Tlingit & Haida’s 91st Annual Tribal Assembly will take place September 23-25, 2026, bringing Delegates together for three days of business, leadership reports, elections, resolutions and discussion on issues important to tribal citizens. This year’s theme is “Unbreakable Unity, Ancestral Strength.”
The Assembly opens Wednesday, September 23, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall with the Posting of Colors by Southeast Alaska Native Veterans, Yaaw Tei Yi Dance Group performance, Grand Entrance of Delegates and the official call to order by President Chalyee Éesh,Richard J. Peterson. Welcome addresses are scheduled for the first day including Tribal, municipal, state and federal leaders.
Keynote Address
One of the first major presentations of Tribal Assembly will be the Keynote Address by David Bean, Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association, scheduled for the morning of Wednesday, September 23.
The keynote comes as Tlingit & Haida continues advancing economic sovereignty through the establishment of Two Coppers Casino. Gaming readiness and continued enterprise development are part of the Tribe’s broader strategy to diversify revenue, build sustainable sources of income, and strengthen long-term self-sufficiency.
State of the Tribe
Immediately following the keynote, President Peterson will deliver the annual State of the Tribe Address.
The State of the Tribe provides an opportunity to reflect on progress, recognize the work taking place across Tlingit & Haida and look ahead to the priorities and opportunities before the Tribal government and its citizens.
That broader story of progress will continue throughout Tribal Assembly through reports on finances, tribal operations, federal affairs, education, economic development, the courts, housing, health care and other areas of tribal government.
Building What Matters
On Thursday, September 24, Chief Operating Officer Roald Helgesen will present the Tribal Operations & Enterprise Report.
The report will be framed around “Building What Matters: Stronger People, Stronger Programs, a Stronger Tribal Nation.” It highlights work across education and language, healthy communities, economic development, organizational capacity and stewardship of Tribal homelands.
The report also looks at how departments work toward a shared purpose: preserving sovereignty, strengthening self-sufficiency and improving the lives of Tribal Citizens.
Additional Tlingit & Haida reports include:
- Chief Financial Officer, Charlene Robertson
- Tlingit & Haida Foundation Executive Director, Jamie Gomez
- Tlingit Haida Tribal Business Corporation President/CEO, Richard Rinehart
Elections and Tribal Business
Delegates will also carry out important governance responsibilities during the three-day gathering. Candidate nominations and speeches are scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, followed by elections Thursday for President, First Vice President, five Vice Presidents, Associate Justice, Emerging Leader and Delegate/Citizen of the Year.
Friday’s agenda includes reports from the Judiciary Committee, Tribal Court, Emerging Leader, Bureau of Indian Affairs Alaska Region, Sealaska, Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority and SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, followed by consideration of resolutions and other Tribal business before adjournment.
How to Watch
Tribal citizens are encouraged to follow along throughout the week for news, photos, videos and highlights from the 91st Annual Tribal Assembly.
View the Draft 2026 Tribal Assembly Agenda: [INSERT LINK]. *The agenda is a draft and is subject to change.
- View on Tlingit & Haida’s Facebook page
- View on YouTube