Sealaska’s $4.2 Million CARES Act Allocation: Part of a Larger Pool of Funding to Benefit Southeast Alaska Natives
Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Many shareholders are asking about Sealaska’s CARES Act funding, and how the $4.2 million amount of its allocation was determined.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury created the formula for how CARES Act money was allocated to tribes and Alaska Native corporations (ANCs). The most important thing is that Alaska Natives in Southeast Alaska are receiving additional support at a crucial time.

Sealaska is working out the details of how the $4.2 million allocation will be distributed to benefit our shareholders. We know this has been a difficult 18 months and that many are still struggling. Additional information about our distribution plan is coming soon. Please keep an eye on your email, our social media channels and MySealaska.com for more information.

Here are the most important factors associated with our allocation, with details on each below.

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

The formula favored tribes and ANCs that provide housing services

Because tribes are the primary administrators of Native American Housing and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) services in Southeast Alaska, they received the bulk of the funding through Treasury’s CARES Act formula. The housing formula uses the population served by that tribal housing provider. We do not have a service population through NAHASDA because that population is served by Tlingit & Haida Regional Housing Authority. This connection to housing services was the largest factor in the formula, and Sealaska received no funding in this category, which significantly impacted our total.

Funding flowed to our region to benefit our people – it just flowed primarily through tribes rather than through Sealaska. Some have asked why CIRI and Doyon received so much more than Sealaska. The reason is that in their large population centers, they provide more of the housing-related services in their regions.

Our shareholders, most of whom are also tribal citizens, are eligible to receive CARES Act funding through their tribes and village corporations. Tlingit & Haida, Goldbelt, and others have their own programs underway now.

Sealaska’s employee count affected the allocation

The Treasury Department formula used employment as a factor in its formula. Sealaska has close to 1,000 employees. While that is a significant increase from a few years ago, Alaska Native Corporations with more than 1,000 employees received more CARES Act funding than Sealaska did, all else being equal.

Our application was complete and timely

Sealaska worked closely with the Treasury Department to submit its application, participated in informational webinars and maintained close communications with contacts from the department to ensure our application met all the requirements.


Latest News


Sealaska Supports the Rebuilding of Sheet’ká Clan House

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… Source

Sealaska April Board Meeting Recap

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… Source

Sealaska Announces Spring 2025 Distribution of $17.7 Million

Posted 4/11/2025
Sealaska is announcing a Spring 2025 distribution totaling $17.7 million to be issued to shareholders on Thursday, April 17. Sealaska’s board of directors approved the distribution at a meeting held this Friday, April 11. The upcoming distribution includes dividends totaling $2.9 million from Sealaska’s operations, $3.3 million from the Marjorie V. Young (MVY) Shareholder Permanent Fund and… Source

Sealaska Spring 2025 Distribution Date Announced

Posted 3/20/2025
The Sealaska Board of Directors will meet on Friday, April 11, 2025, to approve the amount for Sealaska’s upcoming distribution. Please review the following key dates and complete necessary actions to ensure a seamless distribution. DISTRIBUTION AMOUNT DETERMINED — Friday, April 11, 2025 On April 11, the Board of Directors will meet to determine the distribution amount. Source

Sealaska secures historic conveyance of Redoubt Bay Village

Posted 3/10/2025
BLM finalizes transfer of culturally significant Ḵunáa site after nearly 50 years Sealaska Corporation announced the successful conveyance of the Redoubt Bay Village (Ḵunáa) historical site from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), marking the culmination of a nearly 50-year effort to secure this culturally significant land under Alaska Native stewardship. The 10.54-acre site… Source