Education Services
We cherish our grandchildren
Sitka Tribe of Alaska offers programs that provide Tribal youth with a strong foundation in culture, educational access and enrichment, and employment opportunities.
“Even from long ago we cherish our grandchildren; no matter what we value, we offer it up to them”
– Kaal.átk’ Charlie Joseph Sr., 1982
Sitka Native Education Program (SNEP)
The Sitka Native Education Program (SNEP), established in 1974, is Southeast Alaska’s first and longest-running cultural revitalization program, dedicated to preserving and promoting Lingít yoo x̱’atángi and haa ḵusteeyí (our language and way of life). STA honors the SNEP founders and teachers who helped our current educators and leaders develop their cultural knowledge and understanding. SNEP complements the role of Elders, parents and other family members in passing traditional knowledge on to our Tribal youth.
SNEP currently operates as a partnership between Sitka Tribe of Alaska and the Sitka School District (SSD), and is led by co-directors employed by STA and SSD. The program provides cultural instruction and integration both in and out of school.
SNEP is funded by Federal Title VI Indian Education and Johnson-O’Malley grants, as well as STA BIA Compact funding.
Parents interested in serving on the advisory committee for SNEP may contact Jule LeBlanc, (907) 966-8039 or Sheridan Bacon, sheridan.bacon@sitkatribe-nsn.gov. Sign up for the SNEP newsletter here.
SNEP after school cultural classes and summer camps are open to all Sitka youth, with priority given to Tribally enrolled students.
SNEP offers after-school culture classes for students in grades K-1, 2-5 (Kéet Gooshí Héen Dancers), and 6-12 (G̱ájaa Héen Dancers). Students learn Lingít song and dance along with Southeast Alaska’s traditional arts, values, and history.
Summer programs vary from year to year and focus on traditional summertime harvesting activities. STA teams up with Sealaska Heritage Institute and other local partners on several projects that offer summer programs. Visit the SHI website for more information on their programs, or to sign up.
Sitka Tribe of Alaska offers a variety of scholarships to support lifelong learning. All opportunities are subject to STA scholarship policies and procedures, and available funding. Learn more about these on our scholarships page.
In partnership with Sealaska Heritage Institute and funded by a federal Alaska Native Education Program grant, Sitka Tribe of Alaska is pleased to offer traditional arts classes at both Sitka High School and Pacific High School, with dual enrollment college credit available from University of Alaska Southeast (UAS). Students can sign up during normal class registration.
SKT/STA and SSD are working together to weave cultural content and culturally relevant pedagogy throughout the curriculum encompassing students from pre-K through grade 12. STA partners with SHI to integrate traditional knowledge into Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEAM) classes at Blatchley Middle School, Sitka High School, and Pacific High School, and has allocated American Rescue Plan Act funding to support this project’s goals:
- Articulate the components of a culturally sustaining education in Sitka
- Identify and create instructional resources needed to implement culturally sustaining education
- Prepare Sitka educators to provide a culturally sustaining education
In addition to cultural learning opportunities offered through SNEP, STA also offers classroom and field education related to the natural resources of Sheet’ká.
STA and SSD partner with the Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes to provide a culturally integrated Indian Head Start preschool program for children ages 3 to 5. Click below for more information and to register.
STA offers summer youth employment services in partnership with the Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribe’s YES program. The eligibility criteria and specific program terms vary from year to year. Youth between the ages of 14 and 24 who are citizens of either STA or Tlingit & Haida are encouraged to attend.
Contact us for more information about summer employment and professional training: 907-747-3207.