John Borbridge, Jr. was raised in Southeast Alaska and graduated from Juneau High School. He attended Sheldon Jackson Junior College in Sitka, Alaska. Borbridge graduated from the Univeristy of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He attended graduate school at the University of Washington in Seattle. During his six years as President of the Central Council, he was instrumental in efforts to settle the Alaska Native land claims, serving as chief lobbyist for Southeast Alaska. Borbridge was also a lobbyist for Alaska Federation of Natives. In 1972, following the enactment of ANCSA, Borbridge was elected President and Chairman of the Board of Sealaska Corporation. He served as President of Sealaska Corporation until 1978. Borbridge was appointed by the United States Congress to serve as a Commissioner ont he American Indian Policy Review Commission from 1975 to 1977. He received a Presidential appointment to serve at the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. He also served as Chairman of the Board of the Alaska Federation of Natives, and as an AFN Vice-president.