The Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida) hosted a ceremonial ribbon cutting to officially name its property at 410 Willoughby Avenue in honor of President Emeritus Edward K. Thomas. The event took place on the opening day of the Tribe’s 90th Annual Tribal Assembly.
Tlingit & Haida President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson emphasized the significance of renaming the building to honor the extraordinary legacy of Thomas, who served as President of the Tribe for 27 years. First elected in 1984, Thomas led the Tribe until his retirement in 2007. He returned to serve once again in 2010 and remained in office until his final retirement in 2014.
“President Emeritus Thomas was a visionary leader who laid the groundwork for so much of what we see today,” said President Peterson. “When he first retired, Tlingit & Haida owned just two buildings in Juneau. Today, we own 20 properties and own approximately 865 acres of land. While the Airport Annex on Glacier Highway already bears his name, we knew this renovated property at 410 Willoughby — a shining example of the Tribe’s growth — also deserved to carry his name.”
Thomas’s impact extends well beyond Tlingit & Haida. Over the course of his career, he held leadership roles across regional, state, and national Native organizations. He was instrumental in advancing tribal self-governance, education, and advocacy for Alaska Native peoples.
Executive Council 1st Vice President Jackie Pata reflected on Thomas’s mentorship and lasting influence. “I learned my lessons in leadership from Ed Thomas. He never came to a meeting unprepared,” Pata shared. “His legacy includes his work in education, as president of Central Council, his leadership on the Tribal Budget Advisory Committee, and his service as a technical advisor to the budget committee for NCAI.”
In his retirement, Thomas remained committed to serving his people. He created the Tlingit & Haida Hall of Fame, which celebrates tribal citizens whose lifetime contributions have helped shape the future of Alaska Native people.
During the ceremony, President Emeritus Thomas was joined by members of his L’eeneidí (Dog Salmon) clan, who stood proudly by his side as the ribbon was cut, and the building was formally dedicated in his honor.