The Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska is honored to receive a legislative citation from the Thirty-Fourth Alaska State Legislature. The legislative citation recognizes the extraordinary efforts of the Tlingit & Haida Public Safety team and Tribal Emergency Operations Center (TEOC) during the catastrophic glacial outburst flood of August 2024.

On August 5, 2024, a glacial lake outburst flood from Suicide Basin on the Mendenhall Glacier sent more than 14.5 billion gallons of water surging through Juneau’s Mendenhall River, cresting at a record 15.99 feet. The resulting devastation impacted more than 300 homes and families in the community.

In response, Tlingit & Haida activated its TEOC by 7:30 a.m. the following morning. Personnel from across departments mobilized to assess damage, provide aid, and support residents, prioritizing Tribal citizens while aiding all affected Juneauites. Tlingit & Haida made door-to-door wellness checks, with a particular focus on elders and multi-generational households.

“Alaska is a better place because of the people who step up in times of crisis—and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of recognition than the team at Tlingit & Haida”, said Senator Jesse Kiehl.  “From construction and housing to emergency response and disaster relief, every hand played a role. What we did together as a community during last year’s flood was nothing short of extraordinary—it became a model for the rest of the state. I’ve had colleagues from around Alaska ask how we pulled it off, and I can proudly tell them: it was the Tribe. Tlingit & Haida was at the center—coordinating efforts, feeding families, putting boots on the ground. The response wouldn’t have been nearly as effective without you.”

The coordinated effort included support from the Tlingit Haida Tribal Business Corporation and the Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority, who deployed teams to clean up debris, assess homes for mold, and connect survivors with resources. When homes were no longer habitable, the Tribe provided emergency shelter and aid.

Beyond the immediate response, Tlingit & Haida played a critical role in securing a federal disaster declaration through close collaboration with the City & Borough of Juneau and the State of Alaska. The Tribe continues to work alongside local and state partners on long-term recovery efforts, including updates to the Multijurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan to ensure preparedness for future events.

“Recognizing those who step up in times of crisis is so important, and I want to thank Senator Kiehl for doing just that,” said President Richard Peterson. “During the flood, our partners showed up—without question, without ego—they were out there helping people immediately. It was incredible to see our programs take the lead and demonstrate what true service looks like.

I had the chance to walk the streets, to talk with our people, and we were there—every time. We saw support from Senator Sullivan, Senator Murkowski, Congresswoman Peltola, the Governor, and most importantly, from our community. I had folks come up to me and say, ‘I’m not a tribal citizen, but I want to help.’ That’s what community looks like—we’re all in this together.

I just want to say thank you. No one asked, ‘Am I getting paid? Am I getting overtime?’ They simply did what needed to be done. That’s what made me so proud—to be a part of this Tribe and to serve as President of Tlingit & Haida.”

“Thank you, Senator Kiehl, for being here and for recognizing the incredible work of the Tribe—it truly means a lot,” said Public Safety Director Jason Wilson. “I want to give a special shoutout to our Public Safety Manager, Sabrina Groom, who stepped into an unfamiliar role and absolutely rocked it. The whole public safety team rose to the occasion and performed at a consistently high level.”

The legislative citation commends Tlingit & Haida for its “exemplary leadership, swift action, and steadfast commitment to the safety and well-being of the Juneau community,” and acknowledges that every member of the Tribe played a role in holding the capital city together during and after the crisis.

As the community continues to recover, Tlingit & Haida remains committed to a long-term vision of resilience, healing and working together for the benefit of all.