Willie Kasayulie, Board Chair
Storyknife, May/June 2025 edition
As an Alaska Native corporation formed under ANCSA, or the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, Calista first considers the needs of our Shareholders as we grow. Our Mission is to: Increase Shareholder benefits and economic opportunities through innovation, growth, leadership, partnership, execution and financial discipline.
One growing need is the support of our Shareholder families through Burial Assistance provided and coordinated through our affiliated nonprofit, Calista Education & Culture (CEC).
Calista is CEC’s largest corporate donor, and the Calista Board saw the increased need to support families with loved ones in their passing. Calista increased the donation amount to Calista Education & Culture in January 2025 to provide $1,000 per family of a deceased Calista Corporation voting Shareholder or descendant of an original Shareholder. It was previously $500 per family.
Support through Shareholder burial assistance is just one way we hope to reduce some of the stress families face through the process of burying a loved one as they experience tremendous loss.
Willie Kasayulie, Calista Board Chair
As the costs associated with taking care of the affairs of deceased loved ones grow, we are cognizant of our Shareholders’ needs. Families are tasked with handling legal, financial and personal responsibilities of a loved one. Assisting our Shareholders in the form of monetary funeral assistance is one way we can make an impact.
Support through Shareholder burial assistance is just one way we hope to reduce some of the stress families face through the process of burying a loved one as they experience tremendous loss. We honor the memory of our ancestors as we honor our Elders and those who have come before us and leave before us.
CEC Burial Assistance
Calista Education and Culture (CEC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, governed by a Board of Directors and providing cultural preservation, educational empowerment, and Yuuyaraq guidance. Through these strategic priorities, our programs include cultural immersion camps, documenting and sharing traditional and historic knowledge, scholarships for higher education and vocational education, and burial assistance for Shareholders of Calista Corporation.
The Burial Assistance program may provide a one-time amount not to exceed $1,000 to be used towards funeral home, transportation, or other related funeral expenses. Applicants must be an immediate family member or a spouse of the deceased Calista Corporation voting Shareholder or Descendant of an original Shareholder to be considered eligible to apply for Burial Assistance.
