Tlingit & Haida Promotes Cultural Heritage and Education Director

The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska promoted Amelia Rivera (Jiyal’áxch) to Senior Director of the Cultural Heritage & Education division. In this position, Rivera oversees the Generations Southeast Community Learning Center and Cultural Heritage & Education division, which includes the Haa Yoo X’atángi Kúdi language immersion nest, Head Start, Little Eagles and Ravens Nest (LEARN) Child Care, Higher Education, and Navigators.

Rivera joined Tlingit & Haida in 2021 and previously served as manager of the employment and training department. She retains this department within her leadership, merging post-secondary educational funding options, expanding opportunities for youth, and establishing robust training programs.

Rivera has a bachelor’s degree in the humanities from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and a master’s degree in secondary teaching from UAS. She also has several years of experience in behavioral health and social services. Prior to joining Tlingit & Haida, Rivera was a social studies teacher with the Juneau School District. She also worked for the Alaska Office of Children’s Services, where she partnered with tribal organizations to maximize federal funding reimbursement.

“I’m deeply humbled by the opportunity to serve our tribe in this capacity,” Rivera says. “I look forward to building infrastructures and programs that celebrate Indigenous knowledge and ingenuity while positively impacting generations to come.”

Rivera grew up in Juneau and carries her great-grandmother Emma Frances Marks’ Tlingit name, Jiyal’áxch, and is Lukaax.ádi, Raven Sockeye of the Canoe Prow House on the Alsek River with ties to Shaka Hít in Dry Bay and Yéil Hít in Haines.