2005 Ecotrust Indigenous Leadership Award
Awardee: Chairman W. Ron Allen
"We must never neglect our rights to self-government, culture and our spiritual values. We are the people of this land and we stand ready to protect it in every way."
—Chairman W. Ron Allen
Chairman W. Ron Allen is honored as the recipient of the 2005 Ecotrust Indigenous Leadership Award for his work in the fields of tribal sovereignty, treaty rights and governmental responsibilities at both the regional and national levels. He has also worked with great vision and dedication to advance the political, cultural and economic interests of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe.
Chairman Allen's regional and national leadership spans several decades of contribution and dedication. He has served as a long-term representative on numerous tribal governance organizations such as the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. From 1990 to 1996, he co-chaired the National Indian Policy Center at George Washington University. Chairman Allen presently serves as a delegate to the Point No Point Treaty Council, commissioner to the US-Canada Pacific Salmon Commission and co-chair of the Washington Coalition for Self Reliance. He is also president of the Washington Indian Gaming Association.
For over 15 years, Chairman Allen has served the National Congress of American Indians in a number of leadership positions, including president from 1995 to 1999. His responsibilities have included the facilitation of national tribal leadership forums to develop tribal government priorities and strategic planning efforts in working with the White House and Congress.
Since 1977, W. Ron Allen has served as Tribal Chairman for the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe. Under his leadership, the Tribe has moved from "no federal recognition" to its present status as a recognized and highly esteemed sovereign nation. The Tribe also went from a landless reservation base to a land base of approximately 800 acres.
Chairman Allen has also served as Executive Director of the Tribe since 1982. In this role, he is responsible for the administration of all the Tribe's programs including education, career development, social services, housing, health, economic development, natural resource management and cultural/traditional affairs.
Since 2003, Chairman Allen has served as a representative on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Tribal Technical Advisory Group. He also serves on the Olympic Memorial Hospital Foundation Board. From 1994 to 1996, he served as the founding chairman of the American Indian Health Commission for Washington State and continues to participate as a Tribal representative.
Chairman Allen serves on The Institute for Tribal Government Policy Board at Portland State University. He holds a double BA from the University of Washington in Political Science and Economics. Chairman Allen currently resides in Sequim, Washington.
