Kaaxúxgu Joe Nelson

Joe Nelson grew up commercial fishing in Yakutat, Alaska. He is a member of the Teikweidi (Brown Bear) clan and child of the Kwaashkikwaan (Humpback Salmon) clan. He has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in American Indian Studies from UCLA, as well as a Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School. 
 
Joe is a longtime board member and former chairman of Sealaska Corporation. He serves on most of Sealaska’s subsidiary and affiliate boards, including Woocheen, Sealaska Heritage Institute, and Spruce Root Inc.  Joe is also a Co-Chair at the Alaska Federation of Natives, the President of Alaska Legal Services, Chair of Outer Coast, and President of Southeast Village Fisheries Collective.