Q&A on Sealaska’s CARES Act Distribution in Partnership with Tlingit & Haida
Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Sealaska will begin accepting applications for its CARES Act distribution in partnership with the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska on Monday, Oct. 4. We have compiled the following answers to questions we’ve received so far. Do you have a question that isn’t addressed here? Email us at sealaskacares@ccthita-nsn.gov. We’ll update this Q&A throughout the application period. 

APPLICATION DETAILS 

How do I apply? 

Shareholders can apply online at https://mysealaska.com/AboutMe/CaresActApplication starting on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. For shareholders who do not have access to a computer, you can call 907-463-7750 and someone at Tlingit & Haida will help you fill out the application over the phone. 

If you call in and are routed to voice mail, the only personal information our technicians need is the last four digits of your Social Security number and your date of birth. If you provide this information, the technicians can review your application before calling you back and be prepared to discuss the specifics of your situation.

What kind of information do I need to submit? 

To apply, you need to login to your MySealaska account. That process verifies your status as a shareholder. If you are applying over the phone you will need the last four digits of your Social Security number. 

The application requires applicants to upload a photo or PDF of one of the following:

  • Unemployment benefits notice
  • Lease agreement dated after March of 2020
  • Rent receipt
  • Rent or mortgage statement
  • Home insurance
  • Eviction notice
  • Hospital bill
  • Hospital discharge papers
  • W2 from 2019 and 2020 showing decreased income
  • Receipt for personal protection gear (masks, gloves, etc) and disinfectants
  • Notice to quarantine
  • Social Security benefits letter
  • Childcare invoice
  • Water/sewer/garbage bill
  • Electric bill
  • Receipts for equipment used for distance learning or remote work
  • Receipt for internet used for remote education, training, or work
  • Bills in the name of the spouse. 
  • Bills in the name of a roommate or partner. Note, this will also require you to fill out a shelter statement.  Shelter statements will need to be emailed to sealaskacares@ccthita-nsn.gov.

For people experiencing homelessness, here are the documents being accepted: 

  • Shelter statement
  • Cell phone bill
  • Auto insurance bill
  • Receipt for groceries
  • Receipts for storage units made necessary due to homelessness

What about Elders and people who are experiencing homelessness?

October 8, 2021 update: there are approximately 5,000 application spots still available.

Elders who have submitted an application will be in one of those 5,000 slots (even if they are unable to submit proof of cost at the time). Once we hit the 12,000 applications, the application period will close and we will review all applications submitted before determining if we will reopen spaces voided by denied applications.

We advise Elders to:

  1. Call the SEALASKA line (907) 463-7750 to do an application over the phone. The Elder will need to submit a proof of cost document as soon as they are able to via fax, email or mail.
  2. Have a friend/relative/service provider help them complete the application online and upload a proof of cost document at the time of application.

Tlingit & Haida is current with voicemails and are accepting live phone calls. There is no longer a backlog for Sealaska calls.

We are working closely on a process to get funding to people experiencing homelessness and have determined what kind of documentation can be provided if you don’t have bills or statements to submit. Please see the above on documentation being accepted if you are experiencing homelessness. 

How do I know if I qualify? 

Any shareholder with voting shares who has pandemic-related expenses that haven’t been covered through other financial-assistance programs administered by tribes or other Native service organizations is eligible for payment. However, we encourage you to consider the need that exists in our community and only apply if you genuinely need this money to meet your financial obligations. 

Is there a deadline to apply? 

CARES Act funds have to be dispersed by the end of 2021. Although there isn’t currently a formal deadline to apply, functionally we’ll need applications in by the beginning of December. Given the interest and demand we’re seeing, though, we expect to have 12,000 qualified applicants in the system well before that, and recommend applying as soon as possible.  

Do you have to be 18 to apply? 

No. You don’t have to be 18 to apply, but if you’re a “ward,” your custodian must apply on your behalf. If you are on the “ward” page in MySealaska, the CARES Act application available there will automatically apply to your ward.  

Is there a fax number for Elders to send applications to?  

There is no fax number. Anyone who cannot fill out the application online should call Tlingit & Haida at 907-463-7750 and someone will assist you to fill it out over the phone.  

What if I can’t access my MySealaska account?

If you’re having trouble accessing your MySealaska account, try resetting your password. You can do that at this link.

I called three times on Sunday. Why didn’t anyone call me back?

Tlingit & Haida and Sealaska both work traditional, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. schedules. If you call outside of normal business hours, you will receive a call back as soon as possible the next business day.

PROGRAM DETAILS 

How much is available? 

