Sealaska’s 2020 Vision and Message from Leadership
Tuesday, February 18, 2020

As Sealaska enters 2020, we will be looking back at another record year in profitability. We will also be looking forward to the next 100 years as we speed toward our 50th anniversary.

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act is by no means perfect or final. The act has been amended many times. It will continue to be amended for technical changes and for substantive changes, like the inclusion of Wrangell, Petersburg, Tenakee, Haines, and Ketchikan.

Our subsistence way of life will be a top policy issue for the foreseeable future, unless we adjust the state constitution to properly acknowledge our traditional rights to the resources in our communities.

As we close the books on 2019, we will be reporting another record year in net profit. As an Alaska Native Corporation, however, net profit is only one measure of our success. More meaningful measures directly tie back to our purpose of strengthening our people, culture and homelands.

In 2019, we established Shareholder Participation Committees as a program to more thoughtfully open up lanes of communication. We have a large and diverse shareholder base. There are shareholders in all 50 states and a slight majority now claiming residence outside of Alaska. The SPCs provide a space for deeper engagement with a nice cross-section of shareholders.

At the tail-end of 2019, we established a Language Revitalization Fund. There is a lot of good work going into restoring our languages, but in order for us to turn the tide of language loss, we need many more of you stepping up to help. Ancient solutions to current challenges are embedded in our traditional languages. Our children are more resilient when they understand who they are. These are your children. You are their connection to their grandparents.

There will be much more reporting on 2019 in the annual report and during the community meeting circuit.  2020 is what I am excited about.

A year ago, we committed to start pulling together under a 100 year plan.  Individually, none of us will be here in 100 years. Collectively, we will be here forever. Collectively, we have always embraced our grandchildren as a core part of our purpose. For many of us, they are the reason for everything.

I understand that colonization has had a significant impact and assimilation is real, but I have an unwavering confidence in our future as Native people forever connected to this place. This is one of the reasons our Annual Meeting will be in Angoon for the first time ever this year. A sense of place matters.

By the end of 2020, we will be publishing a 100 year plan that sets a foundation for future generations of Sealaska, Sealaska Heritage Institute and Spruce Root leaders to stand on. We are all in this together, so let’s get to work.

Kaaxúxgu | Joe Nelson
Board Chair

Latest News


Sealaska Spring 2024 Distribution Date Announced

Posted 3/19/2024
The Sealaska Board of Directors will meet on Friday, April 12, 2024, to approve the amount for Sealaska’s 2024 spring distribution. The distribution will take place on Thursday, April 18.  Shareholders can prepare for a seamless distribution by completing any enrollment or stock transfer paperwork, including gifting or inheritance, by Friday, April 12 at 4 p.m. The last day to make changes to addresses or direct deposit information is Monday, April 15, , before close of business, or online via M...

Sealaska announces Desiree Jackson to serve as Vice President of Administration and Outreach

Posted 3/6/2024
Jackson’s goals, experience are aligned with Sealaska’s vision for shareholders, communities and the region’s collective future. A focus on strategy, values and excellence has led Desiree Anax x’aséigu yé Jackson to her new role as Sealaska’s Vice President of Administration and Outreach. Jackson has served as the executive director of...

First Quarter Board Q&A provides shareholders an opportunity to connect with their board

Posted 3/4/2024
Members of Sealaska’s board of directors had an opportunity to connect with shareholders and answer questions during the Feb. 29 board Q&A session hosted on MySealaska. Directors Barbara Cadiente Nelson, Ka’illjuus Lisa Lang joined Executive Chair Joe Nelson and Board Youth Advisor Deikeenaak’w  Connor Ulmer in providing an update following January’s board meeting and shared upcoming opportunities and associated deadlines with participants. Sealaska’s language grant application period i...

Virtual Shareholder Orientation offers connection, information for original and new shareholders alike

Posted 2/26/2024
Sealaska’s Shareholder Relations team hosted a virtual shareholder orientation on Tuesday, Feb. 20 for an audience of nearly 170 shareholders from far and wide. This event offered both new and long-term shareholders a chance to learn more about the benefits and responsibilities of being a shareholder and answer questions about specific Shareholder Relations policies, procedures and protocol.   Shareholder Relations Manager Jodie Gatti, who joined the Sealaska team in November, was joined by...

Sealaska Announces Sealaska Board Endorsed Nominee Opening

Posted 2/22/2024
Deadline Friday, March 15 at 5:00 PM Alaska Time Five seats on the Sealaska board of directors will be filled through this year’s annual board elections. Sealaska is seeking qualified shareholders to apply for nomination, including one board-endorsed seat, and three board-endorsed incumbents running for reelection. At least one seat wi...