Qutekcak Native Tribe
“Changing with the tides, in harmony with our people, land and heritage.”
Honoring Stewardship: Qutekcak Native Tribe Recognized with Planet Blue Partner Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Qutekcak Native Tribe Receives Planet Blue Partner Award from the Alaska SeaLife Center
Seward, Alaska — The Qutekcak Native Tribe is proud and deeply honored to be named the recipient of the Planet Blue Partner Award by the Alaska SeaLife Center. This distinguished recognition highlights not only the Tribe’s dedication to cultural preservation and environmental stewardship, but also the power of collaboration built through strong partnerships and shared values.
Honoring Shared Stewardship
The Planet Blue Partner Award is more than a symbol of achievement—it represents the respect, trust, and shared responsibility that have developed between the Qutekcak Native Tribe and the Alaska SeaLife Center. Together, the Tribe and the Center have worked to advance a common vision: protecting Alaska’s waters and wildlife, supporting education and research, and honoring the traditional knowledge that has sustained Alaska Native people and the environment for generations.
Recognizing Carol and Garry Hull
The Qutekcak Native Tribe extends its deepest gratitude to Carol Pickett Hull and Garry Hull, whose vision, leadership, and tireless dedication made this recognition possible. Their guidance and efforts have been instrumental in strengthening the connection between the Qutekcak Native Tribe and the Alaska SeaLife Center. This honor stands as a testament to their commitment to community, education, and environmental care.
Commitment to Alaska’s Future
The Qutekcak Native Tribe accepts the Planet Blue Partner Award on behalf of its members, its partners, and all who share in the responsibility of protecting Alaska’s unique ecosystems. This recognition reinforces the Tribe’s shared belief that collaboration, respect, and stewardship are the foundation for a healthier future—for both people and the planet.
Historical Overview
The aboriginal Qutekcak (pronounced K’toochek) Native Tribe was located in and around Seward, Alaska, on the sheltered northern tip of Resurrection Bay, which opens up to the Gulf of Alaska. Qutekcak translates from the Alutiiq language as “Big Beach” (Quta meaning beach). Qutekcak was a prehistoric Alaska Native mixing area, serving as a crossroads for the various Alutiiq and Sugpiaq groups residing in the rich marine geographical region of South Central Alaska, extending from Kodiak and the Alaska Peninsula in the west, across Lower Cook Inlet/Kachemak Bay and the Gulf of Alaska, to the islands of Prince William Sound and the northern Alaska Panhandle in the east.
Other Alaska Natives joined the aboriginal community through forced labor and voluntary work when the Russian traders established a ship building settlement at the present day Seward location in the early part of 19th century. U. S. commercial interests, beginning in 1867 with the U. S. purchase of Alaska from Russia, provided further population influx and mixing. Gold miners arrived in the 1890’s, setting up an encampment as the trail head for the overland route to Hope and Sunrise. Then in 1903 the Alaska Railroad officially established the town of Seward as its southern terminus by purchasing land from Mary Lowell, of mixed Russian and Alaska Native ancestry, and building over an old Native village site.
They mattered then. They matter now. And they will continue to matter for generations to come.
Although the Jesse Lee Cemetery Memorial Archway Project has received foundational funding, community support remains an important part of bringing this vision fully to life and ensuring its lasting care. 🤍
This memorial is more than a structure — it is a place of remembrance, reflection, and respect for lives connected to this history and this land. Every contribution helps strengthen the work of honoring memory, preserving history, and caring for a space that will serve future generations.
Donations will help support long-term stewardship, site care, ceremonial elements, and continued preservation connected to this sacred place.
If you feel moved to stand with us in this effort, your support becomes part of that remembrance.
Together, we help ensure that memory remains visible, honored, and cared for.
Community Announcement
Jesse Lee Cemetery Memorial Archway Project
The Qutekcak Native Tribe is deeply honored to share that the They Mattered Then, They Matter Now: Jesse Lee Cemetery Memorial Archway Project has been fully funded.
There are places in every community where history remains present, even in silence. The Jesse Lee Cemetery is one of those places.
