As the Cultural Heritage Manager, Blanchett will collaborate with tribal programs and partners to support Southeast Alaska Indigenous language, arts and cultural education and preservation initiatives. He will also develop a cultural service plan to identify resources and opportunities to increase the Tribe’s capacity to build out classes, activities, and events that support tribal citizens, communities, the Vocational Training & Resource Center, and Tlingit & Haida’s programs, services and employees.
“Cultural Heritage & Education is excited to welcome Qacung to our team,” said Sarah Dybdahl. “Qacung brings a breadth of experience in creating opportunities and uplifting our Indigenous ways of life through his years of work throughout the state in cultural education and revitalization efforts.”
Blanchett grew up in Bethel, Alaska and is a performing artist, culture-bearer, and an arts and culture educator. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Alaska Native Studies from the University of Alaska Anchorage and has nearly 30 years of experience of work in art, education and culture throughout Alaska. He has served in leadership roles with the Alaska Native Heritage Center, First Alaskans Institute, Pamyua Inc., and other arts, culture, and community service entities.
He is a 2019 Dance/USA Fellowship recipient, a 2019 & 2016 recipient of the Rasmuson Foundation’s Artist Fellowship, and a 2015 National Artist Fellowship recipient through the Native Arts and Culture Foundation.
“Our cultural practices are key for us to keep our cultures alive, languages alive, and save our people," said Blanchett. "We’re doing this to save our ways of life through art, language, culture, and heritage and bring a light in these dark moon times.”
