May 16, 2013
Thursday PM

For the first time in my life, I decided to run as an Independent candidate for the Sealaska Board. The challenges Independents face are many. There are only 44 days from the date the proxy is issued before the Annual meeting. The Corporation uses shareholder money to send board slate out to informational meetings. The meetings are scheduled one right after the other and unless you have an endless pit of money, it is expense to attend on your own dime.

So, how does an independent shareholder reach all the shareholders before they vote, when the corporation gives the independent candidate labels the day they release their proxy? How does she share her concerns? Concerns like Over the last two years, under Sealaska's current board management, the executives have lost over $18,000,000 from Operations yet the Board still gave the top 5 executives over $2,000,000 in Bonuses and other Compensation.

How does an independent break the cycle of discretionary voting when it has been practiced for decades. When the use of discretionary voting only by management keeps the same old thoughts and business practices in place?

Would our grandparents who fought so hard for our settlement between the U.S. Government and our people, want their children or grandchildren to setup a system that retains them, benefits few and is unwelcoming? I don't think so. My grandmother, Katherine Rowan told me a story about how she used to go door-to-door in Klawock with her one pound coffee can seeking donations for our people back in Washington DC fighting for ANSCA. People would give what they could, .50¢ or $1.00. The money was to help buy them food as they would drink Jell-O Water to make themselves feel full. She told me how Leonard Kato Sr's father (Klawock) was not an Alaska Native however he gave Katherine $5.00 (a week's pay). He said I would not benefit from this however, one-day, my children and grandchildren will. So how do we honor them?

What I know is I carry my mother's and my grandmothers' hearts everywhere I go. The strength I have comes from being born Hinyaa Kwaán, (Klawock) and growing up in Taánt a Kwaan (Ketchikan) as well as being Chankweidi Yadi (child of the Haida people on my father's side).

If you don't control the rules, how can you change them? By voting directed.

Good luck, Independents.

Myrna Gardner
Juneau, Alaska

About: "Ms. Gardner is an Independent Candidate for Sealaska Board. She resides in Juneau and current works for SEARHC as a Contract Specialist/Contracting Officer"

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