Alaska Natives

Selina Finley, center, reluctantly listens to a judgment by the Judge, played by Teri Tibbett, right, during a Reentry Simulation event at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019. The event was sponsored by Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska in partnership with the Juneau Reentry Coalition and Alaska Mental Health Trust. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Breaking the cycle: Community leaders roleplay a rough reentry to society

Do not pass go, do not collect $200.

Selina Finley, center, reluctantly listens to a judgment by the Judge, played by Teri Tibbett, right, during a Reentry Simulation event at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019. The event was sponsored by Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska in partnership with the Juneau Reentry Coalition and Alaska Mental Health Trust. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this April 18, 2019, file photo, Attorney General William Barr speaks about the release of a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo | Patrick Semansky, File)

AFN highlights widespread public safety failings in rural communities

There’s deep fear concerning the state of Alaska’s public safety.

In this April 18, 2019, file photo, Attorney General William Barr speaks about the release of a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo | Patrick Semansky, File)
Jacqueline Pata, President & CEO of the Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority, speaks at an announcement of a $1 million grant to help veteran’s housing needs in Southeast Alaska on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Tlingit and Haida gets more than $1 million in housing grants

THRHA will help homeless veterans through the grant.

Jacqueline Pata, President & CEO of the Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority, speaks at an announcement of a $1 million grant to help veteran’s housing needs in Southeast Alaska on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Steve Henrikson, Curator of Collections at the Alaska State Museum, displays a plastic replica of a Tlingit throwing stick before his presentation on spear throwing with Richard VanderHoek, State Archaeologist with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ Office of History and Archaeology, as part of the Sharing Our Knowledge conference on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Rarely documented Tlingit tools were used to hunt

This conference talk got to the point.

Steve Henrikson, Curator of Collections at the Alaska State Museum, displays a plastic replica of a Tlingit throwing stick before his presentation on spear throwing with Richard VanderHoek, State Archaeologist with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ Office of History and Archaeology, as part of the Sharing Our Knowledge conference on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Language, culture take center stage at conference opening

Language, culture take center stage at conference opening

Academics, artists and indigenous people from throughout the state and Canada converged Thursday morning in Juneau.

Language, culture take center stage at conference opening
The Tongass National Forest sign on the way to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Roadless Rollback? Dunleavy and Trump eye Tongass National Forest

Millions of acres could be opened for logging.

The Tongass National Forest sign on the way to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Tlingit flautist George Montero said he was glad to be back in Juneau for a pair of concerts Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019 and Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt |Capital City Weekly)

He’s played in D.C., Arizona and Seattle, but he’s glad to share music at ‘home’

From French horn to American flutes.

Tlingit flautist George Montero said he was glad to be back in Juneau for a pair of concerts Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019 and Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt |Capital City Weekly)
Tlingit-style carvers have a place to talk shop

Tlingit-style carvers have a place to talk shop

They’ve carved out a spot.

Tlingit-style carvers have a place to talk shop
Teaching artists needed, mystical music group comes to town

Teaching artists needed, mystical music group comes to town

High schoolers have a chance to get involved.

Teaching artists needed, mystical music group comes to town
Juneau-Douglas High School pictured on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau-Douglas changed its name. Here’s what it is.

It’s the same Tlingit name for Mount Juneau.

Juneau-Douglas High School pictured on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s first-ever Tlingit language immersion preschool to open next month

Juneau’s first-ever Tlingit language immersion preschool to open next month

Lingít revival.

Juneau’s first-ever Tlingit language immersion preschool to open next month
Native corporation lands big $6.1 billion Army contract

Native corporation lands big $6.1 billion Army contract

It will bring in millions in revenue and 400 new hires.

Native corporation lands big $6.1 billion Army contract
Lead Detailer Calvin Olsen shows the logo developed for a new auto detailing business called Sacred Shine offered by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska on Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. The logo was designed by tribal member Miciana Hutcherson. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

A shiny new business: Tribe-owned auto shop already proving popular

Word has spread quickly.

Lead Detailer Calvin Olsen shows the logo developed for a new auto detailing business called Sacred Shine offered by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska on Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. The logo was designed by tribal member Miciana Hutcherson. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Murkowski to revive bill meant to help Native American women

Murkowski to revive bill meant to help Native American women

The legislation received unanimous Senate approval, but was blocked in the House.

Murkowski to revive bill meant to help Native American women
“Doragon” by Beth Bolander, modeled by Dani Gross, at the Wearable Art Show at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. Doragon placed third in the Juror’s Best in Show. It also drew criticism as cultural appropriation, which led to some guidelines for this year’s fashion show. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

The 7 stories that shaped Juneau arts and culture in 2018

2018 chaos didn’t skip the arts.

“Doragon” by Beth Bolander, modeled by Dani Gross, at the Wearable Art Show at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. Doragon placed third in the Juror’s Best in Show. It also drew criticism as cultural appropriation, which led to some guidelines for this year’s fashion show. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Southeast villages looking to form tribal courts

Southeast villages looking to form tribal courts

Native issues, Native control.

Southeast villages looking to form tribal courts
Amber Crotty from Window Rock, Ariz., left, a delegate of the Navajo Nation Council, and Patricia Alexander of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, right, exchange words of encouragement to each other before testifying as the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs holds a hearing to examine concerns about investigations into the deaths and disappearance of Native American women, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. (AP Photo | J. Scott Applewhite)

Sitka woman testifies in DC about missing, murdered Alaska Native women

Don’t forget these victims, she says.

Amber Crotty from Window Rock, Ariz., left, a delegate of the Navajo Nation Council, and Patricia Alexander of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, right, exchange words of encouragement to each other before testifying as the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs holds a hearing to examine concerns about investigations into the deaths and disappearance of Native American women, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. (AP Photo | J. Scott Applewhite)
In this file photo, a king salmon lies in a net at Auke Bay. (Bjorn Dihle | For the Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Stand for Salmon’s defeat is the beginning of the end

Wait and see.

In this file photo, a king salmon lies in a net at Auke Bay. (Bjorn Dihle | For the Juneau Empire)
“Molly of Denali,” an animated show about an Alaska Native girl, her friends and family is expected to debut this summer. University of Alaska Southeast professor <span style="text-decoration: underline;">X</span>’unei Lance Twitchell started out as a language and culture consultant for the show but more recently has taken on a writing role. (Contributed Photo | (c) 2018 WGBH Educational Foundation)

Good golly, meet ‘Molly of Denali’

The show involves Alaska Native characters, voice actors and writers.

“Molly of Denali,” an animated show about an Alaska Native girl, her friends and family is expected to debut this summer. University of Alaska Southeast professor <span style="text-decoration: underline;">X</span>’unei Lance Twitchell started out as a language and culture consultant for the show but more recently has taken on a writing role. (Contributed Photo | (c) 2018 WGBH Educational Foundation)
Student research movie digs into Alaska’s colonized names

Student research movie digs into Alaska’s colonized names

Sayéik is a Tlingit word that can be translated to mean voice of a spirit helper. Historically the name is associated with Douglas Island, and… Continue reading

Student research movie digs into Alaska’s colonized names