The Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida) has concluded its historic Constitutional Convention, where Delegates engaged in thoughtful deliberations on proposed amendments to the Tribe’s Constitution and Rules of Election. A significant focus of these discussions was on the representation structure, particularly on the proposed reduction to the growing number of Delegates. Reductions to Delegate representation were made to the urban communities of Anchorage, AK, Juneau, AK, Seattle, WA, and San Francisco, CA, while maintaining village representation. This decision, rooted in the legislative branch’s apportionment and based on the work of the Constitutional Committee, aims to ensure equitable representation that reflects the evolving needs of Tlingit & Haida’s communities.

President Chalyee Éesh Richard J. Peterson expressed his commitment to implementing the decisions of the Tribal Assembly, stating, “The Constitutional Convention was a powerful expression of self-governance. Through open dialogue and cultural grounding, elected Delegates took meaningful steps to shape the future of our Tribe’s governance.”

The Constitutional Convention was convened following a majority vote by Delegates at the 2023 Tribal Assembly, highlighting the importance of a thorough review of Tlingit & Haida’s Constitution and governance structure to support the Tribe’s growing citizenry and address operational challenges.

During the three-day Tribal Assembly, 118 Delegates participated both in person and virtually, honoring nine decades of self-governance. While the changes to Delegate representation sparked important discussions, they are designed to ensure that all voices within the Tlingit & Haida community are heard and represented.

Technical Amendments

Delegates voted to approve a suite of technical amendments that modernize the Constitution’s language and structure. These changes improve clarity, remove gendered language, streamline content, and reorganize articles for better accessibility and comprehension.

Election & Succession Amendments

In a significant move to ensure leadership continuity, the Tribal Assembly adopted amendments to establish a designated First Vice President, elected separately from the other Vice Presidents. This role will act as the President in times of absence or vacancy, ensuring uninterrupted governance and service to citizens. This will take effect for the 2026 Tribal Assembly elections.

Elected Representation Amendments

Delegates approved changes to the representative structure.  As a result, the following changes were adopted:

• The number of eligible voters required to entitle a recognized Community to a Delegate shall be 275, rounded down to the nearest whole number.
• Communities within the homelands territory of Southeast Alaska will be allocated no fewer than 2 Delegates and no more than 20 Delegates.
• Communities outside the homelands territory of Southeast Alaska will be allocated no fewer than 2 Delegates and no more than 4 Delegates.

Next Steps

These adopted amendments will be immediately incorporated into the Constitution and Rules of Election.

Following the closing of Tribal Assembly, President Peterson stated, “As we celebrate the progress made during our 90th Annual Tribal Assembly, I want to reassure all our citizens—whether you reside within our homelands or beyond—that we are dedicated to expanding and enhancing the services you rely on. Significant steps have already been taken to ensure that your voices are heard and your needs are met. This commitment will not waver; we will continue to strive for excellence in service delivery for every citizen of our communities, no matter where they may call home.” 

Resolutions from the 90th Annual Tribal Assembly were deferred to the next regular Executive Council meeting for consideration.