Places a Fellow fulltime into the office of Alaska U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan. The goal of the fellowship is for leaders to become familiar with the Alaska Delegation, the congressional and appropriations process; grow understanding of their own histories and the priorities of their community and Alaska Native peoples; learn and use the skills of past, present and future leadership; know the evolving issues that challenge Alaska Natives and Alaska; and strengthen their ability to be a culturally connected leader in every space they occupy. The Al Adams Fellowship launched with the blessing of his family in 2013 honors the late Iñupiaq statesman from Kotzebue who exemplified genuine and culturally connected political leadership throughout his life. He served as a Trustee of FAI and continues to have a presence in memoriam through this fellowship, inspiring a new generation of leadership through his legacy.

This program is a unique partnership between the Indigenous peoples of Alaska, Hawai’i, and Aotearoa (New Zealand) created to cultivate and grow Indigenous leadership in service of our families, cultures, employers, communities, homelands and the world. Cohort members are active leaders who are in mid-career/cultural/community leadership roles or at a pivotal stage in their journey where an extra boost will amplify their abilities to advance Indigenous peoples. In the past, FNFP featured a two-week, on-site certificate program thru the gathering of the three cohorts at Stanford University.

A core element of FNFP are the discussions and values propositions the Fellows develop to advance their ideas in service to their communities through their work, passions, and responding to the needs of their peoples. These Fellows were selected because of their unique work and connection with the oceans and waters, ways of life, and cultural practices that align with focus areas of FAI and the Braided Rivers Institute. Fellows strengthen their leadership while envisioning ways to enact Ancestral imperatives to steward and care for our peoples, lands and cultures. They participate in diverse sessions engaging with cultural, thought, and entrepreneurial leaders from across the partners. They build relationships with one another, Indigenous leaders from former cohorts and invited guests. They will dialogue about Indigenous law and policy issues, cultural paradigms and advancements, and stewardship of land, waters, animals and other aspects of our homeland and Native ways of life.

Places Fellows in legislative offices in Juneau fulltime during the legislative session. The goal of the fellowship is for leaders to become familiar with the legislative process; understand their own histories; learn and use the skills of past, present and future leadership; and know the evolving issues that confront Alaska Natives and the State of Alaska. Participants will have hands-on experience working with the legislative and political process, creating a real-time two-way flow of information between the Alaska State Capitol and our Alaska Native communities. 

Allows Fellows to work with Tribes in rural communities throughout Alaska to gain hands on experience in enacting solutions driven by our people. The purpose of the Rural Governance Fellowship is to immerse Fellows in fulltime, day-to-day operations of tribal governance where they are able to observe, learn, and participate in decision-making processes first-hand. At FAI, we aim to walk alongside our people and encourage their engagement in critical thinking, action and discourse on behalf of our communities

2023 First Nations Futures Fellows

Qaiyaan Harcharek (Iñupiaq)

Unignax Dustin Newman (Unangax̂/Deg Hit’an)

Ch’aak’tí Shawaan Jackson-Gamble (Tsaagweidi, Lingít/Haida)

Tumaq Cody Pequeño (Cup’ik)

Jonathan Samuelson (Yupiaq/Dene)

Kaaswóot Gloria Wolfe (Lingít)

2022 Public Policy Fellows

Shakagook Marlis Boord (Lingít) placed with Representative Josiah Patkotak (Iñupiaq)

Julee Douglas (Lingít) placed with Senator Donny Olson (Iñupiaq)

Averie Wells (Tsimshian/Iñupiaq/Yup’ik) placed with Representative Tiffany Zulkosky (Yup’ik)

2022 Al Adams Fellow

Pakak Nuuyuukan Sophie Boerner (Iñupiaq)

2021 Public Policy Fellows

Nuuyuukan Sophie Boerner (Iñupiaq) placed with Representative Ivy Spohnholz

Shawaan Ch’aak’tí Jackson-Gamble (Lingit/Xaadaas) placed with Representative Dan Ortiz

Amy Igri Lowndes (Iñupiaq) placed with Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins

Delaney Naruyaq’ Thiele (Dena’ina Athabascan/Yup’ik) placed with Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson

2021 Al Adams Fellow

Bonnie Hltanaa Morris (Xaadaas)

2020 Public Policy Fellows

Angela Qaiyiruaq Jenkins (Yup’ik/Koyukon Athabascan) placed with Representative Tiffany Zulkosky

Bonnie Hltanaa Morris (Xaadaas) placed with Representative Dan Ortiz

Megan Lukmak’ Warren (Lingit) placed with Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson

2020 Al Adams Fellow

Samuel Hiratsuka (Unangax̂/Winnemem Wintu/Navajo)

2019 Public Policy Fellows

Jasmine Kóot Xheech Mattson-Wolff (Lingit) placed with Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins

Hunter K’ax Yeik Meachum (Lingit) placed with Representative Sara Hannan

Anastasia Ciuguun Pleasant (Yup’ik/Iñupiaq) placed with Representative Tiffany Zulkosky

Olivia Piiyuuk Shields (Yup’ik) placed with Representative Tiffany Zulkosky

Martin Stepetin, Sr. (Unangax̂) placed with Representative Dan Ortiz

2019 First Nations Futures Fellows

Melissa Silugngataanit’sqaq Borton (Sugpiaq)

