Sealaska Shares Advocacy Update in Policy Forum
Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Sealaska hosted a lunchtime policy update on Tuesday, September 13, to provide shareholders with up-to-date information about Sealaska’s public policy efforts. The policy committee, Naxtoo.aat / Wayi Wah / Hágwsdaa – each of which translates loosely to “Let’s Go!” – works to bring forth and advocate for state and federal policies that align with Sealaska’s vision and shareholder priorities.
Sealaska director and policy committee chair ‘Wáahlaal Gíidaak Barbara Blake provided viewers with updates on the committee’s work, while ‘Kaa Ju Hein’ Jaeleen Kookesh, who serves as Sealaska’s corporate secretary and vice president of policy and legal affairs, served as host and emcee. The two provided an overview of current policy and advocacy efforts.
- Important momentum is being made on landless legislation with S. 3629, which continues to progress through the U.S. Senate. Shareholders can express support by filling out the pre-paid postcard attached to the latest shareholder newsletter, by signing the online petition at withoutland.org and by calling their representatives in Congress – actions that are especially impactful coming from supporters who live outside Alaska.
- The Sealaska Board of Directors recently voted to oppose the measure on Alaska’s November ballot that would initiate a constitutional convention in Alaska, expressing concerns that reassessing the constitution could endanger the rights of Alaska Native people.
- The tribal recognition bill that was recently signed into law by Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy will help pave the way for a better relationship between tribal and Native entitites and state government. The legislation was supported by Sealaska and advanced by board members Wáahlaal Gíidaak Barbara Blake, La quen náay Liz Medicine Crow and board chair Joe Nelson, along with Chalee Éesh President Richard Peterson of Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska.
- Sealaska will be participating in the second annual statewide Being Good Relatives gathering organized by First Alaskans Institute in Fairbanks on Sept. 28, working together to unify and strengthen partnerships between Alaska Native organizations across the state, and the Protecting Our Ways of Life Summit Sept. 29-30.
Board Youth Advisor Connor Ulmer closed out the committee with a call to action for young shareholders:
“I would like to encourage any other youth who have some sort of priority that the policy committee should take up, let me know – because I don’t know what everyone’s priorities are for my age group. I would love to hear from other people around my age about what’s important to them.”
Ulmer can be reached at connor.ulmer@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.
Film is a mirror: Sealaska shareholder descendant Miciana Hutcherson reflects on Black History Month
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.
What Are Shareholders Saying? How does blood quantum impact your life?We asked this simple question and more than 600 shareholders answered, so far. Below are a few of the perspectives we shared via our social channels. Some of these posts you will love. Some you may not. Sealaska has not taking a position, we are …