On March 23, 2018, the Shee Atiká Incorporated Board of Directors presented Anne Johnson with the 2018 Charlie Joseph, Sr. (Kaal.átk’) Cultural and Heritage Award for her lifelong commitment and continued support of Native education with the Sitka Native Education Program.  The event was attended by Anne’s family, friends, students, Shee Atiká Board and staff, and three of Charlie Joseph, Sr.’s daughters.  Guests enjoyed a performance by the Gajaa Heen Dancers and some even joined in.

The Charlie Joseph, Sr. (Kaal.átk’) award is given to a group or individual who strives to preserve the Tlingit lifestyle.  Preserving the Tlingit way of life can be through living or teaching others the lifestyle of the Tlingit people before Western man.  Charlie Joseph, Sr. shared his knowledge extensively by living a subsistence lifestyle, as well as teaching Tlingit traditions to students in the Sitka Native Education Program in Sitka from 1974 until his death in 1987.  Through his teaching and example, similar programs began cropping up in the Southeast Alaska region, and today, many of the dance groups in Sitka and Southeast Alaska use the protocol he taught to countless numbers of students here in Sitka.  Through his selfless efforts, Sitka and Shee Atiká owe Charlie Joseph, Sr. a debt of gratitude for passing on the knowledge and traditions of Tlingit people still being used today, over 30 years after his passing.

Anne Johnson earned her Associate of Arts from Sheldon Jackson in 1978.  In 1979 she received her Bachelor of Arts with a minor in Tlingit Culture, also from Sheldon Jackson.  She has worked with the Sitka Native Education program since 1974 and is still teaching today.  She currently works with the kids at the Baranof Head Start Program.  She has participated at the Sharing our Knowledge Clan Conference and the Sealaska Heritage Apprenticeship Program as a Mentor from 2014-2017 to revitalize the Tlingit language.

The Shee Atiká Board was pleased to present her with the Charlie Joseph, Sr. (Kaal.átk’) Award for 2018.  Please help us in congratulating Anne!