(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida) announced today that 4th Vice President Rob Sanderson Jr. has been seated as Chairman of the Southeast Alaska Indigenous Transboundary Commission (SEITC). 

SEITC is a consortium of 15 federally recognized tribes in Southeast Alaska whose mission is to create a unified voice for Indigenous peoples who are facing impacts from industrialization occurring in our region. Established in March of 2014 as the United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group, SEITC seeks to protect ancestral tribal lands and waters in the Southeast Alaska, Bristol Bay, British Columbia and Yukon Territory regions . SEITC derives its authority from tribal governments in the following communities: Craig, Douglas, Hydaburg, Juneau, Kake, Kasaan, Ketchikan, Klawock, Klukwan, Metlakatla, Petersburg, Saxman, Sitka, Wrangell and Yakutat.

“The Tribe congratulates VP Sanderson on his appointment to Chairman of SEITC,” said President Richard (Chalyee Éesh) Peterson. “We are grateful for his continued work protecting our sacred ancestral lands and environment. Rob has been a long-time advocate of environmental issues, raising awareness of the transboundary mining threats that exist in Southeast Alaska. With his experience, I believe we can accomplish the Tribe’s long-term commitment to support the sustained wellbeing of our land and culture and succeed in creating a vibrant, healthy future for our people.”

Chairman Sanderson is Haida of the Eagle moiety, Stuts Clan. His Haida name is Gu’usuwaa . He has served as a Tlingit & Haida Delegate since 2000 and is currently serving his 6 th term on the Executive Council. Sanderson is a strong leader on important Alaska Native issues such as fisheries, subsistence (our way of life) and transboundary mining. He represents the Tribe on the Indigenous People’s Council for Marine Mammals (IPCoMM), United States Forest Service (USFS) Alaska Tribal Leaders Committee and the Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission to name a few. He also participates on the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council and is a member of the Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 14.

"I look forward to working closely with the Commission’s Vice Chair Jennifer Hanlon, the Executive Committee and member tribes to bring transparency moving forward,” said Chairman Sanderson. “We are working hard to solidify ties with British Columbia and the Yukon Territory to ensure environmental security and stability for our traditional waterways.”

Editing by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida)
www.ccthita-nsn.gov

 

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