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Healing Hand Foundation Honors the Legacy of Dr. Walter Soboleff
Friday, November 13, 2020

When the Healing Hand Foundation was established, it was designed to fill gaps in the medical and health-care services available to beneficiaries of Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) and to veterans.

At the time, that might mean providing travel assistance so Elders could have a companion travel with them to out-of-town medical appointments, or to fund a replacement pair of eyeglasses for a veteran whose Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) coverage wouldn’t provide another. This spring, Healing Hand offered COVID-19 mini-grants to those impacted by the pandemic.

The foundation’s work is very much in keeping with that of Dr. Walter Soboleff, whose legacy inspired the creation of Healing Hand Foundation’s endowment, and whose life will be celebrated across Alaska this Saturday, Nov. 14 on Dr. Walter Soboleff Day. His lifetime of service to Alaska included two terms as a Sealaska board member, from 1980-1988.

“I think the basis for my pitch was that Sealaska needed to do something to honor (Soboleff) for all he had done for our people,” said Joe Kahklen, who approached the Sealaska board of directors with a funding request to establish the endowment. Kahklen is the former chair of the Healing Hand Foundation board, and was the founding CEO of Goldbelt, Inc.

In 2011, the Sealaska board pledged $1 million to establish an endowment fund for Healing Hand. The board allocated $100,000 per year for five years as a gift and set up the Sealaska/Soboleff Legacy Trust to provide another $500,000 in matching funds. The final matching donation came in 2018.

With earnings from its endowment, Healing Hand now provides mostly “durable medical goods” (things like wheelchairs, dentures, eyeglasses, walkers, colostomy supplies and orthodontics), pharmaceuticals not available in SEARHC pharmacies (certain specialized cancer, diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure medications), and travel related to medical treatment. 

“As anyone who’s been around a nonprofit knows, an endowment goes a long way to make sure it lives on, so as long as Healing Hand is here, Dr. Soboleff’s name can be attached to it and we can continue to honor his legacy,” Kahklen said.

Soboleff was a Presbyterian minister of Tlingit and Russian-German descent who was born in Killisnoo on Admiralty Island in 1908. After receiving his master of divinity degree from the University of Dubuque in 1940, he returned to Juneau to lead Memorial Presbyterian Church and became a familiar voice in the community through his services and news reports, delivered in Lingít and broadcast on KTOO. He went on to serve as an itinerant minister at Presbyterian churches throughout Southeast Alaska before moving to Fairbanks in 1970 to become the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ first director of Alaska Native Studies.

Soboleff died in 2011 at the age of 102, and in 2014, former Alaska Governor Sean Parnell officially named Nov. 14 as Dr. Walter Soboleff Day in Alaska. In 2015, Sealaska Heritage Institute opened its new building in downtown Juneau and named it after Soboleff. On Saturday, Nov. 14, SHI is hosting a webcast on its YouTube channel at noon Alaska Standard Time to celebrate Soboleff.

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Sealaska and The Unity Group Say, “GET OUT THE VOTE!”

Posted 9/30/2024
Posted 9/30/2024
This year’s elections hold significant importance for us all, which is why we are encouraging all shareholders and tribal citizens to get out and vote – and bring a loved one, too! Voting is one of the most powerful ways to make your voice heard. Every vote counts, and your participation can help shape the future of our communities. Make sure you’re prepared for election day by having a…

Sealaska partners with Spruce Root to guide students toward career, financial readiness 

Posted 8/16/2024
Posted 8/16/2024
Early this summer, 34 students were guided through a series of financial wellness and career coaching workshops provided by #OneSealaska partner Spruce Root. Offered to the season’s cohort of shareholder interns as a part of Sealaska’s Intern Connect Week, the workshops provided participants an opportunity to grow existing knowledge and form new connections as they learned together as a group.

Sealaska welcomes a record-breaking 35 interns to Juneau with Sealaska Connect Week

Posted 7/6/2023
Posted 7/6/2023
In early June, Sealaska welcomed 35 students from across Alaska and the rest of the country to Juneau for the 2023 Sealaska Intern Connect Week — five days full of learning and bonding for Sealaska’s 2023 intern class. For the next few months, Sealaska’s interns will embark on different projects across the country — and globe — spanning diverse fields, from finance and investment to cultural…

New Sealaska-Codefy partnership creates impact, builds skills in tech for young shareholders

Posted 6/16/2023
Posted 6/16/2023
Taylor Natkong wanted to learn to code, but without having to leave her culture and homeland behind. Before participating in a new software programming opportunity made possible through Sealaska’s partnership with Codefy, she might have felt forced to choose. But now, she says, through this program, she has found the best of both worlds. Natkong, originally from Hydaburg…

Sealaska Announces Fall 2022 Distribution

Posted 10/28/2022
Posted 10/28/2022
The Sealaska Board of Directors approved a distribution totaling $15.4 million to be issued to shareholders on Nov. 9. This includes $2.8 million in earnings from the Marjorie V. Young (MVY) Shareholder Permanent Fund, $7.6 in operations income and $5.1 million in Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Section 7(j) natural resource revenue sharing funds. Through a balanced…

