Albert Kookesh

Albert Kookesh
Member of the Alaska Senate
from the C district
In office
January 10, 2005 – January 15, 2013
Preceded byGeorgianna Lincoln
Succeeded byClick Bishop
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives
from the 5th district
In office
January 13, 1997 – January 10, 2005
Preceded byJerry Mackie
Succeeded byWilliam "Bill" Thomas, Jr.
Personal details
Born(1948-11-24)November 24, 1948
Juneau, Alaska
DiedMay 28, 2021(2021-05-28) (aged 72)
Angoon, Alaska
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseSally Woods Kookesh
ResidenceAngoon, Alaska
Alma materAlaska Pacific University
University of Washington

Albert Matthew Kookesh, Jr. (November 24, 1948 – May 28, 2021)[1] was an American politician who served as a member of the Alaska Senate. He represented District C as a Democrat from 2005 through 2013. Previously he was a member of the Alaska House of Representatives from 1997 through 2005.

Kookesh received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Washington in 1976 and was a commercial fisherman, who owned and operated a lodge and market. He was on the board of directors of the Sealaska Corporation and was a co-chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives.[2] His earlier professional positions included Business Manager, Executive VP, and Acting President/CEO for Kootznoowoo Inc.

He is of the Tlingit Nation, Eagle Tribe, Teikweidí (Brown Bear) Clan, child of L'eeneidí (Dog Salmon) Clan.[3]

He died on May 28, 2021, in Angoon, Alaska at age 72.[4]

Electoral career

In 2010 a legislative review found Kookesh to be in violation of state ethics policies following allegations that he used political influence to keep a city council from opposing a lands bill pushed by the Native corporation by which he was employed.[5] He lost the 2012 election to fellow incumbent Bert Stedman after the Alaska Redistricting Board placed him[2] in a district that was vastly different from his former bush district.

References

  1. ^ "100 Years of Alaska's Legislature". akleg.gov.
  2. ^ a b Shoenfeld, Ed (February 19, 2013). "Kookesh critical following heart attack". KCAW. Sitka, United States. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  3. ^ "Albert Kookesh, Angoon, AK | Sealaska Corporation". www.sealaska.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  4. ^ "Albert Kookesh, Alaska Native leader, dies at 72". Juneauempire.com. May 28, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  5. ^ Forgey, Pat (March 3, 2010). "Legislature: Kookesh violated ethics rules". Juneau Empire. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2010.


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