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Sealaska Heritage Institute considers Heritage Study Grant applications only from established and recognized Alaska Native organizations. Applicants must propose projects that serve participants who are:

• Alaska Native as defined as "Native" under the Alaska Native Settlement Act, 443 U.S.C.A. 1602(b), and enrolled to Sealaska Corporation; or,
• Native descendant of Alaska Natives enrolled to Sealaska Corp., whether or not they own Sealaska Corp. stock

The goals of the Heritage Study Grant Program are to ensure the perpetuation of Southeast Alaska Native arts and cultural practices and focus a greater priority on those arts and practices that are in danger of being lost. Study must be conducted with a Native artist, Native teacher or Master Native Language Speaker/Language Teacher who is a member of an Indian Tribe and who is recognized as an Indian artisan by an Indian Tribe. Endangered traditional practices and art forms include:

• Chilkat Weaving
• Northwest Coast Geometric Weaving
• Basketry Weaving (with emphasis on Tlingit and Tsimshian)
• Clan Hats
• Warrior Clothing/Armor
• Compilation of Clan Names
• Clan Songs (recordings, transcriptions and translations)
• Koo.eex (Potlatch) Protocols (workshops)
• Documentation of Traditional Medicines

Application Procedures and Deadline
A completed application must be postmarked on or before March 1 each year. Late applications will not be reviewed for funding. Applicants must complete all sections of the application . A completed application includes the following:

• Applicant's Statement
• Instructor's Profile
• Work Plan
• List of Native Participants

Review Process
The Scholarship Selection Committee, which is comprised of five Sealaska shareholders, determines the amount of the Heritage Study Grant. The committee selects the recipients for the grants based on the following:

• A complete application, including the Applicant's Statement, Instructor's Profile, Work Plan and number of eligible participants
• The qualifications and experience of the Native artist or Native instructor

Grant Award
Awards will be made to defray the cost of materials and activity expenses or registration and related course costs. Awards will be made in two parts:

• The first payment will be made at the beginning of the project upon receipt of the required forms
• The final payment will be made when SHI receives receipts for tuition, fees, materials and other related costs, proof of completion of the project (photos or tapes), and a final report by the grant recipient and instructor

Reporting Requirements
The grant recipient must submit a report to the Sealaska Heritage Institute prior to the end of the twelve (12) month grant period which includes the following:

• Photos or tapes of the learning experience or sample of the product; and,
• A summary of the education experience and an evaluation of the instructor; and,
• A grade report from the college or university, if courses were taken

Completion of Project
Heritage Study Grant projects must be completed within twelve (12) months of the award notification . Grant recipients who do not complete their projects in this time period will forfeit final payment of the award.

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