Welcome to Heritage Highlights, Goldbelt Heritage Foundation's monthly e-newsletter. Make sure to visit GHF's website, Facebook page, and Instagram daily for the latest news and updates.

GHF Youth Travel to Washington, D.C.


This month, GHF staff and interns traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the National Congress of American Indians 2024 Native Youth Leadership Summit.


The summit was held February 11-15, 2024. It is designed for young Native leaders to meet and develop strategies and skills that they can use to help improve their local communities through policy development and the resolution process. They also have the opportunity to network with their peers and other tribal leaders.


While in D.C., the youth were also able to attend the State of Indian Nations Address with GHF Board Chair Jackie Pata. GHF Youth who attended included Jossline Aranda-Jackson, Alexa Jackson, and Arilana Shodda-Lee.

GHF Participates in Family Night Gathering at Gastineau Head Start


On February 4, Victoria Johnson, GHF's Pre-K/Elementary Education Lead taught a cultural learning workshop for families whose children attend the Gastineau Head Start program in Juneau. At the gathering, families learned the Tlingit Way of Knowing about the gaaw (drum).


"These drums are made from a living, breathing animal," said Victoria. This animal represents peace and calm. It is important that we treat our drum with respect because this drum is made from the guwakaan (deer). The drum teaches us rhythm and timing."

GHF Partners with T&H and ANHC to

Offer Cultural Learning Workshops


GHF is dedicated to forming meaningful partnerships with other tribal partners and organizations that can help us pass on cultural knowledge and traditional skills. Since the beginning of the year, GHF has worked with both Tlingit & Haida and the Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC) to offer cultural learning workshops outside of Juneau.


In Anchorage, GHF and ANHC were able to partner to offer three different regalia workshops. This included button robe making, tunic making, and moccasin making with instructor Romay Edenshaw. All of the workshops were hosted on the ANHC campus.


In the Washington area, GHF partnered with Tlingit & Haida to offer a button robe making workshop with instructor Vikki Soboleff and two different octopus bag making sessions with instructor Carolyn Noe. The workshops were held at Tlingit & Haida's new offices in Lynnwood, Washington.

Question: Can GHF come to my town/community to host a cultural learning workshop?


Answer: GHF's primary service area is Juneau, so that will always be where the majority of our workshops will be offered. However, we love to partner and encourage you to reach out to your local tribe or heritage foundation to see if they'd like to sponsor one of our cultural classes or learning opportunities in your community.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

Cedar Plaited Headbands

(Remote)

Session 1: March 2-3 Session 2: March 8-9

Instructor:

S'aḵjayéi Yarrow Vaara

Registration closed.

Cedar Hat

Weaving

(Juneau)

March 13-17

Instructor:

Judy Helgesen

Family Vest Making

(Juneau)

May 25-26, June 1-2

Instructor:

Jayne Dangeli

Schedule subject to change. Check the GHF website for the most current information. Register for classes on the MyGoldbelt Heritage Portal. Please note that registration for some classes may be closed.

Welcome Aboard


GHF would like to welcome our newest employee to the team:

  • Danielle Koch, Education Coordinator

This year when you file your PFD application, please consider donating to GHF. Your donation will support our Tlingit culture through:

  • Cultural preservation
  • Traditional arts
  • Language learning
  • Community partnerships
  • Educational opportunities

PFD Deadline: March 31, 2024

Web  Facebook  Instagram  YouTube  Email