Sealaska Statement on the CARES Act
Saturday, April 18, 2020
The coronavirus is exposing longstanding vulnerabilities that our Alaska Native communities have faced for years. Many of our people are more at risk because of factors related to high rates of diabetes and heart disease. These conditions faced by Alaska Natives — many living in remote, rugged environments with limited infrastructure and services, including healthcare — further exacerbate the risk exposure to the virus.
Sealaska, like other Alaska Native corporations, is included in the $8 billion funding set aside for Native people. The definition used in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes Alaska Native corporations. (See below for more details about the language.) We trust that this $8 billion in funding will be distributed to equitably serve Native American needs across the country, and we will do our part to ensure that this happens, in coordination with our Alaskan tribes.
We are currently working in close coordination with our tribes to support our Native people and Native communities to navigate this crisis. CARES Act funding will further these efforts. Sealaska and other Alaska Native corporations will be involved as a vehicle to support Native people, as we have existing structures in place to benefit our communities.
As the owners of our traditional lands in Alaska, Alaska Native corporations have long been recognized as appropriate entities to receive and distribute federal funding provided for the benefit of tribes. We have supported the social, economic and cultural well-being of our Native people, side-by-side with our tribes in Alaska, for decades. Prior to the CARES Act being introduced, Sealaska committed to making $1 million available to help with immediate COVID-19 relief for shareholder families and neighbors. As part of that, we are distributing $10,000 to each of the 19 federally recognized tribes in Southeast Alaska to help their communities respond to the crisis. Another part of that commitment involves a total of $175,000 of corporate funding to Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska to support their efforts to provide emergency services to our tribal citizens. All of this is separate from any CARES Act funding Sealaska may receive for distribution to Alaska Natives.
The most important thing we can do now is to work closely across all of our Alaska Native organizations and communities to plan how the CARES Act funding will help our Native people. Sealaska, like all Alaska Native corporations and tribes, must apply for funding that will help our communities. We have been in contact with the tribes and village corporations in our region to ensure that they are also submitting their applications.
We support relief funding for all vulnerable populations, particularly indigenous communities across the nation. We applaud Congress for taking the crucial step to offer aid in this time of profound crisis.
We hope that all of our shareholders, tribal citizens and communities stay safe and we will continue to do our part to help during this difficult time.
For background:
The definition in the CARES Act uses Title 25 U.S.C. Section 5304(e) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act:
“‘Indian tribe’ means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.”
This definition and others have been used in federal Indian law more than 100 times to include Alaska Native corporations as tribes or tribal governments for purposes of specific federal programs established to benefit American Indian and Alaska Native people. Additionally, many federal laws include Alaska Native corporation lands as tribal lands or Indian lands for purposes of certain programs established for the protection and preservation of Native lands, as well as for economic development opportunities. This is well established.
Unlike Lower 48 tribes, in Alaska the federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native corporations must work together to meet the economic, social and cultural needs of our Native people in Alaska. We share this responsibility, as Congress addressed Alaska Native settlements differently in Alaska.
News Search
190 results found
Posted 11/7/2025
Posted 11/7/2025
Aak’w Kwáan (Juneau, Alaska), November 7, 2025 — Sealaska’s Board of Directors approved a $11.8 million fall distribution to shareholders to be issued Thursday, Nov. 13. The distribution reflects Sealaska’s commitment to its people and culture. Including descendants in the distribution ensures equitable generational sharing that honors ancestral stewardship. Sealaska welcomes Caleb Lee…
Posted 10/8/2025
Posted 10/8/2025
October 8, 2025 — For the first time in decades, leaders from Southeast Alaska’s tribes, Native corporations and tribal organizations came together in Juneau, Alaska for a Native Roundtable. Held September 29-30, 2025, the two-day summit created a powerful platform for renewed collaboration, strategic dialogue and collective visioning around the most pressing issues facing the region’s communities.
Posted 8/26/2025
Posted 8/26/2025
Juneau, Alaska (August 26, 2025) — The Sealaska Board of Directors has unanimously voted to appoint Sarah Dybdahl as the corporation’s new President, following a thorough recruitment process. This leadership transition comes in parallel with updating the Sealaska strategic plan and refining the institution’s mission and vision. Sarah Dybdahl (Aanshawatk’i), Taakw.aaneidi clan…
Posted 6/3/2025
Posted 6/3/2025
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.
Posted 4/29/2025
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…
Posted 4/21/2025
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…
Posted 12/13/2024
Posted 12/13/2024
We are pleased to announce that Tlingit & Haida Executive Council and Sealaska board of directors met to engage in meaningful discussions on issues that matter most to tribal citizens and shareholders. This collaborative meeting was an important step toward finding pathways to create mutually beneficial outcomes while strengthening entities to better serve people and communities.
Posted 11/8/2024
Posted 11/8/2024
Sealaska is announcing a Fall 2024 distribution totaling $11.1 million to be issued to shareholders on Thursday, November 14. Sealaska’s board of directors approved the distribution at a meeting held in Juneau on Friday, November 8. The distribution includes $3 million from Sealaska’s operations, $3.3 million from the Marjorie V. Young (MVY) Permanent Fund and an additional $4.8…
Posted 10/28/2024
Posted 10/28/2024
Gunalchéesh Anax X’aséigu Yé Desiree Jackson for offering us this insight into One Sealaska and the many avenues of our community-focused work! We are working hard to provide our shareholders with a comprehensive understanding of all we do, focusing always on strengthening our people, culture and homelands. Through Woocheen, we promote ocean health, renewable energy and a holistic vision of…
Posted 10/15/2024
Posted 10/15/2024
Sealaska is seeking a dynamic and visionary president to strengthen and amplify the impact of our mission. Through Sealaska’s business success, we fulfill our mission by managing our land and providing shareholder benefits that include dividends, workforce development programs, scholarships, internships, advocacy, burial assistance and many other benefits through our non-profit organizations.
Posted 9/6/2024
Posted 9/6/2024
Sealaska Board Names Richard Tashee Rinehart as board chair Leadership decision emphasize value for shareholders, Southeast Alaska Sealaska’s board of directors made Richard Tashee Rinehart the company’s new board chair during Thursday’s board meeting in Klawock. The board also appointed Terry Downes, current CEO of Sealaska business arm Woocheen, as Sealaska’s CEO.
Posted 8/30/2024
Posted 8/30/2024
Sealaska interns unload after a long journey to Howkan, a traditional Haida village site. Sealaska interns left to right: Evan Link, Operations Fellow at Icemar; Allison Mills, Natural Resources Intern at Sealaska; Addy Mallot, Storytelling & Engagement Intern at Sustainable Southeast Partnership; and Alicia Maryott, Traditional Food Security Intern at Tlingit & Haida Earlier this summer…
Posted 8/27/2024
Posted 8/27/2024
Story and photography by Christian Gomez Sealaska’s Natural Resources team recently met with members of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and local carvers on Prince of Wales Island for a three-day cedar tree inventory workshop. This collaboration, focused on scouting USFS land for cedar trees suitable for large-scale cultural art such as totem poles and canoes, marks a significant step in…
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.
