Traditional Tlingit Law & Governance and Contemporary Sealaska Corporate Governance: 4 Core Values and a Jurisprudence of Transformation

• Main Author: McNeil, Micah S., , Esq.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: UNM Digital Repository 2023
• Subjects: Tlingit Nation;tribal governance;tribal government;Sealaska Corporation;Tlingit governmental structure;clan-based governmental structure;regional corporate structure;Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act;ANCSA;tribal government structure;Wooch.Yax;Tlingit core values;jurisprudence;Tlingit law;tribal law;Indigenous; Indigenous; Indian; and Aboriginal Law; Organizations Law; tlingit; Alaska
• Online Access: https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/tlj/vol22/iss/7; https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/context/tlj/article/1100/viewcontent/McNeil_9_13_23_Final_version.docx.pdf

This paper will give historical insight into the Tlingit Nation’s governance and showcase how their government has changed over time. This paper will then talk about the unique form of governance adapted through the Sealaska Corporation and its various associate organizations. The Tlingit governmental structure was clan-based throughout its history but has evolved to a regional corporate and tribal government structure because of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). Fundamental to Tlingit law and governance is holding to core values while embracing a jurisprudence of change and transformation. Though, I focus on the four core values of the Tlingit, Wooch.Yax (Balance) is foundational to understanding Tlingit law and governance and remains a key core value at the Sealaska Corporation in the contemporary era.