Bringing Our Ancestors Home
The Cultural Resources program plays a vital role in reclaiming sacred and culturally significant objects, ensuring the protection and preservation of our heritage.
The program repatriates objects of cultural patrimony, sacred and funerary objects, and human remains in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection & Repatriation Act of 1990 and the National Museum of the American Indian Act of 1989.
In 2024, the Cultural Resources program repatriated two funerary and 18 cultural patrimony objects.
SCAN TO LEARN MORE OR Visit Tlinigt & Haida's Cultural Resource page www.tlingitandhaida.gov/ CulturalResource
Important Dates
October Events
1-5: Alaska Native Brother & Sisterhood Grand Camp Convention | Wrangell, AK
12-15: First Alaskans Institute's Elders & Youth Conference | Anchorage, AK
13: Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Offices Closed)
15: Tribal Unity Gathering | Anchorage, AK
16-18: Alaska Federation of Natives Convention | Anchorage, AK
17: Alaska Day (Offices Closed)
23-24: Executive Council Meeting | Sacramento, CA
November Events
5-7: Enrollment Committee Meeting | Juneau, AK
11: Veterans Day (Offices Closed)
14: Walter Soboleff Day (Offices Closed)
16-21: National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Annual Convention | Seattle, WA
17: Tlingit & Haida Job Fair | Juneau, AK
21: Executive Council Meeting | Virtual
27: Thanksgiving Day (Offices Closed)
28: Native American Heritage Day (Offices Closed)
FOR A FULL LIST OF EVENTS, VISIT: WWW.TLINGITANDHAIDA.GOV
By Sydney Hulstine
Above: The Frog Clan Helmet was repatriated from the Hudson Museum at the University of Maine and was returned to Wrangell, Alaska.
Pictured
When Cloudberry Meets SalmonberryBerry Confusing!
We’re excited to introduce a new feature in the newsletter—a cartoon created by Communications Specialist Sydney Hulstine. This feature lifts up the tribal value of Humor, bringing both laughter and insight to the stories we share..
Message from Elections Committee Chair
New Tlingit & Haida Community
In 2024, the Tribal Assembly designated a new Community to elect Delegates. Portland, Oregon is now listed as one of the 22 recognized communities in the Rules of Election. This is the first time in the history of Tlingit & Haida a new Community has been authorized!
New Delegate Apportionment
In 2025, the Tribal Assembly approved changes to the apportionment of Delegates.
Delegate representation will be based on one delegate for every 275 tribal citizens age 18 and older as of delegate election date, subject to minimums and maximums on the number of delegates which vary by location.
Within the Territory (Southeast Alaska), the minimum number of delegates shall be two and the maximum 20. Outside the Territory, the minimum number of delegates shall be two and the maximum four.
What does this mean for Tlingit & Haida?
1. Empowerment & Representation
Tribal citizens in the Portland area can now organize, adopt a Community Council constitution, and prepare to elect delegates.
2. Automatic Enrollment
All enrolled tribal citizens living within a 100-mile radius of Portland will automatically be registered in the Portland Community.
3. Community Choice
Tribal citizens living outside the 100-mile radius of Portland—or outside any of the other 21 communities—may choose to register with ANY of the 22 recognized communities.
Next Steps
To ensure that you are properly represented, we encourage all tribal citizens to verify their mailing and physical address with the Program Compliance Office, 907.463.7146.
Gunalchéesh, Háw’aa (Thank You), Chairperson, Elections Committee
Valerie Hillman Director, Program Compliance
A Season of Totem Pole Raisings
Reviving carving traditions and community collaboration
A community totem pole raising is rejuvenating to the mind, body and spirit. It connects us with our culture and we can feel our ancestors surrounding us.
When it comes to standing the pole, many hands make light work. Over the summer people in communities throughout Southeast came together to be a part of the time-honored tradition.
In Hoonah, Kaach Yaas Gordon Greenwald worked for five months to carve the Fishermen’s Pole with help from assistant Yang Dus Herb Sheakley and apprentices Whe Chee Louie White, Jr. and Kash Tinaa Cheynne Jack.
“This is what you’re looking at, the Hoonah fishing people. All of us in the past, all of us in the future and all
of us now,” Gordon told the crowd gathered for the rainy unveiling.
Haida carver Reg Davidson completed carving the second totem pole for the
having it raised at the Craig Tribal Association.
The inspiration behind the Raven Pole was to bring balance to the first pole, an
Master carver Jon Rowan (second from right) stands with Klawock Mayor Don "Nick" Nickerson (far right) observing the new house post installed at the Generations Southeast Prince of Wales campus.
Eagle. With both the Eagle and Raven poles standing on each side of the building, the Craig Tribal Association feels complete.
The Generations Southeast Prince of Wales Campus located in Klawock, Alaska unveiled a new Raven and Eagle house post carved by Jon Rowan as a representation of the town.
A unique take on a traditional house post, it showcases a 360-degree design with the Raven side facing outward to greet visitors as they come in and the Eagle side faces inward to wish those same visitors farewell when they leave.
In early August, people in Angoon came together to raise a new pole for the Kéet Oox̱ú Hít (Killer Whale House) of the Daklʼaweidí clan.
