Adapted from a speech given by Johnnie Evan, Calista Board Secretary on August 2, at a celebration of Senator Hoffman’s legislative career.
Storyknife, September/October 2026 edition
As Senator Lyman Hoffman completes his tenure in the Alaska Legislature, it is our privilege to recognize him as a leader whose work has shaped the future of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Region and all of rural Alaska. Sen. Hoffman has dedicated his life to serving the people of this state, and for nearly four decades he has been one of the strongest voices our Region has ever had in Juneau.
For those of us who call the Y-K Region home, Sen. Hoffman has been a champion for our communities. He has understood that the challenges we face are different from those in urban Alaska, and he has spent his career making sure our voices are heard and our needs are met.
One of his most enduring accomplishments has been his support for the Power Cost Equalization program. He recognized that access to affordable electricity is essential to the health, safety and well-being of our families. Thanks to his leadership, countless households throughout the Y-K Region have kept their lights on, heated their homes, and reduced the burden of some of the highest energy costs in the nation.
Sen. Hoffman has also been a tireless advocate for bringing capital investments to our Region. Time and again, he has led efforts to secure funding for projects that improve the quality of life in our villages. Whether it has been investments in schools, water and sewer infrastructure, health facilities, transportation, or community improvements, he has fought to ensure that the Y-K Region received its fair share.
One project that stands as a lasting symbol of his leadership is the Bethel seawall. The seawall protects homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure from erosion and flooding while preserving Bethel’s riverfront for generations to come. It reflects Sen. Hoffman’s vision of investing not only in the needs of today but also in the long-term future of our Region.
Throughout his career, Sen. Hoffman has earned the respect of colleagues across Alaska because he understands that leadership is about relationships, trust and delivering results. He has worked across political lines and through changing administrations while always keeping the people of the Y-K Region at the forefront of every decision.
Sen. Hoffman has left an extraordinary legacy. His work can be seen in the infrastructure that connects our communities, the investments that have improved our villages, the affordability of electricity for rural families, and the opportunities created for generations of Alaskans. His commitment to the Y-K Region has never wavered, and because of his service, our Region is stronger, more resilient, and better positioned for the future.
On behalf of the Calista Corporation and the Board of Directors, and people whose lives have been touched by Sen. Hoffman’s leadership, we say quyana for his decades of faithful service to the Y-K Region.
Congratulations and quyana for leaving a legacy that will benefit our Region for generations to come.