Rosita Kaahani Worl.

• Position: OFF THE CUFF

Rosita Worl's Tlingit name, Kaahani, means "woman who stands in the place of a man." During her life, Worl has made the place where she stands her own.

As an enthusiast for cultural survival with an eye toward changing institutions, Worl studied anthropology at Alaska Methodist University (now Alaska Pacific University) and then earned her master's degree and doctorate from Harvard. She now leads Sealaska Heritage Institute, a nonprofit arm of the regional Native corporation for Southeast, preserving and promoting the traditions of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people.

"I love to look out at our beautiful country here in Southeast, and it gives me great joy to look at our beautiful environment," she says. "I'm sold on Southeast."

Worl herself is a link to the past for her many grandchildren, whom she considers her greatest contribution to society. "Being able to see them and their development and their growth--to me that's so exciting," she says. "I'm so lucky to be able to be near my children and my grandchildren."

Alaska Business: What do you do in your free time? Rosita Worl: I am compulsive about work, and my fun work has to do with reading fun stuff that relates to my work. The other big thing for me is I love to have Sunday family dinners. That takes me most of the day, cooking for ten to twelve people.

AB: What's the most daring thing you've ever done?

Worl: People might think going whale hunting was daring. To me it was great field work... when I went to Baffin Island... I think that was probably the scariest thing I've ever done: ride on a snowmachine over sea ice that's covered with seawater.

AB: What are you superstitious about?

Worl: We have some beliefs down here about Kooshdaa Kaa (Land Otter Man)... You have to be really careful when you go in the woods, otherwise...