(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - The Ketchikan Indian Community Tribal Council officially swore in three members to its Tribal Council and two members to its Advisory Health Board (AHB) during a special meeting on Monday night.

Sworn in to the Tribal Council were Lloyd Ruaro, Judy Leask Guthrie, and Gianna SaanuGa Willard, all reelected incumbents. Chas Edwardson, Marcie Fields, Judy Leask-Guthrie, Melissa Johnson, and Lloyd Ruaro, round out the Tribal Council.

Also sworn in was incumbent Advisory Health Board member Amber Williams-Baldwin and newly elected member Kristina Shorey.

After a vote of the Tribal Council, Norman Skan is the new KIC president and Tribal Council chair, with Gloria Burns being elected to serve as vice president. Trixie Bennett was elected as treasurer and Gianna SaanuGa Willard was voted to serve as secretary.

“I am pleased to have been chosen by my fellow Tribal Council members to step into the role of President once again,” said Skan. “I look forward to serving my Tribe in this leadership role and am especially excited that I will be working again with the three reelected incumbents. I believe that our Tribe will benefit from this continuity of leadership.” 

President Norm Skan has been an active member of the Tribal Council since 2017, including two term as Tribal President and serving in the roles of vice president, secretary, and treasurer. Skan has served as the chairperson for the Finance, Governance, Veterans, and Enrollment Committees. In addition, in 2016 Skan served as a member of the Advisory Health Board. 

“We have a lot on our plate. A lot of good work is already underway that I will have the privilege to move forward with the help of my fellow Tribal Council members,” Skan said. “I look forward to continuing the challenging work of establishing our S?eenáa Hít Navigation Center that will provide daily support services and housing for our Tribal members without homes; the planning and development process for our Healing Center that will help support our Tribal citizens with substance use disorders; the Education Compacting process that will allow for new educational opportunities for the next generation; supporting our Food Sovereignty initiatives like our Rural Status efforts for Ketchikan; and continuing to build and enhance our Elder Services programming. I will look for every opportunity for improvement so we are providing the best services possible for the health and well-being of our Tribal citizens.”

Outgoing president Trixie Bennett reflected by expressing her appreciation for the support of the Council over the past year, noting her gratitude for the many achievements that are already helping Tribal members. She voiced her ongoing support for initiatives that are currently underway that will benefit the Tribe for generations to come as KIC’s current president, Tribal Council, and administration continue working together.

Source of News:

Ketchikan Indian Community

www.kictribe.org

 

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