Legal Fund for Raymond, Michelle and Larry

On May 2, 2022 a lawsuit was filed against Raymond Sensmeier, Michelle Meyer and Larry Powell for speaking out against the deforestation of tribal lands. Yakutat Tlingit Tribe elder and culture bearer Raymond Sensmeier, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe member and tribal lands advocate Michelle Meyer, and former Yakutat Mayor and business owner Larry Powell are being sued over false claims by Yak-Tat Kwaan board member and Yak Timber CEO Marvin Adams. They believe this is retaliation because Raymond, Michelle and Larry spoke up and challenged the clear-cutting.

Raymond says he has lived in Yakutat all his life except when he had to attend boarding school and to serve two tours in Viet Nam. Raymond is Kwáashk’ikwáan from the Moon House and known as an advocate for his People. As an elder, he uses his teachings from his elders to preserve the Tlingit way of life with consideration for future generations. He says it’s always about consideration of others and preserving our traditional ways of living.

Michelle is Kwáashk’ikwáan from the Fort House in Yakutat. On a break from her professional fundraising career, Michelle continues recuperating from a two-year battle with cancer. Michelle’s belief is that, as Tlingit people, we create the world our grandchildren and their grandchildren will know. With that in mind, Michelle works to leave future generations the hope to continue our culture and traditions with intact forests and lands, healthy fish and animals, and places to find medicine and food.

Larry Powell has lived in Yakutat since 1964, operating Mallott’s General Store with his wife, Caroline Powell who is also Kwáashk’ikwáan from the Fort House. Larry served as Mayor of Yakutat from twenty years working to improve the community. Mallott’s collects cardboard, aluminum and plastics for backhauling to Seattle for recycling rather than sending them to the Yakutat landfill.

Yak-tat Kwaan has come under intense scrutiny from shareholders who were objecting to the gross mismanagement of the corporation. In recent years, Yak-tat Kwaan have not passed a financial audit, have cancelled board member elections and are currently being sued by a bank for $13.3 million in unpaid loans.

This lawsuit is an attempt to silence shareholders that disagree with the direction that Yak-tat Kwaan has taken.

Legal fees are mounting. Current fees are over $60,000 and will likely exceed $100,000. Please help these three with a financial donation to their legal fund. They are fighting for their people. They have every right to voice their opinions about their land and their native corporation. Help them to stand up and fight for their community. Don’t let corporate greed win this battle.