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Press Release
Feb. 14, 2006 (Radio Actuality) (Photo)
SHI HIRES CELEBRATION COORDINATOR
Institute Begins Massive Effort to Organize Biennial Festival
Sealaska
Heritage Institute (SHI) has hired local businessman Bob Hamilton to
spearhead the nonprofit’s massive effort to organize Celebration, a
biennial dance and culture festival.
Hamilton, former president and general manager of Kootznoowoo Inc., joined SHI in February to coordinate Celebration 2006, scheduled May 31-June 4 in Juneau. Hamilton also serves on SHI’s Board of Trustees.
“We were very fortunate that one of our own trustees, Bob Hamilton, decided that he could do this. He brings to us a lot of experience, management experience, plus knowledge of our Southeast communities,” said SHI President Rosita Worl.
“I am honored to have been selected as the Celebration 2006 Coordinator,” Hamilton said. “This event allows our Native people to showcase their language, songs, dance, regalia, carving, beadwork, and seaweed like no other in the state. With each Celebration more and more people get involved -- Let’s join together to make this the best one ever!”
One
difference this year is SHI will sponsor a Baby Regalia Review during
Celebration. Parents with children ages two and younger are encouraged
to enter their babies
in the event, said Worl, noting each child will receive a certificate of
participation.
“When you go to Celebration you see a lot of proud mommas and proud
grandmas with their babies dressed in their ceremonial regalia. So we
decided why not make this a formal event.”
The institute will launch Celebration on May 31 with its Juried Art Show and Competition awards ceremony at Sealaska Plaza. Dance performances are scheduled June 1-3 at Centennial Hall and the ANB Hall. Celebration 2006 also will include a Native artists market, a black seaweed contest, language fairs and a parade through downtown. SHI will close Celebration on June 4 with canoe races and a picnic.
The festival, founded to celebrate the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures, was first held in 1982. It has since become one of the largest events in the state. Celebration 2004 drew 5,000 people, including 1,700 dancers.
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.
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CONTACT: Bob Hamilton,
Celebration Coordinator, 586-9256
-
Rosita Worl, SHI
President, TRT :13 -- “We were very fortunate that one of our own trustees, Bob
Hamilton, decided that he could do this.
He brings to us a lot of
experience, management experience, plus knowledge of our Southeast
communities.” (Audio)
- Rosita Worl, SHI President, TRT :11 -- “When you go to Celebration you see a lot of proud mommas and proud grandmas with their babies dressed in their ceremonial regalia. So we decided why not make this a formal event.” (:11) (Audio)