Testimonials
"I was deeply privileged and honored to serve with President Emeritus Ed Thomas of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska on the boards of directors of the Sealaska Corporation and the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN). I first met Ed Thomas when he was a young fisherman in his hometown of Craig and watched his educational and professional development through the years. His determination to improve the general welfare of Alaska Natives was apparent to all. He was relentless in pursuing business profitability in Sealaska and at the same time a strong advocate for shareholder employment in management positions and fair elections. His proposition to hold Alaska tribal meetings a day before an annual AFN Convention helped bridge the gap between corporate and tribal issues addressed at the convention. I was proud to see the respect he garnered from other Native American leaders at the national level. Perhaps most significantly, he reinvigorated our traditional Tlingit culture in his hometown by commissioning the carving and raising of his clan’s Sukteeneidí pole, which was followed by a ceremony in which ancient clan names were given to scores of tribal members. He has earned his place in our history, an Aanyádi, a Noble Person indeed."
—Rosita Kaaháni Worl, Ph.D., President Sealaska Heritage Institute.
"President Emeritus Edward Thomas asked me to help him with the writing of the Tlingit and Haida Hall of Fame book. I’ve known Ed for many years, but this was our first chance to work closely together. Learning about his early days helped me understand his strong
commitment to improving the lives of Alaska Natives. Ed Thomas is part of a generation of leaders who emerged during the self-determination era, making his autobiography, “My Moment in Time,” an important addition to Alaska’s history."
—Peter Metcalfe, Metcalfe Communications