Q&A with 2022 Board Youth Advisor: Connor Ulmer

Posted 8/15/2022
Posted 8/15/2022
Each year Sealaska selects one shareholder descendant to be the Board Youth Advisor (BYA) for a one-year term. The Board Youth Advisor provides valuable input to the Sealaska Board and gains understanding of Sealaska’s operations and mission. The 2022-2023 BYA is Connor Ulmer. Ulmer was born and raised in Dzantik’i Héeni (Juneau). His Tlingit name is Deikeenaak’w (Little Haida)…

Sealaska Scholarship Recipient Follows her Dreams

Posted 7/26/2022
Posted 7/26/2022
“It’s never too late to follow your dreams!” This summer, look for stories from some of Sealaska’s scholarship recipients. Each student is on a different path, with diverse personal, academic and professional goals. Sealaska believes in their dreams. By helping to further the education of these future leaders, we are investing in our people’s shared future.

#NativeEnough Discussion Guide

Posted 5/25/2022
Posted 5/25/2022
Discussing blood quantum with friends and family can be challenging because no matter how you feel about the issue, it often strikes at the very core of who you are or how you would like to be perceived. We believe shareholder-to-shareholder conversations about this issue are critical to deepening understanding. The following questions are provided to help shareholders discuss the issue.

Shareholders Will Determine Fate of Blood Quantum Requirement in 2022

Posted 4/12/2022
Posted 4/12/2022
Over the past six months, Sealaska reached out to shareholders and descendants to ask a seemingly simple yet profoundly personal question: How does blood quantum impact you? Through a variety of mechanisms, including an open-ended questionnaire, a formal survey and virtual events, we heard from thousands of you. To ensure we obtained a statistically valid view of shareholders’ thoughts on…

Sealaska Announces Spring 2022 Distribution Schedule

Posted 3/25/2022
Posted 3/25/2022
Sealaska’s deep connection to Southeast Alaska and to Indigenous wisdom informs its choices as a business to strive for balance and well-being in its operations and on behalf of its shareholders. Sealaska’s focus on ocean health businesses has led to another successful year. The Sealaska board of directors is scheduled to meet Friday, April 8, and will approve the spring distribution amount.

Shareholder Opportunities Event: Free Training, Scholarship Info and More for STEM and Technical Career Fields

Posted 1/27/2022
Posted 1/27/2022
A virtual event for shareholders and descendants on Wednesday, Jan. 26 highlighted several immediate, jobs-ready educational and training opportunities for shareholders at low or no cost. “We’re excited to be providing a wide range of career and training opportunities that align with the lifestyles and preferences of our shareholders,” said Sealaska President and CEO Anthony Mallott.

Iceland: Committed to Sustainability for the Whole Marine Ecosystem

Posted 11/19/2021
Posted 11/19/2021
Sealaska announced in October that it has plans to acquire equity in two leading Icelandic seafood companies – IceMar and AG Seafood. Some might wonder why an Alaska Native Corporation in Southeast Alaska would invest in Iceland. The reality is that fisheries in Alaska and Iceland share important qualities when it comes to seafood. Their shared approach to responsible fisheries…

Recognizing Albert Kookesh (Kaasháan) For His Service and Positive Contributions to Sealaska

Posted 5/4/2021
Posted 5/4/2021
Sealaska is deeply grateful for the service of two of its board members who have chosen not to seek another term on the board. These two men have contributed mightily to our company, and their service and commitment to our people has been of incalculable value. Sealaska director Albert Kookesh, formally announced he will not seek another term on the Sealaska Board of Directors.

Recognizing Tate London (Xein) For His Service and Positive Contributions to Sealaska

Posted 5/4/2021
Posted 5/4/2021
Sealaska is deeply grateful for the service of two of its board members who have chosen not to seek another term on the board. These two men have contributed mightily to our company, and their service and commitment to our people has been of incalculable value. Sealaska director Tate London formally announced he will not seek another term on the Sealaska Board of Directors.

Chief Science Officer Enriches Ocean-Health Business with Experience & Passion

Posted 4/19/2021
Posted 4/19/2021
The next time you find yourself on a beach, grab a handful of sand and look at it closely, suggests oceanographer Jesse McNinch. That sand is a detective story, he says, encoding the tales of millions of years of natural history. “Geology is like the earth’s stenographer,” Jesse says. “It’s always recording everything that’s happening. The exciting part is being able to read and interpret it.”…

Women’s History Month Spotlight Amy Hallingstad

Posted 3/30/2021
Posted 3/30/2021
Amy Hallingstad was a champion for civil rights causes in Alaska, desegregating schools and other public facilities, advocating for equal pay for women and quality health care for Alaska Natives, and tearing down signs that read “No Natives Allowed.” She fought the most serious challenges faced by her people for most of her life, earning the unofficial title of “First Lady for the First…

Attention Shareholders—1099-DIV tax forms for 2020 are now available!

