Barbara ‘Wáahlaal Giidaak Blake

Barbara ‘Wáahlaal Giidaak Blake is from Prince of Wales Island and is of Xadaas, Lingít and Ahtna Athabascan descent and belongs to the Káat nay-st/Yahkw Jáanaas (Shark House/Middle Town People) Clan. She is a mother to Nathaniel K’alaagáa Íihlangaa Blake. She currently serves as Vice President for Ocean Conservancy overseeing the Arctic & Northern Waters program. She also serves as Sealaska Corporation Board of Director, Sealaska Heritage Institute Trustee, Tlingit & Haida Tribal Delegate (Juneau), Native Peoples Action Chairwoman, and Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center Legacy Committee Member.  She received her master’s degree from UAF in Rural Development focusing her thesis on Fisheries Development in Rural Alaska. She received her undergraduate degree(s) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a BA in Rural Economic Development and an AA in Tribal Management.  She also holds Seattle University School of Law Tribal Business Law, Onaben’s Indianpreneurship and Standford’s First Nations Futures Program certificates.