Strength Through Adversity Richard Peterson on Tribal Leadership

In this episode of Impact Unfiltered, host Stuart sits down at the Self-Governance Conference with Richard Peterson, President of the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. Serving his sixth term, Peterson leads the oldest federally recognized tribe in Alaska, representing nearly 39,000 citizens across Southeast Alaska.Peterson shares the story behind his tribe’s historic co-stewardship agreement with the U.S. Forest Service over the Mendenhall Glacier — a site that sees 1.6 million visitors annually and now hosts Tlingit cultural ambassadors who challenge the federal narrative that “Tlingit didn’t have anything to do with glaciers.” Migration stories and 9,000-year-old DNA prove otherwise. He also walks through the 48-acre education campus and tribal college being built outside Juneau, the philosophy of building allyship through inclusive culture, and an unforgettable lesson from a Tongass elder: it’s the wind that makes the trees strong.1. Background and Role Peterson leads Tlingit & Haida, recognized in 1935, now Alaska’s largest tribe.2. Tlingit & Haida at a Glance Born out of a lawsuit by the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood, the tribe covers many communities in Southeast Alaska. Alaska has 229 federally recognized tribes, with a coastline larger than the lower 48 combined.3. The Mendenhall Glacier Agreement The visitor center sits on Auke Territory. After years of advocacy, cultural ambassadors now greet visitors, correcting federal narratives and showing living ties to the land.“People go there and they want to see the fauna, the flora, the animals. I think you want to see the first people, the real people of the land.”4. Allyship Through Visibility Economic impact matters, but visibility is the bigger win. Tlingit culture is inclusive, welcoming allies.5. The Education Campus and Tribal College A 48-acre site in Juneau will consolidate language immersion, Head Starts, daycare, and expand into K–12 and a tribal college. A new MOU with University of Alaska Southeast supports indigenous studies. The college will be inclusive, open to non-Native students.6. Why Allyship Matters Peterson, half Native and half non-Native, stresses appreciation over appropriation. Allies are essential to ensure tribes don’t “just go away.”7. Healthy Tribes, Healthy Communities The vision is to graduate from co-stewardship to full tribal stewardship. Partnerships with Juneau have strengthened, shown in joint responses to flooding.“Healthy tribes make healthy communities.”8. The Biggest Uphill Battle Often the hardest challenge is self-imposed limits — how tribes see and talk about themselves shapes what’s possible.9. Sage Wisdom: Lean Into Values Mentors remind: “Our people always remember who shows up.” Cultural values remain the cornerstone.10. The Closing Seed: Strength of Tribes Peterson emphasizes sovereignty, culture, and values are not less than anyone else’s.“We come from incredible strong histories as the first Peoples of Turtle Island.”11. Leadership Lessons: Tongass Trees and the Wind Surround yourself with strong leaders. An elder taught that Tongass trees are strong because of the winds.“It’s through adversity that we get strong.”12. Closing Remarks and Gratitude The episode closes with recognition of Richard Peterson’s leadership, appreciation for Tlingit & Haida’s inclusive allyship, and gratitude expressed in “Gunalchéesh.”