Sealaska received $4.2 million in CARES Act funding, and teamed up with Tlingit & Haida, which contributed an additional $1.8 million to make a total of $6 million available through our program. We are awarding up to 12,000 shareholders $500 each. Awards will be made on a first come, first served basis, so apply early. The entire $6 million is being distributed to shareholders – administrative costs associated with the distribution are being absorbed by Sealaska and Tlingit & Haida. 

Is this available to all shareholders or only those in Alaska? 

The Sealaska/T&H distribution is available to all Sealaska shareholders who live in the United States. (Since the funding comes from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, it cannot be dispersed to residents of other countries.) 

How will the money be distributed? 

Similar to other Sealaska distributions, successful applicants who are signed up for direct deposit will receive their $500 payment electronically. Those who receive paper checks will receive a check from Sealaska. Payments will be made twice a week, and applications will be processed as quickly as possible. Shareholders who receive paper checks should be aware that the U.S. Postal Service recently revised its service schedule for First Class mail, and checks are now expected to take a couple days longer than usual to arrive. This is a good time to sign up for direct deposit if you haven’t already!  

When are CARES Act payments made by Sealaska?   

Payments are processed on Tuesdays and Fridays; it takes 24-72 business hours for the payment to post to the shareholder’s bank account. If you are signed up for direct deposit with Sealaska, you will receive your funds electronically. If you receive your distribution payments by mail, you will likewise be mailed a check from Sealaska. Please note the USPS recently advised that first class mail service would begin taking about two days longer starting in early October.

Why did you pair up with T&H?  

Tlingit & Haida has administered several other pandemic-related aid programs to tribal citizens. They have experience with this type of program that we do not yet. We felt that we would be able to offer a better program that operated more smoothly if we worked together. We are so grateful for their support and the additional funds they provided to increase the available benefit for Sealaska shareholders. 

Tlingit & Haida will review and approve the applications as they come in and then send them to Sealaska for payment. 

Why didn’t you just send you a special distribution? 

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has a lot of specific rules for what can and can’t be done with CARES Act funding. You can read about them here. In short, we are not able to send out the money to everyone as a special distribution. Treasury has informed ANCs that we can expect to be audited on these programs. 

Why did it take so long to get the program up and running? 

There were a few factors. Because Sealaska has never administered a program like this before, it took us some time to identify the best path forward in working with Tlingit & Haida. Once the partnership was formed, we had to create the application mechanism within MySealaska. Perhaps most time consuming, we had to hire people to field and approve applications and get them trained before we could start accepting applications. We appreciate your patience. 

Why are only Tlingit & Haida tribal citizens eligible? 

ALL Sealaska shareholders are eligible, regardless of their tribal affiliation. Our postcard erroneously shared this statement, but all subsequent information has been corrected. We apologize for the confusion. 

Tlingit & Haida is already really far behind – did Sealaska or Tlingit & Haida hire more staff to handle another program?  

We have hired more staff specific to this distribution. They will be ready on Monday, Oct. 4 to begin accepting applications. 

SEALASKA CARES ACT INFORMATION

Why was Sealaska’s CARES Act allocation so small compared to others? 

  • The Treasury formula relied on a tribal population assessment developed in connection with housing-related services. In Southeast, tribes provide housing services, so Sealaska didn’t receive any funding in this category of the formula. 
  • Total employment was also a factor. ANCs that received more than Sealaska most likely had more employees. 
  • Sealaska complied with all application requirements and filled everything out in full and on time. 

For more in-depth information, please click here

Can Sealaska set up a dedicated phone number for Elders only? Elders have already missed out on T&H funding due to no access to internet. Now, they’ll miss out again.  

The phone number provided in all of our communications (907-463-7750) is specifically for Elders or anyone else who doesn’t have access to a computer or a reliable Internet connection. We will be helping anyone who needs assistance to apply over the phone. 

How did Sealaska determine only helping 12,000 applicants?  

We knew our funds were limited, but still wanted to offer a meaningful benefit to those who needed it most. The Treasury Department made it clear we couldn’t send a special distribution to everyone. We tried to strike a balance between offering a somewhat substantial amount of money and reaching the most people we possibly could. Please remember that other ANCs and tribes have their own CARES-related opportunities; our program is one of many available to Alaska Native people with ties to our region. We hope that between all available programs our people will experience some relief from coronavirus-related impacts. 


