Cultural Preservation

The Sealaska Heritage Institute, a regional Native nonprofit, estimates that there are only 120 native speakers of Tlingit alive today, and even fewer Haida (3) and Tsimshian (10) speakers. To help preserve these languages, and the cultural practices of local Alaska Natives, the institute is building the Walter Soboleff Center in downtown Juneau. The Center will provide a space for art, education and research into and about the languages and cultures of Southeast Alaska.

The center’s name honors Walter Soboleff, who was born into the Tlingit clan in Killisnoo in 1908. Soboleff was a leader for Alaska Native civil rights. He held many distinguished positions in his life, including those of the President of Kootznoowoo, Inc; director of Sealaska Corporation;  Alaska Native Brotherhood (ANB) Grand Camp President;  ANB Grand Camp Secretary. He also served on other policy-making state and federal commissions. He was the first Alaska Native to be nominated by former Governor Walter J.  Hickel to the State Board of Education, which he chaired.

Weathervane Strategies is proud to help the Sealaska Heritage Institute arrange funding for this important project in language and culture preservation.