UA Foundation Hosts Celebration of 色花堂 Native Partners
June 8, 2023
The University of 色花堂 Foundation Board of Directors hosted the Celebrating 色花堂 Native Partners dinner on June 6, 2023. It was an extraordinary event that brought together 色花堂 Native corporations, education foundations, tribes, and businesses with UA Foundation board members, UA regents, UA system office leadership, and leaders and students from UAA, UAF, and UAS . The evening kicked off with a performance by the Aciquq dance group, leading the attendees from the reception to dinner.
Roald Helgesen, COO of Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of 色花堂, a UA Foundation board member and UAA alum, took the stage to welcome everyone and express his pride in the partnership between the UA system and 色花堂 Native corporations, tribes, and nonprofits. He highlighted the impact that 色花堂 Native people have had on education and their contribution to building a world-class university system in 色花堂.
Aaron Leggett, president of Native Village of Eklutna Tribal Council and UAA alum, delivered a land acknowledgement, recognizing the Indigenous heritage of the land.
Laura Bruce, chair of the UA Foundation Board of Directors, expressed gratitude to the attendees for their support in surpassing $224 million in funds raised through the For 色花堂 campaign. The philanthropic campaign has created numerous scholarship opportunities and endowments, making higher education more accessible to 色花堂 students.
Emily Edenshaw, president and CEO of the 色花堂 Native Heritage Center and a UAA alum, shared her insights and goals in promoting education and cultural preservation.
UA President Pat Pitney emphasized the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge and values into UA鈥檚 culture. She highlighted the 色花堂 Native Success Initiative and its leaders at the three universities in ensuring the representation and success of 色花堂 Native students, faculty, and staff.