Posted 8/13/2024
Posted 8/13/2024
The Sealaska board of directors met on Friday, July 26 to welcome new board members and receive updates from the management team. The board focused on efforts for long-term strategic planning, led by the management team, with a goal of strengthening Sealaska’s internal team, vision for the future and community partnerships. This strategic planning will continue at the September meeting…
Posted 5/2/2024
Posted 5/2/2024
Sitka Indian Village and its Clan Houses proudly announce their nomination for prestigious national and statewide historic preservation lists. The nominations include recognition on the National Trust’s “11 Most Endangered Historic Places” and the Alaska Association of Historic Preservations’ “10 Most Endangered Historic Properties.” Sitka Indian Village, first built in the 1820s…
Posted 3/5/2024
Posted 3/5/2024
A focus on strategy, values and excellence has led Desiree Anax x’aséigu yé Jackson to her new role as Sealaska’s Vice President of Administration and Outreach. Jackson has served as the executive director of Goldbelt Heritage Foundation for the past three years, and in key roles at Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority and the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium prior.
Posted 2/5/2024
Posted 2/5/2024
The Sealaska board of directors met in a board meeting held on Friday, Jan. 26 to review yearly priorities, receive updates from the management team and approve donation requests. Executive Chair Joe Nelson opened the meeting with recognition of long-term shareholder employee Thea Brown, who will be retiring in early March after 40 years of service. Nelson also detailed internal efforts to elevate…
Posted 1/11/2024
Posted 1/11/2024
As we begin the year and look ahead, Sealaska is excited to share the planned locations for our annual meetings from 2024 to 2026. Each of these unique communities holds special significance to our people, providing us with the opportunity to connect with shareholders throughout our traditional homelands in a more personal, meaningful way. Sealaska’s annual meeting of shareholders…
Posted 12/21/2023
Posted 12/21/2023
Dear Shareholders, Serving Sealaska has been one of my life’s great honors, and I am filled with gratitude for the years we have spent together, through my nine years of service as president and CEO and the eight years prior as your chief investment officer. In the weeks since my departure was announced, I have been humbled by your kindness and resolve to keep working together toward our…
Posted 12/12/2023
Posted 12/12/2023
Much has happened in the years since Sealaska was last able to gather with Seattle shareholders and celebrate the holidays in 2019 – and based on the turnout at last Saturday’s holiday gathering, it was time. Sealaska welcomed approximately 1,000 shareholders and their families to the festivities. Sealaska’s staff and board of directors were excited to offer an event that provided shareholders…
Posted 12/9/2023
Posted 12/9/2023
In a year marked by significant growth, Sealaska’s Board of Directors announced that it remains excited about 2023’s financial performance and looks forward to significant growth planned for 2024. The company’s ocean health business platform, Woocheen, LLC, continues to expand its scope of work around the planet, most recently through Seas Geosciences, LLC’s work on the first floating offshore…
Posted 12/7/2023
Posted 12/7/2023
On a sunny October afternoon in Spokane, Washington, over 2,500 Indigenous students were gathered to attend the 2023 American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) National Conference. Among them were a cohort of more than 100 Sealaska and Sealaka Heritage Institute (SHI) sponsored college and high school students, Alaska Youth Stewards crew members, and Southeast Alaska educators…
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…
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…
Posted 10/31/2023
Posted 10/31/2023
Look for link to download portraits at the bottom. The smell of sanded cedar filled the Steele Gallery at the Heard Museum on October 28. About 40 Sealaska shareholders, all at once, were sanding their own small dance paddles in preparation for painted formline designed by Tlingit master artist Doug Chilton. The sound of 40 people sanding at once echoed through the facility.
Posted 10/25/2023
Posted 10/25/2023
Southeast Alaska Native leaders call on other Pacific leaders to sign declaration, a symbol of collaboration and commitment toward shared goals surrounding climate justice. As the Moananuiākea voyage circumnavigates the Pacific Ocean over the next four years, communities around the Pacific Ocean will welcome their canoe, the Hōkūleʻa, to port. All are invited to join Southeast Alaska Native…
Posted 10/4/2023
Posted 10/4/2023
Sealaska believes that a better future for people and the planet is within reach. Join us for a four-part series exploring ocean health, navigating the waters of Southeast and our rich connection to navigating the Pacific Ocean. Southeast Alaska welcomed Hawaiian relatives from the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS). PVS launched Moananuiākea, a voyage for earth in Juneau, Alaska.
Posted 9/6/2023
Posted 9/6/2023
by Shareholder Development Intern Evan Roberts Sealaska’s intern program is structured to provide support to every intern as they begin their new positions – for many, this is their first full-time job experience. This summer, through the intern “buddy” program, a number of interns had the opportunity to pair up with Sealaska intern alumni as their buddies, a full-circle experience…
Posted 8/3/2023
Posted 8/3/2023
Over the summer, Alaska’s congressional delegation introduced new Landless bills to the 118th Congress: S. 1889 (introduced by Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan) and H.R. 4748 (Introduced by Rep. Peltola and Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN). Sealaska continues to support the effort, providing funding to Alaska Natives Without Land and advocating for progress with both Alaska and Lower 48 representatives.
Posted 7/13/2023
Posted 7/13/2023
Each year, Sealaska’s board of directors appoints a young adult shareholder or shareholder descendant to the position of Board Youth Advisor (BYA). By serving in this role, young shareholders and descendants can share their perspectives and insight with the board, creating powerful impact while learning the ins and outs of the board room and leadership role. In 2023, changes to the term length…
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…
Posted 6/24/2023
Posted 6/24/2023
Sealaska’s 50th annual meeting of shareholders concluded Saturday in Klawock with the results of Sealaska’s annual election to fill available seats on the company’s board of directors. Over 300 shareholders attended the in-person meeting in Klawock, with nearly 1,500 shareholders joining via the online livestream on MySealaska. This year, four seats were available, and four board-endorsed…
Posted 6/16/2023
Posted 6/16/2023
Hundreds of people had gathered on the University of Alaska Southeast Campus on Thursday, June 15 to wish the crew of the Hōkūleʻa farewell as they embark on a remarkable journey over the next four years. The event marked the Global Launch Ceremony for Moananuiākea, a voyage that will circumnavigate the Pacific using traditional methods of wayfinding as they visit 36 countries and archipelagoes…
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…
Posted 6/9/2023
Posted 6/9/2023
The community of Klawock, located on Prince of Wales Island, is surrounded by water, rivers and streams that are home to salmon runs that have nourished the community for thousands of years. Over the past two decades, salmon returns have dramatically decreased, motivating the community to investigate the root causes and find potential solutions to help improve fish habitat in the area…
Posted 6/5/2023
Posted 6/5/2023
Sealaska’s Haa Aaní Board of Directors held its quarterly board meeting in Klawock on Thursday, June 1 to discuss land management strategies and review operational goals for the year. Haa Aaní is responsible for Sealaska’s land holdings in Southeast Alaska, including land management activities such as ensuring access for hunting and fishing through road maintenance and other infrastructure…
Posted 6/5/2023
Posted 6/5/2023
Join Sealaska as we welcome and bid farewell to Hōkūle’a and our Hawaiian relatives of the Polynesian Voyage Society (PVS) while they embark on the Moananuiākea Voyage, a four-year journey across the pacific, from the stores of our ancestral homelands. A tribal welcome ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 10 from 3-7 p.m. at the Auke Rec Raven Shelter, kicking off a week…
Posted 5/23/2023
Posted 5/23/2023
Sealaska is invested in education. We are proud to announce that over $1.1 million in scholarships will be awarded to 462 recipients for the 2023-2024 academic year. Scholarships will support shareholders and descendants pursuing degrees on either a full- or part-time basis, as well as those enrolled in vocational-technical programs. “By supporting students on their educational path…
Posted 5/15/2023
Posted 5/15/2023
Gunalchéesh, Háw’aa, T’oya̱xsut ‘nüüsm to all the shareholders who participated our California and Anchorage and Seattle community meetings, as well as those who tuned into the webcast of the Anchorage meeting and our virtual business update. We appreciate your engagement and participation. We look forward to connecting with more shareholders at upcoming in-person and virtual community meetings…
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…
Posted 1/20/2023
Posted 1/20/2023
Since the elimination of the blood quantum requirement in June 2022, Sealaska has welcomed over 2,100 new shareholders. Sealaska hosted a virtual shareholder orientation to provide our new shareholders with more information on Sealaska, as well as what to expect as a shareholder moving forward. Board Chair Joe Nelson served as the host and was joined by President and CEO Anthony Mallott…
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.
