Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) will sponsor a lecture this week as part of its ongoing fall series, featuring prominent voices in Indigenous knowledge, art and culture, wildlife conservation and science.
The event will feature Chris McNeil (Tlingit, Haida, Nisga'a), owner of Native Strategy Group and former president and CEO of Sealaska Corporation, who will explore the complex legal landscape of Alaska Native tribal sovereignty and federal recognition.
In his lecture, McNeil will examine the status of Alaska Native tribes as federally recognized entities, discussing key statutes including the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. McNeil will also provide insight into the landmark Yellen v. Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation case and its implications for Alaska Native Corporations’ legal status.
Drawing from more than four decades of experience in Native governance and law, McNeil served as Sealaska Corporation's president and CEO for 13 years, following roles as executive vice president and general counsel. His leadership experience includes serving as special counsel to the Alaska Federation of Natives, chairman of the Native American Rights Fund and chairman of the Native American Contractors Association.
McNeil's distinguished career spans academia and tribal governance, including positions as the first director of Stanford University's American Indian Program and second vice president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska.
The lecture is scheduled for noon, Thursday, Nov. 14, in Shuká Hít within the Walter Soboleff Building, 105 Heritage Way, in Juneau. The event will be livestreamed and posted on SHI's YouTube channel.
Learn more about Sealaska Heritage here: sealaskaheritage.org
facebook.com/SHInstitute
instagram.com/shinstitute
twitter.com/SHInstitute
Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) will sponsor a lecture this week as part of its ongoing fall series, featuring prominent voices in Indigenous knowledge, art and culture, wildlife conservation and science.
The event will feature Chris McNeil (Tlingit, Haida, Nisga'a), owner of Native Strategy Group and former president and CEO of Sealaska Corporation, who will explore the complex legal landscape of Alaska Native tribal sovereignty and federal recognition.
In his lecture, McNeil will examine the status of Alaska Native tribes as federally recognized entities, discussing key statutes including the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. McNeil will also provide insight into the landmark Yellen v. Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation case and its implications for Alaska Native Corporations’ legal status.
Drawing from more than four decades of experience in Native governance and law, McNeil served as Sealaska Corporation's president and CEO for 13 years, following roles as executive vice president and general counsel. His leadership experience includes serving as special counsel to the Alaska Federation of Natives, chairman of the Native American Rights Fund and chairman of the Native American Contractors Association.
McNeil's distinguished career spans academia and tribal governance, including positions as the first director of Stanford University's American Indian Program and second vice president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska.
The lecture is scheduled for noon, Thursday, Nov. 14, in Shuká Hít within the Walter Soboleff Building, 105 Heritage Way, in Juneau. The event will be livestreamed and posted on SHI's YouTube channel.
Learn more about Sealaska Heritage here: sealaskaheritage.org
facebook.com/SHInstitute
instagram.com/shinstitute
twitter.com/SHInstitute
