The Angoon Guide Academy continues to offer meaningful outdoor education and workforce development opportunities to local youth. Students successfully completed the May and June training sessions, which focused on bear safety, wilderness awareness, wildlife observation, and the installation of trail cameras across the Angoon area to monitor wildlife activity and better understand bear behavior. Students also completed a weeklong training experience with the U.S. Forest Service at the Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area, gaining firsthand experience in professional wildlife-viewing operations and public land management. In July, students partnered with Trout Unlimited to complete a fly-fishing unit covering casting, fly tying, and fisheries education, followed by a multi-day cross-Admiralty Island expedition. This experience strengthens technical outdoor skills and prepares students for careers in guiding, tourism, and natural resource stewardship. The Angoon Guide Academy will conclude in mid-August with its final wilderness training session and a program debrief.

Kootznoowoo, Inc. held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Angoon, Alaska. Shareholders elected two directors to the Board of Directors, with the following election results: Frank Jack III – 27,392 votes Najda Kookesh – 25,850 votes Sharon Love – 24,020 votes As a result of the election, Frank Jack III and Najda Kookesh were elected to serve on the Board of Directors. Shareholders also voted on a special resolution regarding the dissolution of the Kootznoowoo Permanent Fund Settlement Trust. The resolution failed, with 34,867 shareholders voting against dissolution and 3,721 voting in favor. Following the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors convened its organizational meeting and elected the following officers: Frank Jack III, Chairman Albert Howard, Vice Chairman Tia Payton, Treasurer Eunice E. James, Secretary Kootznoowoo thanks all shareholders who participated in the Annual Meeting and election process.  

On May 28, 2026, the Board of Directors of Kootznoowoo, Inc. passed Resolution 2026-008 Resolution to Support the Continuance of the Permanent Fund Trust.   CLICK HERE to view the resolution. 

The Kootznoowoo Permanent Fund Settlement Trust (KPFST) announced it will distribute $3.90 per trust unit on Monday, June 1, 2026. For questions or additional information, shareholders should contact Shareholder Services at (907) 790-2992 or via email at info@kootznoowoo.com.

In 1994, the Kootznoowoo Permanent Fund Settlement Trust (KPFST) was established as an independent, irrevocable entity. Since then, it has provided consistent distributions separate from the Corporation’s financial performance. Shareholders have benefited from these tax-free payments, along with tax-free corporate distributions paid through the Trust. The creation of the Trust reflects the strong financial foresight of the Board of Directors at that time. Under the KPFST agreement, shareholders must now vote on whether the Trust should continue or be dissolved. If dissolved, one-half of the Trust assets would be distributed to shareholders and the remaining half distributed to the Corporation. While some believe dissolution could provide a short-term financial benefit, it is the position of management that dissolving the Trust would negatively impact future generations by eliminating not only reliable distributions, but also long-term opportunities the Trust was intended to preserve. As a result, management strongly recommends shareholders vote “No” on this resolution on their proxy. We encourage shareholders to view the Trust as a long-term asset and benefit. As the Corporation continues to pursue growth opportunities and build long-term financial stability, the Trust will continue to provide ongoing, modest distributions while we work to strengthen opportunities for the future, consistent with the Board’s original vision for the Trust. We are honored to continue working to protect Kootznoowoo’s culture and increase shareholder value. Our staff works diligently each day to address shareholder concerns and support our community. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Trust in the years ahead. CLICK HERE to download the full letter from the CEO.