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Sealaska Corp. announced today that Jaeleen Kookesh Araujo has been appointed as the Sealaska general counsel and vice president. Her primary responsibility will be directing all legal activities for the corporation, including development of legislation and regulations that advance Native issues and protecting shareholders' interests.

Prior to joining Sealaska, Araujo served as a senior associate at Van Ness Feldman in Washington, D.C., a law firm representing several Native corporations, including Sealaska. At Van Ness, Araujo provided legal representation in the fields of Alaska Native, American Indian, natural resources and energy law, including Sealaska's Haa Aaní land legislation. Her work includes lobbying and monitoring federal issues of concern to Native Americans.

"Jaeleen brings superior experience as an attorney and the perspective of a fellow tribal member shareholder," said Sealaska President and CEO Chris E. McNeil Jr. "We are proud to have an emerging Native leader join our staff at our corporate headquarters in Juneau."

"I am excited to use my legal experience and knowledge of Native issues for our Alaska Native shareholders. I look forward to representing our Native interests and working directly for Sealaska," said Araujo. Araujo is L'eeneidí (Dog Salmon) from Angoon.

Araujo holds a bachelor's degree from Stanford University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico School of Law. She is also a Sealaska shareholder, and a member of the Alaska Bar Association and the District of Columbia Bar Association.