2024 Elders and Youth Representatives
February 7th, 2024
Contact: [email protected], 907-677-1700
2024 STATEWIDE ELDERS & YOUTH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES
Dgheyey Kaq’; Dena’inaq ełnen’aq’ qilan (Anchorage, Alaska; lands of the Dena’ina) – On October 13-16, 2024, we will celebrate the 41st annual First Alaskans Institute Statewide Elders & Youth Conference (Elders & Youth; EY), in-person in Dgheyey Kaq’ at the Dena’ina Center. Elders & Youth is open to all who want to learn and immerse in a gathering that centers our Elders and our youth in Native ways of knowing and being.
At the conclusion of our Elders & Youth Conferences we select an Alaska Native language to feature in our work. At our 2023 Elders & Youth Conference, Dinjii Zhuh K’yàa - the language of the Gwich’in peoples - was chosen to feature throughout 2024.
Mahsi' choo (thank you very much in Dinjii Zhuh K’yàa, the Gwich’in language) to our newly elected 2024 Statewide Elders & Youth Council and other members of our community whose thoughtful contributions and ideas guide our planning each year for a memorable conference! In addition to conference design, the EY Council identifies challenges and uplifts solutions relevant to current events in their communities. Elected by their peers each year at the conference, the EY Council serves as ambassadors for their regions and acts as catalyzers and advocates for positive change through observation and participation.
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AHTNA Youth: Autumn George & Amelia Aguila Elders: Faye Ewan & Christine Craig |
NORTHWEST ARCTIC Youth: TBD Elders: Elsie Dexter & Hendy Ballot |
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ALEUTIAN CHAIN & PRIBILOFS Youth: Mason Kvasnikoff & Nadia Dushkin Elders: Dottie Tutiakoff & Sally Swetzof |
NORTON SOUND Youth: Richard Cross & Alohna Johnson Elders: BettyAnn Hoogendorn & Emily Hughes |
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BRISTOL BAY Youth: Coral Woods & Alex Maines Elders: Aaron & Margie Frost |
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND Youth: Samantha Eleshansky & Kaden Abbott Elders: Cheryl Eleshansky & Pamela Smith |
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INTERIOR Youth: Ellenia Dommek & Ch’eelil Peter Elders: Julia & Steve Kakaruk |
SOUTHCENTRAL Youth: Miley Kakaruk & Imiya Hernandez Elders: Eugenia Moonin & Rhoda Moonin |
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KODIAK ISLAND Youth: Aningarpaaq Ezra Scholl & Ciinglaq Mo Spooner Elders: Lucy Thibert & Sophie Frets |
SOUTHEAST Youth: Jaylynn Martin & Ariilana Shodda-Lee Elders: Paul Marks & Roberta Wolfe |
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NORTH SLOPE Youth: Shelley Simmonds Rexford & Susan Qapqan Patkotak Elders: Elsie Itta & Virgie Kasak |
YUKON KUSKOKWIM DELTA Youth: Maelyn Westdahl & Tiffany Samuelson Elders: Lillian Johnson, Panigkaq Agatha John- Shields, & Mary Frederick |
Our EY Council representatives each register and agree to the rules that help keep our conference safe for our elders and youth. Unlike the annual AFN Convention that is open to the public and only requires delegates to register, the FAI Elders & Youth Conference is not a public event. While Elders & Youth does not have delegates in the manner of AFN, First Alaskans Institute is committed to the protection of our Elders and youth conference participants, and requires all attendees to register as a matter of safety and security. We thank our community ahead of time for understanding and committing to this as well.
Mahsi’ to all our community, partners, and friends for supporting our work! You may follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube channel to learn about all the ways to be involved.
At First Alaskans Institute, we know we are responsible for carrying more than 10,000 years of ancestral knowledge into the future with rigor, humor, resilience, vigilance, and love. To learn more, please visit www.firstalaskans.org or contact us at [email protected].
