Woodie Salmon facts for kids

Woodie West Salmon was born on August 13, 1952. He is a member of the Gwich'in people, an Indigenous group. Woodie Salmon served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011. He represented the 6th District.

Woodie was born in Fort Yukon, Alaska, where he first started his political work. Today, he lives in Chalkyitsik, Alaska, with his wife, Katelyn Englishoe. He is also the Chief of the Chalkyitsik Village Council.

Woodie Salmon's Early Life and Education

Woodie Salmon's family has roots in both Alaska and Canada. His ancestors lived in the eastern part of Alaska and the Yukon area of Canada, north of the Arctic Circle.

His father, William Salmon, was a Native Canadian and a member of the Gwich'in tribe. The Gwich'in are an Athabaskan-speaking group. They are recognized as one of the First Nations people in Canada and also as Alaskan Native people.

Woodie's mother, Minnie Salmon, was also a Gwich'in Indian. She lived her whole life in Chalkyitsik, Alaska. She worked there as a teacher who spoke two languages and helped with community programs.

Woodie's grandfather, David Salmon, was a very important person in Alaska and Yukon. He spent much of his life working for education. He also strongly supported the rights and culture of Native American people.

Even though Woodie was born in Fort Yukon, he went to school mostly in Fairbanks, Alaska. He graduated from Lathrop High School. After high school, he attended the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. He studied electronics and earned his degree in two years.

Woodie Salmon's Career Path

Before he became a politician, Woodie Salmon worked in two different fields. He worked in aviation and the oil business. For twenty years, he was a pilot and ran an air service. Flying is still one of his favorite hobbies.

Woodie Salmon's Political Journey

Starting in Politics

Woodie's first steps into politics happened in his hometown of Fort Yukon, Alaska. He served on the Fort Yukon City Council for at least three years. Later, the other council members chose him to be the mayor. He served as mayor for at least one year.

After his time on the City Council, Salmon was a board member for the Interior Regional Housing Authority. Then, in 2004, he decided to run for the Alaska House of Representatives.

Serving in the Alaska House

Woodie Salmon, a Democrat from Chalkyitsik, Alaska, was a member of the Alaska House of Representatives from 2005 to 2010. The Alaska House of Representatives is where laws are made for the state of Alaska.

His main goals were to get more money for schools and lower the high costs of energy. He also wanted to create more jobs and make rural Alaska safer. He represented District 6, which was the largest House district in the United States. This district included 96 communities.

While in the House, Salmon was part of many different committees. These included the House Fish and Game Committee, the House Transportation Committee, and the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee.

Woodie Salmon also helped make important decisions. For example, he voted on Senate Bill 2001. This bill would have added a small extra charge to oil and gas purchases. He voted against it. He believed that raising oil and gas prices would make energy even harder for people in rural Alaska to afford.

Current Political Role

Today, Woodie Salmon serves as the Chief of the Chalkyitsik Village Council. This is the community where he has lived for most of his life. Chalkyitsik, Alaska has about 110 residents. Many of them are Gwich'in people.

For hundreds of years, Chalkyitsik has been an important place for the tribe to fish during spring and summer. The area started to become a year-round community in the 1930s. Woodie's grandfather, David Salmon, was the Chief starting in 1941.

The Chalkyitsik Village Council is part of the Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments. As Chief, Woodie's job is to help the community grow economically. He also works to make sure tribal members are well, protect Native lands, and help the Gwich'in people govern themselves.