Martha Maalu Foster (Yup’ik)

Mitchell Haldane (Lingit/Ts’msyen)

Joel Łiq’a yes Isaak (Dena’ina Athabascan)

Jennine Qapqin Jordan (Iñupiaq)

Alfred Sig̱oop Price (Ts’msyen/Xaadaas/Lingit)

2019 Al Adams Fellow

Elizabeth Aqpaluk Ahkivgak (Iñupiaq)

Public Policy Fellows 

Jodie Gatti (Xaadaas/Lingit) placed with Representative Dan Ortiz

Nazune Menka (Koyukon Athabascan/Lumbee) placed with Lt. Governor Byron Mallott

Ravynn Nothstine (Iñupiaq) placed with Representative John Lincoln

First Nations Futures Fellows 

Damen Nanggaahlaangstangs Bell-Holter (Lingit/Xaadaas)

Bernadette Aanavak Fischer (Iñupiaq)

Debra Djik Sook O’Gara (Yup’ik/Lingit)

Jackie Qataliña Schaeffer (Iñupiaq)

Grace Singh (Koyukon Athabascan)

Darlene Paqpaluk Trigg (Iñupiaq)

Public Policy Fellows 

John Hanlon (Lingit) placed with Senator Donny Olson

James Hart (Lingit) placed with Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins

Elizabeth Rexford (Iñupiaq) placed with Representative Dean Westlake

Meghan Topkok (Iñupiaq) placed with Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott

First Nations Futures Fellows 

Barbara ‘Wáahlaal Gidaag Blake (Xaadaas/Lingit/ Ahtna)

Marleah Makpiaq Labelle (Sugpiaq/Iñupiaq)

Alissa Nadine Rogers (Yup’ik)

Rigel Kutx.ayanahá Joseph Shaw (Lingit/ Iñupiaq)

Lance X̱’unei Twitchell (Lingit/Xaadaas/Yup’ik/Sami)

Kimberly Williams (Yup’ik).

Public Policy Fellows 

Cordelia Kellie (Iñupiaq) placed with Senator Donny Olson

Mary Sherbick (Yup’ik) placed with Representative Bob Herron

Susie Lee Edwardson (Xaadaas) placed with Representative Paul Seaton

Rural Governance Fellow 

Malorie Johnson (Iñupiaq/Yup’ik) placed with the Native Village of Unalakleet

First Nations Futures Fellows 

Chandre Szafran (Iñupiaq)

Heather Powell (Lingit/Anishnaabe)

Jason Gubatayao (Lingit / Ts’msyen)

Joshua Vo (Yupiit)

MaryAlyce Inuuraq Moss (Iñupiaq)

Sharon Hildebrand (Koyukon)

Public Policy Fellows 

Jacquelyn Boyer (Cup’ig) placed with Senator Donny Olson

Johnny Stickman (Koyukon Athabascan) placed with Representative Sam Kito III

Al Adams Fellow 

Joy Demmert (Lingit/Xaadaas)

First Nations Futures Fellows 

Edwin Bifelt (Koyukon Athabascan)

Sarah Aanshaawatk’i Dybdahl (Lingit)

Patuk Glenn (Iñupiaq)

James Maasak Mills (Iñupiaq)

Alexandra Valdés (Athabascan/Lingit)

Kelsey Ciugun Wallace (Yup’ik)

Public Policy Fellows 

Joy Demmert (Lingit/Xaadaas) placed with Senator Donny Olson

Konrad Shak’shaani Eesh Frank (Lingit) placed with Representative Bob Herron

Al Adams Fellow 

Freddie Olin (Koyukon Athabascan)

Public Policy Fellows 

Kate Wolgemuth (Iñupiaq) placed with Representative Bob Herron

Freddie Olin (Koyukon Athabascan) placed with Senator Donny Olson

Public Policy Fellows 

Mary Aparezuk Schlosser (Yup’ik) placed with Senator Albert Kookesh

Ella Sassuk Tonuchuk (Yup’ik) placed with Representative Reggie Joule

Public Policy Fellows 

Gregory Bringhurst (Koyukon Athabascan) placed with Representative Reggie Joule

Ralph Wolfe (Xaadaas/Lingit) placed with Senator Albert Kookesh

Public Policy Fellows 

Dewey Hoffman (Koyukon Athabascan) placed with Representative Reggie Joule

Nikoosh Carlo (Koyukon Athabascan) placed with Representative Bob Herron

Samantha Englishoe (Lingit/Gwich’in Athabascan) placed with Representative Beth Kerttula

Charisse Arce (Yup’ik) placed with Representative Alan Austerman

Barbara ‘Wáahlaal Gidaag Blake (Xaadaas/Lingit/Ahtna) placed with Senator Albert Kookesh

Public Policy Fellows 

Elizabeth Saagulik Hensley (Iñupiaq) placed with Representative Reggie Joule

Adrian LeCornu (Lingit) placed with Representative Alan Austerman

Ashley Anderson (Lingit) placed with Senator Albert Kookesh

Public Policy Fellows 

Jack Omelak (Iñupiaq) placed with Senator Donny Olson

Carmaleeda Estrada (Lingit) placed with Representative Mary Nelson