SEALASKA HERITAGE TO SPONSOR SEVEN SUMMER ACADEMIES FOR YOUTH IN 2022

Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) will sponsor seven summer academies for students across the region who range in age from kindergarten to grade 12.

The application period is now open for the following programming:

Latseen Northwest Coast Arts Academy: Through this program, students learn Northwest Coast art forms with an integration of ethnomathematics. Participants will also participate in cultural activities and college and leadership preparation. Open to Southeast Alaska students entering grades 9-12 and graduating seniors. Scheduled July 9-20 in Juneau. SHI will cover travel, lodging and meals. Application deadline: May 13.
 
Opening the Box: High School STEAM Academy: SHI’s popular Opening the Box: STEAM Academy (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) is extending to high school students for summer 2022. Our high school camp will focus on traditional ecological knowledge and STEAM career connections. Students will work alongside Elders and professional researchers to build a deeper connection to the place we call home. Open to Southeast Alaska students entering grades 9-12. Scheduled June 25-July 3 in Juneau. SHI will cover travel, lodging and meals. Application deadline: May 27.
 
Opening the Box: Middle School STEAM Academy: Create, explore, make, and problem solve with place-based, culturally relevant and fun STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) activities and challenges. Open to Southeast Alaska students entering grades 6-8. Scheduled July 21-31 in Juneau. SHI will cover travel, lodging and meals. Application deadline: May 27.
 
Voices on the Land Storytelling Intensive, Session One (Virtual): Share our stories through varied art expression. Learn about the elements of a story and the tools of performing. Create movies on iPads. Learn about film production, interviewing and stop-motion animation. Use Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian language and culture to tell stories about our land and people. Camp Director:  Angie Wright. Open to students entering grades 5-8. Preference (based on funding sources) given to youth from the communities of Craig, Ketchikan, Klawock, and Yakutat. Scheduled 9 am-4 pm, weekdays, July 1-15. Hours may vary due to the virtual format. Application deadline: May 27.
 
Voices on the Land Storytelling Intensive, Session Two: Share our stories through varied art expressions. Learn about the elements of a story and performing. Create movies on iPads. Learn about film production, interviewing, and stop-motion  animation. Use Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian language and culture to tell stories about our land and people. Camp Director: Angie Wright. Open to Juneau students entering grades 5-8. Scheduled July 18-29 in Juneau. Application deadline: May 27.
 
Raven Writes: Traditional Native Foods Camp (Primary): In this camp, Alaska Native students will explore their cultural traditions through local food harvesting activities. Students will be encouraged and inspired by their authentic experiences and guided to write personal stories around these experiences. Families are invited to see, hear and celebrate students’ learning at the end of each session. Camp activities will also include Tlingit dancing, singing and drumming, as well as art, games, community building and lots of outside time. Program, bus, supplies and food are provided. Open to Juneau students entering grades K-2. Scheduled July 1-15 in Juneau. Application deadline: May 27. Offered in partnership with SERRC.
 
Raven Writes: Traditional Native Foods Camp (Intermediate): In this camp, Alaska Native students will explore their cultural traditions through local food harvesting activities. Students will be encouraged and inspired by their authentic experiences and guided to write personal stories around these experiences. Families are invited to see, hear and celebrate students’ learning at the end of each session. Camp activities will also include Tlingit dancing, singing and drumming, as well as art, games, community building and lots of outside time. Program, bus, supplies and food are provided. . Open to Juneau students entering grades 3-5. Scheduled July 18-July 29 in Juneau. Application deadline: May 27. Offered in partnership with SERRC.

Sealaska Heritage Institute is a private nonprofit founded in 1980 to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska. Its goal is to promote cultural diversity and cross-cultural understanding through public services and events. SHI also conducts social 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.

CONTACT: Kathy Dye, SHI Media and Publications Deputy Director, 907.321.4636, kathy.dye@sealaska.com

Caption: Photo of SHI’s leadership academy by Christy Eriksen, courtesy of Sealaska Heritage Institute. Note: Media outlets are welcome to use this photo for coverage of this story. For a higher-resolution version, contact kathy.dye@sealaska.com