Juneau

T&H Indians of the City and Borough of Juneau (THICBJ) is a local council under the umbrella of Central Council T&H. The 2004 membership is over 5200. Central Council established the community council in 1968, after the federal Jurisdictional Act award for lands lost to the Tongass National Forest and Glacier Bay National Park.

The local T&H has been housed in its new center since 1979. The building was constructed using a community economic development grant from Central Council, matched with Federal EDA funds. The building was the first large Native owned building in Juneau. It is well maintained considering the level and volatility of our income.

In addition to community activities the building was also used for basketball games and a skating rink. The first big events held in the building were:

o Governor Hammond's Inaugural in 1980.
o The 1980 ANB/ANS Grand Camp Convention
o first "Celebration" - 1980

Past Presidents have included Alfred McKinley, Randy Wanamaker, Cyril George, Andy Ebona, and Alberta Aspen, Judy George and Robert Loescher. Past managers or executive directors have included Walter Johns, Jr., Bob Beierly, Darrell Brown, Walter Adams, Jerry Arca, Evelyn Myers and Mike Everson.

Currently a council of 53 members governs the council, 24 of this group serve as delegates to the Central Council General Assembly. There are 4 fulltime administrative employees and an average 10 part-time gaming workers who carry out staff work.

In recent years the Council has relied on Bingo as the underlying source of income and occupancy. Gaming revenues help pay for building expenses and a benefit fund which includes elders, emergency medical and funeral programs.

Summer culture camps have been held since 1992, and reach 60-80 children annually. Many of the youth go on to lead other cultural activities and many serve as Jr. Counselors in the summer program.

The council has been involved in local housing with T&H Regional Housing Authority since 1999. An average $700-800,000 has been invested in home repair since then, and a block of land purchased for new housing for 2002, the first 25 houses were completed in the spring of 2003 and the final 25 will be completed in the spring of 2004.

The council is known for its Christmas and special celebrations. In June 2001 it held a special Day of Prayer service and lunch for Juneau residents. All such special activities will continue, and expand, so long as funding and manpower is available.