Fellowships
FAI’s Indigenous Leadership Continuum (ILC) helps to develop the next generation of Alaska Native leaders and support their contribution to the advancement of the Native community. We work to ensure the next generations of Alaska Native leaders are connected to their culture and each other.
First Alaskans Institute (FAI) is pleased to announce applications are now being accepted for the following Indigenous Leadership Continuum (ILC) Fellowships:
- 2024 Public Policy Fellowship to place two to four Alaska Native and rural Alaskans in Juneau during the 1st regular session January – April 2024
- 2024 Rural Governance Fellowship to place Alaska Native and rural Alaskans in a Tribe in a rural community from January – May 2024, dates are flexible due to needs of the Tribe
- 2024 Al Adams Young Political Leader Fellowship to place Alaska Native and rural Alaskans in Washington D.C. during a congressional session dates to be determined (TBD)
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
Past Fellows
"[The Fellowship] gave me deeper insights and understanding of how the process's work and gave me confidence that I can handle the process without being intimidated." -Former FAI Fellow
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