Thirty-three cultural objects repatriated
Sealaska Corporation has repatriated thirty-three cultural objects from a Massachusetts museum on behalf of Tlingit clans in Southeast Alaska. Most of the objects were repatriated on behalf of the Yakutat Tlingit and title will be officially transferred to them at a future ceremony, said Rosita Worl, president of Sealaska Heritage Institute and an anthropologist who assisted in the repatriation. The collection underscores the creativity and talent of our ancestors, Worl said. “I mean the pieces are extraordinary,” Worl said. “It demonstrates the sophistication and the uniqueness of our art--but more than that--really the cultural values that gave rise to this artistic tradition"...(more) (News Article)

SHI Trustees, Dauenhauer Make Alaska Women's Hall of Fame
SHI Trustees Ethel Lund and Marlene Johnson were inducted into the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame in March. The accomplished author, poet and Tlingit scholar Nora Dauenhauer also was among those inducted, as was Native leader Georgianna Lincoln, a former state senator. Congratulations!

Are You Ready for a Throwdown?
Sealaska Heritage will hold contests for best soapberries and black seaweed during Celebration 2010. Materials must be gathered and prepared by participants. Prizes will be awarded for the top three ($500; $250; and $100). For more information contact Linda Belarde, 907-586-9187, linda.belarde@sealaska.com

SHI Recruiting Celebration Volunteers
Sealaska Heritage is recruiting volunteers for Celebration 2010. We have openings at all venues. To volunteer, contact Liz Perry at 907-586-9264, elizabeth.perry@sealaska.com or attend a recruitment scheduled 5-7pm Friday, April 23, at Centennial Hall, Egan Room. We rely on volunteers to help make Celebration happen! People who donate four hours will earn a free one-day pass! (Last day to sign up to be recognized in the Celebration program is May 20).

Celebration 2010 Deadlines Approaching
Approaching deadlines for Celebration 2010 are as follows: Dance group applications are due by March 26; Juried Art Show and Competition applications are due by March 31; and, Toddler Regalia Review applications are due by May 14. For more information, contact Sarah Dybdahl at sarah.dybdahl@sealaska.com or 907-586-9234.

New Online Verb Resource Now Available
A new searchable, online Tlingit verb database is now available. The database features more than 575 Tlingit verbs and is proving to be an invaluable tool for students of the Tlingit language. The project was initiated by Richard and Nora Dauenhauer in the 1990s. In recent years, it was further developed by linguist Keri Edwards through Sealaska Heritage Institute and the Goldbelt Heritage Foundation. Edwards was assisted by numerous fluent speakers (see Acknowledgements). The project was funded through grants from the National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Administration for Native Americans. A link to the database is available in SHI's Language Resources section. (Tlingit Verb Tool)

For the Rights of All Screened at Capitol
SHI President Rosita Worl spoke at a screening of For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska at the state capitol. The screening was hosted by Sen. Linda Menard and organized by Nancy Barnes, SHI trustee. This video reveals one of the great, untold chapters of the American civil rights movement -- when Alaska Natives peacefully won a civil rights bill decades before the issue became a violent focal point in the rest of nation. The video, released in 2009, highlights activists, such as Elizabeth Peratrovich, William Paul, Sr., and Alberta Schenck Adams, who in 1944 stood her ground in a theater years before Rosa Parks refused to leave a bus.

Students Complete Native Art Class
Students at Juneau Douglas High School completed a Native art course taught by SHI's Donald Gregory. The students carved dance paddles as part of the program, offered through Choosing Healthy Options in Cooperative Education (CHOICE). It was the six year SHI has taught students enrolled in CHOICE. Students presented their carvings in February to other CHOICE students.

