Coronavirus Updates

WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER!

Sealaska cares deeply about our shareholders, our employees, and the communities where our people live. We are doing everything we can to support you during this difficult time. The health and economic impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) are rapidly evolving, and our response is similarly changing as we see challenges develop and anticipate future needs.

• April 4, 2020 – Sealaska Pledges $1 Million to COVID-19 Relief and Recovery
• March 23, 2020 – Changes to Shareholder Community and Annual Meetings
• March 23, 2020 – Governor’s Health Mandate – Order for Self Quarantine After Interstate and International Travel

Sealaska Updates

• April 4, 2020 – Sealaska Pledges $1 Million to COVID-19 Relief and Recovery
• March 27, 2020 – Sealaska Responds to Immediate Community Needs
• March 23, 2020 – Sealaska Announces Changes to Shareholder Community Meetings and Annual Meeting
• March 20, 2020 – In response to COVID-19 pandemic, Sealaska Announces Early Spring Distribution
• March 19, 2020 – We Are In This Together!
• March 18, 2020 – The board of directors announces a special meeting to address early shareholder distribution
• March 13, 2020 – Juneau Offices Closed to the Public
• March 12, 2020 – COVID-19 Update

Other Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – COVID-19 Update
• Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium – COVID-19 Safety and Preparation
• Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium – COVID-19 Resources
• Alaska Governor Issues Public Health Disaster Emergency Declaration for COVID-19
• COVID-19 – World Health Organization

SEALASKA COVID-19 FAQS

Sealaska's $1 Million Relief and Recovery Pledge

What is the $1M pledge?

On April 3, 2020, Sealaska’s board of directors has approved a $1 million COVID-19 relief and recovery package to help Alaska Native communities respond to the impact from the coronavirus. This pledge provides emergency response funding for several nonprofit organizations delivering urgent recovery services. The donation will also bolster the efforts of tribes throughout Southeast Alaska and other support agencies across the state that are working to meet emergency needs.

Several of the organizations being funded specifically support Alaska Native Elders and youth at a time when they are most vulnerable. Although special relief initiatives are rolling out from federal and local governments, Sealaska is looking to provide immediate support for shareholders who are disproportionately affected by the economic consequences of the crisis.

“The board felt strongly that we needed to move — and move quickly — to help our shareholder families and neighbors. None of us know what the greatest needs will be in the future. So, in order to be strategic and nimble we are moving resources to local organizations that know how to prevent the most vulnerable people from falling through the gaps,” said Morgan Howard, Sealaska finance committee chair.

Approximately $500,000 will be disbursed immediately to a number of organizations serving people across Alaska and the Seattle area, including:

• All 19 of the federally-recognized tribes in Southeast Alaska
• Blood Bank of Alaska
• Capital City Fire/Rescue in Juneau

This funding will address emergency needs to help stabilize families, ensure delivery of essential services like food distribution, and help parts of our population like the homeless and others struggling during this crisis.

The remainder of the $1 million will be deployed over the next several months to organizations in concentrated areas where our shareholders reside: Southeast Alaska, Anchorage and Seattle. This funding is intended to help our people recover and rebuild in the long term. We will work with our shareholders and local nonprofits to assess the best ways for Sealaska to support them in the coming months.

“Sealaska has a unique opportunity to help our communities during a time of great need,” said Joe Nelson, Sealaska board chair. “We will do our best to direct these resources to organizations and people working courageously on the front lines. We understand all too well that our relatives are over-represented in vulnerable populations during normal times. We will get through this crisis together.”

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COVID-19 Donation Recipients

As of April 15, 2020

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Shareholder Impact

What are you doing to support shareholders?

We are deeply concerned about the health and well-being of our shareholders and are making doing everything we can to support them. This year’s spring distribution will occur earlier than planned on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. We hope this accelerated timeline will get funds to shareholders at an extreme time of need. More information on distributions can be found here. We are also working with communities and other Alaska Native corporations to determine the best way to support our people in the coming weeks and months.

Sealaska is also extending the annual scholarship deadline to April 15, 2020 in order to reach as many students as possible. More information can be found here.

To support shareholder families and neighbors, Sealaska’s board of directors has approved a $1 million COVID-19 relief and recovery package to help Alaska Native communities respond to the impact from the coronavirus. This pledge provides emergency response funding for several nonprofit organizations delivering urgent recovery services. The donation will also bolster the efforts of tribes throughout Southeast Alaska and other support agencies across the state that are working to meet emergency needs. Read more here.

When will distributions go out?

This year’s spring distribution of $23.71 million will occur earlier than planned on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. We hope this accelerated timeline will get funds to shareholders at an extreme time of need. More information on distributions can be found here. The distribution also includes $4.2 million routed to village corporations as part of the ANCSA Section 7(j) revenue sharing fund.

Is the upcoming distribution lower because of the economic downturn?

No. Distributions are determined by last year’s financial performance of the company; they are not be impacted by the current economic climate.

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Community Impact

What is Sealaska doing to support Southeast Alaska Native communities?

In order to reach our most vulnerable shareholders and neighbors as quickly as possible, Sealaska is partnering with the Food Bank of Alaska and the Southeast Food Bank to help with the food security in the region. Sealaska made an emergency donation of $25,000 to provide immediate relief to families. These two organizations provide food service to communities throughout Southeast Alaska. We’re also partnering with the Juneau School District to ensure the students who rely on school meals have access to food outside of the classroom. We know these first couple of steps are not enough; we are working with communities and other Alaska Native corporations to determine the best way to support our people in the coming weeks and months.

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Business Impact

Are your offices open?

Our Juneau office and Seattle offices are closed until further notice. Sealaska Timber Company’s Ketchikan office is also closed until further notice.

These decisions are based on guidance from health authorities asking businesses to explore options around social distancing. The safety and well-being of our employees and shareholders remains our top priority and we will continue to evaluate the situation and take additional actions as necessary.

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Contact Sealaska