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Oct. 18, 2005 (Radio Actualities)

SHI RECEIVES GRANT TO DIGITIZE HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS

Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) has received a two-year grant to digitize a large collection of historical documents donated to the institute by Southeast Alaska Native leaders.

The collection includes documents tracing the Alaska Native Land Claims Settlement Act, the Native civil rights movement and political activities of the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Alaska Native Sisterhood.

The documents were donated by SHI Chair Dr. Walter Soboleff, Sealaska Corp. President and CEO Chris McNeil, Sealaska Director Ethel Lund and the late Cecelia Kunz and Judson Brown.

The collection provides insight into a critical era of social and political change in Alaska, said Dr. Rosita Worl, president of SHI.

“They offer us an opportunity to look at events from a Native point of view. Too often our historical accounts are from other-than the Native point of view,” said Worl.

“These historical documents provide insight into what Native people were thinking about, some of their actions that they initiated on these activities -- activities that had long-term effects on Native people.”

The entire collection spans approximately 100 cubic feet. The $140,000 grant will allow SHI to digitize the materials and post selected excerpts on the Internet for use by the general public and scholars. The project means people will be able to peruse the materials without jeopardizing the originals.

Sealaska Heritage Institute is a private, nonprofit founded in 1981 to administer cultural and educational programs for Sealaska Corp. 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: Sorrel Goodwin, SHI Archivist, 463-4844 

Radio Actualities

1. Dr. Rosita Worl, SHI president, TRT:  :13 -- They offer us an opportunity to look at events from a Native point of view. Too often our historical accounts are from other-than the Native point of view. (Audio)
    
2. Dr. Rosita Worl, SHI president, TRT:  :15 – These historical documents provide insight into what Native people were thinking about, some of their actions that they initiated on these activities. Activities that had long-term effects on Native people. (Audio)
    
3. Dr. Rosita Worl, SHI president, TRT:  :15 -- These collections are especially important to us because they reflect Native people’s actions, their thinking on events that were critical to us and that will have long-term effects on Native people. (Audio)