A look back to the early 1900s
SHI has posted a Certificate of Citizenship for John M. Tlunaut which shows the lengths to which Native people had to go to gain citizenship in the early 1900s. In the document, Tlunaut attests to his abandonment of tribal practices and relationships and adoption of civilized life. Additionally, five non-Natives had to affirm he had given up tribal customs and relations and qualified for the rights of citizenship. Ironically, he is the grandfather of Rosita Worl, president of SHI, whose mission is to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures. (Certificate of Citizenship)
 

Relive the Raven Spirit Canoe Project
The Smithsonian Institution has posted edited video of the Raven Spirit canoe project. It includes programs of the tree ceremony, carver Doug Chilton working on the canoe and the official launch on the Potomac River in 2008. SHI partnered with the Smithsonian to create the canoe, which is on permanent display at the museum's new Ocean Hall in Washington, D.C. (Photos) (Blog)

Job Opening
SHI is recruiting for a Administrative Assistant for the Education Department. This position will perform varied data entry, correspondence, receptionist and support duties...(more)

SHI releases unique carving book series to perpetuate Native art
Artist Richard Beasley reveals how to carve a Tlingit tray, hat and mask
SHI has released a series of books that reveal how to carve Tlingit objects in its ongoing effort to perpetuate Native art forms.The Tlingit Wood Carving series includes three volumes: How to Carve a Tlingit Tray; How to Carve a Tlingit Hat; and How to Carve a Tlingit Mask. The books, written by the accomplished Tlingit artist Richard A. Beasley, also include projects that show how to make Tlingit paint and paintbrushes and how to inlay operculum and abalone.The books are unique because the projects are broken down into detailed steps and each step includes a color photo, said SHI President Rosita Worl, noting the series will be invaluable to students who don’t have access to a teacher...(more) (News Article)

Art Applications Now Available
Applications for the 2010 Juried Art Show and Competition and the Native Artist Market are available online. Both events will be held during Celebration 2010.

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)

SHI releases book series on language development
Staff to hold training sessions around Southeast
SHI has released a series of books to help students overcome a common problem in schools today: a delay in academic language development. The series includes books on science, math and literature for high school students, plus books on Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian for all grades. The books outline a method called the Developmental Language Process, which was pioneered by SHI Education Director Jim MacDiarmid, a longtime educator in Canada and Alaska and author of Replacing Thinga-ma-jig: the Developmental Language Process...(more) (Radio Actualities) (News Article) (Listen to a Radio Story)

Job Opening at SHI
SHI is recruiting for a Curriculum Specialist. The incumbent will have primary responsibility for development, evaluation and dissemination of secondary level curriculum. Qualifications include Bachelor’s degree in secondary education, two years experience in a Native culture or education program and two years managing a program or project...(more)

Celebration 2010 dance group application now available
Application deadline March 26, 2010. Invitation notifications will be sent by April 5, 2010. (Application)

"For the Rights of All" now available (limited supply)
The DVD "For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska" is now available through SHI. This video reveals one of the great, untold chapters of the American civil rights movement -- when Alaska Natives peacefully won a civil rights bill decades before the issue became a violent focal point in the rest of nation. The video highlights activists, such as Elizabeth Peratrovich, William Paul, Sr., and Alberta Schenck Adams, who in 1944 stood her ground in a theater years before Rosa Parks refused to leave a bus...(more) $30.00  (Place Order)

SHI encouraging donations of old documents
The SHI Special Collections library and archive is working to collect historical records through donation that document Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian history and culture. SHI is looking for old diaries, correspondence, and organizational records, such as Alaska Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood minutes and resolutions. At a recent lecture on Native history held in the Sealaska building for Native American History month, presenter Jeane Breinig, who is also a SHI Trustee, discussed the need for certain groups to ensure that their historical records are preserved and made available to researchers to further education. Breinig had recently conducted research on Native views of statehood at SHI and elsewhere, but had largely been unable to find substantial Alaska Native Sisterhood (ANS) historical records for her research, and she encouraged individuals to make an effort to ensure that ANS and other records are preserved. If you are interested in helping SHI Special Collections obtain additional historical records that document the Tlingit, Haida, or Tsimshian or are willing to donate old records in your possession, please contact SHI’s archivist at 907-723-4076 or at archivist@sealaska.com.

