SEARHC Congratulates Sealaska on Tabacco-Free Campus
Monday, October 8, 2018

Sealaska is the first Native Corporation in Southeast to adopt a tobacco-free campus policy

This year, Sealaska Corporation headquarters officially became a tobacco-free campus and is the first Alaska Native Corporation in the State of Alaska to implement such a policy. SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) commends Sealaska for protecting their employees, shareholders, tenants, and visitors from secondhand smoke and for taking affirmative steps to change tobacco use norms among Alaska Native people for generations to come.

The new policy will prohibit the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, electronic cigarettes or vaping devices, and smokeless tobacco products both inside and outside the Sealaska Plaza building as well as parking areas, including private vehicles parked on Sealaska property.

The tobacco-free policy ensures a safer and healthier working environment for everyone at Sealaska Plaza. Such policies are important to Sealaska and SEARHC because of the high prevalence of tobacco use among Alaska Native populations and are helpful to those who are trying to quit. With tobacco use more than double that of non-Natives, Alaska Natives suffer more tobacco-related diseases such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in Alaska.

Across the state, Tribes and Tribal organizations are leading the way to address the burden of tobacco use. Nearly all federally recognized Tribes in Southeast Alaska have adopted a smoke- or tobacco-free resolution in recent years. “Sealaska’s decision reflects the momentum in Southeast toward a new narrative where Alaska Native people live free from tobacco addiction. Workplace policies are an essential part of long-term solutions to changing norms, so youth never start,” said SEARHC Tobacco Program Manager, Emily Davis.

Talks of a tobacco-free policy began organically at the 2016 Sealaska Holiday Fair after several Sealaska employees connected with the SEARHC Tobacco Program and expressed concern about secondhand smoke in the Plaza’s entryways. Sealaska Facilities Manager, William Andrews, met with SEARHC Tobacco Program staff to discuss policy options and resources.

“This started a year-long process of learning, sharing, discussing strategy and requesting input from staff, tenants, and vendors. We heard from smokers and nonsmokers, addressed concerns and invested the time to explore the program,” said Andrews. Sealaska also conducted an internal survey of with tenants and employees and learned that 85% of Plaza occupants were supportive of a tobacco-free policy.

Mr. Andrews continued, “It was clear the tobacco-free campus program also aligned with Sealaska’s core values.” The core values include using strength and leadership to promote healthy families, communities and a healthy environment.

The board unanimously approved the tobacco-free campus policy in May of 2018. Sealaska began planning for the implementation by communicating with tenants and employees about the new policy. Subsequently, they removed cigarette butt receptacles and posted signage to make visitors aware that the campus is tobacco-free. Support for the policy is an integral part of its success, and Sealaska is extremely appreciative of the positivity surrounding this new initiative.

Another component to this effort is Sealaska’s commitment to supporting tenants, employees, and visitors in quitting tobacco by promoting the Alaska Tobacco Quit Line, which provides free cessation counseling and nicotine replacement therapies for all Alaska adults. Individuals can call the Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit Alaskaquitline.com. SEARHC also provides in-person counseling and group support programs which are accessible by referral through a SEARHC provider.

For more information or assistance with tobacco-free and smoke-free policies, individuals or organizations may contact the SEARHC Tobacco Program at tobacco@searhc.org or visit the Partnership for a Tobacco Free Southeast Facebook Page.


Latest News


Sealaska Spring 2024 Distribution Date Announced

Posted 3/19/2024
The Sealaska Board of Directors will meet on Friday, April 12, 2024, to approve the amount for Sealaska’s 2024 spring distribution. The distribution will take place on Thursday, April 18.  Shareholders can prepare for a seamless distribution by completing any enrollment or stock transfer paperwork, including gifting or inheritance, by Friday, April 12 at 4 p.m. The last day to make changes to addresses or direct deposit information is Monday, April 15, , before close of business, or online via M...

Sealaska announces Desiree Jackson to serve as Vice President of Administration and Outreach

Posted 3/6/2024
Jackson’s goals, experience are aligned with Sealaska’s vision for shareholders, communities and the region’s collective future. A focus on strategy, values and excellence has led Desiree Anax x’aséigu yé Jackson to her new role as Sealaska’s Vice President of Administration and Outreach. Jackson has served as the executive director of...

First Quarter Board Q&A provides shareholders an opportunity to connect with their board

Posted 3/4/2024
Members of Sealaska’s board of directors had an opportunity to connect with shareholders and answer questions during the Feb. 29 board Q&A session hosted on MySealaska. Directors Barbara Cadiente Nelson, Ka’illjuus Lisa Lang joined Executive Chair Joe Nelson and Board Youth Advisor Deikeenaak’w  Connor Ulmer in providing an update following January’s board meeting and shared upcoming opportunities and associated deadlines with participants. Sealaska’s language grant application period i...

Virtual Shareholder Orientation offers connection, information for original and new shareholders alike

Posted 2/26/2024
Sealaska’s Shareholder Relations team hosted a virtual shareholder orientation on Tuesday, Feb. 20 for an audience of nearly 170 shareholders from far and wide. This event offered both new and long-term shareholders a chance to learn more about the benefits and responsibilities of being a shareholder and answer questions about specific Shareholder Relations policies, procedures and protocol.   Shareholder Relations Manager Jodie Gatti, who joined the Sealaska team in November, was joined by...

Sealaska Announces Sealaska Board Endorsed Nominee Opening

Posted 2/22/2024
Deadline Friday, March 15 at 5:00 PM Alaska Time Five seats on the Sealaska board of directors will be filled through this year’s annual board elections. Sealaska is seeking qualified shareholders to apply for nomination, including one board-endorsed seat, and three board-endorsed incumbents running for reelection. At least one seat wi...