, and honors the lives and dances of the indigenous people of the Northwest Coast. It features twenty-eight illustrations that include information about what is depicted in the designs...(more)

SHI Commissions Play for Summer Theater
"Kóoshdaa kaa" is an original theater piece commissioned by the Sealaska Heritage institute in partnership with Perseverance Theatre. Sealaska has commissioned and funded a play for the past five years through the Summer Theatre Arts Rendezvous (STAR) program. This year's story was chosen by Sealaska President Rosita Worl and is being written by Perseverance's Associate Managing Director Merry Ellefson...(more) (News Article) (STAR Web)

SHI Job Opportunity
SHI is recruiting for a Finance Associate to assist in the Finance Department. This position will perform varied finance duties with minimum supervision...(more)

Unique Haida Curriculum Series Distributed
Series Includes Haida Audio CDs
SHI has produced a unique collection of Haida curriculum for distribution to schools with Haida language programs, in hopes of weaving more Native lessons into the public school system. The curriculum, a series of elementary-level, thematic units, features Haida language, culture and history...(more)
(Radio Actualities) (Online Version) (News Article) (News Article)

New Book Review on Celebration Book Published
Karen Duffek wrote a review for the University of British Columbia on SHI's photo book of Celebration. The review was written for BC Studies, The British Columbian Quarterly, spring 2009 edition. Celebration: Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian Dancing on the Land is on sale now for $20. (Read Review)

Photo: Uncovering an eagle
See a photo in the Juneau Empire of Joe Young and his brother TJ working on an Eagle totem pole at the University of Alaska Southeast. The project is sponsored by Sealaska Heritage Institute and Sealaska Corporation, which donated the 15-ton, 45-foot, red-cedar log. (News Photo) (more photos)

SHI Acquires Rare Books About Southeast Native Cultures
SHI Archivist Zachary Jones wrote a blog this week about some of the rare, old books the institute has acquired. Some of them were written and illustrated by tourists in the 1800s, when it was common for visitors to publish their travel accounts as books. Some of the books also include old photos taken in Southeast Alaska. The oldest dates to 1798. Zachary notes in his blog that he also looks for books in European languages since "Europeans visited Alaska regularly before and after it became an American territory. Often these non-English language books go unstudied, but a careful observation shows that they can yield interesting information for those not fluent in European languages." Check out his blog for more information and to see photos! (blog)

Carvers Begin Work on Eagle Totem!
Brothers T.J. and Joe Young are in Juneau carving an Eagle totem pole for the University of Alaska Southeast. The project is sponsored by Sealaska Heritage Institute and Sealaska Corporation, which donated the 15-ton, 45-foot, red-cedar log. The artists are Sealaska shareholders who live in Hydaburg on Prince of Wales Island. They have carved other totems, including a 40-foot pole for the Sitka National Historical Park and a 32-foot crest pole for the Hydaburg Totem Park...(more) (Photos)

Application for 2009 Latseen Hoop Camps Available
SHI is accepting applications for its 2009 Latseen Hoop Camps. The program is designed to integrate the Tlingit language into an intensive week of basketball camp. It's a fun and supportive learning environment where students can participate in a basketball camp that emphasizes fundamental skills, language acquisition, character development, teamwork, and cultural heritage. (Flyer) (Application)

SHI Acquires Old Photos of Cape Fox Village, Capt. Jack's House
SHI has obtained two historical photos of Cape Fox Village circa 1899 and another of a scene at Killisnoo, circa 1900. The Cape Fox photo (right) was likely from the Harriman Expedition in 1899. The second image shows an interior view "Capt. Jack's" house at Killisnoo. Kitcheenault or Kichnaalx was Jake's Tlingit name. He was from the Deisheetaan Clan of Angoon...(more)

Juneau School Students Learn About Ku.éex
SHI in May sponsored a ku.éex at Glacier Valley Elementary School. The event is spearheaded by semi-fluent Tlingit speaker Hans Chester, a teacher at the school. The goal is to teach Native and non-Native students about some of the events that take place at formal ku.éex (a ceremony sometimes called a potlatch). Nearly 90 children participated, including students from Harborview Elementary.

