Ben Johnson (chairman)

Bender "Ben" Johnson Jr. (May 22, 1939 – March 31, 2014) was an American

After leaving Peninsula College, Johnson worked as a biologist for the now defunct U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (which has since merged into the present-day National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). He worked on board a Bureau research vessel, the George B. Kelez, in the Bering Sea.^[1]

Johnson soon returned to Neah Bay, where he lived for the rest of his life.^[1] He devoted much of his professional life to serving the Makah and the Makah Reservation, specifically in tribal government and the fishing industry. He worked as the personnel officer, general manager, fisheries assistant director and fisheries director.^[1] He also served as the Makah director of fisheries, member of the Makah Housing Authority, and the executive director of the Makah Tribe Youth Program.^[1][3]

Johnson first served on the Makah Tribal Council from 1998 and 2000.^[1] He declined to seek re-election, citing the controversy surrounding the 1999 whale hunt while he was chairman.^[1] Johnson won re-election in 2001, serving as a council member and chairman until 2007.^[1]

The Makah had retained the right to practice

Johnson died at the age of 74 on March 31, 2014, at Olympic Medical Center following a heart attack.^[1] He was survived by his wife, Jeanne Johnson, five children, thirty grandchildren, and fifty-one great-grandchildren.^[1]

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