Sealaska Director Ethel Lund recently announced her retirement from the Sealaska Board of Directors effective April 1, 2009. Her current term would have expired at the 2009 Annual Meeting. “On behalf of the Sealaska Board of Directors, we extend our appreciation for Ethel’s commitment and contribution to Sealaska over the past 21 years,” said Sealaska Board Chair Albert Kookesh. “Ethel has been a passionate advocate for our tribal member shareholders in all facets of her life and we will miss her insight and leadership in the board room.”

“Ethel has always been an inspiration to me,” said Tate London, Sealaska Director. “She conducts herself with poise and grace but has the wisdom of a warrior. Her contribution to the Native community is extensive and I know she will continue to impact our lives in positive ways.”

Ms. Lund resides in Juneau, Alaska and will continue to serve on the board of trustees for the Sealaska Heritage Institute. She was born and raised in Wrangell, Alaska and credits her grandparents, Tom and Josephine Ukas, for giving her the charge to serve Native people. Ms. Lund is president emeritus of the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC). In February of 2008, SEARHC's Juneau Medical Center was renamed the SEARHC Ethel Lund Medical Center in honor of her dedication and accomplishment with its organization.

The Sealaska Board unanimously appointed Sealaska tribal member shareholder and Alaska State Representative Bill Thomas to fill the vacancy left by retiring Director Ethel Lund. Per Sealaska Corporation Bylaws, the Board can fill the seat of a departing director, and unanimously appointed Thomas to serve the remainder of Lund’s term.

“Bill is an effective legislator who has been looking out for the best interest of all of the Southeast Alaska villages. He knows our people, our communities and our local challenges as well as anyone,” said Board Chair Albert Kookesh. “This is a critical time in Sealaska history to bring on an established leader. Bill and all of the other Sealaska directors have the Southeast economy, especially our subsistence and village economies, on the forefront of our minds. I am looking forward to his service to Sealaska.”

Mr. Thomas will serve on the audit, lands and shareholder relations committees. He and his wife live in Haines, Alaska and have five children. Mr. Thomas is Raven, Whale House and his Tlingit name is Kow’ ishkoow.

Sealaska Corporation has announced the 2009 community information meeting schedule. Sealaska board, management and staff will be visiting tribal member shareholders to present business information and to answer questions during six stops in April and May.

Friday April 17, 2009
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Juneau, Alaska Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall

Friday, May 8, 2009
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Saxman, Alaska Saxman Community Building
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Ketchikan, Alaska Ted Ferry Civic Center

Saturday, May 9, 2009
1:00 pm -- 3:00 pm Hydaburg, Alaska Hydaburg ANB Hall
6:30 pm -- 8:30 pm Klawock, Alaska Klawock ANB Hall

Sunday, May 10, 2009
12:00 pm -- 2:00 pm Craig, Alaska Craig Community Center

(Pictured Left) Bill Martin, president of Central Council and Chris E. McNeil Jr., president and CEO of Sealaska sign the MOU

Sealaska Corporation and Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Central Council) have entered a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop and enhance revenue for the Tribe and Sealaska. Chris E. McNeil, Jr., Sealaska president and CEO and Bill Martin, president of Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska signed the historic agreement on March 27, 2009. The agreement will strengthen opportunities for shareholders and members of both Native organizations. “This is a challenging time for Southeast Alaska but there’s potential for developing innovative and sustainable economies in Southeast,” stated McNeil. To learn more visit www.sealaska.com.

Shareholder Denise Berkeley helping to stretch the net for the M/V Miss Susan 

Sealaska shareholder Denise Berkeley participated in the 2009 Sitka Sound Herring Fishery. Denise who lives in Sitka, worked for Silver Bay Seafoods during the fishery along with her husband Dave Salter. Her role was to pull the cork lines above the water when the boats pulled in it’s set. “Our job was to prevent the boat from losing any herring when there was big set,” said Berkeley.

In the picture Denise is working with 4 other skiffs to pull the net. “Being able to participate in the 2009 herring sac roe fishery was both exciting and intense,” She said. “My immediate thought was to keep a lookout on all the herring boats as they race to set their nets for the very short opening. With the sac-roe herring fishery being so lucrative and restrictive, timing is key for this herring fleet.”

Sealaska Heritage Institute is hosting its 2009 Latseen Leadership Training July 12-14, 2009 at the University of Alaska Southeast, Auke Lake Campus in Juneau, Alaska. Alaska Native high school students who have an interest in Southeast Alaska Native history, language and culture and a desire to obtain college credit are encouraged to apply. A scholarship will be awarded to twenty students to cover the cost for tuition, meals and lodging.

To learn more visit http://www.sealaskaheritage.org/programs/latseen_summer_camps.htm or contact Sarah Dybdahl at 907.586.9234. Applications must be postmarked by May 22, 2009.

Sealaska Environmental Services is recruiting for a variety of positions. The newest vacancy postings include Country Manager, Subcontractor Administrator, Site-Level Construction Manager, and Quality Control / Environmental Site Safety Control located either in Bellevue or Poulsbo, Washington.

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