Heather’s traditional name is Kootink, and she belongs to the Shank'weidi clan (Eagle/Wolf). She lives on the ancestral lands of the Tlíngit people, now called Southeast Alaska. Deeply dedicated to preserving her heritage, Heather actively practices and shares the cultural traditions that have been passed down for over 10,000 years.
The traditional values that are integral to her cultural identity serve as guiding principles for caring for the land, water, and air. Through her work, Heather highlights the significance of these practices as a way to share knowledge with future generations and to honor the connections among all living things.