Tlingit & Haida delegates reelect Richard Peterson as president

Delegates reelected Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson as president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska on Thursday, according to the tribe. Peterson has led the Juneau-based tribal government since 2014.

Peterson won a majority of delegates' votes in a five-way race against Alicia "Lisa" Gassman, Tasha Hotch, Melissa M. Kookesh and Jacqueline L. Pata, who had been the tribe's first vice president.

Delegates elected Clinton E. Cook as first vice president. The tribe's results list Rob Sanderson Jr., Frances Mills, Will Micklin, Michelle D. Martin and William A. Ware as second through sixth vice presidents.

Cheryl Demmert Fairbanks was elected associate justice over Mary Ferguson and Sonya Gray, and Shania R. Murphy was elected emerging leader.

The elections took place during the tribe's 91st Annual Tribal Assembly in Juneau, which runs through Friday. The tribe moved the assembly from its traditional April date to September this year, saying the change lets it complete its annual audit before reporting to delegates.