CIRI’s Shareholder + Descendant Programs department endeavors to connect with and empower our diverse population of Shareholders and Descendants—across age ranges, cultures and geographies. Mark your calendar for the following programs and opportunities!
PHOTO CONTEST
Entry deadline: Aug. 17
Shareholder and confirmed Descendant photographers ages 10 to adult are invited to submit original photographs interpreting the theme “Building the Future, Guided by Tradition.” Photographs must be 1MB or larger and ideally landscape orientation. Winning photographers will receive cash prizes up to $500 and have their entries displayed at CIRI’s fall Friendship Potlatches. Certain photographs may also be selected for the 2026 CIRI calendar.
STELLAR SPACE EXPERIENCE
Application deadline: July 3
Program will be held July 25-27 in Anchorage and Kenai, Alaska
CIRI Shareholders and confirmed Descendants (rising 9-12 graders) will hone their teamwork, communication and leadership skills through hands-on STEM projects. Participants spend their first day at Cook Inlet Tribal Council’s Denełchin Lab, followed by an overnight stay at the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska. Students will work with an astronaut to design a space experiment.
VIRTUAL MENTORING
Mentor recruitment: Aug. 18-Sept. 21
- Cultivate your interpersonal and coaching skills, connect with other professionals and help develop the next generation of Alaska Native leaders! Mentors may be CIRI Shareholders or Descendants, other Alaska Native people or professionals from the broader community. Since this is a virtual program, participants may live anywhere in the U.S.
Mentee recruitment: Nov. 3–Dec. 7
- Mentees receive customized education/ career coaching, develop professionally and personally, engage in Alaska Native cultural activities, identify goals and achieve success. Mentees may choose among CIRI-selected mentors for their preferred pairings. The opportunity is open to CIRI Shareholders and confirmed Descendants ages 18+. As the program is held virtually, participants may live anywhere in the U.S.
