We promote Sealaska's Values in Action Through SHI Programming
Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI), a private nonprofit founded in 1980, mission is to advance Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska. Sealaska Heritage also conducts scientific and public policy research that promotes Alaska Native arts, cultures, history, and education statewide. The institute is governed by a Board of Trustees and guided by a Council of Traditional Scholars, a Native Artist Committee, and a Southeast Regional Language Committee.
We offer numerous programs promoting Southeast Alaskan Native culture, including language and art – we also maintain a substantial archive of Southeast Alaskan Native ethnographic material. We partner with local schools to promote academics and cultural education. Biennially, we produce Celebration, Alaska’s second-largest Native gathering. We own and operate the Sealaska Heritage Store and curate an ongoing cultural exhibit on the first floor of our headquarters in Juneau’s landmark Walter Soboleff Building.
SHI Mission: Sealaska Heritage Institute’s mission is to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures.
SHI Vision: Indigenous culture, values, and knowledge will be integrated into public policy, institutions, and programming serving Alaska Natives to sustain the cultural vitality of current and future generations.
SHI MEDIA & STREAMING EVENTS
Celebration 2026
SHI will sponsor a live, statewide broadcast of Celebration on KTOO 360TV public television — reaching viewers across Alaska via over-the-air, cable, and satellite — as well as a live stream on the institute’s YouTube channel and on KTOO’s Roku and Apple TV apps.
SHI RESIDENT ARTISTS
Promoting Alaskan Native Arts and Artists
Sealaska Heritage Institute's Artists Residency (Limited In Person Demonstrations At SHI)
Sealaska Heritage Institute proudly showcases within our site’s designs, as part of our community endeavors, artworks commissioned by SHI artists and/or artists that sell their works via our online and offline shop. We invite you to visit our Shop in Juneau and/or Visit our online shop to purchase their works. In the future we will have a section within our website dedicated, a virtually gallery, to the promotion of Southeast Alaskan Native Artists that we collaborates with.
Sealaska Heritage Institute is Born from Great Wisdom
Passing of the "Container of Wisdom"
SHI Tradition & Authenticity
four core values of southeast alaskan natives
- Haa Aaní: Our Land: Honoring & Utilizing our Land (Haida: Íitl’ Tlagáa; Tsimshian: Na Laxyuubm)
2. Haa Shuká: Past, Present, and Future Generations: Honoring our Ancestors and Future Generations (Haida: Íitl’ Kuníisii; Tsimshian: Na Łagigyetgm)
3. Haa Latseení: Our Strength: Strength of Body, Mind, and Spirit (Haida: Íitl’ Dagwiigáay; Tsimshian: Na Gatlleedm)
4. Wooch Yáx: Balance: Social and Spiritual Balance (Haida: Gu dlúu; Tsimshian: Ama Mackshm)











