Amber Caldera has been elected chairperson of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe after being voted in by members at a special election Oct. 24.

Caldera becomes the first person to hold the position since the death of Jeromy Sullivan in June at age 50. He held the position for over a decade.

She was sworn in during a special session of tribal council Oct. 25. Her term lasts until July 2025, a PGST news release states.

Caldera has served on the tribal council as Council Person IV since 2020 and holds a master’s degree in Legal Studies specializing in Indigenous Law from the University of Oklahoma. She worked for PGST Children and Family Services, which she credits as providing “a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges facing our community.”

In her letter of intent prior to the election as full-time chairperson, she wrote: “Since my teenage years, I’ve aspired to become chairwoman, which drove my commitment to higher education. I just never imagined the time would come so soon and under such heartbreaking circumstances. Jeromy’s leadership has been inspiring, and I’m honored to have witnessed and learned from him firsthand.”

During her time on council, Caldera has been appointed as liaison for several internal committees and groups, including the Tribal Education Advisory Board, the Law-and-Order Committee, and the Board of Directors for Noo-Kayet Investments, PGST’s economic development arm, per the release.

She has also worked to strengthen relationships with local, state and federal partners. That has included working with the North Kitsap School District to ensure continued support of culturally sensitive curriculum for tribal students, as well as fostering a continued dialogue with the Navy and the Army Corps of Engineers to address land use, environmental concerns and the safeguarding of treaty rights.

As chairperson, Caldera would like to provide better support for elders and retired fishermen; grow options for affordable housing on the reservation; increase educational and employment opportunities for tribal members; and create social activities to encourage interaction between tribal youth and elders, the release states.

In addition, she is committed to continuing work on a response plan related to missing and murdered Indigenous Peoples. She has also pledged to protect and strengthen services connected to mental health, addiction, disabilities and trauma response.

“I believe that serving (the PGST) community means actively engaging with our people, listening to their voices, and taking meaningful action to improve their lives,” Caldera wrote in her letter of intent. “I am committed to upholding these principles, working to cultivate a harmonious, inclusive and supportive environment for all Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe members. This is not merely a job to me; it is our family, our life, our everything.”

Caldera lives on the reservation with her husband, Jordan, and their three children. Another special election will be held soon to fill Caldera’s seat on tribal council.