NATION WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

My name is Ted Wright. I am Tlingit of the Eagle Tribe and Wolf Clan, born and raised in Sitka, Alaska and adopted by my grandparents when I was an infant. My Tlingit heritage comes from the maternal side through my Mother Julia Durkee and Grandmother, Jennie Wright. On my father and grandfather’s side I am English, German and Irish.

I worked my way through undergraduate school as a summer laborer for the Alaska Pulp Company, graduating from Southern Oregon State College with a degree in English: Secondary Education. Shortly thereafter I received a fellowship to attend Penn State University through the American Indian Leadership Program. Long story short, I earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and a Ph.D. in Education Theory and Policy between 1981 and 1989. My doctoral dissertation was titled: A Case Study and Theoretical Analysis of the Problem of Power for American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes.

For the past thirty years I’ve worked for tribes, tribal organizations and universities helping to advance the interests of American Indian and Alaska Native people. Over the course of the past 25 years I’ve served as the chief executive and administrator in charge for five tribes from Alaska to Washington and now California.

I love my work and am excited to be in Smith River to help build a brighter future for the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation.

Gunalchéesh (Thank-you)

Ted