News Search


44 results found

Posted 3/20/2025
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

Posted 10/29/2024
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Posted 10/15/2024
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Posted 7/29/2024
Posted 7/29/2024
It’s that time of year again! Bring OUR FUTURE to life during the 2024 #SealaskaWayOfLife photo contest for a chance to win prizes. The contest begins Monday, July 29 and runs through Friday, August 30. Storytelling is at the heart of who we are at Sealaska. We want to continue to tell our story from your vantage point. Introduced in 2020 as a way to foster connection and engagement… Source

Posted 3/19/2024
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… Source

Posted 11/17/2023
Posted 11/17/2023
Sealaska’s quarterly Board Q&A sessions offer shareholders and directors a chance to connect in a casual online environment, empowering shareholders to ask questions directly to the board and providing directors a chance to hear shareholder voices on the issues that are important to them. On Nov. 7, Sealaska directors provided an update from the November board meeting, held on Nov. 2… Source

Posted 11/3/2023
Posted 11/3/2023
Curious about the math and analysis behind the ANCSA distributions you receive from Sealaska? Read onward to learn more. Sealaska’s fall 2023 distribution is noticeably different than the spring distribution issued earlier this year, which saw an unusually high 7(i) payment of $18 million. The large 7(i) payment seen in the spring distribution was unusual, a one-off situation not expected… Source

Posted 11/2/2023
Posted 11/2/2023
As part of our commitment to the shareholders and communities who make us who we are, Sealaska will issue a fall distribution totaling $13.6 million, to be issued to shareholders on Thursday, Nov. 9. Sealaska’s board of directors approved the distribution at a board meeting held in Juneau on Thursday, Nov. 2. After the fall distribution is made, a total of $17.2 million (approximately $5.85… Source

Posted 7/17/2023
Posted 7/17/2023
It’s that time of year again! Bring OUR VALUES to life during the 2023 #SealaskaWayOfLife photo contest for a chance to win prizes. The contest begins Monday, July 17 and submissions will be accepted through Friday, August 11. Storytelling is at the heart of who we are at Sealaska. We want to continue to tell our story from your vantage point. Introduced in 2020 as a way to foster… Source

Posted 7/10/2023
Posted 7/10/2023
by Evan Roberts, Shareholder Development Intern In the week leading up to Sealaska’s 2023 annual meeting of shareholders in Klawock, a group of seven interns traveled to Prince of Wales to learn about Sealaska’s community-driven work. 2023 celebrates the launch of Sealaska Abroad — Sealaska’s international internship program. The three students who will be working with Sealaska subsidiary New… Source

Posted 6/13/2023
Posted 6/13/2023
At Sealaska, shareholders are at the center of everything we do. We cherish every opportunity we have to meet with each of you, learning more about your values, priorities and vision for our shared future. This May, we were grateful to host meetings in 10 communities — the first time we have been able to host a full community meeting rotation since 2019. Sealaska shareholders were invited… Source

Posted 4/21/2023
Posted 4/21/2023
At Sealaska, we believe that youth are the future. That’s why we’re introducing a new opportunity for young people to get involved in what we do and make an impact for our businesses, communities, and the lands and waters we call home. Sealaska is now accepting applications for youth members of the Shareholder Participation Committee (SPC). The SPC was established in 2019 as a way to… Source

Posted 3/22/2023
Posted 3/22/2023
The Sealaska Board of Directors will meet on Friday, April 14 to approve the amount for Sealaska’s 2023 spring distribution. The distribution will take place on Friday, April 21. Shareholders are encouraged to complete and/or update any enrollment or stock transfer paperwork by the official record date of 4 p.m. Alaska time on Monday, April 17. “Sealaska is committed to providing stable… Source

Posted 11/20/2022
Posted 11/20/2022
A memorial totem pole honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirits (MMIWG2S) was recently raised near Klawock. This beautiful, heartbreaking tribute is the result of a sensitive collaboration, and was dedicated to Judylee Guthrie, who was murdered by her partner in 2016. The pole was carved in recognition of the crisis of violence facing Indigenous communities. Source

Posted 6/23/2022
Posted 6/23/2022
The Alaska Native Brotherhood and Alaska Native Sisterhood Grand Camp approved a resolution on Thursday, June 16 to support Sealaska’s proposal to remove as a criteria for eligibility for Class D stock the requirement that applicants have at least one-quarter Alaska Native blood quantum. The issue is currently in front of Sealaska shareholders, who have until this Friday, June 24 at 5 p.m. Source

Posted 4/21/2022
Posted 4/21/2022
Resources This page hosts a collection of published articles by Sealaska, news organizations, academics, researchers, podcasters and others on the issue of blood quantum.  Sealaska Blood Quantum Information 1. Academic Research Original Shareholders of Sealaska and their Descendants, Estimates and Projections, by Barry Edmonston, 2005 (PDF) ...

