Kootznoowoo, Inc. is pleased to share that the Kootznoowoo Permanent Fund Settlement Trust will be issuing a distribution of $10.03 per Trust Unit. This distribution will be paid on Friday, April 24, 2026, to beneficiaries of record as of April 22, 2026. This is a special dividend funded by Kootznoowoo Inc, from the proceeds of their carbon credit program. This distribution is in addition to the normal Trust distributions that happen on a trimester basis, of which the last distribution was paid on February 1st, 2026. All Trust beneficiaries are encouraged to ensure their contact information, including mailing address and direct deposit details, is current to help avoid any delays in receiving payment. If you need to update your information or have any questions, please contact Shareholder Services at (907) 790-2992 or info@kootznoowoo.com.  Shareholders may also verify and update their information on the MyKootznoowoo shareholder portal.

Kootznoowoo, Inc. continues to invest in Angoon through workforce development, environmental stewardship, and the growth of locally driven economic opportunities. As planning moves forward for 2026, several programs are creating meaningful pathways for Angoon residents, shareholders, and descendants to gain experience, earn income, and contribute to the long-term strength of the community. One key effort underway is the Cube Cove Restoration Project, which will again offer hands-on employment in environmental restoration during the 2026 field season. The project is currently recruiting two Habitat Restoration Technicians who will work as part of a team in remote wilderness settings. These positions offer paid training and wages of up to $24 per hour, depending on experience. Applicants  must be able to commit to the full season, work safely with tools and equipment such as chainsaws, and spend extended periods—up to eight days at a time—working in the field. Angoon residents, Kootznoowoo shareholders, and shareholders’ descendants are encouraged to apply. Applications are available by contacting the program directly or by stopping by the Kootznoowoo office. At the same time, the Angoon Guide Academy is preparing for another active summer. Program staff recently participated in the 3rd Annual Angoon Community Career Fair, where they shared information about upcoming opportunities and connected with potential participants. Recruitment is now underway for Summer 2026, with a focus on local Angoon students ages 16 to 24, including Kootznoowoo shareholders and descendants. The program runs from June through August and offers paid training and guided trips based in Angoon, with compensation of up to $2,000 per month. Interested students are encouraged to reach out for more information, and an online application option is currently being explored. Looking beyond workforce training, Kootznoowoo is also continuing to explore tourism development opportunities in Angoon. Current projections estimate that four to eight small-scale Alaska Dream Cruises vessels may visit the community during the Summer 2026 season, bringing groups of approximately 20 to 40 passengers per visit. These visits will create economic opportunities for local community members, particularly artisans interested in selling artwork and handmade goods when ships are in port. In addition, Kootznoowoo anticipates seeking local culture bearers to offer paid walking tours, sharing Angoon’s history, culture, and stories with visitors in an authentic and respectful way. Anyone interested in these programs or opportunities is encouraged to contact Kootznoowoo’s Tourism Coordinator, Matthew Kookesh III, at (206) 434-1134 or send an email to makookesh@kootznoowoo.com.

Throughout 2025, the Thayer Creek Hydro Project continued to move successfully through Phase I, making steady progress toward advancing this important long-term energy project for the community of Angoon. Phase I, known as the Stillwater Phase, has focused on laying the foundation for the project. This work includes construction and installation of the dock and piles, as well as construction of the gangway. These elements are currently in progress and will be completed concurrently as weather conditions allow. Phase I also includes continued coordination among project partners and regulatory agencies, serving as a trial run for work that will take place on U.S. Forest Service land during Phase II of the project. Nate Soboleff, who joined the project team in 2025 and serves as Project Manager, shared, “We’re pleased with the progress made last year and are navigating numerous challenges to keep the project on track. We are currently in year two of a four-year development timeline and have undertaken important planning work that will transition the project into Phase II.” Phase II of the project will focus on road construction, including approximately six miles of roadway extending from the Stillwater area to Thayer Creek. Kootznoowoo has contracted Rock-N-Road Construction, Inc., an Alaska-based company, to build the road. “This is the same contractor that successfully completed Phase I, and we are excited to continue working with them,” Soboleff said. “Rock-N-Road currently has equipment on site, creating efficiencies as the project transitions into the next phase.” Road construction is anticipated to begin in 2026 and is expected to take up to a year and a half to complete, depending on factors such as weather conditions and regulatory processes. Before construction begins, the project team continues to work through several important regulatory and environmental steps. These include coordination with the U.S. Forest Service on the location of rock quarry sites, completion of a timber cruise, and geological work to ensure the road alignment avoids environmentally sensitive areas. “These steps are essential to ensuring the project proceeds responsibly and in compliance with all applicable requirements,” Soboleff said. Looking ahead, Phase III of the project will include the run-of-the-river hydroelectric build, powerhouse construction, and transmission lines. While progress continues, the project has experienced some delays related to federal shutdown impacts and reimbursement timing, which are being actively managed. “Employment and local hire opportunities remain an important focus for the project,” said President and Chief Executive Officer J. Keith Greene. “While Kootznoowoo does not directly control contractor staffing, the corporation continues to prioritize local hire whenever possible. Current hiring needs include specialized roles such as marine mammal observers, and additional opportunities may arise during road construction, subject to contractor requirements. We encourage shareholders to regularly check the Kootznoowoo jobs page on our website for the latest hiring opportunities.”

Kootznoowoo, Inc. is seeking one Administrative Intern for the upcoming summer to work at the corporate office in Juneau. This paid internship offers hands-on experience in a professional office setting and is ideal for individuals interested in building administrative and basic accounting skills.  The intern will receive exposure to basic accounting, generate office, and administrative tasks. The internship will run from May to August and will pay $18 per hour for up to 30 hours per week.  Shareholders or descendants who are currently enrolled in a college, university, or vocational program are eligible to apply. To apply, submit a letter of interest to President & CEO Keith Greene at info@kootznoowoo.com.

Kootznoowoo, Inc. is pleased to announce that the 53rd Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Angoon, Alaska, at the Angoon Elementary School Gym. At the meeting, the terms of Board Directors Frank Jack III and Sharon Love will conclude, and two Board seats will be up for election. Eligible shareholders interested in running for a seat on the Board of Directors must submit a complete candidate packet by the March 11, 2026 deadline in order to be included on the corporate proxy. Shareholders who wish to receive a candidate packet may contact the Kootznoowoo Corporate Office at (907) 790-2992 or email info@kootznoowoo.com.