Posted 9/27/2022
Posted 9/27/2022
Barbara Belk’s life – and career – took a different direction through language learning and connection with community Seeking meaning during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sealaska shareholder Barbara Belk shifted the path of her life in the past couple of years. A few big changes include learning Sm’algya̱x, returning to school to pursue a degree in social welfare and exploring a new career path…
Posted 9/8/2022
Posted 9/8/2022
Last May, the shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway gathered in Omaha, Nebraska to hear from the company’s legendary CEO, Warren Buffett, about the economic climate of 2022. Market swings, supply-chain bottlenecks, fears over inflation, rising interest rates and a possible recession make many investors wish for a crystal ball, and Buffett is known as the “Oracle of Omaha.” But what he had to say was…
Posted 8/29/2022
Posted 8/29/2022
Sealaska warmly welcomes new shareholders while maintaining commitment to original shareholder base Sealaska reached an important milestone on Tuesday, August 23: 24,000 shareholders. In June, a majority of Sealaska shareholders approved a resolution to eliminate the blood quantum requirement for shareholder enrollment, enabling lineal descendants of original shareholders – regardless of…
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)…
Posted 8/4/2022
Posted 8/4/2022
The Sealaska Board of Directors met on July 28 and 29 to discuss investments, business momentum and review financial statements. The board continues to meet via a hybrid model, with some board members appearing in person and others via video call. Global and US economies face many difficult issues this year – most importantly, high inflation, rising interest rates…
Posted 8/4/2022
Posted 8/4/2022
Program Honors Students with Academic Achievement and Leadership Skills Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) has chosen a Ph.D. student with a focus on Alaska Native sovereignty as the recipient of its 2021 Judson L. Brown Leadership Award. The honor was given to Tlingit scholar Breylan Náajeyistláa Martin, who holds a master’s degree from Brown University and is pursuing her doctorate in…
Posted 6/27/2022
Posted 6/27/2022
A deep appreciation for the outdoors, for people and for problem-solving united Darren O’Mahony, Paul Dunlop and Ciaran Doherty when they were colleagues at Glover Site Investigations in Northern Ireland. So when Glover liquidated in the wake of the global financial crisis in 2011, their strong working relationships saw the trio reunited again in a new, fledgling company that was set up to target…
Posted 6/25/2022
Posted 6/25/2022
Sealaska shareholders gave strong support to a resolution that will extend eligibility for Class D (Descendant) stock in Sealaska to lineal descendants of original shareholders without respect to their documented Alaska Native blood quantum. Sealaska joins Calista and Arctic Slope Regional Corporation in rejecting the practice of quantifying degree of Indian blood in order to be a…
Posted 6/25/2022
Posted 6/25/2022
Q: What did the blood quantum resolution do? A: When it was approved by shareholders, the resolution on this year’s proxy eliminated the requirement for applicants for Class D (Descendant) stock to prove they have at least one-quarter Alaska Native blood quantum. Q: Who is eligible for Class D stock? A: Lineal descendants of original shareholders who were born after Dec. 18…
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.
Posted 6/22/2022
Posted 6/22/2022
“I know they believe in me and they want to continue to see me succeed.” This spring, 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.
Posted 6/16/2022
Posted 6/16/2022
Sealaska’s Shareholder Participation Committee overwhelmingly approved a resolution in support of the removal of blood quantum from Sealaska’s eligibility requirements when it met the week of June 6 in Juneau. Sealaska shareholders will decide this month whether applicants should have to prove they have at least one-quarter Alaska Native blood quantum to qualify for Class D (Descendant)…
Posted 6/15/2022
Posted 6/15/2022
Sealaska’s more than 23,000 shareholders are invited to join us in person and virtually on Saturday, June 25 for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders at Centennial Hall in Juneau and streaming live on MySealaska.com. The meeting will include the results of this year’s election for four open seats on the Sealaska board as well as the resolution on this year’s proxy to eliminate the blood…
Posted 6/7/2022
Posted 6/7/2022
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. For the 2022-2023 school year, Sealaska proudly granted scholarships totaling $1,166…
Posted 5/23/2022
Posted 5/23/2022
Sealaska announced today that it will award $1.2 million in scholarships to 426 recipients for the 2022-2023 school year. Scholarships were awarded to full- and part-time degree-seeking students as well as students enrolled in vocational-technical programs. Sealaska prioritizes investing in education and is dedicated to supporting Indigenous students seeking to further their education.
Posted 5/23/2022
Posted 5/23/2022
Sealaska announced Monday, May 23 that the Juneau Community Meeting scheduled to be held Wednesday, May 25 at Centennial Hall in Juneau will now take place as a virtual event only due to rising cases of COVID-19 in Juneau. The City and Borough of Juneau recently updated its recommendations to include indoor masking in Juneau among other precautions as cases doubled from the previous week’s…
Posted 4/21/2022
Posted 4/21/2022
After two years of meeting virtually, Sealaska is excited to welcome shareholders back to in-person events this spring! Shareholders and descendants are invited to join Sealaska – including representatives from Shareholder Relations, Shareholder Development, board and leadership, Corporate Communications and more – at one or more of the many upcoming events. Each event will offer participants…
Posted 4/18/2022
Posted 4/18/2022
Ellen Bradley is at home in the rainforest and snow-covered peaks of Lingít Aaní — literally. A skier, scientist and passionate Indigenous advocate fighting both colonialism and climate change in the outdoor industry, Bradley returned to her ancestral homeland to ski for the first time this winter, deepening her connection with the land and her Indigenous identity through time spent in the…
Posted 4/18/2022
Posted 4/18/2022
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.
Posted 4/12/2022
Posted 4/12/2022
How Many Shareholders?
Based on estimates produced by Sealaska, there are approximately 15,000 descendants of original shareholders who have less than one-quarter Alaska Native blood quantum. This estimate is based on comparing the number of shareholders currently in Sealaska with the number of enrolled tribal citizens of Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, along...
Posted 4/12/2022
Posted 4/12/2022
Shareholders from across Alaska and around the country joined Sealaska President and CEO Anthony Mallott virtually for an overview of the spring distribution, which totals $21.3 million and will be issued to shareholders on April 22. The benefits that Sealaska provides to shareholders are not limited to just distributions, Mallott explained. Sealaska values investing in shareholder priorities…
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.
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…
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.
Posted 1/27/2022
Posted 1/27/2022
The Sealaska Board of Directors elevated shareholder Jason Gubatayao to the position of general manager of Haa Aaní, Sealaska’s land-management company, when it met Jan. 20-21. The board also decided to continue holding most Sealaska meetings virtually while pandemic circumstances remain uncertain—including the annual meeting of shareholders on June 25. Haa Aaní is responsible for Sealaska’…
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.