For many years, this sacred ground has carried memory quietly — holding stories, lives, and history that deserve to be acknowledged with care, dignity, and lasting respect. For our Tribe, this project is not simply about building an archway. It is about creating something visible where remembrance has long lived quietly, and ensuring that what has been carried in the hearts of many is now also reflected in a place that others can see, enter, and understand.
This memorial archway will stand at the entrance of the cemetery as a lasting expression of honor for the children connected to the Jesse Lee Home. It will mark this place with the dignity it deserves and affirm something deeply important to us: that these lives mattered, that they are remembered, and that their place in history remains part of this land and this community.
For the Qutekcak Native Tribe, this carries deep meaning because remembrance is an act of responsibility. It is how we honor those who came before us, how we acknowledge difficult chapters of history, and how we ensure that future generations understand that memory should never disappear simply because time has passed.
The memorial archway will serve as:
A lasting place of remembrance
A visible acknowledgment of history
A cultural marker for future generations
A sacred space for reflection, education, and healing
We extend our deepest gratitude to Rasmuson Foundation for recognizing the significance of this work and for fully funding a project that will carry meaning for generations to come. Their support allows this vision to move forward in a way that honors both history and community.
We also extend sincere appreciation to North of Hope for their encouragement and support. The presence of those who believe in the importance of remembrance strengthens work like this and reminds us that meaningful projects are often carried forward together.
This project reflects the voices of elders, community members, cultural advisors, historians, and tribal leadership who understood that this place deserved more than quiet recognition. It deserved a visible expression of care — a statement that memory remains here, and that respect remains here.
For us, this memorial is not simply an entrance. It is a promise that history will be honored, that lives connected to this place will be remembered with dignity, and that future generations will know that remembrance is part of who we are.
They mattered then. They matter now. And they will continue to matter for generations to come.
With gratitude,
Qutekcak Native Tribe
Healing and Honor: The Jesse Lee Cemetery Project
Dear Friends and Supporters of North of Hope,
As we look ahead to the summer of 2026, I'm filled with a profound sense of purpose and gratitude for the journey we're on together. At North of Hope, our nonprofit based in Alaska, we've dedicated ourselves to serving the Qutekcak Native Tribe in Seward. Our work isn't just about projects—it's about building bridges, fostering understanding, and supporting the community's vision for a brighter future. This coming year, our Capstone Project takes us to a place of deep historical significance: the Jesse Lee Cemetery. We're inviting you to join us in this effort, not as outsiders, but as allies in a shared path toward healing.
To understand the importance of this project, we must first acknowledge the painful history it represents. From 1926 to 1964, the Jesse Lee Home operated as a boarding school for Native children in Seward. Like many similar institutions across the Northwest United States and Canada, it was a site of profound hardship. Children were separated from their families, cultures, and languages, often under coercive policies that aimed to assimilate them into dominant society. Tragically, many young lives were lost during this era due to illness, neglect, and the harsh conditions of the time. The Jesse Lee Cemetery became the final resting place for these children—unmarked graves that stood as silent witnesses to untold grief. For decades, this site has symbolized the intergenerational trauma inflicted on Indigenous communities, a wound that echoes through families and tribes to this day.
But history doesn't have to end in sorrow. The Jesse Lee Cemetery Project is about transforming this space into one of dignity, remembrance, and closure. In partnership with the Qutekcak Native Tribe, we're planning thoughtful improvements that honor the past while creating a welcoming environment for reflection and healing. Our key elements include installing gravel pathways to make the cemetery more accessible, ensuring visitors can navigate the grounds with ease and respect. We'll also construct a large entry arch, a symbolic gateway that invites people to enter with reverence. This arch won't just be a structure; it will incorporate elements inspired by Qutekcak traditions, serving as a beacon of cultural pride and resilience.
The photo rendering above represents an artist's rendition of what we plan on creating and installing this coming summer.
Why now? The Qutekcak community has long expressed a desire to reclaim and revitalize this site. For tribal members, it's more than a cemetery—it's a sacred ground where ancestors rest, and where stories of survival can be shared. By enhancing the space, we're helping to provide closure for families who may have never known the full extent of their losses. Imagine a parent or grandparent visiting for the first time, walking a clear path to a loved one's grave, feeling the weight of history lift just a little. This project aligns with broader movements across North America to address the legacies of boarding schools, including truth and reconciliation efforts that emphasize community-led initiatives.
