Leaders from across Southeast Alaska and beyond gathered in Ketchikan this week for the Southeast Conference Annual Meeting, bringing together Tribal, municipal, business and community leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the region.

The annual meeting opened with a State of the Region panel discussion. Tlingit & Haida President Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson joined representatives from the Alaska Municipal League and Southeast Conference for the morning session, offering a Tribal perspective on economic development, housing, infrastructure, natural resources, climate impacts and the future of Southeast Alaska.

President Peterson described Southeast as a resilient region with significant opportunities, while emphasizing that communities are also facing rapid change and increasing pressure on their resources and infrastructure. He called for stronger regional partnerships and sustained Tribal capacity to help communities respond to those challenges and shape Southeast Alaska’s future.

Among the challenges highlighted were the high cost and limited availability of housing, uncertainty surrounding federal funding, and the need for continued investment in broadband, infrastructure and workforce development. President Peterson also pointed to this summer’s glacial lake outburst flood in Juneau as an example of the importance of governments working together while strengthening long-term disaster preparedness.

Natural resource stewardship was also central to the discussion. President Peterson spoke about declining salmon populations, changing ocean conditions, bycatch and invasive species, as well as the need for Tribes to have the capacity and authority to participate meaningfully in fisheries, forestry, monitoring and management of lands and waters.

“We need to move beyond consultation alone and create durable opportunities for Tribal governments to help manage these resources,” President Peterson said.

President Peterson also emphasized that protecting Southeast Alaska’s lands and waters and pursuing economic development are not competing goals. Tlingit & Haida continues to grow its own economic footprint through gaming, contracting and other enterprises while investing in education, workforce development and Tribal programs. The Tribe employs approximately 600 people, not including contracts in the Lower 48.

Looking toward the future, President Peterson called for continued investment in communities, education, workforce, infrastructure and Tribal governments. He emphasized that Tribes should be involved from the beginning as decisions are made that affect the region.

“We have an opportunity to build a Southeast that is economically strong, culturally grounded, resilient, and able to support the generations that come after us,” President Peterson said.

Southeast Conference serves as the federally designated Economic Development District and state-designated Alaska Regional Development Organization for Southeast Alaska. Its mission is to undertake and support activities that promote strong economies, sustainable communities and a healthy environment throughout the region.