Mission: To perpetuate and enhance the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures and promotes cross-cultural understanding.

About the organization: Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) was conceived by clan leaders, traditional scholars, and elders at the first Sealaska Elders Conference and founded by Sealaska, the Alaska Native regional corporation for Southeast Alaska, in 1980. In addition to promoting cultural diversity and cross-cultural understanding through public services and events, SHI conducts scientific and public policy research that promotes Alaska Native arts, cultures, history, and education statewide. In May 2015, SHI dedicated the Walter Soboleff Building, which houses its administrative offices, climate-controlled archives of Southeast Alaskan Native ethnographic material, classrooms, conference rooms, store, and True Southeast experience, which features a traditional clan house clad in hand-adzed cedar and space for art demonstrations and exhibits.

Current programs: Sealaska Heritage Institute’s language and art programs include its Northwest Coast Arts Degree Program, workshops, the Our Box of Treasures: Deepening the Connections program, Naakahidi (Clan House) Academy for the performing arts, Virtual Artist in Residence program,  juried art competitions for adults and youth, the Jinéit Art Academy Youth Program, and apprenticeships. Education programs include a Tlingit Culture, Language and Literacy Program; Raven Writes Summer Camp; STEAM  (science, technology, engineering, art and math) programs for middle school and high school students; Indigenizing Education for Alaska, a program developed in partnership with the University of Alaska Southeast to recruit, prepare, and retain Alaska Native educators; and Voices on the Land, a program designed to improve literacy skills and increase the use of Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian language through performing arts and digital storytelling. SHI also offers various scholarships for postsecondary education, language resources, and tools for educators.

Website: Visitors to the Sealaska Heritage Institute website can learn more about the institute, check out the blog, or browse its art and education programs and language resources and scholarships. They also can find out about current exhibits, visit the store, or support the organization.

Funding: The Sealaska Heritage Institute is supported by Sealaska, individuals, foundations, public charities, and government agencies.