DOH welcomes Candice Wilson as tribal policy director

The state Department of Health welcomes Candice Wilson (Lummi) in the role of Tribal Policy Director for the agency. Wilson will work with Tribal Relations Director Tamara Fife and agency staff to ensure DOH fulfills its government-to-government responsibilities. Adding this tribal policy director role continues DOH’s commitment to working collaboratively on processes and policies with tribes and public health partners such as the American Indian Health Commission, the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, Urban Indian Health Programs and tribal epidemiology centers.

Wilson is the former executive director of the Lhaq’temish Foundation, former tribal and community liaison to the North Sound Accountable Community of Health, she has served on the Ferndale School District Board of Directors for four years, and Lummi Indian Business Council for nine years as an elected official for Lummi Nation, serving three of those years as the Vice Chairwoman. She is a graduate student at Seattle University studying Master of Public Administration. She has a bachelor’s degree in Tribal Governance and Business Management from Northwest Indian College. She is well versed in tribal relations and an accomplished community builder in promoting cultural interfaces by commemorating indigenous heritage and values.