Wrangell residents Sandy Churchill and Ken Neish Hoyt are running for 2026 Tlingit and Haida Delegate and Community Council Member seats. (Colette Czarnecki/KSTK)
Tlingit & Haida is a federally recognized regional Tribal government that represents 38,000 citizens globally. They provide family-centered services, like food distribution and education. And over the past month, members can vote during their Delegate and Community Council elections.
A Delegate has the responsibility to attend the Tribal Assembly, debate, vote and consider resolutions. They represent their community’s voice and gather information to bring back to the community. Alternatively, Community Council members do not vote, unless they are a Delegate, but can attend the Tribal Assembly as guests.
Five Wrangell candidates are running for seats. Four for delegates and four for community council members, with some overlapping each other. Tlingit & Haida members can vote until Thursday [3/19] at 4:30 p.m. online. They can also vote in the Wrangell office upstairs in the Kadin Building where the Tongass Federal Credit Union is.
Candidate Kenneth Neish Hoyt is running for a Delegate and Community Council Member seat. Alternatively, incumbent Sandy Churchill is running for solely the Community Council Member seat.
Candidates Lovey Brock and Luella Knapp did not respond to requests for an interview and DaNika Smalley said she was not able to at the time.
Listen to candidates Sandy Churchill and Ken Neish Hoyt
Churchill said she brings continuity to the Community Council and it’s been her life goal to keep the youth engaged, take care of elders and help revitalize her culture.
Hoyt said his role as a Delegate and Community Council member would be making sure every citizen he represents feels heard. Additionally he’s excited about the route Tlingit and Haida has taken in bringing in canoe culture it will be key figuring out how to do economic development in an uncertain economy.
