Buffett Award For Indigenous Leadership 2001 to 2006 Recipients 

During the past six years, the Buffett Award has recognized thirty tribal leaders for their drive as catalysts
for better conditions in their communities:

In 2006, Guujaaw (Haida) of Skidegate, British Columbia, Canada (Haida Gwaii) received the Buffett Award
for his work as a political leader, carver, traditional medicine practitioner, singer and negotiator. The four
finalists honored in 2006 were: Harold Gatensby (Dahka T'lingit), Carcross, Yukon Territory, Canada;
Ilarion (Larry) Merculieff (Aleut), Anchorage, Alaska; Tawna Sanchez, (Shoshone-Bannock/Ute), Portland,
Oregon and Chief Judith Sayers (Nuu-chah-nulth), Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada.

In 2005, Chairman W. Ron Allen (Jamestown S'Kallam) from Sequim, Washington received the Buffett 
Award for his work in the fields of tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and governmental responsibilities at
both the regional and national level. Four other 2005 finalists honored for their achievements were: Robi
Michelle Craig (Kiks.adi Clan), Sitka, Alaska; Leaf Hillman (Karuk), Orleans, California; Chief Robert Pasco 
(Nlaka'pamux), Ashcroft, British Columbia, Canada and Chairman Shawn Yanity (Stillaguamish), Arlington,
Washington.

Clarence Alexander (Dranjik Gwich'in) from Fort Yukon, Alaska received the 2004 Buffett Award for his
work advocating for environmental justice, tribal rights and protection of the Yukon River Watershed.
Four other finalists honored in 2004 for their achievements were: Ivan Jackson, Sr. (Klamath/Modoc),
Klamath Falls, Oregon; Sarah James (Neetsaii Gwich'in), Arctic Village, Alaska; Teri Rofkar (Tlingit), Sitka,
Alaska and Terry Williams (Tulalip), Marysville, Washington.

In 2003, Jeannette Armstrong (Okanagan) from Penticton, British Columbia received the Buffett 
Award for her work as a community leader, educator and indigenous rights activist. The four other finalists
honored in 2003 were: Billy Frank, Jr. (Nisqually), Olympia, Washington; Susan Masten
(Yurok), Hoopa, California; Nathan Matthew (Shuswap), Barriere, B.C., Canada and Agnes Pilgrim
(Siletz), Grants Pass, Oregon.

Kelly Brown (Heiltsuk) of Waglisla, British Columbia received the 2002 Buffett Award for his work as a
negotiator, planner and educator in the areas of cultural restoration and conservation. The other four
finalists honored in 2002 were: Carol Craig (Yakama), Toppenish, Washington; Kathleen Shaye Hill
(Klamath), Eureka, California; Robert Sam (Tlingit), Sitka, Alaska and John D. Ward (Taku River Tlingit),
Atlin, B.C., Canada.

Phillip Cash Cash (Nez Perce/Cayuse) of Oregon received the first Buffett Award for Indigenous
Leadership in 2001 for his language preservation work. The four finalists honored were: David Hatch 
(Siletz), Portland, Oregon; Susan Burdick (Yurok), Salyer, California; Dennis Martinez (Tohono O'Oodham),
Douglas City, California and Pauline Waterfall (Heiltsuk), Waglisla, B.C., Canada.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Woody, Director of the Indigenous Leadership Program, Ecotrust,
721 NW Ninth Avenue, Suite 200, Portland, OR, 97209. Phone: 503-467-0751. Fax: 503-222-1517. Email
liz@ecotrust.org and see: www.ecotrust.org/indigenousleaders