Dear fellow shareholders,

We are pleased to invite all shareholders to the 51st Annual Meeting of Ahtna Shareholders. The event is scheduled for June 8, 2024, at the Glennallen High School gymnasium. For those unable to join us in person, a live stream will be available at www.ahtnavote.com. Stay up to date with the latest meeting information by following us on Facebook and visiting the Ahtna website.

The Ahtna Board of Directors remains dedicated to advancing the interests of our current and future shareholders through thoughtful and careful decisions that align with our corporation’s mission and vision. As shareholders, one of your key responsibilities is participating in Ahtna elections to elect qualified individuals to the Board. Proxy voting opened on May 3. Your proxy materials provide details on how to vote, with the simplest method being online at www.ahtnavote.com. In addition to being mailed your unique online voting PIN, shareholders can look up their PIN on the proxy website. For the best chance of winning a proxy prize, vote online by the May 17 early bird deadline. You can also attend the meeting and vote in person.

In 2022, The Board of Directors approved the addition of Katie John Day as a paid Ahtna holiday. In 2013, the Board unanimously passed a resolution declaring May 31st as Katie John Day and in 2019 the State of Alaska designated it as a day of honor. This year, the village of Mentasta will be hosting a big celebration on May 31st at the Mentasta Hall. I encourage all who can attend, to celebrate and remember Katie John and her many contributions to our Native people. She was a dear and beloved matriarch whose work embodied the spirit of the Ahtna culture and people.

To preserve her traditional way of life, Katie John spearheaded the most significant litigation over subsistence rights in Alaska history. It is because of efforts like hers that many Alaska Native people’s customary and traditional practices are recognized and protected today. Katie was known publicly for her determination to protect her way of life and feed her family, but to those who knew her she was also famous for her contagious smile and generous heart. She took in so many and made them feel like family.

We are also excited to share that with the support of our tribes, Ahtna has been accepted into the US Department of the Interior, Office of Self Governance Title IV program. This is a significant achievement, as Ahtna is the first Alaska Native corporation to be accepted into the program. We hope this program will help strengthen the relationship with our federal partners and provide greater protection for our lands. Ahtna is now eligible to apply for federal assistance to help with ANCSA land improvements, including the longstanding need to work on our 17(b) trails.

After years of discussion, we are happy to announce that Ahtna has entered into an agreement with the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) for a right of way for the Alaska gas line. If this line is constructed, this agreement ensures Ahtna will be highly compensated for generations to come. This agreement represents a significant step forward for Ahtna and our shareholders and demonstrates our commitment to responsible economic growth and wise stewardship of our lands. This project may never be constructed, but we will make sure that if it is, our people will be well compensated, our lands will be protected from environmental damage, and our people will continue to use these lands as they always have.

This spring has proven to be a particularly active time for our organization, especially for our Land Department and the subsidiaries we have across Alaska and the Lower 48. These teams are either in the midst of extensive preparations for their upcoming field seasons or have already launched their projects, diving into the busy months ahead. With this level of activity, the upcoming summer season is shaping up to be a busy one.

As we move forward into these busier times, we are focused on maintaining the highest level of safety, ensuring that all operations are conducted without compromise to the well-being of our teams. I hope that all our shareholders experience a safe and enjoyable summer as well. Your well-being is important to us!

Tsin’aen,

Michelle Anderson, President
Ahtna, Incorporated