Sealaska Language Priorities Reflected in Seven Recent Grants
Monday, April 18, 2022
Sealaska’s board of directors approved $558,000 in funding for language preservation programs at a meeting held on April 8, pledging grants to seven different language preservation and language learning projects.
Sealaska shareholders consistently rank language preservation and revitalization as a top priority, an urgency shared by Sealaska leadership.
“Fostering our Indigenous languages, building them up and growing the number of fluent speakers is a critical priority for Sealaska,” said Sealaska Community Outreach and Brand Manager Tasha Heumann. “Supporting the efforts of advanced language learners toward fluency is of the utmost importance and that’s the goal of this program. We are deeply grateful for the language champions and their support systems — those who are devoted to learning and teaching our languages — for their applications, dedication and the gift of their time.”
Language grants were awarded to Goldbelt Heritage Foundation, the Ketchikan Indian Community, Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, Xaadas Kíl Kuyaas Foundation (XKKF), Haa Tóo Yéi Yatee, the Juneau School District and the X̱ántsii Navay Haida Immersion Preschool. The proposals submitted by these organizations aligned with Sealaska’s commitment to advancing the proficiency of advanced language learners.
Plans to facilitate collaboration, healing and fluency gains of Lingít language educators and birth speakers through professional development and social immersion opportunities, as well as documentation of birth speakers.
Will continue their work with Lingít, X̱aad Kíl and Sm’algyax, developing curriculum and materials to advance language proficiency.
Their grant proposal aims to advance fluency in all three Southeast Alaska Indigenous languages and increase resources for learners by adding three part-time positions for mid- to advanced-level learners and to developing audio/visual documentary resources.
Xaadas Kíl Kuyaas Foundation (XKKF)
Plans to increase the number of adults in the program who are proficient/fluent in X̱aad Kíl from one to five by May 2022 and help normalize Xaad Kíl in Hydaburg.
Plans to host four annual Lingít language and culture immersion camps, reinforcing the use of language on the land. Haa Tóo Yéi Yatee is aiming for language transfer of knowledge from Elders to language learners, increasing the usage and level of fluency for all.
Will fund the creation of a half-time, certified Lingít language and culture teaching position at Sítʼ Eetí Shaanáx̱ Glacier Valley Elementary to begin in the fall.
The grants were made from the $10 million Language Revitalization Fund established by Sealaska in 2019, which focuses on the revitalization of Lingít, X̱aad Kíl and Sm’algya̠x. The fund is anticipated to generate approximately $500,000 in grants annually to invigorate indigenous languages. Aiming to increase the number of advanced speakers — especially targeting those who serve as teachers — Sealaska hopes to create a revitalization program that is successful, sustained and celebrated by the community.
For any questions regarding this program, please contact Tasha Heumann at tasha.heumann@sealaska.com.
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We are excited to announce that the results of the 2025 Sealaska election have been certified and are ready to share with all of you.
Congratulations to our 2025 winners. At Sealaska, we are deeply grateful for your participation in this year’s election. Selecting exceptional leaders to help guide our shared future is one of the most meaningful ways for shareholders to engage with us. These winners were randomly selected from the pool of early birds by the Inspectors of Election. All payments will be processed this week and delivered via the payment method on file for distributions in MySealaska.com.
We are continuing our search for a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as Sealaska’s president. It is important that we find the right candidate to fill this position, which is why the Sealaska board of directors is being as exacting as possible as we search for a candidate capable of amplifying the impact of our mission and providing benefits that empower our shareholders. To this end, the Sealaska board of directors recently revised the job description for the position of president and sought the assistance of a professional recruiting firm. Our hope is to announce a successful candidate as our new president this coming summer.
After considering the recently announced U.S. Postal Service delays to First-Class Mail in conjunction with a paper proxy error leading shareholders who wish to vote by mail to potentially wait for their regularly scheduled second proxy mailing, we have made the decision to extend the early bird deadline to June 6. We are listening to shareholders and want to give everyone the best chance to qualify as an early bird. Thank you for understanding and thank you for voting.
Shareholders, an error occurred when printing proxy cards regarding the number of shares you own and votes you have in the top right corner of your proxy card. This error does not affect the validity of your paper proxy, nor does it affect voting on MySealaska.com through the Election Connection portal
Early birds, it’s your time to fly! Congratulations to our 2024 winners.
Sealaska shareholders are invited to join us at our upcoming in-person and virtual community meetings to learn more about Sealaska business operations, upcoming opportunities and connect with fellow shareholders and descendants.
Sealaska shareholders are now able to view and download their IRS Form 1099-DIV for 2023. Printed 1099 tax forms will be mailed on or before Jan. 26.
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Sealaska shareholders are now able to view and download their IRS Form 1099-DIV for 2022. Printed 1099 tax forms will be mailed on or before Jan. 27.
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