Sealaska Board Chair Recognized as Citizen of the Year by AFN

The Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) presented the Citizen of the Year award to Senator Albert Kookesh who also serves as Sealaska board chair. The award was presented at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage where the AFN annual convention is being held.

“If you know me, I don’t expect to receive an award, except for basketball,” said Kookesh. “I am following the path of others that have left one for me to follow, such as Marlene Johnson. I’m now leaving a path for others like Elizabeth Hensley, Joy Shockley, John Muller, Russell Dick, my kids and my grandkids.”

Kookesh took the opportunity to discuss the State of Alaska’s subsistence regulations that don’t align with federal law. He told state leaders who have voted against subsistence that they should settle on the issue with current Alaska Native leadership. “The next generation of Alaska Native leaders will be better qualified than us, have a higher education and more financial resources and more sophisticated,” said Kookesh. “The next generation is coming so watch out.”

Kookesh serves in the Alaska State Legislature as senator to District C, the largest senate district in the United States. He has a Bachelor of Arts in history from Alaska Methodist University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Washington.

He joined the Sealaska Board of Directors in 1976 and currently serves as board chair. He is an ex-officio member of all board committees and serves on the Elders' Settlement Trust Board of Trustees. He also serves as a director for Sealaska Timber Corporation and Klawock Island Dock Company, Inc. He is co-chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives, served as past secretary and grand president of the Alaska Native Brotherhood, and was special assistant to Alaska Governor Tony Knowles.

He accepted the award with his wife Sally, daughter Jaeleen Araujo, and sons Albert Jr., and Walter. He has two other children, Elaine and Reanna.

Kookesh, from Angoon, is of the Tlingit Nation, Eagle Tribe, Teikweidí (Brown Bear) Clan, child of L'eeneidí (Dog Salmon) Clan. His Tlingit names are KA ShAAN and YikdehHeiN.