President - Profile

Edward K. Thomas was born and raised in Craig, Alaska and is a Raven of the Tlingit tribe, Sukteeneidí (Dog Salmon) Clan. His Tlingit names are T'sa Xoo and Shaans Kadake and his Haida name is Skil' Quidaunce.

He received his high school diploma from Craig High School, Associate of Science degree from Sheldon Jackson College, Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and a Master's degree in Education Administration from Pennsylvania State University.

Mr. Thomas currently serves as President of Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Central Council). He was first elected as President in 1984 and served in this position until retiring in 2007. In 2008 he was elected as Central Council's President Emeritus, a position he held until coming out of retirement in 2010 and being re-elected as President.

As President, Mr. Thomas is responsible for the overall administration of all operations of the Tribe representing more than 27,000 Tlingit and Haida Indians worldwide, oversight of over 200 employees, management of a $27,000,000 operating budget and $8,000,000 tribal trust fund investment, implementation of the general administrative policies of the Tribe and completion of all actions of the Tribal Assembly and Executive Council.

President Thomas also serves as board member on the Sealaska Board of Directors (since 1993), board member of the Office of the Special Trustee for Indian Affairs - Department of the Interior, Juneau Area Representative for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Fair-Shares Task Force, member of the Alaska Native Brotherhood (ANB) Camp 2, council member of the Juneau Tlingit and Haida Community Council.

Former service includes Area Vice President for the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Juneau Area Representative for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Reorganization Task Force, Chairman for the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Human Resources Committee, Chairman of Shaan Seet, Inc., first vice president of the ANB Grand Camp, charter member of the Indian Management Association, and Executive Director of Ketchikan Indian Corporation.

Prior to being elected as President of Central Council, Mr. Thomas worked as director of the Indian Education Program with the Ketchikan School District, Indian education counselor for Sitka School District, executive director of Ketchikan Indian Corporation, president of Klawock Island Dock Company, president of Ketchikan Indian Corporation, owner and operator of a commercial power troller, seine boat skipper for Columbia Wards Fisheries, high school counselor for Craig City School District, and teacher for Klawock City School District.