Joe Williams was born and raised in Saxman, Alaska. He obtained a Business degree at Alaska Pacific University and has been an active Christian for 40 years. He has been married for 44 years, has six children and six grandchildren.
Joe was the elected Tribal President for Saxman IRA for 12 years. Through that, he was elected Vice-Chairman for the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council for eight years and also the area Vice-President for the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) for eight years.
The first Tlingit native to be elected as Mayor of Ketchikan Borough, he also served as the City of Saxman Mayor making him the first and only elected official to hold both the borough and city mayoral positions.
He has owned and operated Where the Eagle Walks, a historical walking tour and lecture company in Ketchikan for 26 seasons. This walking tour has since expanded into lectures on the Tlingit Culture and other specialty tours.
Joe has a wealth of local knowledge about Ketchikan, Saxman and his Tlingit culture.
Joe was the elected Tribal President for Saxman IRA for 12 years. Through that, he was elected Vice-Chairman for the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council for eight years and also the area Vice-President for the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) for eight years.
The first Tlingit native to be elected as Mayor of Ketchikan Borough, he also served as the City of Saxman Mayor making him the first and only elected official to hold both the borough and city mayoral positions.
He has owned and operated Where the Eagle Walks, a historical walking tour and lecture company in Ketchikan for 26 seasons. This walking tour has since expanded into lectures on the Tlingit Culture and other specialty tours.
Joe has a wealth of local knowledge about Ketchikan, Saxman and his Tlingit culture.