There are leaders who define generations by their dedicated, loyal and enduring service – and Roy S. Ewan exemplifies these traits.

For his humble and quiet leadership, the First Alaskans Institute, a statewide Alaska Native nonprofit organization, presented Roy with the Alaska Native Leader Howard Rock Award. This honor is given to a person who has shown quality of character and effort to be a leader by putting their community and people before themselves. The award was presented November 19 at the fifth annual Howard Rock & Ted Stevens Smokehouse Gala.

Roy’s role as an Elder, culture bearer and advocate continues to this day. “Recently, he spent time with Gov. Bill Walker in his community of Gulkana, visiting the gravesites of his family and people, advocating for the return of these sacred grounds to the village,” the award noted.

“He has always strived to make Ahtna a company that its shareholders can be proud of, and has spent his life generously serving the Ahtna people through engagement, advocacy, legislation and business,” the award stated. “It is an incredible honor to recognize him for all he has done in standing up for our Native peoples, our rights and our aspirations.”

Roy served on the Ahtna Board for over 20 years. He is a former president/CEO of Ahtna and has also served on many Ahtna subsidiary boards and committees. Roy was involved in the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and continues to advocate for the Ahtna region. He was instrumental in advocating for co-management of Ahtna lands and the protection of our ways of life.

He is a past board member of the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, the Alaska Native Heritage Park, the Alaska Federation of Natives and the Resource Development Council. He is past co-chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives, SNOW PAC and the Southcentral Subsistence Advisory Council.

Roy is originally from Kluti-Kaah, then moved to Gulkana after marrying is wife. He and his wife, Glenda, have one daughter, Jackie Johnny.