AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 27, 2026
SEARHC Increases Funding for Tribal Wellness
The SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) has announced an additional $375,000 in funding for tribal-led wellness efforts across Southeast Alaska. The new investment, revealed on October 22, 2026, comes through the Healthy Is Here grant program and aims to support a broad range of community wellness projects led by local Tribes.
Supporting Community Wellness Through Diverse Initiatives
Healthy Is Here is designed to provide Tribes with flexible resources to invest in health initiatives that appeal to the specific needs and interests of their communities. Since its launch in 2017, this nine-year partnership has allocated more than $3 million in support of community-driven projects across the region.
SEARHC noted, “Healthy Is Here recognizes that health extends beyond clinics and hospitals. The program supports a broad definition of wellness that includes healthy foods, cultural identity, physical activity, traditional practices, community connection and opportunities for people of every generation to thrive.”
Key Projects Funded Across Southeast Alaska
In Juneau, the new round of funding is helping make possible a community smokehouse that will assist in traditional food harvesting and the continuation of cultural practices. This highlights the program's focus on supporting traditional food and cultural identity, significant pillars of tribal wellness.
Other projects planned or underway in Southeast Alaska communities include:
- Providing locally harvested salmon in Elder food boxes and reimbursing school activity fees for youth and families, as well as expanding recreation opportunities in Petersburg.
- Supporting swimming lessons, Native Youth Olympics participation, community wellness gatherings, food security efforts, and construction of a new smokehouse in Klukwan.
- Strengthening local food systems through hydroponic gardening projects, youth internships, and greater food production capacity in Hoonah.
Impacting Tribal Communities and Wellbeing
Beyond these initiatives, SEARHC stated that other communities have applied Healthy Is Here funds to support youth athletics, cultural education, community gardens, Elder wellness, cultural celebrations, and substance-free community connection events. According to SEARHC, “From Haines to Hydaburg, each Tribe used the funding to address locally identified priorities while strengthening the connections that contribute to healthier communities.”
Commitment to Local Leadership and Sustainable Health
Kimberley Strong, chair of the SEARHC Board of Directors, emphasized the continued dedication to working closely with tribal communities. “Healthy Is Here reflects our Board’s belief that the people in the community are best positioned to define what wellness looks like,” she said. “For nearly a decade, we’ve seen firsthand how these investments strengthen communities by supporting culture, creating opportunities for youth, caring for Elders and building healthier futures.”
SEARHC reiterated its commitment to improving health outcomes by supporting local leadership and community-driven solutions, stating that community members are integral to shaping the future of health and wellness initiatives throughout Southeast Alaska.
Source: juneauempire.com.