Christmas Sale!
SHI is having a Christmas sale on the following items:
     Chilkat denim jackets: $25
     Kusteeyi denim shirts: $5 (long sleeve) (short sleeve)
     Sweatshirts: $20 (adult), $10 (youth)
     Celebration panoramic photos:$5 (any year)
     Celebration: Dancing on the Land book: buy one, get second 50% off

(Shop)

Everson, Lund to speak about Alaska Native Sisterhood
Selina Everson and Ethel Lund will give a joint lecture on Monday, Nov. 30, on the Alaska Native Sisterhood (ANS). The talk is part of a brown-bag lecture series sponsored by Sealaska Heritage Institute to celebrate Native American Month. Everson serves on the executive committee of the ANS and has a long history of public service, especially in Juneau schools, where she is known as Grandma Selena. Lund also serves on the ANS executive committee and is visionary in the field of Native health care. The lecture is scheduled from noon-1 pm in the 4^th floor boardroom in the Sealaska building in Juneau. It’s open to the public and free of charge. (Lecture Series Schedule)

Dauenhauers to Speak About Russians in Tlingit America
Richard and Nora Marks Dauenhauer will give a lecture on Tuesday, Nov. 24, on relations between Russians and Tlingit from the 1790s through 1818, an era when Russians expanded into Southeast Alaska to take control of the Northwest Coast fur trade. The talk is part of a brown-bag lecture series sponsored by Sealaska Heritage Institute to celebrate Native American Month. The Dauenhauers have written numerous award-winning books on Native culture and history, including Anóoshi Lingít Aaní Ká: Russians in Tlingit America, The Battles of Sitka 1802 and 1804, winner of the American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation. The lecture is scheduled from noon-1 pm in the 4^th floor boardroom in the Sealaska building in Juneau. It’s open to the public and free of charge. (Lecture Series Schedule) (Watch Video)

Celebrating 101 Years
Tlingit elder's wishlist includes world peace and the wild game stews of his youth
Walter Soboleff has done a lot in his 100-plus years on Earth, but his family's gift of a cruise through the Panama Canal is something new. "I've never been on a vacation cruise," Soboleff said last week before leaving town for the trip. "Never out on the ocean in warm weather. I think I will just be taking a rest, seeing the canal and the gates open and the ships passing through. I know I will be leaving my wool shirt at home."...(more) (Radio Story)

 

Author to Speak About Early Encounters
Daniel Lee Henry will give a lecture on Tuesday, Nov. 17, on nineteenth century encounters between Natives and non-Natives in Chilkat country. The talk is part of a brown-bag lecture series sponsored by Sealaska Heritage Institute to celebrate Native American Month. Henry is an award-winning author, teacher and journalist based in the Haines area. He has recorded numerous oral histories of Chilkat/Chilkoot Tlingit Elders and is currently working on a rhetorical history of land use confrontation in the communities of the Northern Lynn Canal. The lecture is scheduled from noon-1 pm in the 4^th floor boardroom in the Sealaska building in Juneau. It’s open to the public and free of charge. (Lecture Series Schedule) (Watch Video)

SHI Sponsors Video Workshop
SHI sponsored a workshop on language documentation and videography in November. The class was taught by award-winning Haida cameraman and teacher Frederick Olsen. The three-day workshop included instruction on camera operation, lighting concepts, interview setups and audio troubleshooting.

Linguist to Speak About Origins of Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian Languages
Dr. Jordan Lachler will give a lecture on Tuesday, Nov. 10, on Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian linguistic origins and relationships. The talk is part of a brown-bag lecture series sponsored by Sealaska Heritage Institute to celebrate Native American Month. Lachler is a linguist at Sealaska Heritage Institute who specializes in Haida. He is the editor of an upcoming Haida dictionary and phrasebook to be published by Sealaska Heritage Institute. The lecture is scheduled from noon-1 pm in the 4^th floor boardroom in the Sealaska building in Juneau. It’s open to the public and free of charge. (Lecture Series Schedule) (Watch Video)

For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska on Public TV
Alaska public television will broadcast the new documentary about the Alaska Native rights movement Tuesday, Nov. 3, statewide. According to the Anchorage Daily News, it will air at 6 pm on KYUK (Bethel) KTOO (Juneau), KMXT (Kodiak), and KUAC (Fairbanks). The documentary will appear on KAKM (Anchorage) on Dec. 1 at 8 pm.

