Ted Wright recently joined the Native Village of Eyak as executive director. He took on the role last month and has high aspirations for NVE.
Wright, born on the 4th of July, holds a master’s degree in educational administration and a PhD in education theory and policy from Penn State University. He has managed tribes across the United States: from Oregon to Washington and up to Alaska.
“I started managing tribes a long time ago, when I managed my own tribe, a Sitka tribe of Alaska. I expect to be here for several years and finish my career here (in Cordova) and get a lot done. That is the goal,” Wright said.
Wright wants to tackle a plethora of things while he serves his term, including remodeling the NVE office building starting in the spring —which is slated to take about 1.5 years — the Shepard Point project and the oil spill response facility.
“(The Shepard Point project) has been funded for the most part. My predecessor is heading up that project, but I am connected to it as well. That is huge,” said Wright.
Wright and his team are looking into health care options for the community, with their clinic and the medical center being connected “under one umbrella.”
“We are looking at siting it on what would be a health care campus next to the medical center. That’s in the very early stages. An environmental and other hearing that is required to make that decision is going on right now,” said Wright.
Another big goal, Wright shared, is building housing in Cordova, a need that is particularly lacking.
“There is a lot of work in that area that needs to be done so when people come into work, they have housing. Also, tribal members need affordable, high-quality housing,” said Wright.
Wright is Tlingit decent (Eagle/Wolf) and is part of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska and Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indians of Alaska. Wright shared he was raised by his grandparents, who adopted him and his brother. His grandmother was born in Cordova in 1905.
“My family is from Yakutat originally, and I grew up in Sitka,” said Wright.
Wright enjoys Cordova’s mystic and is happy to be here.
“I envision doing some hiking. I love nature photography. The scenery is amazing here,” he said.
