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Strengthening Alaska Tribal Governments
Trusted by AlaskaTribes. Built by Alaska Tribal Members.
News and Updates
What Is Happening Across Alaska Tribal Administration
ATAA news highlights timely updates, program developments, and issues impacting Tribal Administrators and Tribal governments across Alaska. This page reflects the work being done, the challenges being addressed, and the conversations shaping Tribal administration today.Our updates focus on information that is practical, relevant, and grounded in the realities of Tribal governance and administration.
12/15/25 - New Federal Guidance Clarifies Tribal General Welfare Programs
Recent final rules released by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS provide long awaited clarity on how Tribes may deliver general welfare assistance to Tribal citizens and how wholly owned Tribal entities are treated for federal tax purposes.
This guidance confirms Tribal authority to design and administer assistance programs that reflect community needs while reducing uncertainty around tax treatment, reporting, and compliance.
For Tribal Administrators, this update directly affects program design, financial management, and how Tribes structure support for housing, education, and economic assistance.
ATAA encourages Tribal leaders and administrators to review this update carefully and assess how the rules may impact existing or planned programs.
Read the full Treasury and IRS release here:
This guidance confirms Tribal authority to design and administer assistance programs that reflect community needs while reducing uncertainty around tax treatment, reporting, and compliance.
For Tribal Administrators, this update directly affects program design, financial management, and how Tribes structure support for housing, education, and economic assistance.
ATAA encourages Tribal leaders and administrators to review this update carefully and assess how the rules may impact existing or planned programs.
Read the full Treasury and IRS release here:
05/05/25 - Tracy Simeon named 2024 Tribal Administrator of the Year
ANCHORAGE, AK — The Alaska Tribal Administrators Association (ATAA) is pleased to announce that Tracy Simeon, Tribal Administrator for the Native
Village of Chuathbaluk, has been selected as the 2024 Tribal Administrator of the Year. Ms. Simeon is recognized for her unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership, and steadfast commitment to the wellbeing of her Tribal community.
For over eleven years, Ms. Simeon has demonstrated outstanding service to the Native Village of Chuathbaluk, navigating numerous challenges while ensuring the continued success and financial stability of Tribal programs. Under her leadership, no Tribal programs have experienced budget deficits, a testament to her prudent management and forwardthinking approach.
The Chuathbaluk Tribal Chair shared, “Throughout the years, Tracy has guided our Tribe with resilience and grace. Despite facing hardships that could have caused others to walk away, she remained committed. Her compassion for our people and her dedication to the community are the reasons she continues to lead with strength.”
In addition to her role as Tribal Administrator, Ms. Simeon has contributed to regional initiatives through her work with the fisheries commission, advocating for the sustainability of critical subsistence and commercial fisheries vital to the health of Alaska Native communities.
The Alaska Tribal Administrators Association established the Tribal Administrator of the Year Award in 2018 to honor individuals who exemplify excellence in Tribal administration across Alaska’s 229 federally recognized Tribal governments. Ms. Simeon's leadership and enduring service embody the highest ideals of Tribal governance and community stewardship.
Village of Chuathbaluk, has been selected as the 2024 Tribal Administrator of the Year. Ms. Simeon is recognized for her unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership, and steadfast commitment to the wellbeing of her Tribal community.
For over eleven years, Ms. Simeon has demonstrated outstanding service to the Native Village of Chuathbaluk, navigating numerous challenges while ensuring the continued success and financial stability of Tribal programs. Under her leadership, no Tribal programs have experienced budget deficits, a testament to her prudent management and forwardthinking approach.
The Chuathbaluk Tribal Chair shared, “Throughout the years, Tracy has guided our Tribe with resilience and grace. Despite facing hardships that could have caused others to walk away, she remained committed. Her compassion for our people and her dedication to the community are the reasons she continues to lead with strength.”
In addition to her role as Tribal Administrator, Ms. Simeon has contributed to regional initiatives through her work with the fisheries commission, advocating for the sustainability of critical subsistence and commercial fisheries vital to the health of Alaska Native communities.
The Alaska Tribal Administrators Association established the Tribal Administrator of the Year Award in 2018 to honor individuals who exemplify excellence in Tribal administration across Alaska’s 229 federally recognized Tribal governments. Ms. Simeon's leadership and enduring service embody the highest ideals of Tribal governance and community stewardship.
EPA Regional Roadshow to be held June 26, 2024 in Anchorage
Join EPA on June 26, 2024 for the in-person Regional Roadshow event in Anchorage, Alaska! This event provides opportunities for community leaders and potential grant applicants of Anchorage, Alaska to:
Learn more about historic funding opportunities and technical assistance made available through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and the Inflation Reduction Act.
