Woodie Salmon

Woodie's inroads to politics began in his birthplace of Fort Yukon, where he served on the Fort Yukon City Council, and was elected to a minimum three-year term.[4] Subsequently, he was elevated to the role of mayor by his fellow council members, serving a minimum one-year term. Following his time on the Fort Yukon City Council, Salmon served as a board member for the Interior Regional Housing Authority, before running for the Alaska House of Representatives in 2004.[5]

Woodie Salmon, a democrat from Chalkyitsik, served on the Alaska House of Representatives from 2005 to 2010. His platform prioritized educational funding, the reduction of high energy costs, and providing more jobs and increasing safety parameters set in place for rural Alaskans.[3] He served the 96 communities that encapsulated District 6, the largest house district in the United States. In the house, Salmon sat on a host of different committees, including the House Fish and Game Committee, House Transportation Committee, and the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee.

Salmon also participated in a handful of decisions while serving in the House. One of the more notable decisions Salmon voted on was Senate Bill 2001, which would've added an additional 0.011% surcharge on oil and gas purchases.[6] He voted nay on the premise that raising oil and gas prices would make energy even more unaccessible for rural Alaskans. Salmon's decisions on proposed legislation reflect his belief in maintaining abortion rights, growing the Alaskan economy, and expanding educational offerings within the state.[7]

Woodie currently serves the community for which he has lived most of his life, as the Chief of the Chalkyitsik Village Council. Chalkyitsikconsists of 110 residents, many of whom are Gwich'in, and for centuries, the area has been an important seasonal fishing spot for the tribe during the spring and summer months.[13][14] However, it wasn't until the 1930s that Chalkyitsik began its development into a year-round community, and beginning in 1941, Woodie's grandfather, David Salmon, served as Chief.[13] The Chalkyitsik Village Council is a part of the Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments, which maintains that Woodie's role as chief it to facilitate economic growth, ensure the welfare of tribal members, preserve Native land holdings, and encourage self-governance among the Gwich'in.[15]