At North of Hope, we see ourselves as true partners in this work. We've collaborated closely with tribal leaders and elders to ensure every decision reflects their priorities and values. Our role is to support, not to lead—to bring resources, volunteers, and expertise that amplify the tribe's voice. For the 2026 season, we're organizing work teams from across the U.S. to assist with construction and site preparation. These teams will include skilled laborers, and anyone passionate about making a difference. It's an opportunity for hands-on involvement, where participants can learn from Qutekcak hosts about the site's history and significance.
Of course, bringing this vision to life requires resources. We're estimating costs for materials, labor, and community engagement events, and we're turning to our generous support base—you—to help make it possible. If this project resonates with you, we invite you to contribute in a way that feels right. Donations can fund gravel for the pathways, lumber for the arch, an engineer for the support footings, or even interpretive signage that shares the stories of those buried there.
The cost of carving this archway is currently unknown. We are in contact with master carvers in Southeast Alaska to find a way to make this happen. Remember, North of Hope planned and built three different Carving Sheds out on Prince of Wales Island and our relationships with the people there remain warm and ongoing. Pray that God will lead us to the right artist/carver!
Every gift, no matter the size, moves us closer to completion. You can give online through our secure portal at northofhope.org/donate, or reach out to our team for other options like planned giving or matching grants. Simply reply to this email to take these steps.
We don't take your support lightly. In a world where demands on our time and resources are constant, we appreciate that choosing to stand with us is a deliberate act of solidarity. For our Qutekcak friends and tribal members reading this: know that North of Hope is committed to being a respectful partner. This project is yours—born from your resilience and guided by your wisdom. We're here to walk alongside you, ensuring that the Jesse Lee Cemetery becomes a place of peace and empowerment for generations to come.
As we prepare for 2026, let's remember that healing isn't a solitary endeavor. It's communal, it's ongoing, and it's strengthened by each of us. Thank you for considering how you might join this meaningful chapter. Together, we're not just building pathways; we're paving the way for hope.
In partnership and gratitude,
Rod & Donna Koop
North of Hope
Your Community Resource
QNT…
is the tribal organization of the Native Community of Seward, Alaska. It is created to promote the unity, self-determination, and empowerment of our members and other Native people residing in the Eastern Kenai Peninsula. Qutekcak provides services that strengthen the people by increasing opportunities, and enhancing their mental, physical, and spiritual well being, in harmony with our land, and heritage.
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Jesse Lee Cemetery Memorial: They Mattered Then, They Matter Now
The Jesse Lee Cemetery stands as a sacred place of remembrance for the children taken to the Jesse Lee Home in Seward — children whose lives became part of a painful chapter in our shared history, and some who never returned home. It is a place where memory must be held with care, where lives are honored with dignity, and where truth is not hidden but acknowledged. Here, we remember not only those who were lost, but the enduring strength of those whose stories remain connected to this land. In honoring this place, we commit ourselves to truth, remembrance, healing, and unity for generations to come.
Who We Are
Strengthening Our People. Honoring Our Heritage. Building Forward.
At Qutekcak Native Tribe, our work reaches beyond programs — it reflects a living commitment to our people, our culture, and the future we are building together.
Every effort we lead is rooted in the belief that strong communities are created when culture is protected, families are supported, opportunities are expanded, and history is honored.
Across our work, we are actively strengthening community life through initiatives that preserve Alaska Native heritage, support wellness, respond to community needs, and create practical pathways for future generations.
Our work includes:
Cultural preservation and traditional knowledge
Youth leadership and community engagement
Elder support and family-centered services
Wellness, prevention, and healing initiatives
Advocacy and community response efforts
Food security and local resource development
Infrastructure and community improvement projects
Historical preservation and education
Strategic partnerships that expand opportunity
From cultural classes and youth programs to wellness initiatives, advocacy efforts, community development projects, and historical preservation, our work reflects both immediate service and long-term vision.
We continue to build in ways that honor who we are while preparing for what comes next — creating stronger systems, stronger connections, and stronger opportunities for future generations.
Everything we do is guided by responsibility: to our people, to our land, to our history, and to those who will come after us.
Rooted in tradition. Driven by purpose. Building a stronger future together.