Posted 4/12/2022
Posted 4/12/2022
Blood Quantum Q & A In the past year, Sealaska has hosted a variety of conversations on Native identity and conducted extensive outreach to shareholders and descendants about the issue. The purpose of these efforts was to better understand how blood quantum impacts our community, and to provide background and context to shareholders. Topics included how blood quantum was incorporated into...

Posted 4/12/2022
Posted 4/12/2022
How BQ Incorporated into ANCSA Blood quantum and ANCSAWhen the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was passed into law in 1971, it contained an eligibility standard of one-quarter Alaska Native blood quantum. Today, 10 of the 12 Alaska Native regional corporations maintain the requirement of one-quarter or more Native blood quantum for enrollment, including Sealaska. (Shareholders of ...

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… Source

Posted 4/5/2022
Posted 4/5/2022
Sealaska’s spring 2022 distribution will be announced on Friday, April 8. Distributions are just one of many benefits Sealaska provides to shareholders and descendants, including educational and professional development programs like shareholder and workforce development opportunities; vocational training, scholarships and internships; and donations to community and cultural programs. Source

Posted 4/4/2022
Posted 4/4/2022
Sealaska shareholders approved a resolution to establish the Sealaska Settlement Trust by a margin greater than three to one during the 2021 shareholder election The trust frees Sealaska shareholders from paying federal income tax on their dividends. It will also reduce Sealaska’s tax obligation to the federal government in the future. Sealaska will work to ensure the trust is… Source

Posted 1/21/2022
Posted 1/21/2022
Every two years, Sealaska conducts a shareholder survey to identify your priorities. Those priorities are the road map to our public policy work and help guide the shareholder benefits we are grateful to be able to provide through the success of our businesses. In 2021, Sealaska’s board and executive leadership launched what will be a multiyear effort to hold leadership meetings in… Source

Posted 11/4/2021
Posted 11/4/2021
Why Was Blood Quantum Part of ANCSA? Blood quantum first originated in the United States in the early 1700s in the Colony of Virginia, where it was used to limit the rights of anyone who was more than half Native. These measures were carried forward into the 19th and 20th centuries to limit the federal government’s treaty obligations to Natives. Tribes started using blood quantum in their en...

Posted 10/28/2021
Posted 10/28/2021
Sealaska shareholders will receive their first distribution via the Sealaska Settlement Trust when the fall distribution is paid out on November 12. The trust was created by a vote of shareholders in June, and will benefit shareholders by exempting distributions from the trust from federal tax. Many shareholders will not notice any difference between how past distributions have occurred… Source

Posted 8/31/2021
Posted 8/31/2021
Many shareholders are asking about Sealaska’s CARES Act funding, and how the $4.2 million amount of its allocation was determined. The U.S. Department of the Treasury created the formula for how CARES Act money was allocated to tribes and Alaska Native corporations (ANCs). The most important thing is that Alaska Natives in Southeast Alaska are receiving additional support at a crucial time. Source

Posted 8/9/2021
Posted 8/9/2021
What does the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian way of life look like through your lens? Show us in a snapshot during this year’s #SealaskaWayOfLife photo contest! Sealaska is dedicated to doing our part to improve ocean health and protect our way of life. Over the past six years, we’ve advanced our twin goals of economic prosperity and environmental protection by investing in a range of… Source

Posted 6/25/2021
Posted 6/25/2021
Sealaska issued a statement expressing its position on the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday, June 25 that settled litigation over whether Alaska Native Corporations qualify for federal CARES Act funding. Click here to read Sealaska’s statement. Answers to additional questions shareholders and tribal citizens may have on the decision and Sealaska’s role are below. Source

Posted 6/24/2021
Posted 6/24/2021
Throughout the election period, shareholders have asked questions about the proposed settlement trust on this year’s Sealaska proxy. A Q&A story was published in May addressing many of these questions, and answers to a few more than have come in since then are below. You can read the original story here, or click here to watch videos about the Settlement Trust for additional detail. Source

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… Source

Posted 1/27/2021
Posted 1/27/2021
The summer of 2019 was the most promising yet for Stormy and Bonnie Hamar’s tourism business, Kasaan Arts, Museum and Canoes. They had a big write-up in the local travel guide, fresh brochures to stock in ferry terminals and B&Bs, and a new contract pending with a day-cruise operator that would’ve guaranteed a stream paying customers throughout the summer of 2020. But like so many… Source

