June 7, 2008 (Watch video of the soapberry contest)

WINNERS OF FIRST SOAPBERRY CONTEST, SEAWEED THROWDOWN ANNOUNCED

Two people have taken top prizes for traditional-food contests at Celebration 2008.

For the second Celebration in a row, Ivan Williams of Angoon won first place in the biennial black seaweed contest. Louise Gordon of Atlin, British Columbia, took first place in the institute’s first soapberry contest. Experience played a large role in the award-winning soapberry entry, Gordon said.

“You start at a slow speed with a beater. And then as the berries get thicker, you keep turning up the speed, and then you add your sugar at the same speed. And it just comes with experience,” Gordon said.

Other soapberry winners included Doris McLean, who won second place, and Evanne Katasse-Roberts, who took third place.

Second place for black seaweed went to Marian Adams, who won first place in 2004. Adams says her recipe is simple and the important thing is to dry seaweed soon after harvest.

“I just use clam juice. I think drying is the most important – how you dry it. How you dry your seaweed – right away,” said Adams, who is originally from Kake and lives in Juneau.

Third place went to C. Adams, Jr.

SHI awarded the top three winners $500, $250 and $100. 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