Chilkoot Indian Association
Chilkoot Indian Association (Haines)
Deishú (Tlingit) | |
|---|---|
 Carved welcome poles in Haines, Alaska | |
  Chilkoot Indian Association (Haines) Chilkoot Indian Association | |
| Coordinates: 59°14′01″N 135°26′50″W / 59.23361°N 135.44722°W | |
| Constitution Ratified | December 5, 1941 |
| Capital | Haines |
| Government | |
| • Type | Representative democracy |
| • Body | Chilkoot Tribal Council |
| • President | James G̱ooch Éesh Hart |
| • Vice President | William Thomas |
| Population (2003) | |
• Estimate | 480 |
| Demonym | Tlingit |
| Time zone | UTC– 09:00 (AKST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC– 08:00 (AKDT) |
| Website | www |
The Chilkoot Indian Association (Haines) is a federally recognized Native American tribe in the United States of Chilkoot Tlingit people.[1]. This Alaska Native tribe is headquartered in Haines, Alaska.[2] Haines is called Tlingit: Deishú, which means both the beginning and end of a trial.[3] Historically it was a trade route, particularly for hooligan oil.[3]
The tribe had 480 citizens in 2003.[4]
Government
The Chilkoot Indian Association are led by a democratically elected tribal council. They maintain a government-to-government relationship with the United States federal government and international governments.[4]
Their tribal administration is:
- President: James G̱ooch Éesh Hart.[5][3]
- Vice President: William Thomas
- Secretary/Treasurer: Andrea Ferrin
- Council Member: Patrick Dunbar
- Council Member: Georgiana Hotch
- Council Member: Gwen Sauser
- Council Member: Kevin Thompson
- SEARHC Representative: Janice Hill[6]
The Chilkoot Indian Association ratified their constitution and by-laws in 1941.[2] They are served by the Alaska Regional Office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.[5] The tribe was not included in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.[4]
In 2002, the Harvard Kennedy School Project on Indigenous Governance and Development honors the tribe for its nation-building process begun in 1990.[4] By 2003, the tribe provided educational, housing, and healthcare support, with an annual budget of almost $1 million.[4]
Communications
They received $2.4 million dollars to develop broadband internet through the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.[7]
Language
The tribe speaks English and the Chilkoot dialect of the Tlingit language.[8] The tribe is developing a program to revitalize Tlingit.[8]
Economic development
The Chilkoot Indian Association maintains a dock on the Lynn Canal and is developing cultural tourism in a project called Discover Deishú.[3][8] They own Taste of Deishú, a restaurant that showcases Tlingit artwork. The tribe also provides outdoor tours and a outdoor gear and clothing store.[3]
Arts and culture
Chilkoot Tlingit are known for Chilkat weaving and formline design. The Chilkat Dancers are a Chilkoot Tlingit performance troupe in Haines.[3]
Notable Chilkoot people
- Nathan Jackson, woodcarver, jeweler[9]
References
- ^ U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, "Indian Entities Recognized by and Eligible To Receive Services From the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs", Federal Register, vol. 89, no. 6 (8 January 2024), pp. 986–94. FR Doc. 2024-00123.
- ^ a b "Chilkoot Indian Association (Haines)". National Indian Law Library. Native American Rights Fund. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f Ellfeldt, Avery (22 March 2025). "'Our next step toward sovereignty': Haines tribe launches tourism brand". KTOO. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d e "Chilkoot Tlingit "Nation Building"". Indigenous Governance Database. Native Nations Institute, University of Arizona. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Tribal Leaders Directory". Bureau of Indian Affairs. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "Tribal Council". Chilkoot Indian Association. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "Chilkoot Indian Association (TBCP II)". BroadbandUSA. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ a b c Smith, Corinne (3 November 2021). "Chilkoot Indian Association looks forward to new projects focused on Tlingit language revitalization, the arts, tourism recovery and more". KHNS FM. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "Nathan Jackson, Master Carver". Alaska Floats My Boat. 15 March 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
External links
- Chilkoot Indian Association, official website