Two newly-carved house posts now proudly stand at the Generations Southeast Prince of Wales Island (POW) Campus, located just outside the community of Klawock. These house posts, carved by Jon Rowan, are more than structural elements — they symbolize the cultural foundation and enduring strength of the people of Prince of Wales Island. 

Charles Edwardson, who has served as the Generations Southeast POW Campus Director since 2024, says the inspiration came from walking through the campus doors each day. He would often pass the cedar support beams at the front entrance — and envisioned something more. That vision has now taken shape in the form of traditional Tlingit house posts, which he says reflect both the revitalization of the campus and its grounding in cultural values. 

“These house posts are anchoring the building in who we are,” Edwardson said. “They hold up the structure, just like our values hold up our community.” 

In 2023, Tlingit & Haida signed a long-term lease agreement with the City of Klawock to assume operations of the Prince of Wales Island Vocational & Technical Education Center. The POW campus is open to the public and operates through a partnership between the University of Alaska, AVTEC, Sealaska, and municipal governments. 

Klawock Mayor Nick Nickerson sees the Generations Southeast POW Campus as a cornerstone for the region’s future. “By investing in training through Generations Southeast, we are helping to build our economy by developing a workforce,” Nickerson said. “To be a sustainable community, we need economy, housing, and a workforce.” 

The campus offers a range of hands-on courses, including CDL certification, carpentry, CPR and first aid, and culturally rooted training like sea otter processing. Nickerson says the community’s wealth is found at the intersection of culture and economic development. He’s especially proud of the next major addition to the campus — a dorm for students — which he says will help transform it into a true regional learning hub. 

“When I drive by the campus, I always say, ‘Hey, there’s the University of Klawock,’” he said with a smile. 

The Generations Southeast POW Campus is located on the traditional lands of the Shangukeidí, Ganakadeit clan house. Featuring both Raven and Eagle, the Raven post stands at the facility’s main entrance — a nod to the Ganakadeit clan, who traditionally lived in the area where the campus is now.