The Emmonak Tribe is at a crucial juncture. As concerned tribal members, we must act to protect our community, our governance, and our future.

 

Our tribal rules are clear. Individuals with criminal convictions are not permitted to hold positions on the Tribal Council or within tribal administration. Despite this, some individuals currently in leadership positions have criminal convictions, including convictions that occurred while actively serving on the Tribal Council. This places our tribe in a vulnerable and unacceptable position.

 

This is not merely a violation of established tribal protocols. It is a direct threat to the tribe’s stability, credibility, and future.

 

Risks to the Tribe

 

Allowing individuals with criminal convictions to remain in leadership roles exposes the Emmonak Tribe to serious consequences, including:

 • Loss or jeopardy of federal and grant funding

 • Increased scrutiny from oversight agencies

 • Damage to the tribe’s reputation and credibility

 • Erosion of trust among tribal members

 

Federal agencies expect tribes to uphold strict governance and accountability standards. Failure to do so can negatively impact existing programs and prevent future opportunities essential to our community’s wellbeing.

 

Failure of Background Check Oversight

 

Background checks exist to ensure integrity, transparency, and trust in those who represent our tribe. If these checks were ignored, bypassed, or their results dismissed, this constitutes a serious violation of governance standards and presents a grave ethical failure.

 

The individual responsible for conducting or overseeing background checks must also be held accountable. Due to negligence in enforcing eligibility requirements, that individual should be required to resign or step down.

 

Allegations of Financial Mismanagement

 

Tribal members have not received transparency or accountability regarding allegations that Tribal Administrator Janice Agwiak mishandled burial funds totaling tens of thousands of dollars.

 

Rather than addressing these concerns openly, the Tribal Council chose to overlook the issue and has failed to explain:

 • How similar mismanagement would be prevented in the future

 • How accountability would be enforced

 

It has been reported that Ms. Agwiak offered to step down, yet the Council did not require her to do so. This response is unacceptable and reinforces the perception that misconduct is being swept under the rug, further eroding trust in tribal leadership.

 

Our Position as Tribal Members

 

As members of the Emmonak Tribe, we care deeply about our community and want it to thrive. Our leaders should reflect the highest ethical standards while making decisions that affect present and future generations.

 

No one should be exempt from the rules. Family relationships, friendships, or political convenience must never outweigh what is right for the tribe.

 

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Our Demands and Calls to Action

 

We formally call upon the Emmonak Tribal Council to take the following actions immediately:

 1. Conduct a comprehensive review of criminal records for all current Tribal Council members and tribal administration employees.

 2. Remove immediately any individuals found to have criminal convictions that render them ineligible under tribal rules.

 3. Reaffirm and strictly enforce eligibility and background check requirements moving forward.

 4. Hold accountable the individual responsible for background checks by requiring resignation or removal due to negligence.

 5. Address allegations of burial fund mismanagement transparently and establish clear safeguards and accountability measures.

 

We further call on all council members and administration members who are ineligible due to criminal convictions to resign voluntarily. If they refuse, the Tribal Council or an independent ethics committee must initiate formal review and immediate removal procedures.

 

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Public Records Disclosure

 

We encourage all tribal members to review public records and stay informed about who holds Tribal Council seats and administrative positions.

 

Based on public records:

 • Thomas Kameroff – Tribal President – Conviction(s) 

AS 04.11.499: Importation of Alcohol into a local option area

Offense Location Emmonak, AK

Guilty Conviction 

AS 11.61.120: HARASSMENT

Guilty Conviction 

AS 11.61.120: HARASSMENT

Guilty Conviction 

AS 11.56.745: Interfering with The reporting of a Domestic Violence

Offense Location Emmonak, AK

Guilty Conviction 

 

 • Michael Prince II – Tribal Council Secretary – Conviction(s)

AMC8.45.010(A)(2)(d): Enter/Remain Bus Property, T

Offense Location Anchorage, AK

Guilty Conviction 

AMC8.10.010(B)(1): Assault-Recklessly Cause Injury

Offense Location Anchorage, AK

Guilty Conviction 

AMC8.30.110(A): Violate Conditions of Release

Offense Location Anchorage, AK

Guilty Conviction 

AMC8.30.115(A): Unlawful Contact 1-Victim/Witness

Offense Location Anchorage, AK

Guilty Conviction

AMC8.45.010(A)(2)(d): Enter/Remain Bus Property, Told to Leave

Offense Location Anchorage, AK

Guilty Conviction

AMC8.10.080(A)(2): Indecent Expose to Over 16 Year Old

Offense Location Anchorage, AK

Guilty Conviction

AMC8.30.010(A)(1): Resist Own Arrest by Use of Force

Offense Location Anchorage, AK

Guilty Conviction

AS11.41.230(a)(1): Assault In The 4th Degree - Recklessly Injure

Offense Location Anchorage, AK

Guilty Conviction

AS11.46.150(a): Theft 4-Less than $250 

Offense Location Anchorage, AK

Guilty Conviction

AMC8.30.010(A)(1): Resist Own Arrest by Use of Force

Offense Location Anchorage, AK

Guilty Conviction

AMC8.30.110(A): Violate Conditions of Release

Offense Location Anchorage, AK

Guilty Conviction

AMC8.30.110(A): Violate Conditions of Release

Offense Location Anchorage, AK

Guilty Conviction

AS1141220A5 - Class C Felony AS11.41.220(a)(5): Assault 3 - Committ Assault 4, 2+ Convictions

Offense Location Emmonak, AK

Guilty Conviction 

 

 • Jay Kameroff – Tribal Council Member – Conviction(s)

AS11.41.230(a)(3): Assault 4-Cause Fear Of Injury

Offense Location Emmonak, AK

Guilty Conviction 

Date of Offense 12/11/2025 while holding Tribal Council Seat

AS11.46.486(a)(1): Criminal Mischief 5 -Tamper w/ Property

Offense Location Emmonak, AK

Guilty Conviction 

Date of Offense 12/11/2025 while holding Tribal Council Seat

AS11.61.110(a)(5): Disorderly Conduct-Challenge To Fight

Offense Location Emmonak, AK

Guilty Conviction 

Date of Offense 12/11/2025 while holding Tribal Council Seat

AS11.56.758(b)(2): Violation Of Custodian Duty 

Offense Location Emmonak, AK

Guilty Conviction 

AS28.35.030(a)(1): DUI- Alcohol Or Contr Substance 

Offense Location Emmonak, AK

Guilty Conviction 

AS28.35.030(a)(1): DUI - Alcohol Or Contr Substance

Offense Location Emmonak, AK

Guilty Conviction 

AS 28.35.040: RECKLESS DRIVING

Offense Location Emmonak, AK

Guilty Conviction 

 

 • Janice Agwiak – Tribal Council Admin – Conviction(s)

AS2835032A AS28.35.032(a): Refuse To Submit To Chemical Test   
        Offense Location Delta Junction

        Guilty Conviction

AS28.35.080(a): LEAVING SCENE/FAILURE OF NOTICE ACCIDENT
        Offense Location Palmer

        No Contest Plea 

Support this cause. Sign the petition to enforce our tribal rules and protect the integrity of the Emmonak Tribe.