Sealaska Heritage Institute

SHI for Southeast Alaska Native Language Learning

SHI

Advancing Tlingit (Lingít), Haida (X̱aad Kíl) & Tsimshian (Sm’algya̱x) Language Learning.

SHI Supporting Southeast Alaska Language Learning Endeavors and Schools

Restoring Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian languages is a priority. Across Southeast Alaska, we sponsor programs that document, preserve, and revitalize Native languages.

Sealaska Heritage Institute operates programs to revitalize the ancient languages of Southeast Alaska: Lingít (Tlingit), X̱aad Kíl (Haida), and Sm’algya̱x (Tsimshian). The languages were almost lost during a time of severe cultural oppression, but in recent years, a number of young people have learned their ancient tongue and are now teaching it to others with assistance from fluent Elders. SHI has also published a number of language books to document and help revitalize the languages. The languages contain a wealth of information about Southeast Alaska, including ancient geological phenomena such as the advancement and retreat of glaciers.

In the late 1990s, our Board of Trustees, realizing that time was running out, steered the institute more toward revitalization of the languages. Most fluent speakers are elderly, so the institute’s early efforts began with an immersion program where students and fluent speakers spoke only in a Native language to create language habitats. Over the years, some advanced language students began to emerge and today, they are teaching some level of Native languages in public schools.

Looking for Alaska Native Language Teaching or Learning Resources?

Click here to access our Southeast Alaska Native Language Learning Downloadable Resources

ELEMENTARY-MIDDLE SCHOOL AND COLLEGE LANGUAGE PROGRAMS IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA

TCLL – Tlingit Culture, Language, and Literacy (for Elementary-Middle Schools)

Our Ancestors’ Echoes (Language Pathway Project)

Language Scholars

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scholarships.

Click here to view our current scholarship opportunities

Sealaska Heritage Institute

SHI for Alaskan Students and Youths’ Educational Endeavors

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Sudents & Youth.

SHI Supporting Southeast Alaskan Educational Endeavors and Schools

From workshops on traditional techniques to shows and auctions featuring work from contemporary masters, we are proud to be helping Juneau become the world capital for Northwest Coast Art.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN AND SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Pre-Kindergarten: Baby Raven Reads

Raven Writes (In-School and Summer Camp Programming)

Tlingit Culture, Language, and Literacy (Culture-based “school within a school” where the Tlingit language and culture are celebrated, respected, and integrated)

Voices on the Land (Literacy-based, artist residencies in 4th and 5th grade classrooms)

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math)

Native Youth Olympics (Traditional Games)

Haa Latseení (College and Career Readiness)

Box of Treasures (High School and College Educational Pathways)

IEA – Indigenizing Education for Alaska (Improves the educational landscape for Alaska Native students by cultivating teachers and school leaders )

Northwest Coast Arts Degree Program

Our Ancestors’ Echoes (Language Pathway Project)

ALASKAN SUMMER CAMPS AND ATHLETICS

Raven Writes (In-School and Summer Camp Programming)

Atnané Northwest Coast Arts Academy (Culturally integrated college and career readiness program)

Native Youth Olympics (Traditional Games)

Latseen Hoop Camp (Annual Camp)

Latseen Running Camp (Annual)

STEAM for Middle School (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math)

STEAM for High School (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math)

SHI
scholarships.

Click here to view our current scholarship opportunities

Sealaska Heritage Institute

SHI’s LATSEEN RUNNING CAMP

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SHI’s Latseen Running Camp

Sealaska Heritage Institute sponsors an annual Latseen Running Camp that utilizes running to improve the strength of body, mind, and spirit while fostering a connection between our lives and the land. Themodel developed for this program is grounded in the four core cultural values and the development of athletic skills.

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Sealaska Heritage Institute

SHI’s LATSEEN HOOP CAMP (ANNUAL)

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SHI’s Latseen Hoop Camp

Sealaska Heritage Institute sponsors an annual Latseen Hoop Camp. Sealaska Heritage developed the model for this program, which teaches athletic skills and the Tlingit four core cultural values. This innovative program provides a fun and safe environment for youth to be physically active, and develop basketball fundamentals.

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Sealaska Heritage Institute

SHI NYO | NATIVE YOUTH OLYMPICS (Traditional Games)

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SHI’s NYO: Native Youth Olympics (Traditional Games)

Native Youth Olympics (NYO) (also known as Traditional Games) is based on the hunting and survival skills of the Indigenous peoples of Alaska and across the Arctic going back thousands of years. Each athlete strives to perform at their personal best while helping and supporting their fellow competitors, no matter which team they are a part of. This is the spirit of the games: to work together toward common goals and learn from the skills and values that allowed Alaska Native peoples to survive and thrive in the harshest conditions.

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