New Language Award Honors Founding Sealaska Director Clarence Jackson Sr.
Thursday, June 23, 2022
New Language Award Honors Founding Director Clarence Jackson, Sr.
The inaugural Clarence Jackson Sr. Language Awards were presented at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The award recognizes individuals for the tremendous impact on Lingít, Xaad Kíl and Sm’álgyax language revitalization. The first awards recognized Elder/birth speakers.
The new Sealaska language awards are named after Galtín Tá Gooch Clarence Jackson Sr. for his championing of language efforts and tireless advocacy of language revitalization. Jackson was a founding Sealaska board member, serving from 1972 until his passing in 2013.
Jackson was Tlingit, Ch’áak’ (Eagle), Tsaagweidí (Killerwhale clan), child of Kaach.ádi Clan. His Tlingit names were Galtín, Asx’áak, Daa naawú, and Tá Gooch. His grandmother gave him the name Galtín, a Tsaagweidí name. He spoke the Lingít fluently. Jackson was born and raised in Kake and attended high school at Sheldon Jackson in Sitka.
Sealaska lost a much-loved traditional leader on January 31, 2013, when director Clarence Jackson Sr. walked into the forest. His knowledge of humor, Tlingit protocol, his wisdom through storytelling and ability to speak Lingít fluently guided Sealaska for several decades. His legacy will live always for future generations.
“Our forefathers had a dream of educating our people. One of our commitments is to make that dream a reality.” —Clarence Jackson, Sr.
Jackson and other founding directors including Jon Borbridge, Marlene Johnson and Leonard Kato signed the articles of incorporation for Sealaska in 1972, with Assistant Secretary of the Interior Harrison Loesch.
Until his passing in January 2013, he was the only director who served continuously since Sealaska’s incorporation. During his time with Sealaska he guided the 13-member board on Native protocols, delivered speeches in Lingít, and used storytelling as a means of communication. In his capacity as a traditional leader, his efforts touched the lives of many people across the region and beyond.
On February 1, 2013, Sealaska leadership honored Clarence Jackson Sr. posthumously and named him the first director emeritus for the Sealaska board of directors. He was a giant among Southeast Alaska Natives.
Inaugural Galtín Tá Gooch Clarence Jackson Language Award Recipients
Learn more about language honorees
- Kaakal.aat Florence Sheakley, Lingít
- Kaanak Ruth Demmert, Lingít
- Ilskyaalas Delores Churchill, Xaad Kíl
- Shu Gunya Donna May Roberts, Sm’álgyax
Clarence Jackson tributes
- Clarence Jackson remembered at Sealaska board meeting (here)
- Clarence Jackson montage (memorial)
- Senator Lisa Murkowski reflects on the passing of Clarence Jackson (here)
- KTOO | Tlingit elder, Sealaska board member Clarence Jackson dies (here)
- Clarence Jackson tells a story about respect and Tlingit values (here)
Latest News
2025 Early Bird Prize Winners
Posted 6/10/2025Congratulations to our 2025 winners. At Sealaska, we are deeply grateful for your participation in this year’s election. Selecting exceptional leaders to help guide our shared future is one of the most meaningful ways for shareholders to engage with us. These winners were randomly selected from the pool of early birds by the Inspectors of Election. All payments will be processed this week and delivered via the payment method on file for distributions in MySealaska.com.
.jpg)
Sealaska Seeking Applicants for President
Posted 6/3/2025We are continuing our search for a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as Sealaska’s president. It is important that we find the right candidate to fill this position, which is why the Sealaska board of directors is being as exacting as possible as we search for a candidate capable of amplifying the impact of our mission and providing benefits that empower our shareholders. To this end, the Sealaska board of directors recently revised the job description for the position of president and sought the assistance of a professional recruiting firm. Our hope is to announce a successful candidate as our new president this coming summer.
Shareholder Proxy Update
Posted 5/12/2025Shareholders, an error occurred when printing proxy cards regarding the number of shares you own and votes you have in the top right corner of your proxy card. This error does not affect the validity of your paper proxy, nor does it affect voting on MySealaska.com through the Election Connection portal
Early Bird Deadline Extended
Posted 5/12/2025After considering the recently announced U.S. Postal Service delays to First-Class Mail in conjunction with a paper proxy error leading shareholders who wish to vote by mail to potentially wait for their regularly scheduled second proxy mailing, we have made the decision to extend the early bird deadline to June 6. We are listening to shareholders and want to give everyone the best chance to qualify as an early bird. Thank you for understanding and thank you for voting.
Sealaska Announces Beginning of Election Season
Posted 5/2/2025