Debra O'Gara - COUNCIL PRESIDENT
My Tlingit name is Dzijúksuk. My English name is Debra O'Gara. I am Raven Frog from the Teeyhitaan clan of Wrangell, and I have resided in Petersburg since August 2019. My mom and Auntie were born and raised in Mountain Village, Alaska. Their mother, my grandmother, Frances Tamaree Sheppard, also known as Skip, was born in Wrangell and died way too young. I never met her. My Great Grandmother was Tillie Paul Tamaree, a civil rights activist and mother to William and Louis Paul. Tillie's second husband and my Great Grandfather, William Tamaree, was a community leader, carver, and peacemaker in Wrangell. My family has been and continues to be a mixture of fighters, survivors and victims' - with successful careers in law, government and church; alcoholism; violence; poverty; challenges; and trauma. It is with multigenerational experience that has grounded me and helps me to navigate through my life’s journey. I am 66 years old, and I am the caretaker for the Teeyhitaan clan At.oow. I have worked in the legal field for 32 years. I worked for several Northwest Tribes in Washington and the Tlingit & Haida Tribes where I have obtained experience applying the law to a variety of situations as well as developed several new programs and initiatives. It has been an honor and a privilege to work for my Tribe, Tlingit and Haida, since 2007, building the tribal court first as the Magistrate, then the elected Chief Justice and then finally as the Presiding Justice. In 2019, I went to work as a Magistrate Judge for the State of Alaska Court
System which brought me to Petersburg. Currently, I am an Assistant Professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the Tribal Governance Department, teaching remotely and onsite in tribal villages.
I have extensive experience in developing and implementing laws and policies relating to domestic violence, child support, and child welfare and dealing with jurisdictional matters, particularly in the child welfare, child support, criminal law areas and other tribal governmental issues. I have also continued my education earning a master’s in public administration at the UAS in 2013 and am currently enrolled at the UAF where I am a PhD candidate in Indigenous Studies. I am doing research on Tlingit dispute resolution practices and justice systems prior to Western contact. I am a student and teacher of weaving, the art of my ancestors – spruce root and cedar bark basketry, Ravenstail and Chilkat. Through this gift, I have found sobriety and an ever-growing circle of strong women and other two-spirit weavers. We share stories, lessons, mistakes and victories. We connect with each other and reconnect with our ancestors. I am also engaged in a variety of other Tlingit art forms – beading, carving, formline drawing, and regalia making.
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.
Christine Yatchmenoff
Christine was born to Fred Yatchmenoff and Anita Sondenaa and was raised in Petersburg. She has three daughters and seven grandchildren, who live in Juneau and Seattle. Christine is 1/4 Tlingit, 2/3 Aleut, 1/4 Filipino, and 1/4 German and she is of the Eagle/Wolf Yanyeti Clan of the Taku house. Having moved to Juneau in 1999 to take care of her mother, Christine recently returned to Petersburg in 2022 with her 14 year old granddaughter Neela. Christina works at the Alaska Marine Highway system as a reservation agent.