Lani is a Tlingit of the Eagle Moiety, Kaagwaantaan Clan. She has three Tlingit names: Saantaas', Sekwooneitl', and Xhaatooch.

Lani first began weaving with her grandmother Kaa.it, Jennie Warren, when she was 17 years old. Lani wanted to learn because she didn't want this art form to die and because she wanted to continue the legacy of weaving in her family that was started by her great-great grandmother Saantaas' (English name unknown).

Lani's great-great-grandmother passed her knowledge of weaving on to her great-grandmother-- Ak.la, Mary Willard, who in turn taught her daughter Jennie. Lani is proud of this heritage of weavers in her family and was disappointed when her grandmother died before they could complete a blanket. Fortunately master weavers Jennie Thlunaut and Cheryl Samuel were willing to share their knowledge of weaving with her and she has been able to continue learning.

Lani has completed many smaller woven pieces, bags, leggings, headdresses, and dance bibs as well as two full-sized blankets. She currently has a Chilkat Apron and a child-sized Ravenstail Blanket in progress. The Chilkat Apron is commissioned and the Child's Blanket will be for sale.

Her first attempts at button blankets and other regalia came in 1991 when she made her own children and husband regalia so they could participate in Celebration '92 (a Native cultural festival organized every two years in Juneau). Her sewing skills were much improved after working with Klukwan Elder Ruth Kasko, who taught a summer course in button blanket making several years ago.

Lani worked with students at Klukwan School for about 6 years teaching them Tlingit Language, Cultural Arts, Native History, and subsistence skills. She currently is employed by Chilkat Indian Village on a part-time basis as the director of the Wellness program and the Klukwan Traditional Knowledge Camp. She works on her artistic endeavors the remainder of her time.

In addition to weaving, Lani makes beaded jewelry. But she considers herself a weaver first and likes to incorporate weaving patterns into her beadwork.