Sealaska Heritage Institute Press Release

SHI ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR COLLEGE, VOC-TECH SEALASKA SCHOLARSHIPS

Institute offering cash incentive to early birds

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Dec. 15, 2023

The enrollment period for Sealaska scholarship applications is open for the 2024-2025 school year.

The deadline to apply is March 1, 2024. However, Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) is offering a $50 incentive to those who complete their scholarship application on or before Feb. 1 and who are accepted as scholarship recipients; if selected as a recipient, the $50 will be included in their scholarship award. Applications must be filled out and submitted online at scholarship.sealaskaheritage.org.

Awards will be made to Alaska Native Sealaska shareholders and descendants enrolled full- or part- time in accredited colleges, universities and voc-tech schools. Students must also have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA. The scholarship program was founded by Sealaska and is administered by Sealaska Heritage.

“Investing in shareholders and communities is one of Sealaska’s top priorities,” said Tesla Cox, Senior Director of Shareholder Development. “Building up our shareholders from within by supporting their pursuit of education is one way in which we are able to grow vibrant, resilient communities. And we consistently see education and workforce development come up as top priorities for shareholders as well. Sealaska is proud to work closely with SHI to support our students as they pursue higher education and, in turn, invest in and strengthen their own connections to culture and community.”

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 Communications and Publications Deputy Director, 907.321.4636, kathy.dye@sealaska.com; Matt Carle, Sealaska Senior Director of Corporate Communications, 907.903.8210, matt.carle@sealaska.com

Sealaska Heritage Institute

SHI’s Educational Scholarships for Southeast Alaska

SHI
Scholarships.

Sealaska Scholarships

Sealaska Heritage Institute provides scholarships to Alaska Natives who are Sealaska Shareholders and Descendants for college, university, and vocational and technical schools. The annual awards are funded mainly by Sealaska, and the award amounts vary by year. The application period opens Dec. 15 and closes on March 1 each year. Applications must be filled out and submitted online. Send questions to scholarship@sealaska.com

Judson L. Brown Leadership Award

SHI administers the Judson L. Brown Leadership Award program, which grants an annual $5,000 scholarship to a student who has demonstrated academic achievement and leadership skills. This candidate is chosen among students who apply for the Sealaska scholarship

Ruth Demmert Award

SHI administers the Ruth Demmert Language Award program, which grants an annual $5,000 scholarship to a student who is studying Southeast Alaska Native languages.

Indigenizing Education for Alaska

Indigenizing Education for Alaska (IEA) improves the educational landscape for Alaska Native students by cultivating teachers and school leaders who reflect their culture, values, and life experiences. The program also fosters future generations of Alaskan educators by recruiting upper-level high school to early college students into the field of education. The program financially supports education-degree or certificate-seeking college students while ensuring their college education experience is culturally relevant.

Our Ancestors’ Echoes

SHI designed the Our Ancestors’ Echoes program to increase the number of Alaska Native students in Southeast Alaska who have access to educators teaching their heritage language. Building on the success of the Our Language Pathway project, this work also prioritizes supporting and retaining current language educators, increasing wider access to language courses, and supporting mental health and healing work in the community. Additionally, the program includes the establishment of an immersive language community for 6 scholars enrolled in a bachelor’s degree in Indigenous Studies in Language at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) and the publication of language resources in X̱aad Kíl, Sm’algyax, and Lingít. SHI funds scholarships for language students enrolled at the University of Alaska Southeast who are studying Xaad Kíl, Sm’algyax, and Lingít.

Language Scholars

SHI funds scholarships for Native language students seeking bachelor’s degrees to further perpetuate Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian languages in the establishment of learning nests. Through the three-year program, selected candidates are expected to: – Spend four hours weekly listening to audio in their heritage language; – Spend each year with an advanced language speaker translating and transcribing 15 minutes of archival audio; – Attend SHI’s healing Summer Language Program each year; – Obtain a bachelor’s degree in Indigenous studies with an emphasis on Alaska Native Languages.

Art and Museum Studies

SHI offers scholarships to undergraduate or graduate students who are pursuing: – Arts and science degrees with a focus in studio arts, performing arts, cinematic arts and technology, or creative writing, and which incorporate Northwest Coast Arts studies in their degree; or, – A degree with a concentration in museum studies Art students must be enrolled in NWC arts courses at the University of Alaska Southeast or arts courses at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Museum studies students must be enrolled full-time at a US college.