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…
Posted 12/28/2021
Posted 12/28/2021
As we welcome 2022, we at Sealaska have much to be grateful for. We end the year safe and successful, despite facing continued challenges and disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic. Sealaska continues to prioritize the health of our employees and deeply appreciates their tireless efforts to maintain COVID precautions while working to achieve business growth and enhance shareholder benefits.
Posted 12/23/2021
Posted 12/23/2021
Sealaska is saddened to learn that Gilbert “Gil” Gunderson passed away, Dec. 22. Sealaska sends its heartfelt condolences to the Gunderson family and all those who so dearly loved Gil, for their loss. Gil served as a director on Sealaska’s board from 1972 to 1987. He was a known throughout Southeast Alaska as a commercial fisherman and a fierce advocate for our people through his service as a…
Posted 12/13/2021
Posted 12/13/2021
Ruth Demmert Kaanak of Kake, Alaska is well known for her dedication and inspiration to the Tlingit language and culture. At this year’s Alaska Federation of Natives convention, Demmert was presented with the AFN President’s Award, Dr. Walter Soboleff “Warriors of Light”. The award is presented to people who uplift people, enrich spirits, and unify people. Ruth Demmert was raised…
Posted 12/13/2021
Posted 12/13/2021
A new fund that aims to support a prosperous, post-timber economy in Southeast Alaska has gotten a boost with twin $1 million investments from two private family foundations: Rasmuson Foundation in Alaska and the Edgerton Foundation, based in Los Angeles. The foundations are delighted to announce their partnership in support of the Seacoast Trust endowment, which will be led by Indigenous values…
Posted 11/23/2021
Posted 11/23/2021
Today, Alaska Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan introduced a companion bill to Rep. Don Young’s House Bill 3231, which, if adopted would resolve 50 years of injustice for five landless communities in Southeast Alaska. The bills, which will work their way through committee assignments and hearings in the coming weeks and months, would amend the Alaska Native Claims…
Posted 11/22/2021
Posted 11/22/2021
Sealaska recently joined Alaskans for Better Government in support of a proposed ballot measure to institute formal legal recognition of all 229 Alaska Native Tribes by the State of Alaska. This ballot initiative would provide Alaskans – rather than the Legislature – a chance to vote on the matter directly and finally ensure an equal, government-to-government relationship between Tribes and the…
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…
Posted 11/4/2021
Posted 11/4/2021
Enrolling with Sealaska
Sealaska has have moved to a paperless enrollment process. We have also simplified the application process as well.
We have dropped the notarization requirements.
Applicants can take a picture and upload supporting documents (supporting documents include your birth certificate, CIB, and potentially your parents and or grandparents birth certificates).
WHO IS ELIGIBLE...
Posted 10/29/2021
Posted 10/29/2021
Sealaska shareholders’ 2021 dividend distribution will add to numerous other shareholder benefits and supports, including the $4.2 million in CARES Act funding Sealaska is distributing to eligible shareholders, in partnership with the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. On Friday, Oct. 29, Sealaska’s Board of Directors approved the company’s 2021 fall distribution…
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…
Posted 10/26/2021
Posted 10/26/2021
Sealaska’s fall 2021 distribution will be announced on Friday, Oct. 29. Distributions are just one of many benefits Sealaska provides to shareholders and descendants, including educational and professional development programs like scholarships and internships, semiannual distributions to shareholders, and donating to cultural programs. In 2020, Sealaska paid out more than $28.5…
Posted 10/25/2021
Posted 10/25/2021
Five years ago, when Sealaska began to embrace the idea of businesses revolving around ocean health, the concept was just an aspiration, COO Terry Downes said at this year’s annual meeting. It was an idea inspired by Sealaska’s owners, rooted in the collective wisdom, heritage and knowledge of thousands of people, cultivated over thousands of years in Southeast Alaska.
Posted 10/14/2021
Posted 10/14/2021
Sealaska’s board of directors recently approved a $25,000 contribution in support of the creation of a totem pole that will serve as a monument and acknowledgement of the healing journey undertaken by women and children as they move from abusive family circumstances to healthier ones. The totem is being carved by master carver Wayne Price of Haines, and will be erected at the Kaasei…
Posted 10/12/2021
Posted 10/12/2021
NESI also won Retail Supplier of the Year honor in 2018 and 2020 Sealaska company New England Seafood International (NESI) has been honored with the prestigious Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Retail Supplier of the Year award, which recognizes outstanding achievement and performance in sustainable fishing and seafood. It’s the third time the MSC has named NESI as the recipient.
Posted 10/5/2021
Posted 10/5/2021
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.
Posted 9/29/2021
Posted 9/29/2021
Sealaska will mark September 30, the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools, with its support for a day of events on Thursday, Sept. 30 in Juneau to raise awareness of the legacy and trauma of the boarding and residential school systems in the United States and Canada. Also known as “Orange Shirt Day,” the day originated in Canada in 2013, and has since been formally adopted…
Posted 9/24/2021
Posted 9/24/2021
Sealaska is proud to share the winners of our 2021 #SealaskaWayOfLife photo contest! We created the #SealaskaWayOfLife photo contest in 2020 because we want to see what the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian way of life looks like through your lens, celebrate our culture and heritage and foster connection within our communities and beyond—especially amid the pandemic. This year…
Posted 9/1/2021
Posted 9/1/2021
After 23 years of law enforcement service, Alaska State Trooper Mark Granda retired on Aug. 31, 2021. Like his family, Sealaska is proud of Trooper Granda and his honorable service to the people of Alaska. Granda’s career in law enforcement began in 1997 with the Sitka Police Department, where he served for nearly four years. In 2001, Granda began his career with the Alaska State Troopers…
Posted 8/22/2021
Posted 8/22/2021
Sealaska invests and works with partners to provide opportunities for youth. One such opportunity is through Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP). SSP’s Alaskan Youth Stewards program gives youth in rural Southeast Alaska the opportunity for hands-on learning about land management and STEM careers in partnership with a variety of other employers like Tribes and the U.S. Forest Service.
Posted 8/12/2021
Posted 8/12/2021
Sealaska shareholders approved a resolution to establish a settlement trust for Sealaska by a margin greater than three to one during the election that concluded Saturday, June 26. The trust, which is similar to those established by dozens of other Alaska Native regional and village corporations, will free Sealaska shareholders from paying federal income tax on their dividends.
Posted 8/2/2021
Posted 8/2/2021
Educator and Sealaska shareholder Karen Lauth Elliott has been celebrating a lot of graduations over the past few years, culminating on June 12 this year, when she and her youngest son, Emad Al-Shamasawi, both received diplomas on the same day. Elliott earned her master’s in education policy from the University of Washington (UW) that day while her son graduated from Ingraham High School in…
Posted 7/21/2021
Posted 7/21/2021
Sealaska welcomes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement last week that it is dedicating $25 million toward sustainable opportunities for economic growth and community well-being in and around the Tongass National Forest – the traditional homelands of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people. The announcement of the Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy…
Posted 7/13/2021
Posted 7/13/2021
On Saturday, June 26, Sealaska shareholders elected the following candidates to serve three-year terms on the company’s board of directors. We asked each of these newly elected directors the following question. Their answers follow. Sealaska is focused on teamwork – on the board and staff levels and within our larger community of tribes, shareholders, descendants and partner organizations.
Posted 7/7/2021
Posted 7/7/2021
Every year, Sealaska directors select a shareholder descendant to serve a one-year term as the Board Youth Advisor (BYA). Tiadola Silva was selected as the 2021-2022 BYA. In this position, Silva will provide input and gain board membership training and knowledge of Sealaska’s operations. Silva is originally from Angoon and now lives in Juneau. Her parents are Jeremy Martin and Juanita Silva.
