Providing current news on Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska's
government, administrative, and program activities.
Tlingit & Haida eNews 1.28.21
News in this Edition...
  • President Peterson Joins Jay Treaty Border Alliance Panel
  • Navigators Program Delivers Baked Goods to Frontline Workers
  • Members Appointed to Tlingit & Haida Youth Commission
  • Hawaiian Video Podcast Discusses Indigenous (ʻōiwi) Leadership Values
Upcoming Virtual Events
  • Reentry Housing Donation Drive
President Peterson Joins Jay Treaty Border Alliance Panel
Earlier this week, President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson participated in a panel during the Jay Treaty Border Alliance virtual meeting to discuss U.S.-Canada border-crossing issues and efforts to facilitate the mobility of Indigenous people. He was joined by leaders of Indigenous nations and tribes located on or near the international boundaries.
 
"Unfortunately, our traditional territories of the Southeast Alaska tribes are very well divided by this imaginary line and this border," said President Peterson. "We have tribal citizens in the Yukon and in British Columbia and it has really made our lives extremely difficult. Many of our people can't freely pass across the border if they have any kind of infractions."
 
During the panel, President Peterson along with two other panelists spoke in favor of the Tribal Border Crossing Parity Act which would provide the right of American Indians born in Canada or the United States to pass the borders of the United States to any individual who is a member or is eligible to be a member of a federally recognized tribe in Canada or the United States.
 
The original Jay Treaty, signed in 1794 between Great Britain and the United States, provides that American Indians may travel freely across the international boundary if they can provide evidence of their heritage and are at least 50 percent Native American. The Jay Treaty Border Alliance seeks to remove the blood quantum requirement in the United States and improve the education and cultural sensitivity of border agents.
 
President Peterson believes tribes must continue to advocate for the Indigenous right of crossing and demand that we get a voice at the table regarding border policies.
 
"We need a permanent, regular role of tribes in the international bodies and the decision making and policymaking of border states," President Peterson said. "Tribes need direct participation."
Navigators Program Delivers Baked Goods to Frontline Workers
Youth participating in Tlingit & Haida’s Navigators program recently learned the 7 C’s of resilience: Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character, Contribution, Coping and Control. They have been teaming up with friends in Ghana and Soldotna during their International Resilience Exchange meetings to learn more about what these words mean. The Navigators focus on each of the 7 C's and utilize them through different activities and with varying intentions.

To deepen their understanding of the word "contribution", the Navigators youth began working to give back to the community in different ways. Navigators youth, Emma Phelps, proposed the idea to deliver hundreds of baked goods, thank you cards and posters to essential frontline workers and first responders in Juneau. Over two days last week, the Navigators distributed their tasty homemade baked goods to AWARE, Bartlett Regional Hospital, Capital City Fire/Rescue, Foodland, Fred Meyer, Glory Hall, Juneau Police Department, Super Bear, the warming shelter, and high schools.

Gunalchéesh, Háw’aa to our Navigators for showing us all how to put the word "contribution" into action and for holding up our essential workers and first responders!
Members Appointed to Tlingit & Haida Youth Commission
Congratulations to the new members of Tlingit & Haida’s Youth Commission! Through the work of an advisory group last year, Tlingit & Haida established a Youth Commission to provide an opportunity for youth to develop leadership skills and learn about Tlingit & Haida’s governing structure, parliamentary procedures, resolution drafting and effective tools for advocacy.

The Youth Commission is comprised of tribal citizen youth between the ages of 15-27. All members were appointed by Tlingit & Haida President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson and will serve a two-year term. Join us in welcoming our new Youth Commission members!
Youth Commission Members
Anchorage
Patrick Frerich
Lauren Walicki

Angoon
Lilliana Demmert
Tiadola Silva

Craig
Alissa Durgan
Laci Lowery

Hydaburg
Joseph Hilaire Jr.
Juneau
Phillip Cadiente-Laiti
Patrice DeAsis
Alayna Duncan

Sitka
Sabena Allen
Marlis Boord
Brittany Kembel

Kake
Drew Jackson

Ketchikan
Rebecca Estrin
Klawock
Kevin Isaacs

Metlakatla
Jeannette Kaleikau-Buxton

Petersburg
Sydney Guthrie

Seattle
Elizah Dominy
Christianna Edwards
Erika Mayer
Hawaiian Video Podcast Discusses Indigenous (ʻōiwi) Leadership Values
The Pacific Ocean may separate us from our Hawaiian ‘ohana, but our history and strong ties keep us connected!
 
President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson and Cultural Heritage & Education Director Sarah Dybdahl, along with Sealaska CEO Anthony Mallott and Chair Joe Nelson, recently joined the Kaʻiwakīloumoku Pacific Indigenous Institute for a panel discussion on Indigenous leadership values as part of a Pacific Conversations video podcast series.

The episode titled, “Alaska Native Canoe Legacy: Indigenous (ʻōiwi) Leadership Values,” includes a video recap of the 2019 Alaska-Hawaii Conference, as well as a conversation on topics such as sovereignty, drawing wisdom from the words of our Elders, nurturing your “inner ancestor”, culture and Indigenous identity, and the collective strength of our indigenous people to create positive social change.
 
Click here to check out the video.
Upcoming Event
Reentry Housing Donation Drive
Date: Saturday, February 6, 2021
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Andrew Hope Building Parking Lot (320 W. Willoughby Ave. - Juneau, AK)

Help us provide a warm and welcoming environment to the residents of our Reentry Transitional Housing programs!

A donation drive for essential items, in partnership with the Northern Light United Church, will be held on February 6, 2021 in the parking lot of the Andrew Hope Building (320 W. Willoughby Avenue) from 10 AM to 4 PM.

Note: Please wear a mask and adhere to all COVID-19 safety measures.
Donation Items Needed:
  • Art Supplies
  • Artwork
  • Backpacks
  • Board Games & Cards
  • Books
  • Comforters & Quilts
  • Dental Floss
  • Dish Cloths & Towels
  • Dishes
  • Fabric Softener (Bulk)
  • Hand Soap
  • Ice Melt
  • Journals
  • Laundry Baskets
  • Laundry Soap (Bulk)
  • New Socks & Underwear
  • Nonperishable Foods
  • Personal Hygiene Products
  • Picture Frames
  • Pillows
  • Planners (Schedule/Calendar Books)
  • Plastic Drawers
  • Pots & Pans
  • Puzzles
  • Sheet Sets (Twin Size)
  • Stamps
  • Stationary
  • Throw Blankets & Pillows
  • Toiletries
  • Wash Cloths & Towels
Monetary donations are also welcome. Please note "Reentry & Recovery" in the check memo field and mail to Tlingit & Haida at 9097 Glacier Highway, Juneau AK 99801.

For more information on the donation drive, email Reentry & Recovery manager Talia Eames at teames@ccthita-nsn.gov.
 Our Mission
“Preserve our sovereignty, enhance our economic and cultural resources, and promote
self-sufficiency and self-governance for our citizens.”