Haida Educator to Speak About Native Perspectives on Statehood
Haida educator Jeane Breinig will give a lecture on Wednesday, Nov. 4, on Southeast Native perspectives on statehood. The talk is part of a brown-bag lecture series sponsored by Sealaska Heritage Institute to celebrate Native American Month. Breinig is an associate professor of English at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Her teaching and research areas include American Indian and Alaska Native literature, American literature, and American ethnic literature. She is Haida, originally from Kasaan, TáasLáanas, Raven Brown Bear. The lecture is scheduled from noon-1 pm in the 4^th floor boardroom in the Sealaska building in Juneau. It’s open to the public and free of charge. (Lecture Series Schedule) (News Article) (Watch Video)

Tlingit Leader Byron Mallott to Speak About ANCSA, Native Corporations
Tlingit leader Byron Mallott will give a lecture on Monday, Nov. 2, on the Native corporations formed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. The lecture will focus on efforts by Alaska Natives to transform the corporations into Native institutions in the face of Congress’ competing intent to assimilate Native people economically through profit-making corporations. The talk is part of a brown-bag lecture series sponsored by Sealaska Heritage Institute to celebration Native American Month. The lecture is scheduled from noon-1 pm in the 4^th floor boardroom in the Sealaska building. It’s open to the public and free of charge. (Lecture Series Schedule) (Watch Video)

SHI to Sponsor Lecture Series for Native American Month
SHI will sponsor a noon lecture series in November to celebrate Native American Month. The brown-bag lunch series will focus on topics such as Native history and languages, Native art and the statehood movement. “Native people have such a rich history in Alaska, but much of it is not taught in schools,” said SHI President Rosita Worl. “We hope to highlight our history in November in honor of Native American Month"...(more) (Schedule)

New Display Showcases SHI Collections
SHI has installed a new display case in its public reading room to showcase the institute's collections. The case, purchased through a grant from the Rasmuson Foundation, currently features a small display on the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Alaska Native Sisterhood. Inside the case is an original ANB Camp 2 meeting minutes ledger dating from 1935-1945, William L. Paul Sr.'s original ANB cap, a letter by Elizabeth Peratrovich and two rare books on the ANB and ANS. Read more at a blog written by SHI Archivist Zachary Jones.

Discount on Airfare Available for Celebration
SHI has set up a convention rate for people traveling on Alaska Airlines to Celebration 2010. The rate gives a 5 percent discount for those traveling between May 31-June 8. It applies to travel between Juneau and any U.S. or Canadian city. The code is ECCMB1204 and will be available to use online by the week of Oct. 12. (www.alaskaair.com)

SHI, UAS Sponsor Video Workshop
SHI and the University of Alaska Southeast will sponsor a workshop on language documentation and videography 9 am-5 pm, Nov. 9-11. Frederick Otilius Olsen, an award-winning Haida cameraman and teacher, will be the instructor. The workshop will be hands on and limited to twenty people. For more information contact Linda Belarde at linda.belarde@sealaska.com. (Flyer)
 

SHI Says Goodbye to John Marks
Fluent Tlingit speaker John Marks passed away on Monday, Sept 28. “Our beloved Johnny has Walked into the Forest,” said SHI President Rosita Worl. Johnny had a deep knowledge of traditional culture, especially songs and names, and he was an integral part of the institute’s efforts to document and revitalize the Tlingit language. He has assisted linguists, researchers, and language students for years, and many of the Tlingit materials and language tools produced by the institute feature recordings of Johnny saying words and phrases. He also transcribed songs and translated Macbeth into Tlingit. Kooteixtéek was of the Lukaax.ádi Clan and was a child of the Chookaneidí.

