An indigenous leader from Juneau was honored at the White House on Monday, along with other Americans who have impacted the nation’s culture for the better.
Sealaska Heritage Institute President Kaaháni Rosita Worl was one of 10 Americans to receive the 2023 National Humanities Medal from President Joe Biden Monday afternoon.
Other honorees included the late chef and author Anthony Bourdain and literacy advocate and actor LeVar Burton.
“Each of you has helped us venture out to see our world with clarity, empathy and courage. Thank you and congratulations,” First Lady Jill Biden said, opening the ceremony.
Worl – who is Lingít – wore a yellow Chilkat robe to the ceremony. She stood out in a sea of blue, black and gray suits. Her Lingít names are Yeidiklasókw and Kaaháni and she is from the Shangukeidí Clan from Kawdliyaayi Hít (House Lowered From the Sun) in Klukwan.
Worl is 87-years-old and has led SHI’s mission to bolster Southeast Alaska Native languages and arts for nearly 30 years.
She served as the chair of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act National Review Committee in the early 2000s and advised revisions to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in the 1980s. She has advocated for Alaska Native issues at the statewide and national levels.
Worl was one of four Indigenous people recognized for their achievements during the ceremony. The others included “Braiding Sweetgrass” author Robin Wall Kimmerer, poet Joy Harjo and educator Robert Martin.
Worl is one of 207 Americans who have received the medal. In a statement, she credited her mother, Bessie Quinto, for inspiring her life’s work.
“She devoted her whole life as a union organizer to secure economic equity for our people, among many other things,” Worl said in the release.