Michael P. Williams, Sr is currently the Chief of the Akiak Native Community, A Federally Recognized Tribe. in Alaska. He has been on the Tribal Council for over 40 years. He was born to the late Timothy and Helena Williams raised in a small village where hunting, gathering, and fishing was a way of life. He went to school at the Akiak BIA School, Wrangell Institute BIA School, Chemawa Indian School, University of Alaska Kuskokwim Campus and is a US Army Disabled Veteran. He is married to Maggie and have 5 children and 16 grand children all living in his village.
He is a past Area Vice President of the National Congress of American Indians, former President of Alaska Rural Community Action Program, former Board Member of the Native American Rights Fund, former President of the Yupiit School District, former Vice President of the Alaska State Board of Education, former Board member of the Alaska Association of School Boards, former Business Manager of Kokarmuit Corporation, former City Administrator of City of Akiak, Former Program Manager of the Mental Health Program at YKHC, Former Vice Chairman of the YKHC Board of Directors, currently member of the Alaska Tribal Unity, and vice Chairman of the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, and former Chairman of AVCP. Current Acting President of First Stewards.
He has also competed in the lditarod International Sled Dog Race 15 times and the Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog race 29 times all for the cause of Sobriety. He has authored a book "Racing Towards Recovery" a short story of his life. Many of the challenges that his people and himself experienced are extra ordinary. He looks forward in sharing his life story.
Many of the communities in Alaska, from his lens, are experiencing hardships due to the climate change impacts that is village is experiencing like many other communities throughout the Indigenous communities throughout the world. Many of the answers are within the individuals and communities. We have a lot to offer to all the global governments. This work is his passion and the future existence of his Peoples.