Chalyee Éesh (Richard Peterson )

Chalyee Éesh, (Richard  Peterson) is Tlingit from the Kaagwaantaan clan. He grew up in Kasaan, Alaska and is a lifelong Alaska Native resident of Southeast Alaska.

Prior to being elected as President of the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida) in 2014, Chalyee Éesh served as Chief Executive Officer of Prince of Wales Tribal Enterprise Consortium, LLC (POWTEC), President of the Organized Village of Kasaan (OVK), Mayor/City Council Member for the City of Kasaan, and member of the Southeast Island School District Board of Education.

Chalyee Éesh has developed the skills necessary to effectively represent and communicate the needs of our people. He is adept at negotiating and team building and has worked to continually build lasting relationships that prove to be mutually beneficial to all stakeholders. Chalyee Éesh believes in a proactive approach to achieve win-win scenarios and continues to shape the future of the economic and social well-being of our tribal citizens through collaborative efforts and local economic development initiatives.