Posted 2/8/2021
Posted 2/8/2021
To access, download or print your forms, please log in or register for an account on MySealaska.com, navigate to ‘About Me’ and click 1099s. If you are receiving your form through the U.S. Mail, please be sure to check your mailbox—all forms have been mailed by Sealaska as of January 25, 2021. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding 1099-DIV tax forms: 1) What is a…

Sealaska Mourns the Loss of Tlingit leader David Katzeek

Posted 10/29/2020
Posted 10/29/2020
It is with great sadness, but also reverence, respect and gratitude for his innumerable contributions, that we share the news of the passing of Tlingit Elder and culture bearer Kingeistí David Katzeek. Katzeek was a clan leader for the Eagle moiety, Shangukeidí (Thunderbird Clan) of Klukwan. Katzeek was from Kaawdliyaayi Hít (House Lowered from the Sun), and Shis’g̠i Hít (Tree Bark House) in…

Get to Know Sealaska Shareholder and CCFR Captain Jayme Johns

Posted 9/1/2020
Posted 9/1/2020
Capital City Fire Rescue (CCFR) and the Juneau Unity Group partnered to incorporate formline art onto a refurbished ambulance. The Unity Group is a collaborative partnership between Juneau’s Native organizations: Sealaska, Sealaska Heritage Institute, Douglas Indian Association, Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, Goldbelt Inc., Southeast Alaska Regional Health…

Young Sealaska Shareholder Descendants Bring Value (and Strength) to Barnacle

Posted 7/31/2020
Posted 7/31/2020
Sealaska shareholder descendants like Isaac Mazon and Aaliyah Starr are finding employment and training in an up-and-coming line of business with one of Sealaska’s latest investments in the regional economy, Barnacle Foods. Barnacle Foods harvests bull kelp from the waters around Southeast Alaska and turns it into tasty hot sauce, salsas, pickles and seasonings. They also transform other…

Turning Relief Into Results

Posted 6/1/2020
Posted 6/1/2020
Fire Chief Rich Etheridge has been working as a first responder for almost 30 years. From volunteering in the early 90s to working full-time since 2002 at Capital City Fire/Rescue in Juneau, firefighting has held a profound and substantial place in his life. “The best part about my job is being able to support the line firefighters and make sure they have the tools and training to get out…

Sealaska Scholarship Recipient on Coaching,Leading and the Importance of Education

Posted 4/14/2020
Posted 4/14/2020
Applications for Sealaska’s scholarships close on April 15th! A scholarship can be a tremendous source of support. For more information on scholarships and how to apply, go to the shareholder portal MySealaska.com or Sealaska Heritage Institute. How does a child from the small village of Angoon end up coaching college basketball all over the country? It’s not a straight line…

Sealaska Closing Juneau Offices to the Public

Posted 3/13/2020
Posted 3/13/2020
Sealaska offices in Juneau, Alaska will be closed to the public beginning Monday, March 16, 2020. On Thursday, March 12, 2020, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy announced the first case of COVID-19 in the state. In a statement published Thursday March 12, Alaska Governor Dunleavy said the patient is a foreign national who developed a fever and respiratory symptoms shortly after arriving in Anchorage…

Message to Sealaska Shareholders COVID-19 Update

Posted 3/12/2020
Posted 3/12/2020
For the past several weeks, Sealaska has been monitoring the news about the spread of coronavirus (also known as COVID-19). To date, there are no confirmed cases of the virus in Alaska but we know that this could change at any time. Our team is closely following the situation and we have contingency plans in place to ensure the safety of our employees and the continuity of our business.

Sealaska Shareholder Honored as Top 40 Under 40

Posted 2/27/2020
Posted 2/27/2020
Alana Peterson learned the value of hard work at a very early age. When she was just 10 years old, she worked alongside her father, who was an artist, selling hand-painted wood trinkets to tourists. Throughout her life, Peterson has grabbed every opportunity to work, to help others fulfill their dreams, and to improve the local economy. Her resume includes several unique experiences that has…

Part-time scholarship recipient dreams big for career in the outdoors

Posted 2/10/2020
Posted 2/10/2020
Kellen London is one of 62 part-time students who were awarded Sealaska scholarships in 2019. Last year was the first year the scholarship program included part-time students. Some might think that being a part-time student means going back to school while raising kids or pursuing a second career. Or maybe it means finishing the degree you always wanted to. Not always so.

Part-Time Scholarships opens doors to Tlingit culture and identity

Posted 1/30/2020
Posted 1/30/2020
Stephanie Jenkins is one of 62 part-time students who were awarded Sealaska scholarships in 2019. Last year was the first year the scholarship program included part-time students. When Stephanie Jenkins first applied for a Sealaska scholarship in 1998, she had no idea she was opening a door to her Tlingit culture and identity. This identity ultimately allowed her to see herself as a…

Fall Distribution Information – Are you ready to receive a distribution?

Posted 10/23/2019
Posted 10/23/2019
Be on the lookout for a fall 2019 distribution announcement on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, on Sealaska.com, in your email inbox or on our official Facebook page. Prepare to Receive a Distribution Payment Using MySealaska.com There are two ways to receive a Sealaska distribution payment: 1. Via direct deposit 2. Via mailed check The fastest and most efficient way to receive a…