UPDATE: The Tribal Council candidates who won include President Edward Rilatos, Vice President Frank Churchill, Jr., Tom Gillen, Sr. and Richard Oliver.
Four out of eight seats for the Wrangell Cooperative Association’s Tribal Council will be decided in an election this week. Five people are running for the four openings.
Three current Tribal Council members have been re-nominated, including President Edward Rilatos, Vice President Frank Churchill, Jr., and Lovey Brock.
The two other candidates seeking a seat are Tom Gillen, Sr. and Richard Oliver.
Frank Churchill Jr. declined an interview and KSTK did not hear back from Rilatos.
About the nominees
Lovey Brock said the Tribal Council tries to work for the betterment of the Tribal community, which has close to 900 members.
Her goal as a tribal council member is to bring more totem poles to Wrangell and improve the economy.
“When the mill was going here we were so strong,” she said. “It was a community that was thriving and growing.”
Brock said she’s been on the Council for 14 years and she’s on the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s Board. She said she was instrumental in bringing the hospital to Wrangell.
Tom Gillen, Sr. would be new to the WCA’s Tribal Council, but he said he’s been on the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska Board for close to 15 years.
He said he thought about running for many years and this year seemed like a good time since WCA’s Tribal Administrator, Esther Aaltséen Reese, asked him.
“They’ve done so much, you know, for the town here and the Native people,” he said. “I just figured what the heck, I’d get in there, maybe throw my two cents in there and maybe help accomplish some more good stuff.”
Gillen has lived in Wrangell since he was born in 1938. He worked as a fisherman in his younger years and at the sawmill for 30 years.
Richard Oliver said if he’s elected it’s important to get the totem poles carved and stood back up. He said he’s talked with master carvers and would like to bring that knowledge to teach students at school the carving techniques.
Oliver has previously served on the Tribal Council for approximately 10 years, where he was president for several of those years.
“I would like to further our tourism also,” he said. “Work on getting tour buses to pick people up and see the dancers and the carvers.”
Additionally, he said he will advocate for holding membership meetings to hear about Tribal members’ concerns.
Where to vote on Tuesday
Wrangell’s Tribe holds an election every year for four two-year terms.
Voting hours for eligible WCA members are Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Wrangell Cultural Center. Those eligible must reside in Wrangell and be 18 or older.
Anyone with questions can contact WCA at their tribal office at 907-874-4304 or email wcatribe@gmail.com.
