FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Ralph Wolfe & Sarah Dybdahl Named as Native American 40 Under 40 Award Recipients

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ralph Wolfe & Sarah Dybdahl Named as Native American

40 Under 40 Award Recipients

Juneau, AK (September 13, 2018) – Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida) is proud to announce Executive Council 5th Vice President Ralph Wolfe and Cultural Heritage & Education Manager Sarah Dybdahl have been selected by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (National Center) to receive the prestigious “Native American 40 Under 40” award.

The award recipients are made up of a diverse group of young women and men cultivated from across American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The award recognizes Native American, Alaska Native and First Nation citizens between 18 and 39 years of age who demonstrate leadership, initiative and dedication to achieve significant contributions to Native communities throughout North America.

I couldn’t be prouder of Ralph and Sarah,” said President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson. “They are both truly deserving of this recognition for all that they do in support of Tlingit & Haida, our culture, communities and tribal citizens.”

The National Center’s “Native American 40 Under 40” awards will be presented at the River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, Oklahoma on October 29-30, 2018.

Ralph Wolfe, 5th Vice President

“Ralph is an amazing role model for the youth in his community and especially for his two boys,” said President Peterson. “He and his wife are very committed to their dance group, Mt. Saint Elias Dancers, as well as the survival of the Tlingit language. Not only does he serve on our Executive Council, he is the mayor of Yakutat, works for Yakutat Tlingit Tribe and coaches a boys basketball team.

“I’m very humbled by this recognition,” said Ralph. “My heart is to serve my people and community and most importantly to teach my boys how to hunt and gather our traditional foods, find strength and steadiness in our culture and give back to the community.”

Ralph was born and raised in Craig, Alaska on Prince of Wales Island. He is both Tlingit and Haida and his Tlingit name is Góos'k' and he is Eagle Frog of the Kooskadee clan. Prior to being elected to the Executive Council in 2016, Ralph served as Tlingit & Haida’s Youth Representative and Sealaska's Youth Advisor. Ralph has been a Tlingit & Haida Delegate since 2014 and represents the Tribe on the United States Forest Service (USFS) Sea Otter Steering Committee, Indigenous People's Council for Marine Mammals (IPCoMM) and Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc. (RurAL CAP). He is married to Gloria Wolfe and is father to two children – Jackson and Jace.

Sarah Dybdahl, Cultural Heritage & Education Manager

“Sarah Dybdahl has been with the Tribe for over a year now in her role as Cultural Heritage & Education Manager,” said President Peterson. “She has been a strong advocate for the revitalization of our languages and way of life. Sarah is a true warrior for holding up the traditions of our people and example of living our values.”

“We have so many amazing indigenous people working hard, creating change, and taking the seeds of our ancestors to be sure they are planted,” said Sarah Dybdahl. “I’m truly honored to have been nominated by Tlingit & Haida and those I work with every day.”

Sarah grew up in Klawock, Alaska and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Southern Oregon University. Her Tlingit name is Aanshawatk’i and she is from the Taakw.aaneidi clan. Sarah formerly served as the Executive Director of Huna Heritage Foundation as well as on the Alaska Federation of Natives Board of Directors as the Southeast Village Representative and Native Americans in Philanthropy Board. She worked over 15 years in various capacities for Sealaska and Sealaska Heritage Institute and currently serves on the Klawock Heenya Corporation Board of Directors (since 2010). She is married to Travis Dybdahl and is mother to three children – Michaela, Orion and Elias.

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Media Contact:

Office of the President - Communications

Raeanne Holmes, Communications Coordinator

Phone: 907.463.7368 | Email: communications@ccthita-nsn.gov

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