Meet with peers in Anchorage, Alaska to develop new or deeper community-based partnerships and cultivate ideas for appropriate funding opportunities.
Brainstorm how to confront the climate crisis and advance environmental justice in your community.
The Regional Roadshow is a part of EPA’s Community, Equity & Resiliency initiative, a groundbreaking effort to help communities across the nation navigate EPA’s Inflation Reduction Act investments and other new funding opportunities made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. Through this new initiative, EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) and Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR) will facilitate community-driven partnerships and provide a space for communities to learn, connect and cultivate ideas on how to access the historic resources, especially in low-income and disadvantaged communities.
Learn more about historic funding opportunities and technical assistance made available through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and the Inflation Reduction Act.
Meet with peers in Anchorage, Alaska to develop new or deeper community-based partnerships and cultivate ideas for appropriate funding opportunities.
Brainstorm how to confront the climate crisis and advance environmental justice in your community.
The Regional Roadshow is a part of EPA’s Community, Equity & Resiliency initiative, a groundbreaking effort to help communities across the nation navigate EPA’s Inflation Reduction Act investments and other new funding opportunities made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. Through this new initiative, EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) and Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR) will facilitate community-driven partnerships and provide a space for communities to learn, connect and cultivate ideas on how to access the historic resources, especially in low-income and disadvantaged communities.
05/03/24 Debbie Carlson named 2023 Tribal Administrator of the Year
On April 24, 2024, the Alaska Tribal Administrators Association Board of Directors announced the 2023 Tribal Administrator of the Year, Debbie Carlson, for her years of exemplary dedication to the Chignik Bay Tribal Council.
The Alaska Tribal Administrators Association established the Tribal Administrator of the Year in 2018 to recognize one outstanding individual each year for exceptional services of Tribal Administrators, Tribal Coordinators, General Managers and Executive Directors of Alaska’s 229 recognized Tribal governments.
Debbie Carlson has been the Tribal Administrator for Chignik Bay Tribal Council for 28 years. She also serves on the Chignik Intertribal Coalition which represents the five villages in the Chignik Subregion and sits on the ACTION (Alaska Coastal Cooperative for Co-producing Transformative Ideas and Opportunities in the North) Community Advisory Board.
In addition to her full schedule as a Tribal Administrator, Debbie works tirelessly advocating for the needs of her community by voicing concerns and partnering with local, regional, and national agencies. She is a beacon of light and always present during emergencies, calling everyone to make sure they’re informed, helping to coordinate assistance with any needs community members may have, and she always has her door open to feed and shelter those in need.
Debbie is a mother of three children and grammy to seven grandchildren.
Additionally, Debbie Carlson will be featured in the upcoming and fourth video from ATAA, I am a Tribal Administrator.
ATAA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 2013 to support Alaska’s Tribal Administrators in the development and sustainability of strong and effective tribal administration. ATAA’s mission is to develop a collaborative atmosphere of knowledge sharing and professional support among Alaska’s Tribal administrative professionals; and to promote effective tribal administration resulting in greater self-governance, community sustainability, and leadership.
The Alaska Tribal Administrators Association established the Tribal Administrator of the Year in 2018 to recognize one outstanding individual each year for exceptional services of Tribal Administrators, Tribal Coordinators, General Managers and Executive Directors of Alaska’s 229 recognized Tribal governments.
Debbie Carlson has been the Tribal Administrator for Chignik Bay Tribal Council for 28 years. She also serves on the Chignik Intertribal Coalition which represents the five villages in the Chignik Subregion and sits on the ACTION (Alaska Coastal Cooperative for Co-producing Transformative Ideas and Opportunities in the North) Community Advisory Board.
In addition to her full schedule as a Tribal Administrator, Debbie works tirelessly advocating for the needs of her community by voicing concerns and partnering with local, regional, and national agencies. She is a beacon of light and always present during emergencies, calling everyone to make sure they’re informed, helping to coordinate assistance with any needs community members may have, and she always has her door open to feed and shelter those in need.
Debbie is a mother of three children and grammy to seven grandchildren.
Additionally, Debbie Carlson will be featured in the upcoming and fourth video from ATAA, I am a Tribal Administrator.
ATAA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 2013 to support Alaska’s Tribal Administrators in the development and sustainability of strong and effective tribal administration. ATAA’s mission is to develop a collaborative atmosphere of knowledge sharing and professional support among Alaska’s Tribal administrative professionals; and to promote effective tribal administration resulting in greater self-governance, community sustainability, and leadership.
