Douglas Indian Association
Alaska Native tribe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Douglas Indian Association is a federally recognized Native American tribe of Inland Tlingit people. This Alaska Native tribe is headquartered in Juneau, Alaska.[1]
Douglas Indian Association
| |
|---|---|
  Douglas Indian Association Douglas Indian Association | |
| Coordinates: 58°18′09″N 134°25′26″W | |
| Constitution Ratified | November 24, 1941 |
| Capital | Juneau, Alaska |
| Government | |
| • Type | Representative democracy |
| • Body | Douglas Tribal Council |
| • President | Clarence Laiti |
| Population (2026) | |
• Estimate | 800 |
| Demonym | Tlingit |
| Time zone | UTC– 09:00 (AKST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC– 08:00 (AKDT) |
| Website | diataku |
They have 800 enrolled citizens.[2] The tribe is also called Taku Native Tribes,[1] and most tribal citizens belong to the T'aaḵu Kwáan, while some belong to the A'akw Kwáan.[3]
Government
The Douglas Indian Association is led by a democratically elected tribal council.[1] Their president is Clarence Laiti.[4] The Alaska Regional Office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs serves the tribe.[4]
The tribe ratified their constitution and corporate charter in 1941.[1] They are served by the Alaska Regional Office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.[4]
Territory
While the tribe is now headquartered in Juneau, historically its territory included southeast Juneau, Taku Harbor, Taku Inlet, and along the Taku River.[3] In summers, they camped on Douglas Island.[5] Europeans began encroaching on their homelands in the late 19th century.[3]
In the early to mid-20th century, the tribe was based in the Douglas Indian Village. The City of Douglas burned down the village in 1962.[2] In 2024, the City and Borough of Juneau issued an official apology to the tribe for the burning.[2] The Juneau Assembly voted in 2025 to transfer Mayflower Island (Tlingit: X’áat’ T’áak to the tribe.[2] This 3-acre island had been historically used by the tribe for subsistence.[2]
Economic development
The Douglas Indian Association belongs to Goldbelt Inc., an ANCSA Urban Corporation which is part of Sealaska Corporation, an Alaska Native Regional Corporation.[5]
Language
The tribe speaks English and the Tlingit language.[3]
Arts and culture
The people of the Douglas Indian Association create formline design and carve totem poles.[3]