Alaska Native leader Trefon Angasan passes away from complications of COVID-19

A native man in a blue anorak and a tie
Trefon Angasan, 73, held several prominent roles with the Bristol Bay Native Corporation, Bristol Bay Native Association and other capacities across the state. (Photo Credit Alaska Peninsula Corporation)

Alaska Native leader Trefon Angasan Jr. died on Sunday from complications due to COVID-19. He was 73 years old.

Angasan was the chairman of the Alaska Peninsula Corporation. He was also a founding member, and he served on the board for more than 42 years. He will be remembered as a generous person who sought to help others in need.

Angasan was Alutiiq. He was born in Savonoski  and grew up in South Naknek.

Angasan is renowned for his leadership roles in the state and in Bristol Bay. He was the Vice President of Shareholder Relations at the Bristol Bay Native Corporation for three decades from 1975 to 2005. He also held leadership roles at the Bristol Bay Native Association.

Angasan also served with the Alaska Board of Fish, Alaska Federation of Natives and the Alaska Native Justice Center.

Read more stories about how the coronavirus is affecting rural Alaska

Angasan was an expert on Alaska Native policy, and was considered an “encyclopedic resource” on the Alaska Natives Claims Settlement Act and the Alaska National Interests Lands Conservation Act.


Contact the author at tyler@kdlg.org or 907-842-2200

Previous articleHere’s ASD’s latest plan to bring Anchorage students back to classrooms
Next article19 more Alaskans hospitalized with COVID-19