A delegation from Teslin met with representatives from SHI in 2008 to learn more about how the Juneau Celebration is organizedCanadian Tlingits to Sponsor Their Own Celebration!
The Teslin Tlingit Council is sponsoring its first Celebration in 2009. Ha Kus Teyea Celebration, Part of the Land, Part of the Water is set for July 22-28 in Teslin. They were inspired by the biennial Celebration organized by Sealaska Heritage Institute, and a delegation from Teslin met with representatives from SHI in 2008 to learn more about how the Juneau Celebration is organized. The Teslin event will be similar to the Alaska festival and offer ceremonies, language nests, traditional harvests, an artists' market and a juried art show. Check out their website to learn more! (Website) (News Release)

SHI Participates in Field Trip to Glacier Bay
SHI participated in a field trip to Glacier Bay designed to give Hoonah students a first-hand look at their ancestral home. SHI's Tlingit Language Specialist Linda Belarde introduced the institute's language and education resources to the students and community members. Many of these language resources are available online. The field trip, known as "Bridging the Knowledge Gap Between Huna Tlingit Elders and Youth," was sponsored by Huna Heritage Foundation and Hoonah City Schools. (Photos)

Photos of Log Delivery and Acceptance Ceremony Posted Online
See photos of Tee Harbor Construction delivering a 45-foot, 15-ton log to the University of Alaska Southeast for an Eagle Totem. Delivery is followed by an acceptance ceremony organized by Wooch.een, a Native student club on campus. The log will be carved into an Eagle totem pole, which was commissioned to balance the Raven totem pole already on campus...(more about this project)

SHI Education Director Jim MacDiarmid teaching a segment of the Ketchikan workshopSHI, KIC Sponsor Language Workshop
SHI and Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC) sponsored a workshop for language teachers and curriculum developers in Ketchikan. Almost 30 people from Ketchikan, Saxman, Hydaburg and Metlakatla participated. The workshop introduced participants to both long and short term planning for second-language teaching.  Practical, hands-on activities based on a developmental language process were also introduced. The training included language teaching for kindergarten through high school grades and presented a format for using already developed classroom materials. 

Artists Chosen to Carve Eagle Totem Pole for SHI, University
Ceremonial Acceptance of the Log Scheduled Thursday at UAS
Artists Joe and TJ Young have won a contract to carve a totem pole for Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) on behalf of the University of Alaska Southeast. A selection committee comprised of SHI and UAS representatives chose the brothers from a pool of applicants last week. “I’m very pleased we did have a number of artists who submitted bids and I will say it was a difficult decision because we had some really very exciting designs from the different artists,” said SHI President Rosita Worl. "I really want to thank Sealaska, the Aak’w Kwáan and our student group Wooch.éen for working with the university on this project,” said UAS Chancellor John Pugh. “I am pleased this is taking place on the UAS campus so students can observe the carving process...(more) (News Article) (Photos)

Hear Clan Names in Tlingit!
SHI has posted audio of Tlingit speaker John Marks and June Pegues reciting Clans on the Raven and Eagle sides. See Language Resources.

Audio Component of Tlingit Curriculum Now Online!
The audio component of Tlingit curriculum released in 2007 is now available online. Scroll down the curriculum page and use the audio tools in conjunction with the pdf documents. The audio component was formerly available only on CD. SHI posted the audio tools to make the materials more accessible. Teachers are encouraged to use SHI's curriculum and other teaching tools.

Native Thinkers, Writers, Eligible to Win $10,000 Awards
The Alaska Federation of Natives, in a partnership with the National Congress of American Indians and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, have launched a new economic essay contest entitled Native Insights on the Economy & Recovery. This is a national competition for Alaska Native thinkers & writers, Native Hawaiians and American Indians. Six cash prizes of $10,000 each will be awarded in October. The contest is open now and will close on September 15.  (Website)

Deadline for Proposals for Totem Extended to April 24
Sealaska Heritage Institute has extended the deadline for proposals to carve and paint a 36 foot traditional style totem pole.  The pole will include the following Eagle crests: Eagle, Shark, Wolf, and Thunderbird. Proposals must be postmarked no later than April 24. (Request for Proposals) (News Article)

SHI Awards $446,000 in Scholarships
SHI has awarded approximately $446,000 in scholarships to Sealaska shareholders and descendants. The awards, funded by Sealaska Corporation, will help students pursuing graduate and undergraduate degrees and voc-tech training for the 2009-2010 school year. A portion also will fund heritage studies, language studies and culture camps...(more) (News Article)

SHI, KIC to Sponsor Language Workshop for Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian
SHI's Education Director Jim MacDiarmid will conduct a workshop for Native language teachers and curriculum developers in Ketchikan April 30-May 1. MacDiarmid, author of the well-known publication “Replacing Thing-a-ma-jig – the Developmental Language Process,” will demonstrate practical, hands-on activities for teaching second languages and present a format for using already-developed classroom materials. SHI is co-sponsoring the workshop with the Ketchikan Indian Community. Space is limited. Contact Cara Wallace at 228-5162 or cwallace@kictribe.org to reserve space...(more) (News Article) (Read a News Article about his recent class in Juneau)

