‘Wáahlaal Gidaag Barbara Blake

Xaadas/Lingit/Ahtna

Alaska Native Policy Center Director

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‘Wáahlaal Gidaag is from Prince of Wales Island and lives in Juneau where she is based out of for this position. She belongs to the Káat nay-st/Yahkw Jáanaas (Shark House/Middle Town People) Clan. She is the daughter of Sandra Demmert (Yahkw Jáanaas) and Kenneth Johnson (Naltsiine) who is Ahtna Athabascan, and the granddaughter of Frances Demmert Peele (Yahkw Jáanaas), Franklin Demmert, Sr. (Teeyeeneidi), Irene Johnson (Naltsiine) and Walter Johnson (Norwegian).
She earned her master’s degree from University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) in Rural Development, focused on Fisheries Development in Rural Alaska. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Rural Economic Development, as well as an associate degree in Tribal Management from UAF and has a certificate in Tribal Governmental Business Law from Seattle University. ‘Wáahlaal Gidaag joined FAI in May 2019, her passion for her people and culture along with her deep understanding of intergovernmental relationships guides FAI’s ANPC team to identify and foster community-driven solutions.