Posted 6/26/2021
Posted 6/26/2021
Saturday’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders Included Election Results, New Logo, Shareholder Survey Data and Report on 2020 Financial Performance Sealaska’s 48th annual meeting of shareholders closed Saturday with the announcement of shareholders’ selections to fill the five available seats on the company’s board of directors and the green light for the company to move forward with…
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.
Posted 6/22/2021
Posted 6/22/2021
Sealaska’s annual meeting of shareholders will be held online on Saturday, June 26, 2021. In addition to the annual business presentation, updates on key initiatives and election results this year’s meeting will include the unveiling of Sealaska’s newly updated brand and logo mark. Directors and management will share updates about Sealaska activity, successes and key investments.
Posted 6/2/2021
Posted 6/2/2021
Sealaska and Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) will offer a live web stream from Angoon to share the memorial service for the late Tlingit leader Kaasháan, Albert Kookesh. The ceremony is scheduled at 6 pm (AKDT), Friday, June 4. The service will be available through the MySealaska website and open to the public via YouTube. All loved ones, friends, acquaintances and well-wishers are welcome…
Posted 5/28/2021
Posted 5/28/2021
Hearts are heavy at Sealaska after the passing of Sealaska director Albert Kookesh, Tlingit leader, former senator, business owner and fierce advocate for Alaska Natives. Albert died at his home in Angoon, surrounded by family, his children and grandchildren. “Today, we mourn the loss of a colleague, a friend, a champion of Alaska Native people,” said Sealaska Chair Joe Nelson.
Posted 5/25/2021
Posted 5/25/2021
At Vandenberg Air Force base in 2019, Air Force staff and partners were focused on cleansing groundwater that had been polluted with chlorinated hydrocarbons, runoff from solvents that were used to spray down missile engines prior to launch. But the challenge was bigger than toxins in the water. Threatened vernal pool fairy shrimp, red-legged frogs and other endemic species in a nearby stream had…
Posted 5/13/2021
Posted 5/13/2021
Why does Sealaska want to establish a new settlement trust? It’s a great opportunity for Sealaska, and for our shareholders! An Alaska Native Corporation Settlement Trust provides Sealaska and its shareholders with significant tax advantages. Distributions to shareholders (referred to as “beneficiaries” under the trust) will not be subject to federal tax. Changes to federal tax law in 2017…
Posted 5/7/2021
Posted 5/7/2021
The 2020 Sealaska annual report was sent to shareholders on May 5, 2021. Sealaska’s communications team met with President & CEO Anthony Mallott to get his thoughts on last year’s performance and describe how the company’s ocean health businesses are leading to increased shareholder benefits. The full annual report is available online by clicking here. What are the highlights from 2020 from a…
Posted 5/4/2021
Posted 5/4/2021
Two of Sealaska’s long-serving directors, Senator Albert Kookesh and Tate London, have decided not to seek another term on the board this year. “Both directors have fulfilled the purpose and mission of Sealaska while serving on behalf of our shareholders,” said Joe Nelson, Sealaska Chair. “We are forever indebted for their service.” The decision by Kookesh and London left two board…
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.
Posted 4/8/2021
Posted 4/8/2021
Growing up in Juneau, Rain Felkl had no fear of the mountains, she said. Her parents would let her play at the glacier or spend the night on top of Thunder Mountain unsupervised, entrusting XTRATUF boots, hand-me-down outdoor gear and the unwavering confidence that characterizes childhood with her safe return home. “They [my parents] didn’t instill fear in us when it came to the outdoors,”…
Posted 4/2/2021
Posted 4/2/2021
A spring 2021 distribution of $21.3 million builds on the many other investments Sealaska is grateful to be able to make to support its shareholders and communities. The distribution includes dividends from the company’s growing ocean-health business operations ($6.8 million) and the Marjorie V. Young (MVY) Shareholder Permanent Fund ($2.5 million). Distributions to shareholders were $46.4…
Posted 4/1/2021
Posted 4/1/2021
As Sealaska’s board finalizes the spring distribution to Sealaska shareholders in a meeting on Friday, April 2, the company’s business operations continue a trend of increasing profitability. Thanks to the incredible dedication and skill of so many at Sealaska, several of our businesses actually saw record financial results in 2020. Their efforts enabled us to keep our employees safe…
Shareholder Participation Committee Chairs Included in Selection Process for Board Endorsed Nominees
Posted 3/31/2021
Posted 3/31/2021
Sealaska’s process for selecting candidates to become endorsed nominees for its board of directors expanded this year to include the chairs of Sealaska’s Shareholder Participation Committees representing Southeast Alaska, the rest of Alaska, and outside Alaska. Shareholder Participation Committees were established two years ago to help Sealaska be more responsive to the needs and priorities…
Posted 3/29/2021
Posted 3/29/2021
Sealaska’s most recent virtual event invited panelists to share their experiences with cold water dips, an ancient ritual among our people that was designed to fortify the body and spirit against a wide range of difficulties, from weather to warfare. The live virtual event, moderated by Sealaska Board Chair Joe Nelson, featured Richard Peterson, Sarah Dybdahl, Barbara Blake…
Posted 2/24/2021
Posted 2/24/2021
San Diego’s new mayor, Todd Gloria, is Tlingit, Filipino and has Dutch and Puerto Rican roots. He often describes himself as the proud son of a hotel maid and a gardener. Gloria is San Diego’s first non-white mayor, and also its first LGBTQ mayor. “I’ve been the first of many things in my career,” Gloria said. “The goal is always not to be the last one.
Posted 2/18/2021
Posted 2/18/2021
Hailing from Kansas to Kodiak and pursuing fields of study from pharmaceutical sciences to studio photography, Sealaska scholarship recipients represent diverse backgrounds, interests and career paths. In a recent survey, they shared words of advice and interesting demographic data. And, of course, a lighthearted look at the realities of student life—for example, many respondents said Top…
Posted 2/9/2021
Posted 2/9/2021
During the month of February, we are highlighting shareholders who are contributing to policy and advocacy efforts and who positively impact people and communities. Washington State Representative Debra Lekanoff is a champion for environmental policy and protections. She has given her time at the tribal, village, state and national level. Her efforts and professional background led some…
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…
Posted 1/14/2021
Posted 1/14/2021
Although the opportunity to serve as a Sealaska Board Youth Advisor (BYA) was on her radar for several years, Michaela Demmert said she waited until the time felt right to apply. For Demmert (Tlingit, Blackfeet, Nez Perce), who is Taakw.aaneidí (Raven/Sea Lion Clan), the right time rolled around last year. Demmert graduated from Dartmouth College in 2018, and plans to begin working on a…
Posted 1/11/2021
Posted 1/11/2021
Jan. 11, 2021 (Juneau, AK)—Sealaska, an Alaska Native Corporation that owns and manages 362,000 acres of land in Southeast Alaska, plans to transition out of logging operations in 2021. “Logging created value for our Alaska Native shareholders for decades, and it brought us to where we are today. We’re grateful for the commitment and professionalism that led to our success…
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…
Posted 12/14/2020
Posted 12/14/2020
A partnership between Sealaska, the National Forest Foundation, the USDA Forest Service and Sustainable Southeast Partnership was awarded a USDA Forest Service Regional Forester’s Award last week. Alaskan Youth Stewards – formerly known as TRAYLS, or Training Rural Alaskan Youth Leaders and Students – is a collaborative effort to introduce youth in rural Southeast communities to career paths…
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.
