"Anthony Mallott"

“He took the power of values, the power of kindness and the power of caring to improve people’s lives,” said Sealaska CEO Anthony Mallott.

Sealaska will distribute $17.5 million in dividends to its 22,000 shareholders on Dec. 3. Most of the money comes from zinc and oil earnings up north.

Could Sealaska make more money, pay higher dividends and make better use of its land? Yes, say some shareholders critical of the Southeast regional Native corporation’s management.

The regional Native corporation for Southeast Alaska upped its income by $50 million in 2014. Officials at Juneau-headquartered Sealaska say it’s the start of a multi-year recovery. But critics point to figures showing it’s still losing money.

Alaska’s largest regional Native corporation will distribute $12.9 million this month.

Sealaska has taken possession of 70,000 acres that used to be part of the Tongass National Forest.