Tribal Government

BACKGROUND - Tribes in Alaska have become known by their primary village locations in federal legislation and formal agency documents. We existed and governed ourselves long before western man set foot on our lands. We lived in various places throughout the year, before encroachment dictated limitations. So, now we are Eklutna. Our laws were not written, they were passed down generation to generation. The very survival of our people depended on the whole community cooperating and following the nearly invisible, though well known, regulations. These days, we operate under a more modern constitution. The people have entrusted all powers to the Tribal Council. Today, we are organized partially like the United States by having semi-branches of government.

LEGISLATIVE - includes seven Tribal Citizens who serve three (3) year staggered terms. Annual elections occur in the winter. These seven Tribal Citizens serve as our Traditional Tribal Council.

For the Calendar 2010 they are:

President: Dorothy Cook
Vice-President: Maria Coleman
Secretary: Shirley Chilligan
Treasurer: Aaron Leggett
Trustee: Teresa Saam
Trustee: Julia Cooper
Trustee: Irene McMillen
 

JUDICIAL - includes five (5) traditional Rule Keepers, (i.e. Tribal Judges) one selected from each prominent clan family of the Tribe, also on staggered terms of six (6) years each.

For Calendar 2005 they are:

Chief Rule Keeper: -
Rule Keeper "Kla' ye clan"
Rule Keeper "Nulchina clan"
Rule Keeper "Chysi'ye clan"
Rule Keeper "Tulchina Clan"

EXECUTIVE - includes Tribal Council President and the Tribal Administrator. The Tribal Administrator is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the Tribal Office. Through the use of written policies and directions of the Traditional Tribal Council, the Tribal Administrator oversees all staff which averages 17 regular employees, several seasonal employees, and numerous consultants, contractors and occasional day laborers hired for specific projects and/or programs.

GAMING AUTHORITY: - Includes the Tribal Council and appointed directors to create a 9 member Board. The purpose of the Gaming Authority is “to develop the business capacity and economic expertise of the Tribe and manage gaming enterprises and related enterprises established pursuant to the Amended Tribal Gaming Ordinance,” Eklutna Gaming Authority Ordinance § 102.

The Gaming Authority Board are:

Maria Coleman
Irene McMillen
Shirley Chilligan
Teresa Saam
Aaron Leggett
Julia Cooper
Sean Pogue -Treasurer
Violet Rice -Vice President

    Staff and Program Managers