Near Gustavus, the Hoonah Indian Association put up two new kootéeyaas in the Glacier
Bay homeland: Haa Léelk'w Hás Aaní Kootéeyaa (Our Grandparents Land Totem Pole) and Haa Léelk'w Hás Éil’i Kootéeyaa (our Grandparents’ Ocean Totem Pole).
Wrangell saw its first totems raised in nearly 40 years; three on Shakes Island, a Killer Whale Grave Marker at the U.S. Post Office and a replica of the Kadashan Pole raised by the community at Totem Park.
The community events were part of the Wrangell Cooperative Assocation’s project to work with master carvers to teach the art of totem pole carving to local apprentices.
Haida carvers TJ Young and Joe Young, along with Tommy Joseph, mentored Mike Hoyt,
Tony Harding, Linda Churchill and Susie Beebe.
Mike said new totems show Wrangell is embracing its Indigenous roots.
“I think it’s important for people to see reminders of the culture, of the land, of the history of the land and totem poles are a great representation of that,” Mike said.
The master carver–apprentice program doesn’t just teach carving—it nurtures identity, resilience, and leadership.
The installation of totem poles around Southeast Alaska are an investment in cultural continuity and community strength for generations to come.
CBS HEALING CENTER Supporting Recovery & Wellness
The Community & Behavioral Services (CBS) Healing Center is here to walk alongside tribal citizens and families, offering compassionate care and pathways to recovery.
Seeking help takes courage and we are honored to support you on your healing journey. Guided by tribal values, our healers hold space with compassion, strength, and respect.
The Healing Center offers a range of culturally grounded behavioral health services, including counseling, peer support, recovery programs, and crisis intervention. We value preserving our culture and way of life, known as “Haa Kusti” among the Tlingit and “Tlagw íitl’ xíinangaa Gíidang” among the Haida. We recognize the importance of treating the whole person (mind, body, spirit) and acknowledging deep connection to tribal values, land and relationships with others including family, clan and tribe.
For those navigating addiction, the CBS Healing Center provide supportive services that meet people where they are—whether in early recovery or long-term wellness planning. Each journey is unique, and our goal is to create safe, stigma-free spaces for individuals and families to find strength, resilience, and hope.
The Healing Center strives to instill hope, nurture strength, and support individuals and families on the path to wellness. Each step forward is a step toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Movers & Shakers
Connor Ulmer, Office of the President Manager
Deikeenaak’w / Gooshdeihéen, Connor, was promoted to manager of the Office of the President. He is Kaagwaantaan of the Kóok Hít (Box House) and was raised in Dzantik'i Héeni (Juneau, AK). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in management from the University of Alaska Southeast and has worked for Tlingit & Haida since 2016. He is a member of multiple dance groups, served a two-year term as Sealaska's Board Youth Advisor, and is currenlty a Trustee for the Goldbelt Ancestral Trust.
Shay Mata MacPherson, Tribal Enterprise Marketing Manager
Shay has been promoted to Marketing Manager for Tlingit & Haida. Born in Juneau with family roots in Klawock, Shay is Tlingit from the Sukteeneidí (Dog Salmon) Clan and Filipina. She holds a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and Graphic Design. Since joining the Tribe as a Communications Specialist, Shay has been dedicated to amplifying Tlingit & Haida’s voice and presence. In her new role, she works closely with enterprise teams and the communications department to lead strategic marketing efforts to promote the Tribe’s enterprises and business ventures, enhance brand visibility, and support revenue generation, all while ensuring alignment with the Tribe’s cultural values and identity.
Michael
Hoyt,
Educational Engagement Manager
Michael (Aak’wtaatseen and Gashx) is Tlingit from the Teeyhittaan clan of Shtax’héen Kwáan (Wrangell) and Inupiaq from Little Diomede. Master of Arts in Teaching from UAS and earned his M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. With experience teaching high school in Juneau and Nome and leading university courses on Alaska Native education and colonization history, he now serves as Educational Engagement Manager. He aims to strengthen early education by embedding culture and language, and fostering community and family engagement to empower Tlingit & Haida students.
Jaime Smith, Hospitality Deputy Director
Jaime brings over 25 years of experience in hospitality and customer service, with an insightful background of front and back-of-house operations, to her new role as Hospitality Deputy Director. In this new position, Jaime will oversee key hospitality enterprises including Sacred Grounds Café, Aan Hit Retail, Driftwood Lodge, and Haines Gathering Place. Jaime is committed to growing these enterprises in alignment with Tlingit and Haida values, supporting tribal sovereignty and self-sustainability.
Additional New Managers & Promotions
RJ Markovich, Procurement Manager
Kalcy Richter, Sacred Grounds Manager
Antonio Petrafesa, Smokehouse Catering Manager
PO Box 25500
Juneau AK 99802
toll free 800.344.1432
Juneau, AK Permit No. 139
November 28-30, 2025 12 PM - 5 PM Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, Juneau, AK
Mark your calendar!
Tlingit & Haida is looking for vendors for the 2025 Indigenous Artists & Vendors Holiday Market happening over Thanksgiving weekend.
There are 26 vendor booths available, each includes a six foot table, two chairs and piping/draping.
The early bird vendor table fee is $200 until September 30 and will increase to $400 on October 1, through November 2.
Sign Up Online: www.tinyurl.com/IndigenousHolidayMarket25
For more information, please contact: Phone: 907.463.7777
Email: hospitality@tlingitandhaida.gov