The Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska has hired Sarah Dybdahl as the Tribe’s new Cultural Heritage and Education Manager. In this position, Dybdahl will oversee the coordination of Tlingit & Haida’s cultural activities and develop cultural programs in collaboration with tribes and other Native entities.
The newly created Cultural Heritage and Education department was established to strengthen Tlingit and Haida’s nationhood. It reflects the principle that our communities, lands and tribal citizens thrive when our culture is our foundation. The department will incorporate ancestral knowledge to strengthen our languages, arts and cultural practices for the well-being of our people and government.
“This is a historic expansion for the Tribe that moves to incorporate our cultures as a basis for governing,” said President Richard (Chalyee Éesh) Peterson. “It means that we value our cultures as the keystone for our well-being and for safeguarding our sovereign tribal government for future generations. One cannot exist without the other. Sarah brings the right mix of experience, dedication, vision and cultural knowledge to build this department from the ground up.”
Dybdahl formerly served as the Executive Director of Huna Heritage Foundation (2015-2017) and worked for more than 15 years in various capacities for Sealaska and Sealaska Heritage Institute (2000-2015). She currently serves on the Klawock Heenya Corporation Board of Directors (since 2010), the Alaska Federation of Natives Board of Directors as the Southeast Village Representative, and Native Americans in Philanthropy Board.
“I am honored to join Tlingit & Haida,” said Dybdahl. “There are many exciting initiatives with our languages and way of life happening in our region and within Tlingit & Haida. I look forward to continuing to serve our people alongside those who are dedicated to preserving our cultural heritage.”
Dybdahl grew up in Klawock, Alaska and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Southern Oregon University. Her Tlingit name is Aanshawatk’i and she is from the Taakw.aaneidi clan. She is the daughter of Linda and Arthur (Mac) Demmert Jr. and granddaughter of the late Virginia and Arthur Demmert Sr. She is married to Travis Dybdahl and is mother to three children – Michaela, Orion and Elias.
