At Sealaska, we are committed to finding ways to address the effects of global warming and sustaining healthy oceans. On Earth Day 2021, please join us in our conversation with the Polynesian Voyaging Society about ocean health and our shared responsibility as Native people in caring for our world.

Over the years, Sealaska and representatives of different Indigenous Hawaiian groups have held several conversations to advance common goals. One example of that is the work of the Polynesian Voyaging Society which has been organizing a 41,000-mile, 42-month circumnavigation of the Pacific called The Moananuiākea Voyage.

 The journey will include voyaging canoes Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia, which will travel to 46 countries and archipelagoes, nearly 100 indigenous territories, and 345 ports. It will focus on the vital importance of oceans, nature, and Indigenous knowledge. The Moananuiākea Voyage is set to begin in Southeast Alaska in the Spring of 2022.

The Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people’s rekindled connection with Indigenous Hawaiians originated 30 years ago when the Polynesian Voyaging Society wanted to build a traditional Hawaiian voyaging canoe but could not find Koa trees big enough. Sealaska donated two large Sitka spruce logs to the Hawaiians, which they used to build a traditional, double-hulled canoe named Hawai‘iloa.

“Continuing to build relationships with Hawaiians and other indigenous people is important to Sealaska,” Sealaska President and CEO Anthony Mallott said. “In the case of this relationship with the Hawaiian people, we are united through a deep connection to the ocean, and we both have a long history as oceangoing people. We also share a deep reverence to our natural environment and the desire to protect it for future generations.” Read more here. 

WHO: Sealaska and the Polynesian Voyaging Society

WHAT: Zoom session to discuss shared commitment to healthy oceans and our shared ocean navigating traditions

WHEN: Thursday, April 22 at 12 p.m. AKDT (Earth Day)

WHERE: Zoom https://sealaska.zoom.us/j/88285737509. Make sure to RSVP on the Facebook event page. 

LEARN MORE:

• https://www.kitv.com/story/40575174/hooilina-celebrating-historical-ties-between-native-alaskans-and-native-hawaiians
• https://www.ksbe.edu/article/oiwi-leadership-alaskas-gift-of-spruce-trees-for-the-building-of-a-hawaiian/  
• https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2019/05/29/features/alaskans-hawaiians-celebrate-30th-anniversary-of-partnership-that-saved-koa/