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Native Village of Dot Lake
Council Office
PO Box 70488
Fairbanks, AK 99707
(907) 882-5555
council@dotlakevillage.org
©2023 Native Village of Dot Lake
Regular meetings of the Dot Lake Village Tribal Council are held monthly, on a date, time, and place to be determined by majority vote of the Council. Notice will be posted here at least 7 days prior.
The President or Vice President may call for a special meeting of the Council with an affirmative vote of at least two other council members. Notice will be posted here at least 7 days prior.
The Council may meet for an emergency meeting without notice only when emergency circumstances warrant such a meeting. Only emergency business may be taken up at emergency meetings, and decisions of a temporary nature made.
Agenda for Upcoming Meeting
Meeting Minutes
Tribal Council Members
Council members are elected from members of the Native Village of Dot Lake every 3 years. Elections are held yearly, but terms are staggered. The next election will be held July 2, 2024. The election notice is published beforehand and sent to all tribal members.
Tracy Charles-Smith
President
Term Expires: 2025
About Tracy Charles-Smith
Tracy Charles-Smith, the granddaughter of Doris Charles, the village’s founder, first was elected as president of the council in 2013.
Under her leadership, the village has been reestablishing the 10,000-year practice of Athabaskan traditional and cultural values:
- Through the procurement of grant funds, the council has implemented a project to preserve and restore its native languages.
- To protect the traditional landscape and environment, Dot Lake Village is working with environmental organizations and has purchased monitoring equipment.
Tracy has also been working to bring economic opportunities to the area. In 2022, the village started a lumber mill to help ease the burdens of high lumber prices and provide jobs for residents. Currently the program is up and running and looking at ways to expand.
In addition, Tracy has acted to protect tribal members from the narcotics misuse and addiction that have plagued the Upper Tanana for many years. She and the council have developed and implemented many projects to support not only her tribal members but also other tribes in the region.
In 2021, the village successfully launched the behavioral telehealth program, TeeJuh. TeeJuh provides counseling and therapy services for all Alaska natives in the region, as well as tribal members wherever they might live. The program includes education designed to break the cycle of violence that many Alaska native women face.
Tracy also has worked for many years as an advocate for those with disabilities and has continued to do so along with her duties as president of Dot Lake Village.
Chance Shank
Vice President
Term Expires: 2026
About Chance Shank
Chance Shank first joined the Council in October 2017. He has extensive knowledge in community health and holds university degrees in the fields of Tribal Management and Education. He has a passion for the language revitalization projects the village initiates. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with the youth of the village, and practicing traditional songs and dances of the Upper Tanana.
Jordyn James
Secretary
Term Expires: 2024
About Jordyn James
Jordyn James first served on the council in 2019.
A caregiver for most of her adult life, Jordyn is the Health Aide at the Dot Lake Village Clinic and works to ensure that our tribal members get the health services they need. She is a strong advocate and focuses on making life the best it can be for everyone in the village.
Jordyn lives with her husband and three children in Dot Lake Village.
Clara Goodman
Council Member
Term Expires: 2025
About Clara Goodman
Clara Goodman has been on the Dot Lake Village council since 2015. As the daughter of the village’s founder, Doris Charles, Clara grew up in Dot Lake Village.
Clara is committed to her mother’s vision of what Dot Lake Village should be and supports that goal in her council position. In so doing, she is a strong advocate for preserving the Athabaskan heritage and culture.
Clara likes doing traditional beadwork, enjoying time with her family, and spending summers in the village.
Cary Fremin
Council Member
Term Expires: 2024
About Cary Fremin
Cary Fremin was first elected to the council in 2021.
Having worked as a nurse for more than 20 years, Cary is also the medical and social services director for Dot Lake Village. Cary works closely with granting agencies to develop and implement new programs to benefit tribal members.
Cary is also a member of the Center for Disease Control’s Health Equity Workgroup. This position allows her to share with the CDC a realistic view the healthcare problems Alaska natives face.
Cary lives in Palmer with her husband and son. She enjoys fiber arts, berry-picking, and spending time with her family.
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