Alaska Natives

The Angoon Community Association is holding a turkey drive for the community of Angoon on Monday and Tuesday November 23-24. The ACA aims to get enough turkeys for every household in the town of about 500, which they will transport in recently acquired refrigerated trucks, shown above. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Angoon organizaton holds holiday turkey drive in Juneau

They hope to get a turkey for each household in the hard-hit town.

The Angoon Community Association is holding a turkey drive for the community of Angoon on Monday and Tuesday November 23-24. The ACA aims to get enough turkeys for every household in the town of about 500, which they will transport in recently acquired refrigerated trucks, shown above. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
David Katzeek, leader of the Shangukeidi clan, speaks about the power of language during an interview on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019.(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Clan leader and Tlingit language education pioneer has died

“An unimaginable void.”

David Katzeek, leader of the Shangukeidi clan, speaks about the power of language during an interview on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019.(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
AmeriCorps volunteer Aidan Chadwick places a three-day supply of emergency rations into a container on Sept. 11, 2020. The work was part of United Way of Southeast Alaska AmeriCorps program’s day of service in recogntion of 9/11. The supplies packed by volunteers will be shipped by Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska to Southeast communities. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Tlingit and Haida readies Southeast communities for next disaster

The future may not be a rosy one, but they plan to be ready for it.

AmeriCorps volunteer Aidan Chadwick places a three-day supply of emergency rations into a container on Sept. 11, 2020. The work was part of United Way of Southeast Alaska AmeriCorps program’s day of service in recogntion of 9/11. The supplies packed by volunteers will be shipped by Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska to Southeast communities. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
U.S. Marine CorpsU.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornets assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 prepare to take off from the flightline during Red Flag-Alaska 17-2 on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, in 2017.

Military leaders: Partnerships are key as Alaska’s strategic importance grows

The Alaska Native community and military must work together, commanders say

U.S. Marine CorpsU.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornets assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 prepare to take off from the flightline during Red Flag-Alaska 17-2 on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, in 2017.
U.S.Attorney General William Barr speaks during a roundtable discussion on Operation Legend, a federal program to help cities combat violent crime, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, in St. Louis. Barr also spoke via recorded message at the annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention. (AP Photo / Jeff Roberson)

Alaska Natives, law enforcement affirm partnership against public safety crisis

Partnerships, tribal authority, and reliable funding cam help strangle this crisis.

U.S.Attorney General William Barr speaks during a roundtable discussion on Operation Legend, a federal program to help cities combat violent crime, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, in St. Louis. Barr also spoke via recorded message at the annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention. (AP Photo / Jeff Roberson)
House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, in the House Chambers before a joint session in January, 2020. Speaking to the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Convention Thursday, Edgmon cited his relationship with Giessel as evidence of good bipartisanship in the legislature, but Giessel and other moderate Republicans lost their primaries to more conservative challengers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

At AFN, Edgmon stresses need for Alaska Natives in government

Every hand makes a difference.

House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, in the House Chambers before a joint session in January, 2020. Speaking to the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Convention Thursday, Edgmon cited his relationship with Giessel as evidence of good bipartisanship in the legislature, but Giessel and other moderate Republicans lost their primaries to more conservative challengers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Tlingit and Haida President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson, David R. Boxley, Lyle and Kolene James, Stephen Qacung Blanchett and Ben and Maria Young participate in Tlingit and Haida’s Indigenous Peoples Day celebration. This year’s event was held virtually. It was one of several such virtual events held throughout the state in observation of the holiday. (Screenshot)

Alaskans celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day virtually with music, language, activism

The legacy of colonization is still a threat to the future of Indigenous culture here, many say.

Tlingit and Haida President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson, David R. Boxley, Lyle and Kolene James, Stephen Qacung Blanchett and Ben and Maria Young participate in Tlingit and Haida’s Indigenous Peoples Day celebration. This year’s event was held virtually. It was one of several such virtual events held throughout the state in observation of the holiday. (Screenshot)
The Vecchi Store is a location featured in the recently released video game “Tell My Why.” The mural adorning the outside of the market was designed by Hoonah-based artist Gordon Greenwald. The game is set in a fictional Southeast Alaska village, and care was taken to realistically portray the region’s art and culture.(Courtesy Image / Xbox)

Xbox marks the spot: New game helps put Southeast Alaska arts and culture on the map

Game makers work with artists, nonprofit to portray local culture.

The Vecchi Store is a location featured in the recently released video game “Tell My Why.” The mural adorning the outside of the market was designed by Hoonah-based artist Gordon Greenwald. The game is set in a fictional Southeast Alaska village, and care was taken to realistically portray the region’s art and culture.(Courtesy Image / Xbox)
Judge Deb O’Gara enters the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s Tribal Court on Wednesday, March 14, 2018. Funding from federal grants will allow Tlingit and Haida to expand its court. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Tlingit and Haida receives federal public safety grants

The two Department of Justice grants totalled nearly $3 million.