Posted 10/30/2020
Posted 10/30/2020
October 30, 2020 (Juneau, AK)—Sealaska, an Alaska Native Corporation owned by 23,000 Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian shareholders and owner of several food companies, including Seattle-based Orca Bay Foods, and New England Seafood International Limited (NESI), a respected, London-based supplier of fresh and frozen premium sustainable fish and seafood to retailers and leading food-service brands…
Posted 10/15/2020
Posted 10/15/2020
Major Walter Hotch-Hill, a Sealaska shareholder descendant, was presented with a President’s Award during the 2020 Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) annual convention. AFN is the largest statewide Native organization in Alaska, with members representing more than 250 organizations. Each year AFN hosts an annual convention that includes setting priorities for the advocacy group as well as…
Posted 10/9/2020
Posted 10/9/2020
Sealaska is committed to building an organization that plays an active role in addressing one of the biggest challenges facing our species: the effects of climate change on our environment. The effects of climate change are drastically increasing, with sea level rise, heat waves, drought, and extreme precipitation events occurring at a rate that is growing the call to action.
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…
Posted 10/2/2020
Posted 10/2/2020
Sealaska established a $10 million language endowment to focus on the revitalization of Tlingit (Lingít), Haida (X̱aad Kíl) and Tsimshian (Sm’algya̠x) languages. In Alaska, very few birth speakers of these traditional languages remain. All are older than 70, and a majority are 80 or older. The group includes four birth speakers of Sm’algya̠x, three birth speakers of X̱aad Kíl…
Posted 9/18/2020
Posted 9/18/2020
This month, a partnership between Sealaska and the Alaska Longline Fisheries Association (ALFA) will result in the distribution of 49,000 pounds of salmon to families reliant on subsistence fishing from Yakutat to Hydaburg. ALFA received a $250,000 grant from the Alaska Community Foundation and Catch Together, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that helps small-scale fishing communities ensure…
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…
Posted 9/15/2020
Posted 9/15/2020
Late this summer, a series of happy coincidences led 40 Yakutat kids out of the doldrums of the pandemic and into the icy waters of the North Pacific for a series of surf camps in Yakutat’s legendary waves. Their time in the water brought welcome joy, healthy connection to the ocean, and an opportunity to open minds and overcome fears. “I’ve been so used to everything being sad this year…
Posted 8/25/2020
Posted 8/25/2020
Sealaska hosted an inaugural #SealaskaWayOfLife photo contest, inviting our social media audience to showcase their Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian way of life. Overwhelmingly, it was clear that “our way of life” revolves around our children, traditional foods, communities, and land, oceans and waterways. At Sealaska, we directly relate with this way of life and have committed to serving the twin…
Posted 8/17/2020
Posted 8/17/2020
The coronavirus pandemic brought twin disasters to organizations like HOPE (Helping Ourselves Prevent Emergencies), a nonprofit provider of support and advocacy to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Craig. First, as has been well documented around the world, the pandemic brought a sharp uptick in rates of domestic violence. Sheltering in place with family members who are…
Posted 8/5/2020
Posted 8/5/2020
Each year, Sealaska directors select a shareholder descendant to participate as a board youth advisor to the board for a one-year term. Michaela Demmert from Juneau was selected for the board youth advisor position for the coming year. In her role as board youth advisor (BYA), Michaela serves as a non-voting member on the board and will be asked to provide input, while learning about the company’s…
Posted 8/3/2020
Posted 8/3/2020
Sealaska shareholder Kendra Kloster joined two other Alaska Native women as appointees to Anchorage’s Public Safety Advisory Commission in June. Kloster was born in Wrangell, Alaska, and is Tlingit, Raven, Kiks.ádi (Frog Clan), Gagaan Hít (Sun House). Kloster said she and her fellow appointees — along with friends and colleagues from other organizations working on behalf of Alaska Natives…
Posted 7/23/2020
Posted 7/23/2020
Sealaska’s emergency allocation of $1.28 million to assist tribes and other organizations serving shareholders and descendants in Southeast Alaska and beyond is at work in communities, providing groceries and assistance with utilities and other expenses for Elders, feeding schoolchildren and vulnerable families, providing jobs and much more. The Sealaska board of directors approved the COVID…
Posted 6/29/2020
Posted 6/29/2020
Sealaska shareholders have told us that education and vocational scholarships are a top priority. Sealaska is proud to recognize our scholarship recipients. Brian James is among the first class of Sealaska scholarship recipients who are attending college part time, and the expanded eligibility offered by Sealaska, “is honestly life changing,” he said. James is 51 and will technically be…
Posted 6/19/2020
Posted 6/19/2020
We had a chance to connect with Sealaska Board Youth Advisor Maka Monture, a Tlingit and Mohawk from Yakutat, Alaska. She currently resides in Anchorage, Alaska, and is working on a few different projects at the time of this interview. We wanted to catch up on what she has been doing and, more importantly, learn more about why she is so dedicated to leading a youth charge on climate change and…
Posted 6/8/2020
Posted 6/8/2020
Letter from Board Chair Joe Nelson: #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd Outraged. Yes. Outraged after watching Officer Derek Chauvin murder George Floyd. Outraged after watching Officers Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng aid in Chauvin’s murder of Mr. Floyd, an unarmed black man accused of spending a fake $20 bill. Outraged because our “civilized society” allows police…
Posted 6/4/2020
Posted 6/4/2020
It is natural that Morgan Howard sees the future of Sealaska – as well as its challenges – through the lens of communications. As founder of Morgan Howard Productions, a communications company specializing in video, web, and social media, he has been telling the stories of Alaska Native people and Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) since the mid-1990s. Howard said he believes that…
Posted 6/1/2020
Posted 6/1/2020
Acquisition advances corporation’s work to build strong teams and ocean health. CS Marine Constructors, Inc., brings an ideal set of values and capabilities to Sealaska’s broad effort to improve ocean health and build a culture of respect, transparency, focus and drive. The Vallejo, California-based marine-construction company is well-positioned to help Sealaska address the…
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…
Posted 5/29/2020
Posted 5/29/2020
As a Sealaska Board of Directors endorsed candidate, Lisa Lang brings her understanding of the profound changes that Alaska, its lands, people, economies and cultures are and will be experiencing in the future. She is dedicated to revitalizing cultural values and communities as the pillars of a strong region. While she brings strength, vision and skills to the board, it is her humility that is…
Posted 5/29/2020
Posted 5/29/2020
Mike Roberts’ motivation for running for the Sealaska board is straightforward: “Shareholders need to be heard and not just listened to.” Roberts draws the distinction between holding annual elections and community meetings, which he considers listening, versus truly hearing the deep needs of shareholders, particularly those in communities outside Juneau. “People outside of Juneau feel…
Posted 5/21/2020
Posted 5/21/2020
A record number of shareholders tuned into a virtual community meeting on Wednesday, May 20, to learn more about Sealaska’s increasing success with its focus on building the long-term health of land, food, water and communities. Shareholders had the opportunity to ask questions and hear from leadership on the company’s financial performance. Due to health restrictions related to the pandemic…
Posted 5/18/2020
Posted 5/18/2020
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW Sealaska achieved another year of record financial performance in 2019 with $77.8 million in net income. Every operating business delivered significant year-over-year growth. Government and Commercial Services tripled operating EBITDA following strong performance at Gregg Drilling. We completed the integration of Orca Bay and Odyssey Foods and are continuing to see growth in…
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…
Posted 5/4/2020
Posted 5/4/2020
In light of COVID-19, food banks all over the country have seen an onslaught of demand as store shelves have gone bare, and unemployment rates have climbed. Mike Reusser, director of operations for the Food Bank of Alaska , says it hasn’t been any different in Alaska, with distribution numbers up 50 percent since the crisis ensued in mid-March, totaling in at approximately 1 million pounds of…
Posted 5/1/2020
Posted 5/1/2020
JUNEAU, Alaska – Sealaska topped its 2018 results with another record year in 2019, reporting net income of $77.8 million, $12.6 million over the previous year. Revenue of $700 million in 2019 was the largest in Sealaska’s nearly 50-year history. Its 2019 Annual Report features financial successes, as well as achievements in community impact, ocean health, land protection and sustainable seafood…
Posted 4/21/2020
Posted 4/21/2020
In early April 2020, Sealaska’s board of directors approved a $55,000 donation to the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe (YTT) to support the construction of a crime victim shelter in Yakutat. The funding builds on a 2019 Safe Shelter grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which allowed YTT to utilize $691,768 of grant funds set aside for tribal entities from the DOJ Office for Victims of Crime (OVC).
