Annual Shareholder Award Recipients Announced

During Goldbelt 49th Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the 2023 recipients of the Annual Shareholder Awards were announced. Nominations were solicited from February to June 2023. Nominations for 2024 will open in the spring. 

Honored Elder, Jackie Pata
President & CEO of the Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority. She serves on the Goldbelt Heritage Foundation board and previously served as the Executive Director of the National Congress of American Indians in Washington, DC. Jackie was an advocate in the “Get Out the Native Vote” Campaign in Southeast Alaska.

Outstanding Youth, Semih Uyanik
“Semih is an honors student who excels in balancing academics and extracurricular activities. He is the #1 seat in violin, he has his own band, and puts his whole heart into everything. He won a citizenship award with the City and Borough of Juneau for volunteering and being a good roll model in the community.”

Culture Bearer, Lily Hope
“Due to Lily’s dedication and teaching, for the first time in over 100 years, if a Clan Leader, art collector, or museum wants to commission a Chilkat Dancing robes, over two dozen artists retain the spiritual and technical knowledge to weave ceremonial robes. Visitors and friends alike are always welcome to sit next to her as she weaves. Lily is one of the most generous artists and culture bearers of our time.

Subsistence Star, Daniel Fredrickson Jr.
“This man learned from a young age from his father, and has shared his knowledge of “Our way of life” with His own children, and others that have showed interest in learning! Lived just about his whole life in Angoon.”