The First We Belong Here Gathering Successful
Wednesday, March 27, 2019

“We Belong Here” was a free youth leadership and basketball gathering for students grades 4-12. The three-day gathering was hosted by Juneau youth organizations, March 18-20, 2019.

Gavin Brown watches Native Youth Olympics presentation @ We Belong Here

Our youth are capable of so much more than what we give them credit for.

We Belong Here participants ended the three day gathering in a talking circle and speaking Haida. For thirty minutes, Damen Bell-Holter spoke only in Haida to a group of 50 youth from across the region. Pinching his ears, the group said Gyuwáng hl stl’iit! in Haida.

Damen is the director of youth and community engagement for Sealaska. Since joining Sealaska in April 2018, he was talked with southeast youth in nearly every community letting them know that Sealaska believes in them and wants them to be successful. He worked with Juneau youth organizations for the We Belong Here gathering.

Workshops encouraged conversations around healthy eating, basketball fundamentals, native games and benefits of movement. For two and half days, youth were surrounded by role models and positive influences. “Our youth are capable of so much more than what we give them credit for,” said Bell-Holter. “The challenges we see in our communities, this generation will be the ones to change it. If we provide them with resources such as access to education or understanding how organizations like Sealaska or tribal governments work, we can prepare them to create the change that is needed.”

WE BELONG HERE PARTNERS

  • AWARE
  • Goldbelt Heritage Foundation
  • Juneau School District, Indian Studies Sealaska
  • SEARHC
  • Teen Council
  • Tlingit & Haida Central Council
  • Zach Gordon Youth Center

Latest News


Sealaska Supports the Rebuilding of Sheet’ká Clan House

Posted 4/29/2025
KETCHIKAN, Alaska, April 29, 2025 — Sealaska’s board of directors has approved funding for the reconstruction of the traditional clan house for the Kiks.ádi people of the X’aaká Hít (Point House), on their recently repatriated land in the Sitka Indian Village. This will be the first clan house to be rebuilt in Southeast Alaska in the 21st century. Where there were once 43 active clan houses… Source

Sealaska April Board Meeting Recap

Posted 4/21/2025
Gunalchéesh to those who were able to attend our April 9 Community Business and Shareholder Information Meeting in beloved Ḵaachx̱an.áak’w. Our booths were filled with the great smiles of over 74 shareholders and their families attending. During the event, shareholders had the opportunity to learn about Sealaska’s businesses, engage with Sealaska leadership — including the full board — and enjoy… Source

Sealaska Announces Spring 2025 Distribution of $17.7 Million

Posted 4/11/2025
Sealaska is announcing a Spring 2025 distribution totaling $17.7 million to be issued to shareholders on Thursday, April 17. Sealaska’s board of directors approved the distribution at a meeting held this Friday, April 11. The upcoming distribution includes dividends totaling $2.9 million from Sealaska’s operations, $3.3 million from the Marjorie V. Young (MVY) Shareholder Permanent Fund and… Source

Sealaska Spring 2025 Distribution Date Announced

Posted 3/20/2025
The Sealaska Board of Directors will meet on Friday, April 11, 2025, to approve the amount for Sealaska’s upcoming distribution. Please review the following key dates and complete necessary actions to ensure a seamless distribution. DISTRIBUTION AMOUNT DETERMINED — Friday, April 11, 2025 On April 11, the Board of Directors will meet to determine the distribution amount. Source

Sealaska secures historic conveyance of Redoubt Bay Village

Posted 3/10/2025
BLM finalizes transfer of culturally significant Ḵunáa site after nearly 50 years Sealaska Corporation announced the successful conveyance of the Redoubt Bay Village (Ḵunáa) historical site from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), marking the culmination of a nearly 50-year effort to secure this culturally significant land under Alaska Native stewardship. The 10.54-acre site… Source