Judge Deb O’Gara enters the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s Tribal Court on Wednesday, March 14, 2018. Funding from federal grants will allow Tlingit and Haida to expand its court. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson speaks at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Elizabeth Peratovich Hall on Thursday, March 12, 2020. Peterson was elected to his third term as President during the 85th Tribal Assembly held virtually this year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Peterson reelected in condensed Tribal Assembly

It’s a third term.

Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson speaks at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Elizabeth Peratovich Hall on Thursday, March 12, 2020. Peterson was elected to his third term as President during the 85th Tribal Assembly held virtually this year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
85th Tribal Assembly to be all business

85th Tribal Assembly to be all business

Abbreviated Tribal Assembly set for Thursday.

85th Tribal Assembly to be all business
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The Sealaska Heritage Institute’s downtown arts campus is under construction.

New arts campus construction proceeding on schedule

Work continues without presence of more than a million visitors.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The Sealaska Heritage Institute’s downtown arts campus is under construction.
Formline follows function: New ambulance art reaches to cultural roots, fits vehicle’s purpose

Formline follows function: New ambulance art reaches to cultural roots, fits vehicle’s purpose

The design, which cost taxpayers nothing, were created by Southeast artists.

Formline follows function: New ambulance art reaches to cultural roots, fits vehicle’s purpose
Program allows some Alaska Native Vietnam vets to get land

Program allows some Alaska Native Vietnam vets to get land

Stewy Carlo had a short life, but he lived every moment.

Program allows some Alaska Native Vietnam vets to get land
Cassandra Cropley holds a poster showing photos of her cousin, Linda Skeek, after the 2020 Women’s March, Jan. 18. Skeek went missing in January 2016 and is feared dead. The Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services is opening seven Operation Lady Justice Task Force cold case offices across the country to concentrate on the number of missing and murdered Indigenous women. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Cold case units focus on missing, murdered Indigenous women

Seven Operation Lady Justice Task Force cold case offices are opening nationwide.

Cassandra Cropley holds a poster showing photos of her cousin, Linda Skeek, after the 2020 Women’s March, Jan. 18. Skeek went missing in January 2016 and is feared dead. The Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services is opening seven Operation Lady Justice Task Force cold case offices across the country to concentrate on the number of missing and murdered Indigenous women. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy Photo / Break the (Bi)Cycle Break the (Bi)Cycle is a movement started by former professional basketball player Damen Bell-Holter to raise money and awareness about the dearth of mental health care for Black and Indigenous men. Bell-Holter will ride from Bellingham, Wash., to San Diego, Calif., more than 1,500 miles, while visiting tribes and documenting the trip.

Former basketball pro embarks on 1,500-mile bike ride for mental health

The idea is to inspire awareness and change, Damen Bell-Holter said.

Courtesy Photo / Break the (Bi)Cycle Break the (Bi)Cycle is a movement started by former professional basketball player Damen Bell-Holter to raise money and awareness about the dearth of mental health care for Black and Indigenous men. Bell-Holter will ride from Bellingham, Wash., to San Diego, Calif., more than 1,500 miles, while visiting tribes and documenting the trip.
Tlingit and Haida violence against women co-chair picked for federal post

Tlingit and Haida violence against women co-chair picked for federal post

She’s happy to be that voice.

Tlingit and Haida violence against women co-chair picked for federal post
This composite image shows both the Alaska State, Library, Archives and Museum and the Juneau-Douglas City Museum. Both have made adjustments to a relatively tourism-free summer. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

No tourists means loss and opportunities for museums

The Alaska State Museum usually gets more than 15,000 guests over summer. This year, it’s 500.

This composite image shows both the Alaska State, Library, Archives and Museum and the Juneau-Douglas City Museum. Both have made adjustments to a relatively tourism-free summer. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Tribal Emergency Operations Center responds to crisis across Southeast

Tribal Emergency Operations Center responds to crisis across Southeast

The Tribal Emergency Operations Center is looking out for nearly 35,000 tribal citizens.

Tribal Emergency Operations Center responds to crisis across Southeast
Tribal leaders including Myrna Warrington, far left, of Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, gave Ivanka Trump a ceremonial key when she spoke at the grand opening of the first Missing and Murdered Native American Cold Case Office. American Indians and Alaska Native are 2.5 times as likely to experience violent crimes. This is one of seven offices that is being established under Executive Order 13898 by President Donald J. Trump. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune)

Feds launch Minnesota office on missing Indigenous cases

It’s the 1st of seven planned offices, including a site in Anchorage

Tribal leaders including Myrna Warrington, far left, of Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, gave Ivanka Trump a ceremonial key when she spoke at the grand opening of the first Missing and Murdered Native American Cold Case Office. American Indians and Alaska Native are 2.5 times as likely to experience violent crimes. This is one of seven offices that is being established under Executive Order 13898 by President Donald J. Trump. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune)