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When it comes to troubleshooting technology, few bring more curiosity or humility to the task than CIRI employee and information technology (IT) apprentice Tyler Hoffman (Haida and Athabascan).
Tyler’s mornings start early, running meticulous audio and video checks across CIRI’s conference and huddle rooms to ensure each meeting runs without a hitch. From there, his day finds a steady rhythm of tech tickets, system hiccups and quick fixes, each one an opportunity to, as Tyler puts it, “solve problems on the fly.”
Before joining the IT team, Tyler began his CIRI journey in the Shareholder Relations department, where his knack for problem-solving quickly stood out. “Anytime something broke, I wanted to fix it,” he recalled. That natural curiosity and initiative opened the door to his current apprenticeship, a role he considers both a professional milestone and a family legacy.
With family roots in Southeast (Hydaburg) and eastern Interior (Northway) Alaska, Tyler’s connection to CIRI runs deep: his grandmother, grandfather, mother and uncle are all original enrollees. “I grew up hearing how CIRI has supported Alaska Native families, including mine,” Tyler said. “Working here feels like giving back to something that’s always given to us.”
A self-described “lifelong learner,” Tyler finds daily motivation in both the challenge and purpose of his work. He takes pride in contributing to major initiatives, like CIRI’s recent software transition, which strengthens the organization’s technological foundation.
Outside of work, Tyler unwinds by gaming, watching movies with his son or, when Alaska’s weather cooperates, hiking, hunting and off-roading.
“Helping people keeps me going,” Tyler said. “When CIRI employees can do their jobs efficiently, that helps our Shareholders and Descendants. That’s what drives me every day.”
