
Kathy Hope Erickson has spent much of her career working behind the scenes for Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Administration. Now, she’s the first female chair of tribal council. (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)
Sixty-four-year-old Kathy Hope Erickson was nearing retirement, when she decided to run for Chair of Sitka Tribe of Alaska – and won. Erickson is the first woman to hold the position in recent memory and has a long family history with Sitka Tribe. She talks about her political roots, the tribe’s recent acquisition of money and land, and involving tribal citizens.