Application for Latseen Leadership Camp Now Available
SHI is accepting applicants for its annual Latseen Leadership Camp. The camp is for high school students who are Sealaska shareholders or shareholder descendants. The goal is to cultivate the art of leadership through camp activities and coursework which are based on traditional and scientific knowledge. Students will earn high school and college credit. The camp runs July 12-24 in Juneau at UAS. Scholarships will be awarded to cover the cost of tuition, meals, transportation and campus housing.  
Application must be postmarked no later than May 22, 2009. For more information contact Sarah Dybdahl at 586-9234...(more) (Application) (Required Documents) (Recommendation Form) (Student essay about Latseen) (News Article)

SHI Seeks Artist to Carve Totem Pole
Sealaska Heritage Institute is soliciting Requests for Proposals to carve and paint a 36 foot traditional style totem pole.  The pole will include the following Eagle crests: Eagle, Shark, Wolf, and        Thunderbird. Deadline to apply is April 20. (Request for Proposals)

SHI Clothing Marked Down

SHI has slashed prices for its Celebration 2008 t-shirt, We Who Are (Tlingit, Haida or Tsimshian) hoodies (also available in chocolate). See also SHI's Sun t-shirt. Sale is limited to stock on hand.

Celebration Video Half Off!
The documentary "Celebration 2000: Voices of Our Ancestors" is marked down to $10. The video offers an historical perspective of Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian culture and explains the meaning of songs, crests, dances and regalia featured at Celebration, the largest gathering of Southeast Natives. The documentary, produced by Sealaska Heritage Institute, includes comments from Elders on traditions and the importance of perpetuating the culture...(more)

Language summit participants. Photo by Fred Olson, Jr.Summit Brings Together Language Students, Teachers
Sealaska Heritage Institute's language team participated in a language summit that united teachers and students from Alaska and Canada. The summit, sponsored by Cape Fox Heritage Foundation and Ketchikan Indian Community, registered more than 70 people dedicated to revitalizing Native languages.. (Summary)

SHI's First Photo Book of Celebration Half Off!
SHI's first coffee-table style photo book of Celebration is available at half price ($20). The hardcover book Celebration: Tlingit Haida Tsimshian Dancing on the Land features color and black-and-white images from the first Celebrations to the present. Most of the photos were taken by the noted photographer Bill Hess and have never been published...(more) (Place Order) (Read a Review)

SHI Accepting Applications for College, Voc-Tech Scholarships
Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) is accepting applications for the 2009-2010 school year. Scholarship awards will be made to Sealaska shareholders and descendants enrolled in accredited college, university and voc-tech schools. The deadline is March 1...(more) (Applications)

Language Workshop Attracts People Far and Wide
Approximately 50 language teachers and curriculum developers from across the state and Canada attended the institute's language workshop in Juneau.
The 2-day workshop was presented by the institute’s new Education Director Jim MacDiarmid, author of the well-known publication “Replacing Thing-a-ma-jig – the Developmental Language Process.” (News Article) (Blog)

Pictured L to R George Davis, Lisa Phu and Anita LaffertySealaska Shareholders Participate in StoryCorps
Sealaska shareholders Anita Lafferty and George Davis are among a few Native people in Juneau participating in the program StoryCorps. In partnership with KTOO, Sealaska Heritage Institute and the Juneau Public Library, StoryCorps is recording stories of Alaskans in three locations throughout Juneau from January 5 through January 29, 2009. StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit project. Its mission is to honor and celebrate one another’s lives through listening.

Five Students Complete Native Art Class
Five students at Juneau Douglas High School completed a Native art course taught by SHI's Donald Gregory. The students carved either an Eagle or Raven Dagger and dance paddles as part of the program, offered through Choosing Healthy Options in Cooperative Education (CHOICE). It was the fifth year SHI has taught students enrolled in CHOICE. Students presented their carvings in January to other CHOICE students and explained what they learned about Native form line. The students said they would give back to their community by passing on what they had learned and displaying their work to the public at the Sealaska building lobby.

Learn Tlingit Words of Endearment for Valentine's Day!
Thanks to Roby Littlefield for this updated list of terms of endearment.

Sealaska Heritage to Sponsor Language Workshop
Sealaska Heritage Institute will sponsor a workshop for language teachers and curriculum developers next month. The workshop will be presented by the institute’s new education director Jim MacDiarmid, author of the well-known publication “Replacing Thing-a-ma-jig – the Developmental Language Process.” The workshop is 9 am-5 pm, Feb. 4-5 in the Hickel Room at Centennial Hall. College credit is available and there is no registration fee. For more information contact Linda at 586-9187. (Flyer)

Sealaska Heritage Added to Nonprofits Eligible for PFD Contributions
People who wish to make a tax-deductible contribution from their permanent fund dividend to Sealaska Heritage may now do so. The institute has been added to the state's list of nonprofits eligible for charitable contributions. Make the donation while filling out the application for the dividend. If doing so online, click the text "do you want to make a charitable contribution" toward the end of the application. Choose Judicial District 1. We are listed about halfway down the list as Sealaska Heritage Foundation. All donations help fund our programs. Thank you!

