Ben Miyasato and Lawrence “Woody” Widmark get sworn in at a Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council meeting on Wednesday (12-2-15). (Photo courtesy of Sitka Tribe of Alaska)
The Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council swore in two returning members at a meeting Wednesday (12-2-15). But now it’s looking for two more tribal citizens who want to be part of the federally-recognized government body.
Ben Miyasato and Lawrence “Woody” Widmark took the oath to retain their positions. Lillian Feldpausch, who also won a seat in the tribal election last month, declined to take it.
Tribal Council Chairman Mike Baines says Feldpausch works for the Tribe’s social and family services department.
“We have an ordinance that requires if an employee gets elected they have to resign their position with the tribe before they get sworn in and she decided to keep her job,” he said.
There were four open seats for the tribal council. With only three candidates, the final position was going to be decided by write-in votes but there was a tie at the polls. Austin Inman, Harvey Kitka, and Nels Lawson received four votes each, which wasn’t enough to secure a seat on the council. And there was confusion over which Nels Lawson, father or son, was being written in.
The council has until the end of the month to appoint new members. Three people have already expressed their interest – Lisa Wade, Clara Gray, and former Sitka Tribe of Alaska general manager Lisa Gassman.
Baines says the council decided to call for applicants until December 15. Qualified tribal citizens can contact him for consideration by dropping off a letter at 456 Katlian Street or email him at Mike.Baines@SitkaTribe-nsn.gov.