Posted 12/20/2020
Posted 12/20/2020
It is the holiday season, and a great opportunity to support local, Native-owned businesses, artists and entrepreneurs. Sealaska invited its shareholders, descendants and others in the Alaska Native community to share their businesses and artistry with our audiences so we can help promote them during an otherwise very difficult year. We were flooded with submissions from all sorts of artists… Source

Posted 12/8/2020
Posted 12/8/2020
As walls rapidly go up on the new Mendenhall Valley location of the Glory Hall, Sealaska’s board of directors sent a strong message of support for the initiative by committing $50,000 to the project at its December meeting. The Glory Hall is Juneau’s emergency shelter and soup kitchen, providing three meals a day and shelter for those experiencing homelessness or crisis since 1981. Source

Posted 11/22/2020
Posted 11/22/2020
Earlier this year, Sealaska marked an important milestone in its growth and development as a company – following the board election this spring, our board is now majority female, with seven of 13 members who are women. Balance and reciprocity are important values we hold as Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people, and they’re part of our company values at Sealaska, too. Source

Posted 10/9/2020
Posted 10/9/2020
Sealaska shareholder descendant Andrea Ts’aak Ka Juu Cook will serve as one of two conference guides for this year’s First Alaskans Institute Elders & Youth Conference, which starts Sunday, Oct. 11. The three-day event will be held entirely online. Cook, who will turn 21 this month, is Haida from Hydaburg. Cook spent the summer as a virtual intern for First Alaskans Institute (FAI) and Sitka… Source

Posted 9/25/2020
Posted 9/25/2020
This summer, the TRAYLS (Training Rural Alaskan Youth Leaders and Students) crew in Kake continued a solemn but purposeful task — improving trails on Grave Island. The work started in 2019, when the death of a local resident who was to be interred on the island prompted a request of the TRAYLS crew to clear overgrowth and level walking paths to ensure that Elders could more easily walk from… Source

Posted 9/18/2020
Posted 9/18/2020
In the next 50 years, the world’s population will grow by nearly 3 billion to a total of 10.5 billion people, according to the United Nations. Most of these billions of people will be born into poverty. How will our planet, which is not growing, support these children and families? Access to healthy food and clean water will become even more important in the years to come, and yet humans are… Source

Posted 8/31/2020
Posted 8/31/2020
The 2020 summer interns have proven to be resilient and adaptive, as their anticipated work experiences shifted from in-person employment to remote work due to the coronavirus pandemic. Sealaska welcomed 18 summer interns this year for its first ever remote internship program. This year’s interns — like so many people across the country — worked entirely from home, exchanging office time for… Source

Posted 8/20/2020
Posted 8/20/2020
IT IS UP TO YOU TO MAKE SURE YOUR COMMUNITY GETS A FAIR SHARE OF FEDERAL FUNDING – FILL OUT THE 2020 CENSUS Every 10 years the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a count of every person living in the United States. The data collected through the census count determines a variety of federal funding and programs. An accurate count determines federal funding directed to tribal governments in Southeast… Source

Posted 7/13/2020
Posted 7/13/2020
Sealaska shareholders have told us that education and vocational scholarships are a top priority. Sealaska is proud to recognize our scholarship recipients. Marissa Brakes has many different interests when it comes to her future career in law. Through internships at Sealaska and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boise, Idaho, three years of work at a civil litigation firm, and her role as… Source

Posted 7/7/2020
Posted 7/7/2020
Sealaska wants to see what the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian way of life looks like through YOUR lens, and we invite you to participate in the “Our Way of Life” photo contest! This is an opportunity for Sealaska to not only engage with you directly, but also gain perspective on how our audience views our Native way of life. Creativity and freedom of interpretation is welcome and encouraged! Source

Posted 5/6/2020
Posted 5/6/2020
As we strive to heed the words of our Elders, we also strive to ensure their health and well-being, even more so during these unprecedented times. With the help of Sealaska’s COVID-19 relief and recovery package, a nonprofit organization is using its funding to continue supporting our most vulnerable populations. Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL) is a nonprofit organization… Source

Posted 3/27/2020
Posted 3/27/2020
Sealaska cares deeply about our shareholders, our employees, and our people. We know that the coming weeks and months will be hard for many communities in Southeast Alaska as they feel the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. We will do all we can to support our communities during this difficult time. We’re starting by addressing the needs of our most vulnerable shareholders and neighbors… Source

Posted 4/1/2019
Posted 4/1/2019
This news item is an update to our story we published on March 12, 2019. WHAT WAS SIGNED INTO LAW? Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) advanced a package of public land bills that included the bill finalizing equitable treatment for Alaska Native Vietnam Veterans. The public lands package was approved in the U.S. Senate on February 12, 2019, with the U.S. Source