"As
Natives, we understand that a forest is a unified community, a complex
system that is greater than the sum of its parts. The same is true for
the human community of Southeast Alaska. Together, we can produce
something far better than what we are doing separately."
Chris E. McNeil, Jr. is Tlingit and a member of the Nisga’a Nation. He is Eagle Daklaweidi (Killerwhale) House and his Tlingit name is Shaakakóoni.
Chris has served as the president and CEO of Sealaska Corporation since 2001.
Originally
from Juneau, he has worked for Sealaska since 1978, holding various
positions, including two terms as executive vice president and general
council and one term on the board of directors.
Prior to
joining Sealaska, Chris held numerous positions around the country,
including Washington representative and counsel to the Mashantucket
Pequot Tribal Nation in Connecticut, chairman of the Native American
Rights Fund, director of American Indian Programs at Stanford
University, director of Goldbelt, Inc., director of the American Indian
National Bank, president of the Juneau Tlingit and Haida Community
Council, chairman of the Tlingit and Haida Regional Housing Authority
and second vice president of the Tlingit and Haida Indians of Alaska.
Chris
earned a law degree from Stanford University, a Bachelor of Arts in
political science from Stanford University, and a master's in political
science from Yale University.
"Our heritage is at the heart
of Sealaska. To sustain our culture over the past 10,000 years, Alaska
Natives have had to adapt to change. Yet throughout time, we have
mantained values that guide us and form the core of our community. And
when new forces test our resolve, Alaska Natives rely on our core
values for strength and guidance to compete in the challenging business
world—for employment, education and economic gains."
President and CEO