Posted 4/14/2020
Posted 4/14/2020
Applications for Sealaska’s scholarships are due today! 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. Rick Brock, Dino Brock, and Archie Young are fierce competitors but they’re also family. This set of two brothers and a cousin are well-known and respected…
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…
Posted 4/9/2020
Posted 4/9/2020
Applications for Sealaska’s scholarships close on April 15th! A scholarship can be a tremendous source of support. Over the course of the next week, we’ll bring you stories of former scholarship recipients who are pursuing great careers and making a difference in our communities. For more information on scholarships and how to apply, go to the shareholder portal MySealaska.
Posted 4/7/2020
Posted 4/7/2020
Sealaska’s board of directors has approved a $1 million COVID-19 relief and recovery package to help Alaska Native communities respond to the impact from the coronavirus. This pledge provides emergency response funding for several nonprofit organizations delivering urgent recovery services. The donation will also bolster the efforts of tribes throughout Southeast Alaska and other support agencies…
Posted 3/23/2020
Posted 3/23/2020
After careful consideration of the guidelines from health authorities in the wake of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we have made the decision to offer the May 2020 shareholder community meetings via webcast. Cancelling the in-person community meetings was a difficult but necessary decision as we continue to assess the risks of the pandemic. The safety and well-being of our employees…
Posted 3/20/2020
Posted 3/20/2020
Sealaska’s board of directors approved a distribution totaling $23.71 million to be issued on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. The distribution includes payments from operations ($5.9 million) and the Marjorie V. Young (MVY) Shareholder Permanent Fund ($2.4 million). The board also made the decision to hold community meetings online in May 2020. This decision is based on guidance from health…
Posted 3/18/2020
Posted 3/18/2020
We are living in extraordinary times and the world is collectively responding to the impacts associated with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Like many of you, we are learning by the hour about the impacts of this pandemic. The situation is evolving rapidly and we want to share some of the steps we’re taking as a company to respond. We also want to highlight how important simple actions can be by…
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…
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.
Posted 3/9/2020
Posted 3/9/2020
Sealaska is increasing its involvement in the education of shareholders and descendants long before they are eligible for a college scholarship. One example is our sponsorship of the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) Middle School Academy. ANSEP, as the program is known, is based at the University of Alaska. Over the past 20-plus years, the program has evolved into a…
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…
Posted 2/25/2020
Posted 2/25/2020
Morgan Love is one of 359 students who were awarded Sealaska scholarships in 2019. Did you know that approximately 1,000 Sealaska shareholders and their families live in California? This is a story about a young shareholder from Southern California on a journey to understand her own Native identity. And she is serving others as she navigates her way. Introducing shareholder Morgan Love…
Posted 2/24/2020
Posted 2/24/2020
Communities up and down Southeast Alaska are feeling the impacts of loss of ferry service. Southeast Alaska is made up of thousands of islands that are home to more than 21 communities. Living in rural Southeast Alaska depends on a reliable ferry service that delivers people and goods and supplies. The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) provides ferry service in Southeast Alaska and connects…
Posted 2/19/2020
Posted 2/19/2020
Sealaska is answering the call of the United Nations. In December 2019, the United Nations concluded its year of focus on indigenous languages around the world. But now there is a call for a decade of focus! Currently, a critical situation exists with the disappearance of indigenous languages around the world. Sealaska is committing $10 million over the next decade to focus on the revitalization…
Posted 1/25/2020
Posted 1/25/2020
Message from Shareholder Vicki Soboleff We just finished our first weaving classes, thanks to Sealaska’s Carving and Bark Program! Classes were held August 2019, through January 20, 2020. It was such a treat to teach the class alongside assistant teachers Fredrick Anderson and Carrie Sykes. I lived in Alaska for 48 years of my life and have fond memories of people and…
Posted 11/7/2019
Posted 11/7/2019
Sealaska is partnering with the village of Kake (Keex’ Kwaan) to help stand up a youth teen center. Community partners include the city of Kake and the federally recognized tribe, the Organized Village of Kake (OVK). As part of these joint efforts, Sealaska approved $50,000 that will help to open a facility that can support a positive space for youth. This is the story of a community coming…
Posted 10/31/2019
Posted 10/31/2019
SEALASKA INTERN SPOTLIGHT: Archives Interns Take You on a Tour of William L. Paul Sr. Archives at Sealaska Heritage Institute. By: Alicia Duncan, Breylan Martin and Miranda Worl, 2019 Archives Interns, Sealaska Heritage Institute William L. Paul Sr. Archives Hello from the William L. Paul Sr. Archives at Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI). Today we’d like to give you all a quick tour to…
Posted 8/16/2019
Posted 8/16/2019
Sealaska recently formed several Shareholder Participation Committees (SPC) to open another avenue for gathering shareholder feedback and increasing opportunities for engagement. Over the past few months, Sealaska solicited interest from shareholders from various geographic regions to help select members for the three committees. Each committee represents one of three different geographic regions…
Posted 6/18/2019
Posted 6/18/2019
“This position will give a fellow a special opportunity to engage with rural communities while learning to empower young people and create relationships. Our youth are our future and we have an opportunity to create change but this will require additional passionate and motivated young people!” – Damen Bell-Holter Sealaska is partnering with the Alaska Fellows Program on a new temporary…
Posted 5/28/2019
Posted 5/28/2019
Apply by Friday, May 31, 2019 The Men’s Work Gathering from June 28 to 30, 2019, is co-sponsored by Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies (AWARE), Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (ANDVSA), Goldbelt Heritage Foundation, and Sealaska. Acknowledging that change starts with ourselves, the gathering will guide participants through a process of deepening self…
Posted 4/23/2019
Posted 4/23/2019
At the end of 2018, Sealaska commissioned an online survey for all shareholders to participate. Thank you to everyone who participated! This study is part of an ongoing effort Sealaska has undertaken since 1981 to ask shareholders their opinions. 2,702 Sealaska shareholders opted to participate, with demographics similar to Sealaska’s overall shareholder base. The surveys were conducted by DHM…
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.
