Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes acquire Alaska Seafood Company

The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida) has announced the acquisition of the Alaska Seafood Company. Located in Juneau, Alaska, the company uses only wild Alaska seafood caught and processed fresh in the State. In addition to salmon, the company also offers halibut, sablefish, and caviar, all of which are wild-caught and sustainably harvested.

Enhancing economic sovereignty

"This acquisition is really about supporting our tribal citizens and communities and providing the highest quality, sustainably harvested Alaskan Seafood to those who want to experience the taste of Alaskan seafood," stated Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson, President of the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida at the announcement of the purchase. "This is another solid investment for Tlingit & Haida that not only supports our region's fishery economy, but also enhances our economic sovereignty," he also stated.

Since Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson has been President of the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, he has launched several tribal enterprises aimed at strengthening their economic sovereignty. In fact, he was a founding member of one of the first tribally owned corporations in Alaska, the Prince of Wales Tribal Enterprise Consortium (POWTEC). According to the Central Council website, in doing so, "Chalyee Éesh helped shape the future of the economic and social wellbeing of Alaska Native people by promoting self-sufficiency in rural Alaska." 

Providing employment to tribal citizens

Founded in 1987, Alaska Seafood Company was the first facility in Alaska to use 'retort pouch' or 'soft can' technology. This canning method allows for the processing of whole portions or fillets of smoked salmon, shelf-stable seafood products with no refrigeration necessary. With it, the company cornered the market and since then, they have developed an entire line of shelf-stable products under the name Alaska Cannery and Smokehouse.

The acquired company operates as a retail and wholesale provider and distributes its products to gift shops and big box retailers throughout Alaska and the Northwest. Moreover, it also offers direct sales of individual products both online or in the small storefront it has in Juneau also purchased by Tlingit and Haida. This business joins other tribal enterprises ranging from various hospitality businesses to a child care center, or an Internet services provider. The common philosophy of all of them is to provide employment and training opportunities to tribal citizens who, for a variety of reasons, experience challenges in obtaining meaningful employment elsewhere.

Working with tribal citizen-owned fishing operations

"We are excited to be adding the Alaska Seafood Company to the family of Tlingit & Haida owned businesses," said Chief Development Officer Will Ware, who oversees the Tribal Development branch of Tlingit & Haida. He and his team led the acquisition. "This is a business that aligns well with our cultural way of life," he continued. "We will be looking to expand on custom processing and value-added opportunities, as well as eventually working with tribal citizen-owned fishing operations to market the most amazing seafood in the world."

Tlingit & Haida was one of 22 Southeast Alaska Tribes and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) corporations that filed an amicus brief supporting the Alaska Trollers Association and the State of Alaska in their appeal of the Washington federal judge's order to close the Chinook salmon fishery as a measure to protect the local killer whale population. The trollers, who will supply Alaska Seafood Company among others, will finally be able to go fishing after the court allowed the Chinook salmon fishery season in Alaska for the summer.