Dear Shareholders,

Sigóowu Yées Táakw! Happy New Year!

As we greet 2020, I am most hopeful for the coming decade. I am proud that Sealaska dedicated $10 million last November to support Lingít (Tlingit), Xaad Kíl (Haida) and Sm’algyax (Tsimshian) language revitalization. We anticipate spending $500,000 annually for the next 10 years. 

Speaking the language my grandmother couldn’t

Dawn provided the following statement about her essay:

From a very young age I can clearly recall my grandmother frequently singing a lullaby to me in Sm’algyax, and back then it always made me giggle because it sounded so funny with strange sounds and words I couldn’t understand. Now that I am much older I long to hear this song once again from her. 

My six-word essay is in reference to my own grandmother and great- grandmother, who were reprimanded in school when they spoke Sm’algyax… It is up to us now to learn the languages; to speak them and keep them alive, because our elders could not. I am honored and ready to make that commitment and attempt to become a fluent speaker now. There won’t be anyone to stop me, and I can hear my grandmothers’ voices in my mind encouraging me along the way. And I know they would be proud.  —Dawn Davis | Tsimshian Wolf

I would like to thank Ms. Davis for sharing her story and her commitment to learn our language. I encourage other shareholders to share their stories — the contest is on-going and new winners will be identified throughout the winter. The next winner will be announced on or around Elizabeth Peratrovich Day. Please submit your entry by emailto webmaster@sealaska.c om.