Worl Gives Overview of ANCSA to U.S. Senate
SHI President Rosita Worl gave an overview of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to U.S. Senate staff in September 2009. The presentation is a powerpoint and has a lot of historic information about the settlement. (presentation) (3 MB)

SHI Acquires Audio Recordings of Tlingit and Haida Histories
SHI has acquired three audio recordings of Tlingit and Haida stories and histories. The recordings were made by Wallace Olson, UAS emeritus anthropology instructor and author of numerous books about Alaska. Two of the cassettes had recordings of stories about Glacier Bay told by Tlingit Walter Williams of Juneau. A third cassette had a recording of Haida history told by David and Annabell Peele of Ketchikan. For more information, see a blog by SHI Archivist Zach Jones...(more)

SHI Wraps 2009 Basketball Camps
SHI held its last basketball camp in Juneau Aug. 21, 2009. The institute sponsored free basketball camps in Juneau, Kake and Yakutat this year for kids in grades 2 to 12. The Latseen Hoop Camps are open to all youth of all skill levels. The purpose is to provide a week of fun but intensive instruction in the fundamentals of basketball while incorporating Tlingit language and culture. The camps drew an average of 24 kids in Yakutat, 30 kids in Kake, and 20 younger kids and 22 older kids in Juneau.  (Photos)

Cast of Kóoshdaa kaa Takes Final Bow
The cast of Kóoshdaa kaa took a final bow on Saturday, August 15, ending a summer run of the play, which was based on a Native story. The original theater piece was 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)

Totem Carvers Apply Final Touches, Paint to Eagle Pole
See new photos of brothers T.J. and Joe Young, who are 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)

A potato revival
Tuber cropping up in community gardens probably several hundred years old
A potato that Native Alaskan communities grew hundreds of years ago is making a reappearance in Juneau. The heirloom Tlingit potato takes almost too well to Southeast Alaska's moist climate, said Merrill Jensen, manager of the Jensen-Olson Arboretum. He expects as many as 1,500 pounds of the vegetable to be harvested next month from four rows of plants sprouting in the city-owned garden...(more) (Click here to hear the Tlingit word for potato and other items)

Carlos Boozer Basketball Camp in Juneau
Juneau's Carlos Boozer, famed Utah JAZZ player, is hosting a basketball camp in Juneau Aug. 3-7. He's offering 50 scholarships. The deadline to submit a scholarship application is Thursday, July 30. The scholarship covers the $150 fee. (Application) (Website)

Eagle Totem Almost Done
See new photos of brothers T.J. and Joe Young, who are 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)
 

SHI to Sponsor Free Basketball Camps in Juneau
SHI will sponsor free basketball camps in Juneau for kids in grades 2 to 12. The Latseen Hoop Camps will be held at DZ Middle School and are open to all youth of all skill levels. The purpose is to provide a week of fun but intensive instruction in the fundamentals of basketball while incorporating Tlingit language and culture. A camp for grades 2-6 will be held Aug. 10-14 in the afternoon, and a camp for grades 7-12 will be held Aug. 17-21 from 9 to 5. For more information, contact Mischa Plunkett at 586-9260. (Flyer) (Application)

SHI Posts Guide on Genealogy Research
SHI gets many requests from people who want to trace their family roots. In July, the institute posted a guide on how to conduct such research and links to resources. The paper was compiled by SHI Summer Intern Whitney Schaeler, a Lower 48 college student who is donating her time.

Two Historical Photo Collections Acquired by SHI
SHI has acquired two photographs documenting Southeast Alaska Native cultures from circa 1883 to the 1990s.Longtime photojournalist Brian Wallace donated several hundred images, including photos of the founding fathers of the Alaska Native Brotherhood (circa 1912) and past Alaska Native Sisterhood presidents. He also donated several hundred images of the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Alaska Native Sisterhood taken from 1965 to 1995, with the majority taken by Wallace in the 1980s. He made the donation in memory of his late parents, Dorothy (Natstklaa) and Amos L. (Jeet Yaaw Dustaa) Wallace...(more) (Brian Wallace Collection) (Richard Wood Collection) (Radio Actualities) (News Article) (News Article)

Inland Tlingit Celebration to be held July 22-28
By Katie Spielberger | CCW Editor
TESLIN, Yukon - Just because there's no Celebration in Juneau this year doesn't mean there's no Celebration this year. The Teslin Tlingit Council is planning the first ever Ha Kus Teyea Celebration in the small community of Teslin, Yukon Territory, for July 22-28. "Has Kus Teyea" means "our culture" or "the Tlingit way." The event will be the largest Inland Tlingit gathering ever held in Canada...(more)