Tlingit & Haida Delegates concluded the business of the Tribe today at the 91st Annual Tribal Assembly in Juneau, Alaska.
This year’s Assembly marked a historic milestone as Delegates from Portland, Oregon participated in Tribal Assembly for the first time. In 2024, Tribal Assembly adopted Resolution TA 24-19, sponsored by the Seattle Tlingit & Haida Community Council, designating Portland as a Tlingit & Haida community. Portland is the first new community authorized to form since Tlingit & Haida was founded in 1935.
During the three-day Assembly, Delegates heard leadership and program reports, considered resolutions and conducted elections for Executive Council leadership and other key positions.
91st Tribal Assembly Election Results
President
Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson
First Vice President
Clinton E. Cook
Vice Presidents
Rob Sanderson, Jr.
Frances Mills
Will Micklin
Michelle D. Martin
William A. Ware
Associate Justice
Cheryl Demmert Fairbanks
Emerging Leader
Shania R. Murphy
Citizen of the Year
Jennifer Cordova-James
This election also marks the implementation of changes adopted by Tribal Assembly in 2025 establishing a designated First Vice President, elected separately from the other Vice Presidents. The First Vice President serves as President during the President’s absence or in the event of a vacancy, helping ensure continuity of governance and service to tribal citizens.
Under the amended governing documents, the remaining five Vice President positions are no longer numbered or ranked. They all serve equally as Vice Presidents, with no numerical order.
The 91st Tribal Assembly also welcomed Indian Gaming Association Chairman David Z. Bean as keynote speaker. Bean recognized the significance of Tlingit & Haida opening Two Coppers Casino on July 1, 2026, describing Tribal gaming as an exercise of sovereignty and self-determination that can create jobs, career pathways, business opportunities and revenue to advance Tribal priorities.
Bean also emphasized the importance of Tribal Nations standing together to protect Tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction over gaming.
“No Tribal Nation should have to defend their rights alone. Indian Country is strongest when we stand together,” Bean said.
Links to key Tlingit & Haida reports:
Keynote Address | Indian Gaming Association Chair David Z. Bean
State of the Tribe | Tlingit & Haida President Richard Peterson
Chief Operating Officer Report | Tlingit & Haida COO Roald Helgeson
Chief Financial Officer Report | Tlingit & Haida CFO Charlene Robertson
Tlingit & Haida Foundation Report | Tlingit & Haida Foundation Executive Director Jamie Gomez
Full Video Day II 91st Tribal Assembly
Full Video Day II | 91st Tribal Assembly
Full Video Day III | 91st Tribal Assembly
Gunalchéesh, Háw’aa to all Delegates, tribal citizens, Elders, leaders, staff and guests who participated in the 91st Annual Tribal Assembly and helped carry forward this year’s theme: Unbreakable Unity, Ancestral Strength.
View all images from 2026 Tribal Assembly.
