Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s annual Tribal Assembly is postponed, according to Tlingit and Haida.
The 85th Annual Tribal Assembly, which was scheduled for April 22-24 in Juneau, will be rescheduled to a later date, Tlingit and Haida said in a release. The later date has not been determined.
The decision was made in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is a precautionary measure taken by the Executive Council to protect the health and safety of our delegates, tribal citizens, staff and communities,” said President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson in an email to delegates. “We appreciate your grace as we navigate these uncharted territories.”
Typically, Tribal Assembly gathers tribal delegates from around the country to discuss issues, pass resolutions, approve the budget and hold elections.
[Tribal delegates from around the country are heading to Juneau]
This year’s Tribal Assembly was planned to include the election of Tlingit and Haida’s president, vice presidents, chief justice, associate justice and emerging leader. With the postponement, Peterson and the current executive council will remain the governing body of the tribe until Tribal Assembly convenes and delegates have the opportunity to vote, according to Tlingit and Haida.
The office of the president will release revised deadlines for resolutions and elections once a new date for Tribal Assembly has been identified, according to Tlingit and Haida.
In a memo sent to delegates, Peterson outlined several items that addressed resolutions, elections and deadlines, according to Tlingit and Haida. Delegate elections will conclude on March 19. However, newly elected delegates will not be seated until Tribal Assembly. Delegates who were sworn in back in 2018, will remain in office until the newly elected delegates are sworn in at 85th Annual Tribal Assembly.
