Stikine Tlingit

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Wrangell Cooperative Association
Shtaxʼhéen Ḵwáan (Tlingit)
Alaska Native village
Wrangell Cooperative Association is located in Alaska
Wrangell Cooperative Association
Wrangell Cooperative Association
Wrangell Cooperative Association
Coordinates: 56°28′15″N 132°22′56″W / 56.47083°N 132.38222°W / 56.47083; -132.38222
Constitution RatifiedApril 30, 1942 (1942-04-30)
CapitalWrangell, Alaska
Government
 • TypeRepresentative democracy
 • BodyWrangell Tribal Council
 • PresidentEdward Rilatos
Population
 (2025)[1]
 • Estimate 
600
DemonymTlingit
Time zoneUTC– 09:00 (AKST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC– 08:00 (AKDT)
Websitewww.wcatribe.org

The Wrangell Cooperative Association is a federally recognized Native American tribe of Tlingit people. This Alaska Native tribe is headquartered in Wrangell, Alaska.[2]

They have more than 600 enrolled citizens.[1][3]

Government

Wrangell Cooperative Association representatives meet with USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, 2024

The Wrangell Cooperative Association is led by a democratically elected tribal council.[2] Their president is Edward Rilatos.[4] The Alaska Regional Office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs serves the tribe.[4]

The tribe first ratified their constitution in 1942 and corporate charter in 1947.[2] They are served by the Alaska Regional Office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.[4]

Location

Village of Wrangell (Tlingit: Ḵaachx̱ana.áakʼw) in 1868, present-day Front Street

The tribe is located near the mouth of the Stikine River[3] in Wrangell Harbor on Chief Shakes Island, which is home to the Chief Shakes Historic Site that houses a recreated 19th-century Tlingit clan house.[1]

In addition to Shakes Island, the tribe also manages the Wrangell Cultural Center and Totem Park.[5]

Economic development

Wrangell Cooperative Association is developing its cultural tourism industry and has partnered with Paradise Advertising to expand its reach.[3]

Language

Lithograph of the Stikine village at Fort Wrangell, Alaska, c. 1880

The tribe speaks English and the Tlingit language.

See also

References

  1. "Wrangell Cooperative Association". Destination Native America. American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  2. "Wrangell Cooperative Association". National Indian Law Library. Native American Rights Fund. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  3. "Alaska's Wrangell Cooperative Association Selects Paradise for Tourism Business Plan Development". Paradise. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  4. "Tribal Leaders Directory". Bureau of Indian Affairs. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  5. "Wrangell Cooperative Association". Southeast Regional Eldercare Coalition. Retrieved 11 January 2026.