Sealaska Heritage Institute's Archival Collections, Books, Go Online
SHI has posted a searchable catalog of its archival collections on the Internet, a major breakthrough that will help researchers easily sort out what types of materials the institute houses. The institute also has just started to add its book collection to the local library consortium’s searchable database, making it the only private library to do so. The projects are part of an effort to foster greater scholarship on the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska, said SHI Archivist Zachary Jones...(more) (Radio Actualities) (News Article)

Scholarship Applications Now Online
SHI is accepting applications for the 2009-2010 school year. Scholarship awards will be made to Sealaska shareholders and descendants enrolled in accredited college, university and voc-tech schools. Applications are posted online for new applicants and current recipients.

Preliminary Results: No Link Yet to Ancient Human Remains
More research needed to find living descendants of Shuká Kaa in Southeast Alaska
Preliminary results from DNA research on ancient human remains discovered in Southeast Alaska did not establish a genetic connection to potential living descendants from the region. However, scientists are not ruling out eventually finding a genetic link between Southeast Natives and the 10,300-year-old man, who was given the name Shuká Kaa (Man Before Us) by Native people in September at his burial...(more)
(Radio Actualities) (News Article)

Dauenhauers Win American Book Award
Authors Richard and Nora Dauenhauer have won the 2008 American Book Award for "Anóoshi Lingít Aaní Ká: Russians in Tlingit America - The Battles of Sitka 1802 and 1804" -- published by Sealaska Heritage Institute and the University of Washington Press in 2008. The award, given by the Before Columbus Foundation, was created to provide recognition for outstanding literary achievement from the entire spectrum of America's diverse literary community. The purpose is to recognize literary excellence without limitations or restrictions. More than a dozen authors this year received the award, which was formally given Dec. 28 in Berkeley, California. (Announcement) (News Article) (News Article About This Book) (Book Review)

Artist Della Cheney at the 2007 art fairYou're Invited to the Annual Native Arts & Crafts Fair!
SHI is co-sponsoring the annual Native Arts & Crafts Fair at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum on Dec. 5 from 4:30-8 p.m. and Dec. 6 from 12-4 p.m. Meet local Alaska Native artists and learn as they demonstrate techniques and sell their wares...(more)

Half Off on all SHI Merchandise!
All SHI merchandise is 50% off through December 31, 2008! Includes SHI's highly popular Celebration 2008 t-shirts featuring art by Robert Hoffmann plus all books, videos and other items in SHI's retail store...(shop)

Dr. Soboleff at SHI's November 2008 trustees meeting, which he chairedHappy 100th Birthday Dr. Soboleff
SHI Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Walter Soboleff celebrates his 100th birthday Nov. 14, 2008 in Juneau. At its Nov. 6 trustees meeting, SHI recognized him for his many years of service to Native people and for his guidance on the institute's language and culture programs. Trustee Clarence Jackson called Soboleff a national treasure who has honored Sealaska Heritage with his presence. "We’ve been blessed with your presence it seems like all our lives," Jackson said. "Sometimes good things happen to people. Walter happened to us 100 years ago." (News Article) (Radio Story)

SHI Hosts Teslin Tlingit Delegation
SHI hosted a delegation of Tlingit from Teslin, Yukon, Canada Nov. 13 at its Juneau offices. The group is learning about how SHI organizes its biennial dance and culture festival Celebration, one of the largest events in the state.

SHI Recruits Shareholders to Record Stories
Project is part of StoryCorps Alaska
SHI is recruiting shareholders who want to tell their stories of love, endurance, resilience, achievement and hope. The activity is part of StoryCorps Alaska – a nonprofit project that aims to bring families, friends, and neighbors closer together by listening to each others’ stories. A StoryCorps interview is a 40-minute conversation between two people who know each other. A trained facilitator will be present with you and your partner throughout the interview to help you have a comfortable and meaningful experience, and to handle all technical aspects of the recording.  You’ll take home a broadcast-quality audio CD, and with your permission, copies will go to the Library of Congress, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Rasmuson Library Oral History Program, and local Juneau archives.  Interviews may also air on public radio. If you want to participate and you will be in Juneau on January 9, 16 and 23, contact Kathy Dye at kathy.dye@sealaska.com or 586-9189 for more information. (more about StoryCorps)

Worl Chosen for Humanities Award by Palin
SHI President Rosita Worl is one of two Alaskans chosen by Gov. Sarah Palin for the annual Distinguished Services to the Humanities awards. The honors will be presented at 6 pm, Thursday, Oct. 23 during the 2008 Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities at the Anchorage Downtown Marriott Hotel. The other recipient is Dr. James Muller, a political science professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Contact: Alaska State Council on the Arts, 269-6610...(more) (Photo)

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