Morgan Fawcett of Woosh.ji.een of Juneau dances in the Grand Entrance for Celebration 2018 along Willoughby Avenue on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Morgan Fawcett of Woosh.ji.een of Juneau dances in the Grand Entrance for Celebration 2018 along Willoughby Avenue on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Sealaska’s Celebration is virtually ready to begin

Coronavirus concerns pushed the event online, to protect celebrants

Sealaska Heritage Institute’s biennial Celebration, held virtually this year, will begin Wednesday.

“Celebration is about celebrating who we are and the survival of our culture,” said Cemaleeda Estrada, SHI’s Celebration coordinator, in an email. “And while we cannot dance together in person this year, we wanted to still provide an opportunity to participate in and enjoy the many things Celebration has to offer.”

The decision to push the event online was made as the coronavirus outbreak began to spread. Anyone will be able to watch the four days of proceedings, either on the SHI Youtube channel or on TV on 360North. Celebration is typically a major gathering, as well as a large economic boon for Juneau, generating nearly $10 million in Juneau in 2018, according to a McDowell Group study.

“Our board of trustees had to make the hard decision to cancel the in-person event due to COVID-19 concerns and the potential spread, especially among our vulnerable villages and elders,” Estrada said. “However, we also know that in hard times like these, we need something positive to look forward to.”

With the Celebration moved online this year, Estrada said, there will be an in-person event held in 2021.

We changed our theme to reflect the situation we are now facing. The 2020 new theme is “Have Courage”, Estrada said. “The phrase is common in our culture, used to offer support to others in difficult times.”

The schedule will resemble previous Celebrations, with advantage being taken of the new format of the celebration, Estrada said.

“It will for the most part follow the same order as 2018 in terms of dance group performances, with new content plugged in along the way,” Estrada said. “New content will include a Juried Art Show and Competition, Toddler Regalia Review, an Indigenous Fashion Show, storytelling, awards for people of distinction and greetings from dance group leaders.”

Celebration was put together by more than 60 SHI employees, Estrada said. The new venue will allow for new ideas.

“While going virtual may have its setbacks, it also has its opportunities as it will allow us to reach many people beyond those who visit Juneau in person,” Estrada said. “It has allowed us to convert our normal programming while also incorporating new materials and ideas that we have never been able to offer before, such as storytelling.”

Have Courage, no need to travel

Celebration’s theme has been changed to reflect the pandemic that caused the every-other-year event to take place virtually. The new theme “Have Courage” is one that event organizer Cemaleeda Estrada said is common in the respective Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian languages.

Here is how it’s said:

• Tlingit—Yee gu.aa yax̱ x’wán (“Have strength and courage”)

• Haida—Gudangáang hl tláats’gaadaa (“Have courage”)

• Tsimshian—Smgit maamxsgism (“Stand strong”).

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757.621.1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 17

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

An aerial view of people standing near destroyed and damaged buildings in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene flooding on Oct. 8, 2024 in Bat Cave, North Carolina. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Members of U.S. Senate back disaster aid request amid increasing storm severity

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration’s request for nearly $100 billion in natural… Continue reading

Media members and other observers gather at the Alaska Division of Elections office on Wednesday evening as the results of all ballots, including ranked choice tabulations, were announced. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Ranked choice voting repeal fails by 0.2%, Begich defeats Peltola 51.3%-48.7% on final day of counting

Tally released Wednesday night remains unofficial until Nov. 30 certification.

Looking through the dining room and reception area to the front door. The table will be covered with holiday treats during the afternoon open house. The Stickley slide table, when several extensions are added, provides comfortable seating for 22 dinner guests. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
The Governor’s House: Welcoming Alaskans for more than 100 years

Mansion has seen many updates to please occupants, but piano bought with first funds still playable.

The language of Ballot Measure 2 appears on Alaska’s 2024 absentee ballots. The measure would repeal the states open primary and ranked choice voting system. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)
Count tightens to 45-vote margin for repealing Alaska’s ranked choice system going into final day

State Division of Elections scheduled to conduct final tally at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The drive-through of the Mendenhall Valley branch of True North Federal Credit Union, seen on June 13, is where a man was laying down when he was fatally struck by a truck during the early morning hours of June 1. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police: Driver of CBJ truck not at fault in death of man struck in drive-through lane of bank

Victim laying on pavement during early-morning incident in June couldn’t be seen in time, JPD chief says.

Juneau Assembly members confer with city administrative leaders about details of a proposed resolution asking the state for more alcohol licenses during an Assembly meeting Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Petition seeking one-third expansion of alcohol-serving establishments gets Assembly OK

Request to state would allow 31 licensees in Juneau instead of 23; Assembly rejects increase to 43.

Noah Teshner (right) exhibits the physical impact military-grade flood barriers will have on properties with the help of other residents at a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Locals protesting $8K payment for temporary flood barriers told rejection may endanger permanent fix

Feds providing barriers free, but more help in danger if locals won’t pay to install them, city manager says.

Low clouds hang over Kodiak’s St. Paul Harbor on Oct. 3, 2022. Economic woes in Alaska’s seafood industry have affected numerous fishing-dependent communities like Kodiak. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Dire condition of Alaska’s seafood industry has many causes and no easy fixes, experts say

Legislative task force charged with helping communities considering broad range of responses.

Most Read