Council & Staff
The governing body of Tangirnaq Native Village (a.k.a. Woody Island) is the Woody Island Tribal Council (WITC). The WITC is comprised of seven members elected by the membership. The WITC meets regularly to exercise the functions of self-governance, to manage and protect cultural resources, lands, to collaborate with stakeholders, and to bring to the forefront the long history of the Tangirnarmuit people. The WITC seats are three year terms, staggered elections, with officers of President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer.
2022-2025
Debra (“Debbie”) Lukin was born and raised in Kodiak, Alaska. She is the daughter of Teshia (Shuravloff) Harris. Debbie is married to Allen Lukin and they have five children and six grandchildren.
Debbie was elected to serve on the Council in April 2001. She was employed with Koniag, Inc. from 1983 until April 1, 2014 when she retired. Debbie’s positions in more recent years with Koniag included: April 2010 to April 2014 – Sr. Vice President, Corporate & Shareholder Services, Koniag, Inc. and April 2009 to April 2010 – Vice Present Corporate & Shareholder Services, Koniag Development Corporation. She is currently self-employed as a consultant.
Debbie also serves on the Leisnoi, Inc. Board of Directors and currently serves as the Chair of the Leisnoi Board.
Debbie graduated from Kodiak High School in 1976. She and her husband reside in Anchorage, Alaska.
2023-2026
Alex Cleghorn is the Senior Legal and Policy Director at the Alaska Native Justice Center (ANJC). He directs ANJC's legal and policy agenda to further the mission of Justice for Alaska Native people and has led ANJC's growth in providing legal services and access to justice to Alaska Native people and Alaska Tribes.
Alex has been a lawyer for nearly 20 years. His legal practice has been devoted to representing Native people, Tribes and Tribal Organizations. He previously served as General Counsel for Southcentral Foundation and as an Assistant Attorney General and a Special Assistant to the Alaska Attorney General, where he provided advice on Alaska Native issues and led and coordinated efforts to build collaborative relationships between the State and Alaska Tribes.
2022-2025
Gwen Sargent was born and raised in Kodiak, Alaska. She is the daughter of Walter Sargent, Jr. and the late Metha Hansen, and the granddaughter of the late Jennie Heitman and Walter Sargent, Sr. She has one son, Josh, and a granddaughter Kaleeah. Gwen is the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator for the Kodiak Area Native Association and makes Kodiak her home.
Gwen has served on the Woody Island Tribal Council since 2012. She supports the Council in exploring the possibilities of expanding current programs and services to our members, and looks forward to continuing to serve on the Council.
2024-2027
Chrislyn Hoen is the daughter of Cy and Tina Hoen, the granddaughter of Natalie and Kelly Simeonoff, and great granddaughter of Ella and Mike Chabitnoy. She has 2 children; Harlen Trosvig, a licensed charter captain and commercial fisherman and Myla Woodley, a freshman soon to be sophomore of high school, dancer, artist, and musician. She resides in Kodiak where she continues to be a licensed hair dresser after 28 years.
Chrislyn is very happy with the councils continued progress. She is concurs with prior council members in the dream of getting trails and historical points recognized and accessible on Woody Island.
2023-2026
Gordon Pullar, Jr. was born in Kodiak and grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Rural Development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks; and an undergraduate degree from Florida State University in Political Science. His grandmother, Olga Rossing, was the first Woody Island high school graduate and the first in his family to attend college. His father, Gordon, Sr., is the former President of Tangirnaq Native Village.
Gordon is currently the President of Kadiak, LLC (a Koniag, Inc. subsidiary) and Director of Business Operations for Koniag, Inc. He has been with the company since 2010.
In addition to the Woody Island Tribal Council, Gordon currently serves on the Boards of Leisnoi, Inc., the Alutiiq Heritage Foundation, and the Koniag Education Foundation. Gordon currently resides in Anchorage, Alaska and has served on the Council since 2014.
2024-2027
Germaine Salmine is the daughter of Richard Salmine, Lorna Chester and Brad Bolin. She is the great-granddaughter of Charles Madsen and Alexandria Chernoff. She was born on Kodiak Island and spent most of her childhood in the lower 48. Germaine holds an MBA from Alaska Pacific University and a BA in American Indian Studies from the University of Washington.
Germaine serves as Koniag Government Services’ (KGS) Shareholder Development Manager. Prior to joining KGS, Germaine served as Executive Director of the Koniag Education Foundation, supporting the educational pursuits of Koniag shareholders and descendants. She has over ten years of experience in the non-profit sector, working with community-based organizations for Alaska Native and American Indian communities.
Germaine is an enrolled member of the Tangirnaq Native Village and shareholder of Leisnoi and Koniag. From a young age, Germaine has shown great interest in her family history and cultural background, shaping her career.
Germaine resides in Anchorage, Alaska, and has served on the Council since 2018.
2023-2026
Samantha was chosen to fill the vacant seat once held for over 21 years by her grandmother Margaret Roberts in 2022 . She is the daughter of Russell and Leslie-Ann Heglin, granddaughter of (the late) Margaret and Gary Roberts, John Cratty, and the late Marlys and Herbert Heglin.
Margaret was a mentor to Samantha and instilled her many cultural and leadership skills as Samantha was growing up. Samantha was the past administrative assistant for the Tribe for over two years and is keenly interested in the history of Woody Island. She's participated in dozens of Alaska Federation of Native's Youth an Elder's Conferences as well as participated in various youth camps on the island. She has taught Alutiiq Language, dance and traditional values and she believes will provide a unique perspective on the council and tribe as a whole. She resides in Kodiak with her beautiful daughter Linnaea. Samantha shared that her beloved grandmother played a major role in who she is today. She plans on carrying on her grandmother's vision in reconnecting our tribal citizens to their traditions and values.