Láaganaay Tsiits Git’anee

Láaganaay Tsiits Git’anee, Haida/Tlingit, is from Ḵéex̱ʼ Kwáan (Kake), Alaska. She is an enrolled Tribal Citizen of the Organized Village of Kake.  On her Haida side she is Eagle Tiits Gitee Nei, Hummingbird. On her Tlingit side she is Raven Kaach.adi, Fresh Water-marked Sockeye Salmon. Her maternal grandparents were Mona & Thomas Jackson, Sr. of Haida Gwaii/Hydaburg and Kake, respectively. Her paternal grandparents were Lillian and Charles Cheney of Washington. Her parents are Della and William Cheney of Kake. Láaganaay Tsiits Git’anee’s heart is always at home in the village with her family and people. Integrating Native knowledge and values into organizations, governance mechanisms, and everyday life is a primary passion and responsibility she has pursued through her education and career.

Láaganaay Tsiits Git’anee received her BA (BFA Equivalency) from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and her law degree from Arizona State University College of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctorate and a Certificate in Indian Law. Láaganaay Tsiits Git’anee served as the President/CEO of First Alaskans Institute for 12 years, where her depth of experience and passion for our Native peoples made her uniquely qualified to direct the organization. Before her role as President/CEO, she served as FIA’s Director of the Alaska Native Policy Center, then Vice-President.