Marlene Johnson, longtime Tlingit leader and SHI board chair, dies at age 90
- Mark Sabbatini
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
Tributes from statewide Alaska Native organizations note her historic roles as ANCSA negotiator, co-founder of organizations and tribal executive for more than six decades
By Mark Sabbatini
Juneau Independent
This is a developing story.
Marlene Johnson, a Hoonah-born Tlingit who spent more than six decades in leadership roles for a wide range of Alaska Native entities, died Sunday at the age of 90.
"We are heartbroken to note the passing of our beloved friend, mentor, and colleague, Slath Jaa Klaa / Lákooti Marlene Johnson, a fearless warrior for Alaska Native land claims, rights, and education and one of the original incorporators of Sealaska," a lengthy profile of her published Monday by Sealaska Heritage Institute states.
Johnson served on SHI’s board between 1990 and 2023, including chairing the board from 2011 until her retirement.
Before her time at SHI she served as vice president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s executive committee between 1961 and 1980, according to a tribute published by the tribe Monday. She also spent nearly 25 years on the board of Sealaska Corp., after being one of its original incorporators in 1972, stepping down in 1995.
The Alaska Federation of Natives, in a Facebook post Monday, called Johnson "a towering leader whose courage and vision helped secure Alaska Native land claims and shape the foundation of our movement. Her legacy lives on through the institutions she built, the rights she fought for, and the generations of Native leaders she inspired."
The tributes noted her upbringing as part of a large family in a small village, and the challenges she faced as an Alaska Native girl at the time.
"Marlene was Tlingit of the Yéil (Raven) moiety, T'akdeintaan (Sea Pigeon) clan, Taax Hít (Mt. Fairweather House, also known as the Snail House) in Hoonah, where she was born in 1935 to parents Robert and Elsie Greenwald," the SHI profile notes. "Her father was a German immigrant, and her mother was Tlingit of the T'akdeintaan clan."
She was the 13th of 14 children while growing up in Hoonah, according to Tlingit and Haida.
"As a child, she was punished for speaking her language—a painful reminder of an era when Native voices were silenced," the tribe’s post notes.
She moved to Juneau to attend high school, graduating in 1953. Her higher education studies in Oregon, Washington and Nevada included management and accounting. In 1959 she moved back to Hoonah, where she met Clifford Leo Johnson, her husband-to-be of 57 years.
"Marlene went on to become a respected businesswoman and leader, serving in private industry and holding influential roles with Sealaska, Tlingit & Haida, the Alaska Federation of Natives, and numerous state and national boards," Tlingit and Haida noted in a Facebook post. "She helped shape policies that continue to impact Alaska Native communities today."
"Her legacy is one of resilience, leadership, and deep dedication to community and culture."
Johnson was the only woman among the original Alaska Native leaders who negotiated the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971, according to SHI. In addition to helping incorporate Sealaska, she "helped found and lead organizations including RurAL CAP, Sealaska Heritage Institute, Huna Totem Corp. and the Huna Heritage Foundation."
She also worked as an accountant for Coastal Glacier Seafoods in Hoonah from 1961 to 1968. She subsequently became part owner and vice president of regional air taxi Southeast Skyways, and between 1969 and 1982, served as sales and personnel manager, managed the Hoonah station, and supervised agents in Southeast Alaska. She also served on Hoonah’s school board for 26 years and helped found Hoonah’s first childcare program.
Johnson received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from Tlingit and Haida in 2016.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.
