The Shee Atiká, Incorporated Board of Directors nominated Frank O. Williams, Jr. for the Dr. Walter Soboleff “Warriors of Light” award, which is awarded to someone who uplifts and unifies Native people.  At the 2014 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage, Mr. Williams received the prestigious AFN President’s Award.

Frank O. Williams, Jr. is the leader of the T’Dak Dein Taan, Mt. Fairweather House, also called the Snail House in Hoonah, Alaska.  He is Raven and has two Tlingit names:  Quaats and Dleit Y’ax Woonei.  He was born at Glacier Bay, attended grade school in Hoonah and graduated from Mt. Edgecumbe High School in 1953.  He then went on to attend college at Western Washington and then served in the National Guard and the US Marine Corp.  Frank married Mabel T. Miller and together they had four children:  Ida, Lisa, Julianna and Frank O. III.  Frank has received many awards and has been highly recognized for his dedication and service to the Tlingit people and the communities throughout Southeast Alaska.  He worked for Mt. Edgecumbe hospital for over 30 years and is now retired and living in Redmond, OR.  During his lifetime, Frank helped organize the Alaska Native Board of Health, the National Indian Health Board and served as part of the Sitka Health Association and State Comprehensive Health Planning Council.  He also helped organize and serve on the Sitka Community Council and was Chairman of Huna Totem Corporation.  He was a member of the Governor’s Advisory Board on Alcoholism and the Governor’s Task Force on Drunk Driving.  He was the President of the Alaska Native Brotherhood Grand Camp and President of the Sitka ANB.  Frank also established the local ANB Culture Center at the National Park Service and served on its Board of Directors.  Frank has won multiple awards including the Lion’s Club Distinguished Service Award, the Tlingit and Haida Central Council Citizen of the Year Award, the Outstanding Alaskan Award, and the ANB Lifetime Achievement Award, among others.