JUNEAU, AK (May 13, 2021) – The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida) is pleased to announce the hire of Dr. Tina Woods as the Senior Director of Community & Behavioral Services.
In this position, Dr. Woods will be responsible for the strategic development of the new Community & Behavioral Services Division which will provide leadership oversight of the Reentry & Recovery and Tribal Family & Youth Services departments. The division will focus on expanding programming around prevention, treatment and recovery, and providing direct clinical care to tribal citizens.
"The creation of this new division is in direct response to our Delegates who have long-advocated for Tlingit & Haida to take a stronger role in the wellness aspect of our tribal citizens and families," shared President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson. "We know multi-generational trauma exists and that trauma can have a long-lasting impact on a person's emotional and psychological well-being if left unaddressed. By taking a holistic approach, we can facilitate greater healing and wellness and give our tribal citizens and families the best opportunity to succeed in life."
Dr. Woods is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and holds a Ph.D. in Clinical-Community Psychology with a Rural Indigenous emphasis from the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). She spent 17 years of her career working within the Alaska tribal health system in a variety of capacities both as an administrator and provider of services. She was recently employed as the Chief Administrative Officer for Tanadgusix (TDX) Corporation, a village corporation providing economic well-being for the Aleut people of St. Paul Island.
"We are so pleased Dr. Woods returned to Southeast Alaska to share her focus on how culture heals our people," said Chief Operating Officer Roald Helgesen. "Her expertise will support the growth of our community and behavioral health services to meet our people where they are at and bring services closer to home."
Dr. Woods has dedicated her academic training and career towards working with Alaska Native people to provide high-quality, culturally responsive and comprehensive holistic wellness. She respectfully honors her Elder mentors who have trained her to mindfully blend both Western science and Indigenous practices.
"I am extremely excited to join Tlingit & Haida," said Dr. Woods. "I look forward to working with tribal Elders and local leaders to help develop and expand culturally responsive services for Tlingit & Haida’s tribal citizens."
Dr. Woods originates from a diverse cultural background. She is Unungax (Aleut) originally from St. Paul Island and Chamorro from the Mariana Islands of Guam. She is the daughter of the late Maria Shaishnikoff and Juan Duenas Leon-Guerrero. Dr. Woods is married to Daniel Woods (Koyukon Athabascan) of Rampart, Alaska and together they have two children. In her downtime, she enjoys family activities like walking, hiking and biking. She likes being a listening ear and enjoys good food.
