Settlement Trust Created, Veterans Honored at Special Meeting
Doyon, Limited held its first-ever special meeting of shareholders on November 16, 2018, at the Westmark Fairbanks Hotel where shareholders voted to create the Doyon Settlement Trust under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
A quorum of 59.4 percent was established and an overwhelming number of voters supported the ballot question, with 92.6 percent voting “yes.” The first distribution from the Doyon Settlement Trust will be made on December 4, 2018, and will be tax-free to its beneficiaries, Doyon shareholders.
At the special meeting, Doyon also made a special presentation honoring shareholder veterans and active duty military members in the audience. In the moving presentation, each military member received a beaded necklace made by Elders from Denakkanaaga.
In addition to the gifts, Doyon also presented a $100,000 check to Col. Wayne Don, representing the National Native American Veterans Memorial. The gift, which will be paid over four years, will fund a new memorial on the grounds of the National Museum of the American Indian in 2020. The memorial will honor the countless veterans that have contributed and sacrificed for the freedom of the United States.
A number of veterans in attendance shared that they have never participated in an event like this one before. Col. Don stated that Doyon should be proud of its recognition of its military shareholders and employees. He had never seen anything like it before and was planning to encourage other Native organizations to do the same.
Doyon thanks everyone that helped to make the special meeting of shareholders a special day and thanks all that voted to support the creation of the Doyon Settlement Trust.
