Woodie's mother, Minnie Salmon, a Gwich'in Indian, was a lifelong resident of Chalkyitsik, Alaska, where she worked as a bilingual instructor and prevention worker.
[1] Woodie's grandfather, David Salmon, was a prominent Alaskan and Yukonian figure that devoted much of his life to education, and also served as a major political advocate for Native American rights and cultural preservation.
His platform prioritized educational funding, the reduction of high energy costs, and providing more jobs and increasing safety parameters set in place for rural Alaskans.
Salmon's decisions on proposed legislation reflect his belief in maintaining abortion rights, growing the Alaskan economy, and expanding educational offerings within the state.
[13][14] However, it wasn't until the 1930s that Chalkyitsik began its development into a year-round community, and beginning in 1941, Woodie's grandfather, David Salmon, served as Chief.