SHI lecture to explore Killer Whale totem pole raising
Angoon cultural leader to speak on history, artistry and community collaboration
Nov. 5, 2025
Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) will sponsor a presentation next week as part of its November lecture series honoring Native American Heritage Month.
Shgendootan George will present her talk, “Kéet Ooxhú Hít Kooteeyaa,” on Nov. 12.
On Aug. 1, 2025, the next in a line of Killer Whale totem poles was raised in Angoon, followed by a ḵu.éex’ (ceremony). In this lecture, George will share the history of the poles that came before and the cultural knowledge, artistry and community collaboration that went into preparing for the raising of the most recent totem.
George is the daughter of Gabriel and JoAnn George and the granddaughter of Jimmy and Lydia George and Kelly and Olive Callahan. She was raised in Angoon, Alaska, in her clan house, Kéet Ooxú Hít (Killer Whale Tooth House). At nine years old, she was brought out by her grandfather as the next leader for her clan house. She continues to maintain and live seasonally in the Killer Whale Tooth House with her partner Jason Frank and their two daughters.
George graduated from Angoon High School in 1991 and earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Puget Sound in 1995, followed by study at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She completed her teaching certificate through the University of Alaska Fairbanks and spent 22 years blending teaching with culture and art, creating meaningful learning experiences for her students. Now retired from classroom teaching, she is a co-owner of T.I.D.E.S. Education Associates where she collaborates with local Native organizations and school districts to design, implement and provide training in cultural education.
The lecture is scheduled for noon Wednesday, Nov. 12, in Shuká Hít (clan house) within the Walter Soboleff Building, 105 Heritage Way, in Juneau. The event will be livestreamed and posted on SHI’s YouTube channel.
Sealaska Heritage Institute is a non-profit 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