The Sealaska Heritage Institute Cultural Center planned for downtown Juneau will be named for the Reverend Doctor Walter Soboleff.
Institute president Rosita Worl made the announcement Saturday during memorial services for Soboleff. Fundraising is underway for the Southeast Alaska Native cultural and visitors’ facility, to be built adjacent to Sealaska Regional Native Corporation headquarters.
Soboleff died May 22 at his home in Juneau. He was 102-years old and active until his death.
More than 500 people from across the state attended services on Saturday to honor the Tlingit elder and Presbyterian minister. Most came for the Alaska Native Brotherhood Grand Camp memorial and stayed the three hours through a public commemoration. In the first service, Soboleff’s name was placed in the ANB Book of Remembrance Everlasting; in the second memorial he was remembered as a cultural icon and for his great sense of humor.
Speakers are the Reverend Phillip Campbell; Alaska State Senator Albert Kookesh; Janice Jackson, ANS Grand Camp President; Richard Jackson, ANB Grand Camp President Richard Jackson; Governor Sean Parnell, and Dr. Rosita Worl, President of Sealaska Heritage Institute.
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