Grand Canyon University student awarded 2025 Judson Brown scholarship
Tsimshian student recognized for leadership in tribal family services, commitment to healing
July 30, 2025
Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) has selected a Tsimshian student as the recipient of the 2025 Judson L. Brown Leadership Award.
Barbara Laman, who is pursuing a master’s degree in counseling with a specialization in substance use and addictive disorders at Grand Canyon University, was chosen for her long-standing leadership within the Tlingit and Haida Tribal Child Support Unit (TCSU) and her future plans to serve tribal communities through culturally grounded behavioral health services.
Laman has advanced through several roles at TCSU over the last eight years, beginning as a Case Specialist and now serving as department manager. Her leadership has focused on improving systems for tribal families, uplifting coworkers and restoring Indigenous family-centered practices. She has also helped relaunch Fatherhood is Sacred and Mother is Sacred, programs aimed at strengthened family bonds through cultural values.
After graduation, Laman plans to work as a counselor within a tribal health or wellness program, where she hopes to combine clinical tools with traditional teachings and cultural knowledge. Her long-term goal is to develop recovery and prevention programs rooted in tribal values and to mentor future Native behavioral health professionals.
Laman said her leadership is grounded in service, cultural pride and a commitment to justice. “I am committed to being a source of strength, inspiration and transformation so that together, we rise, reclaim our stories and heal as one,” she wrote.
About the Judson Brown Scholarship
The Judson L. Brown Leadership Award, established by Chris and Mary McNeil in 2006, honors the legacy of Chris’ uncle, Tlingit leader Judson Lawrence Brown. Brown was the first chair of the Sealaska Heritage Foundation—now known as Sealaska Heritage Institute—and a strong advocate for education and leadership development. The $5,000 award supports students who demonstrate exceptional leadership and academic achievement and a commitment to preserving Native culture and languages.
Sealaska Heritage Institute is a tribal organization founded in 1980 to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska. SHI 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, a Southeast Regional Language Committee and a newly formed Education Committee.
CONTACT: Therese Pokorney, SHI Communications Officer, therese.pokorney@sealaska.com
Caption: 2025 Judson Brown scholarship recipient Barbara Laman. Photo courtesy of Barbara Laman. Note: Media outlets are permitted to use this image for coverage of this story. For a higher-res image, contact therese.pokorney@sealaska.com.
*A previous version of this release incorrectly identified Barbara Laman as Tlingit and from Juneau. She is Tsimshian and not from Juneau. Sealaska Heritage Institute regrets the error.