Guest Bios

Richard (Chalyee Éesh) Peterson is Tlingit from the Kaagwaantaan clan. He grew up in Kasaan, Alaska and is a lifelong Alaska Native resident of Southeast Alaska. Prior to being elected as President of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Central Council) in 2014, Richard served as Chief Executive Officer of Prince of Wales Tribal Enterprise Consortium, LLC (POWTEC), president of the Organized Village of Kasaan (OVK), mayor/city council member for the City of Kasaan, and member of the Southeast Island School District Board of Education.

Economic Development. Partnership. Tribal Sovereignty. Community Sustainability. These are all words that describe Richard's mission as President of the largest regional tribe in Alaska. His ability to bring culture and business values together through collaborative and proactive partnerships with federal, state, tribal, and municipal governments has gained him national recognition.

Richard was re-elected to a fourth term as President in 2020 by Tlingit & Haida Delegates that make up Central Council's governing body. He currently serves on the Alaska Federation of Natives board, Alaska Tribal Unity Chairman, and in various other appointed positions to represent tribal interest on Alaska Native issues.

Elizabeth “Liz” Sunnyboy is a Yup’ik Elder from the Bethel region, presently living in Anchorage. She has a long and extensive history of working in behavioral health for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, and in working with communities around grief and healing work, all from a traditional and cultural perspective. She has taught extensively for University of Alaska Fairbanks Rural Human Services certificate program. In the past, Liz was awarded the substance abuse counselor of the year for Alaska and is close to attaining her Bachelor of Arts in Rural Development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Her current work is as an Elder with Returning to Harmony, a project composed of several recognized Elders who work with communities in promoting well-being from a traditional and cultural perspective. Liz loves working with Alaskan youth and has been working to support the LeadOn! for Peace and Equality youth conference for the past decade.