Posted 3/19/2019
Posted 3/19/2019
Sealaska is growing, and that growth is rooted in core businesses that are working to manage healthy lands, create exponential value and demonstrate sustainable stewardship. Our recent financial stability has enabled us to increase investments in what we care most about: our people and communities. This October, Sealaska invested in a local community program that directly betters elders in rural…
Posted 3/12/2019
Posted 3/12/2019
“Finally, this long-time need of our Veterans is being addressed. On behalf of the Sealaska board, we thank our Alaska Congressional Delegation for their unwavering support,” said Board Chair Joe Nelson. Alaska Native Vietnam era Veterans who missed the opportunity to apply for Native allotments because of active duty can now apply. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA)…
Posted 2/5/2019
Posted 2/5/2019
Former Sealaska intern now administers Sealaska’s carbon program. “As an intern, I was part of a team that included the U.S. Forest Service and Hoonah Indian Association,” said Mitch. “Together, we conducted stream surveys to identify fish passage obstacles for Coho salmon in areas surrounding Hoonah.” One hundred years from now, Mitch Haldane’s work will be part of Sealaska’s past.
Posted 1/22/2019
Posted 1/22/2019
Sealaska is experiencing unprecedented growth and income, supported by thriving businesses that have a common purpose, connected by a shared goal of working toward healthier oceans and enhancing the natural environment. One project a decade in the making is Sealaska’s carbon-offset project, which set aside over half of our forested lands to create a carbon bank.
Posted 1/18/2019
Posted 1/18/2019
In January, Sealaska made the board chair position full-time to foster a stronger connection and communication between the board and Sealaska shareholders. Current Board Chair Joe Nelson is now leading an effort to increase opportunities to listen, engage, and inspire participation among Sealaska and shareholders. Dear Sealaska Shareholder, We need you — your perspective…
Posted 1/14/2019
Posted 1/14/2019
This October, Sealaska grew its groundwater testing and cleanup expertise by buying a majority stake in Gregg Drilling, a leading environmental remediation, geotechnical and marine site services company. Headquartered in Southern California, Gregg’s team of skilled engineers and technicians is equipped to help solve the growing challenges around groundwater supply and coastal engineering in the…
Posted 11/20/2018
Posted 11/20/2018
Sealaska is now accepting enrollment applications online through the shareholder portal, MySealaska.com. BENEFITS OF ENROLLING ONLINE Sealaska is proud to announce we have moved to a paperless enrollment process that began mid-October. We have also simplified the application process as well. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ENROLL WITH SEALASKA? When Sealaska was established under the Alaska…
Posted 11/5/2018
Posted 11/5/2018
Alaska Division of Elections workers are anticipating record turnout for early voting. If you prefer early or absentee in person voting, you have until 5pm. Additional details here. Alaskans and the rest of the nation will head to the polls to vote in the 2018 midterm elections. The general election on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, features hundreds of congressional, state and local races across the…
Posted 11/2/2018
Posted 11/2/2018
Sealaska’s board of directors approved a fall shareholder distribution totaling nearly $15.5 million, during its board meeting on Nov. 2, 2018. The November distribution is $8.19 per share for urban and at-large shareholders and $3.04 per share for village, descendant and elder shareholders. This distribution reflects strong growth from Sealaska’s businesses as well as investments and income from…
Posted 10/12/2018
Posted 10/12/2018
Sealaska Constructors was awarded multiple federal construction contracts at the end of September performing installation, design and renovations to government and military facilities across the country. As the prime contractor, Sealaska will oversee the installation of a renewable energy system at a National Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Virginia, providing solar energy and “clean” power.
Posted 10/11/2018
Posted 10/11/2018
Participation in AFN provides Sealaska with a forum to address statewide issues of concern to the Alaska Native community, as well as to highlight issues specific to Southeast Alaska. Sealaska has been a long-standing member of the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN). Participation in AFN provides Sealaska with a forum to address statewide issues of concern to the Alaska Native community…
Posted 10/10/2018
Posted 10/10/2018
Sealaska was named “Philanthropic Business of the Year” by the Juneau Community Foundation, the foundation’s highest honor awarded to area businesses. Each year, the Juneau Community Foundation celebrates the generosity of an individual, a business and non-profit organization who help make Juneau vibrant and healthy. The 2018 Philanthropy Awards Dinner, held in September…
Posted 10/7/2018
Posted 10/7/2018
Sealaska is the first Native Corporation in Southeast to adopt a tobacco-free campus policy This year, Sealaska Corporation headquarters officially became a tobacco-free campus and is the first Alaska Native Corporation in the State of Alaska to implement such a policy. SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) commends Sealaska for protecting their employees, shareholders, tenants…
Posted 10/1/2018
Posted 10/1/2018
Sealaska Corporation is expanding its groundwater business by buying a majority stake in Gregg Drilling, a leading marine drilling and geotechnical services company headquartered in southern California. “Gregg is a terrific business with excellent people who take pride in their work and bring passion and innovation to solving client problems. It is a company that truly values its employees…
Posted 9/6/2018
Posted 9/6/2018
A blog post about intern development week by Andrew Wysocki, 2018 Sealaska communications intern Several times this spring, my grandmother and parents urged me to apply for Sealaska’s ten-week summer internship. They saw it as a great source of experience and told me to take advantage of the opportunity in front of me. I was hesitant in even starting the application process simply because…
Posted 9/3/2018
Posted 9/3/2018
by Andrew Wysocki, Sealaska 2018 communications summer intern Most internships involve showing up in business casual or professional attire, but not for Odyssey Foods intern Janae Vieira. Once she arrives at the warehouse in Seattle’s industrial district, she takes off any jewelry and puts on a lab coat, hair net and rain boots. Vieira is the first Sealaska intern at Odyssey Foods…
Posted 8/24/2018
Posted 8/24/2018
This is the first story in a series featuring the 2018 Sealaska summer interns. See the businesses through their eyes, understand their impact on Sealaska and experience the reconnection with their Alaska Native roots. Since the early 1980s, Sealaska’s internship program has been offering shareholders and shareholder descendants paid professional work experience and on-the-job training…
Posted 7/19/2018
Posted 7/19/2018
Sealaska and the Connecticut National Guard recently celebrated the completion of a state-of-the-art operations and training facility in Windsor Locks, CT. The facility will serve as headquarters for a highly specialized Connecticut National Guard disaster response team. The ready building, located at Connecticut National Guard’s Camp Hartell, will be the first of its kind in the United…
Posted 6/23/2018
Posted 6/23/2018
Sealaska had good news to report to shareholders at its annual meeting Saturday, June 23 in Wrangell, AK. The company achieved one of the most successful years in its history, recording a net income of $43.3 million in 2017 and a $78 million net income improvement over the last five years. Shareholders heard from Sealaska’s management and its board about how the company continues to…
Posted 6/12/2018
Posted 6/12/2018
The Sealaska board recently completed a series of community meetings in nine communities around Southeast Alaska and Washington. We visited with nearly a thousand Sealaska shareholders, sharing updates about Sealaska, but also taking the time to listen and learn about what’s happening in those communities. Read more about the meetings here. This is a rundown of some of the questions and comments…
Posted 6/7/2018
Posted 6/7/2018
Sealaska recently completed well-attended community meetings in nine Southeast Alaska and Washington communities. In mid-May, we visited with nearly a thousand Sealaska shareholders, sharing updates about Sealaska and taking the time to listen and learn about each community’s concerns and ideas. To everyone who welcomed us and shared a meal with us, we thank you.
Posted 2/6/2018
Posted 2/6/2018
Sealaska Technical Services LLC (STS) announced today that its joint venture with Tetra Tech, Inc. was selected to provide program management and technical services in support of the ground & surface water monitoring program at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Los Alamos National Laboratory. The Sealaska Technical Services led Joint Venture is a critical subcontractor on the N3B Los…
