About SHI

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.

Sealaska Heritage 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.

Learn more about SHI here.

Education Programs

Much of the knowledge and tradition of Southeast Alaskan Native people is as relevant today as it was millennia ago. Through our partnership with universities, school districts and other educational institutions, educators are drawing on Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures to teach core subjects and promote both cultural identity and cross-cultural understanding.  

Our education programs reach children at all educational stages, from pre-school to high school. Our scholarship program helps Alaska Natives who are Sealaska shareholders and descendants pay for college, university, and vocational and technical schools. And our curricula and publications help educators teach Southeast Alaskan Native languages as well as core subjects integrated with Native culture, art, language and history.

Learn more about our education programs here.

Core values

SHI programming is guided by ancient values that allowed our people to adapt to rapid cultural changes and to survive as a distinct cultural group. The values in Tlingit are:

• Haa Aaní: Honoring and Utilizing Our Land (Haida: Íitl’ Tlagáa; Tsimshian: Na Laxyuubm). video short 
• Haa Latseení: Strength of Body, Mind, and Spirit  (Haida: Íitl’ Dagwiigáay; Tsimshian: Na Gatlleedm). video short 
• Haa Shuká: Honoring Our Ancestors and Future Generations (Haida: Íitl’ Kuníisii; Tsimshian: Na Łagigyetgm). video short 
• Wooch Yáx: Maintaining Spiritual and Social Balance and Harmony (Haida: Gu dlúu; Tsimshian: Ama Mackshm). video short 

Learn more about the core values here.