05/23/23 Donna Katchatag named 2022 Tribal Administrator of the Year
ANCHORAGE, AK—On April 21, 2023 the Alaska Tribal Administrators Association (ATAA) and the Board of Directors announced the 2022 Tribal Administrator of the Year, Donna Katchatag, for her years of exemplary dedication to the Chinik Eskimo Community of Golovin, Alaska.
The Alaska Tribal Administrators Association established the Tribal Administrator of the Year in 2018 to recognize one outstanding individual each year for exceptional services of Tribal Administrators, Tribal Coordinators, General Managers and Executive Directors of Alaska’s 229 recognized Tribal governments.
Donna Katchatag’s community and her peers recognize her honesty, perseverance, hard work, and determination in partnering with local, regional, and national agencies for the benefit of those who live and work in the Chinik Eskimo Community service area of Golovin. She is recognized for her tireless efforts for her community during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Typhoon Merbok, which caused the community to lose one-third of its homes and all winter food supplies.
Additionally, Donna Katchatag will be featured in the upcoming and third video from ATAA, I am a Tribal Administrator.
ATAA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 2013 to support Alaska’s Tribal Administrators in the development and sustainability of strong and effective tribal administration. ATAA’s mission is to develop a collaborative atmosphere of knowledge sharing and professional support among Alaska’s Tribal administrative professionals; and to promote effective tribal administration resulting in greater self-governance, community sustainability, and leadership.
The Alaska Tribal Administrators Association established the Tribal Administrator of the Year in 2018 to recognize one outstanding individual each year for exceptional services of Tribal Administrators, Tribal Coordinators, General Managers and Executive Directors of Alaska’s 229 recognized Tribal governments.
Donna Katchatag’s community and her peers recognize her honesty, perseverance, hard work, and determination in partnering with local, regional, and national agencies for the benefit of those who live and work in the Chinik Eskimo Community service area of Golovin. She is recognized for her tireless efforts for her community during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Typhoon Merbok, which caused the community to lose one-third of its homes and all winter food supplies.
Additionally, Donna Katchatag will be featured in the upcoming and third video from ATAA, I am a Tribal Administrator.
ATAA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 2013 to support Alaska’s Tribal Administrators in the development and sustainability of strong and effective tribal administration. ATAA’s mission is to develop a collaborative atmosphere of knowledge sharing and professional support among Alaska’s Tribal administrative professionals; and to promote effective tribal administration resulting in greater self-governance, community sustainability, and leadership.
01/18/22 ATAA Recognizes 2021 Tribal Administrator of the Year
On January 18, 2022 the Alaska Tribal Administrators Association (ATAA) and the Board of Directors announced the 2021 Tribal Administrator of the Year, Sara Kinjo-Hischer, for her dedication to the Skagway Traditional Council, a federally recognized Tribal Government located in Skagway, Alaska.
The Alaska Tribal Administrators Association established the Tribal Administrator of the Year in 2018 to recognize one outstanding individual each year for exceptional services of Tribal Administrators, Tribal Coordinators, General Managers and Executive Directors of Alaska’s 229 recognized Tribal governments.
ATAA would like to extend their deepest thanks in recognizing Sara Kinjo-Hischer and the Skagway Traditional Council for their nomination. Her community recognizes her honesty, perseverance, hard work, and determination in partnering with local, regional, and national agencies for the benefit of those who live and work in the Skagway Traditional Council service area.
ATAA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 2013 to support Alaska’s Tribal Administrators in the development and sustainability of strong and effective tribal administration. ATAA’s mission is to develop a collaborative atmosphere of knowledge sharing and professional support among Alaska’s Tribal administrative professionals; and to promote effective tribal administration resulting in greater self-governance, community sustainability, and leadership.
The Alaska Tribal Administrators Association established the Tribal Administrator of the Year in 2018 to recognize one outstanding individual each year for exceptional services of Tribal Administrators, Tribal Coordinators, General Managers and Executive Directors of Alaska’s 229 recognized Tribal governments.
ATAA would like to extend their deepest thanks in recognizing Sara Kinjo-Hischer and the Skagway Traditional Council for their nomination. Her community recognizes her honesty, perseverance, hard work, and determination in partnering with local, regional, and national agencies for the benefit of those who live and work in the Skagway Traditional Council service area.
ATAA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 2013 to support Alaska’s Tribal Administrators in the development and sustainability of strong and effective tribal administration. ATAA’s mission is to develop a collaborative atmosphere of knowledge sharing and professional support among Alaska’s Tribal administrative professionals; and to promote effective tribal administration resulting in greater self-governance, community sustainability, and leadership.
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