CAROL mARTINEZ - cOUNCIL President
My Tlingit name is “Dasa’Ka’ee” my western name is Carol Martinez. I am of the raven
moiety and the Taak’dein’taan clan. My mother is Patricia (James) Svetlak and my
grandparents were William and Martha James. I have 4 children and raised them in our
community with our traditional values. I am proud to say I can harvest and prepare
traditional foods and I try to attend clan gatherings-Koo ‘Eex when I am able.
It has always been important to me to foster a sense of pride and to empower Native
youth to know they have value. I believe every voice is important and should be heard.
I have a paralegal degree and am currently working as the Community Navigator
Program Manager for Tlingit and Haida Central Council.
I have volunteered as a special needs native foster home for near 20 years, an EMT, am a
former Camp 16 President of Alaska Native Sisterhood, and past Petersburg Indian
Association Tribal President.
Presently I serve on the HAA YAKAAWU Board and the Board of Commissioners for
Tlingit and Haida Regional Housing Authority.
I am proud of our culture and heritage and hope to share this with our tribal citizens in
our community. To find and offer resources, business opportunities and careers. To
work towards financial sovereignty for our tribe.
It is such an honor to serve as President for the Petersburg Indian Association and am
looking forward to being of service to our people.
Nathan C.S. Lopez - Vice President
My Name is Nathan Lopez
I was born and raised in Petersburg Alaska
My Tlingit Name is Sha Gaaw
I am Yanyeidí of the Hit Tlein (Eagle, Wolf of the Big House)
I am a Child of the TaakDeinTaan ( Raven, Sea Pigeon )
My Father Was Michael Lopez, Kawshduwash eesh
My Mother is Janice Lopez
My Grandma was Ethelyn Lopez, Waakusteen, who was instrumental in Petersburg with bringing Native Education
into our local Petersburg School for many years and helped other communities in Southeast do the same
I grew up surrounded by our Tlingit Culture and learned so much from my family and the Native Community of
Petersburg. I was involved in Tribal Programs in High School and I also helped establish A Native Elder/Youth
Program in High school with training in Technology through a Grant we received. I have helped in leadership in many
organizations and boards. I am a Pastor of a Local Petersburg Church and have served as a Pastor Since 1999. I am
a small business owner. I have also been involved as a Delegate with Tlingit and Haida Central Council since 2018
and helped establish the current program for Petersburg that has brought Cultural and Education programs to
Petersburg on a Monthly Basis.
I have helped bring Herring Eggs on branches to Petersburg since 2018 which is such a treasured food to our people.
I am honored to serve on our Tribal Council and I am excited to work and represent all of our Tribal Citizens.
Gunlachéesh
JACLYN LYONS EIDE - Secretary
Jaclyn Eide was born and raised in Petersburg. A proud descendant of Amy Hallingstad, a great woman who fought tirelessly for the rights of Alaska Natives. Jaclyn has been a commercial fisherman since the age of 16. She and her husband are now proud owners of their own gillnet boat. In her free time, she loves to be with her family, whether it be cutting firewood, mushroom hunting, subsistence shrimping, or playing board games with her husband Lansing Eide and spending quality time with their son Sterling. She looks forward to serving her tribe and community.
HEATHER CONN- Treasurer
Heather Conn is Petersburg-grown with an ethnic background of both Aleut and Norwegian. Her family was adopted into the Eagle clan in 1978. She is a mother of three, wife, PIA council member, and the principal of Stedman Elementary School. She currently holds a Masters in Elementary Education, Special Education and Educational Leadership. Her passion is advocating for children and their families in which she serves. She is excited to bring her voice to the Petersburg Indian Association.
Jeanette L. Ness
My name is Jeanette Ness. My Tlingit name is Kosh Kaani. I am Raven, Takdeintaan (Sea Pigeon of the Sockeye House). My parents were Pauline and Frank Fernandez. I was one of the founders of the Seetka Kwaan Dancers and was leader for over 12 years. For over the past 40+ years, I have been involved with Petersburg Indian Association, either as an employee, more often as a Council Member. I served as President for two years in early 1990's. I have presented and supported many Tlingit cultural events and classes within the community. I served on the SEARHC Board of Directors over 20 years, with 18 years as Secretary of the SEARHC Executive Board. I have also been elected as a Central Council Tlingit and Haida delegate throughout the years. My passion is to continue enriching the community with Tlingit culture.
Brandon Ware
My Name is Brandon Ware and I have called Petersburg home my entire life. My Tlingit name is ShaaL’aanee, and I am of the Naanyaa.aayí clan. My clan house is the X’atgu Hít or Chief Shakes House. I'm a child of the T’akdeintaan. Being raised in a traditional Tlingit household, I had our values instilled in me from a young age which in turn has driven me to serve our community in any way I can. I'm involved in a number of programs and activities that revolve around raising up our community's youth--whether it be serving in my church's youth group, coaching school sports, or providing mentoring and resources for students through my work. I currently run the Tlingit and Haida Youth Navigator Program here in Petersburg which works with students and puts on monthly community events. I also serve on the Fish and Game Advisory Committee and am part of the SHARE coalition here in Petersburg. I also own and operate a small business here in town for the last 5 years. I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities to serve our people and our community and am honored to do so on the Tribal Council.