LEADERSHIP TEAM

Enei is of the Diné & Tohono O’odham nations, she is Tachiinii and To’dichiinii clans. Her partner is of the Gwich’in nation from Arctic Village, Alaska; together they parent four children. Enei is a longtime community organizer, trainer, facili… — Enei (*she / they )* is of the Diné & Tohono O’odham nations, she is Tachiinii and To’dichiinii clans. Her partner is of the Gwich’in nation from Arctic Village, Alaska; together they parent four children. Enei is a longtime community organizer, trainer, facilitator, and advocate around issues of environmental justice, economic justice, climate justice, and the rights of Indigenous peoples. Enei is a co-founder of and active member of the Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition and the Black Mesa Water Coalition. She has served on various national social justice boards, she was named one of Utne Readers “50 visionaries who are changing our world," but more importantly she is a dirt loving, vegetable growing, fabric addicted, bookworm, and a fierce mother. She was educated both on Dinétah --the land of her people-- and the halls of Stanford University. She lives in Fairbanks, Alaska with her partner and children.

Enei Begaye
Executive Director

Native Movement was formed in 2003 out of Arctic Village, AK with a vision of grassroots-led movements and healthy Indigenous nations building strong, healing, and sustainable communities for all and Mother Earth. Native Movement understands that in order to make meaningful and lasting change it is critical to address root-causes that reshape oppressive systemic power structures.

Native Movement is dedicated to movement building grounded in an Indigenized worldview and decolonizing practices. We support movement building via three major baskets of work: Action and Advocacy campaigns, Community Education, and direct Community Affiliate support.

Charlene is Iñupiaq, her family is from White Mountain and Golovin, AK. She is mother to Evan Lukluan. Charlene has served in many spaces as an advocate for Indigenous womxn, Indigenous sovereignty, climate justice and Indigenous rights to health an… — Charlene (*she / they )* is Iñupiaq, her family is from White Mountain and Golovin, AK. She is mother to Evan Lukluan. Charlene has served in many spaces as an advocate for Indigenous womxn, Indigenous sovereignty, climate justice and Indigenous rights to health and wellbeing. Charlene is a lifelong learner in both her cultural traditions and decolonizing academia. She earned her B.A in American Ethnic Studies with a minor in Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies, an M.A in Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development, and a PhD in Indigenous Studies. Charlene gratefully resides in Anchorage on the territories of the Dena'ina peoples. Here she has taught the Iñupiaq language and is part of Kingikmuit dance group with her son son.

Charlene Aqpik Apok
Gender Justice & Healing Director

Austin Ahmasuk (*he / him )* was born and raised in sitnasuak (aka Nome, Alaska). He Chose a life of subsistence and environmental advocacy for over 20 years in the Bering Strait region giving back to his culture and way of life. Austin does work to secure greater equity and justice for indigenous communities. A life of fishing, hunting, and trapping has given him traditional knowledge experience and connections to tribal communities in Alaska. Austin splits his time between Nome and Palmer

Austin Ahmasuk
Environmental Justice Director

Marilyn (*they / them )* is a Tsimshian & Haida person and was born in Fairbanks, grew up in Metlakatla & Ketchikan, and is now living on Dena’ina Lands in Anchorage. They spent most of their adult life professionally preparing food while also studying cultural and linguistic anthropology. They are excited to explore new facets of professional work while maintaining focus on how culture, community, advocacy, & knowledge empowers joy-centered nourishment (just as food does!) Wayi wah!

Marilyn Denton
Community Education Director

Jo (*he/they)* is Afro-Taino of Guaynía, Boriken, colonially known as Ponce, Puerto Rico. They are an educator, artist, community organizer, and advocate currently living in lower Tanana Dene lands. They arrived in Fairbanks, AK in the summer of 2014 and have since then called Alaska their home. Jo is active in various community organizations and projects centering the experiences of BIPOC and Queer people in Alaska. They have been involved at the University of Alaska as a staff and faculty member, working with students to develop their sense of identity, leadership, and activism. Jo received their B.S. in Geosciences from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and their Masters of Public Administration from the University of Alaska Southeast, focusing on Equity and Policy.

Jo Malbert Narvaez
Administrative Director

Maka/Keixé Yaxtí ( she / her ) is an Indigenous artist, storyteller, poet, and traditional performer from Yakutat, Alaska. Tlingit (Łingit), Mohawk, Filipina, and Canadian Kanien'kehá:ka, she is of the Raven moiety, Copper River Clan, House of the Owl. Her Tlingit name is Keixé Yaxtí meaning “Morning Star.” Her partner is of the Tuwharetoa Iwi from Aotearoa. She learned from her late grandparents, Elaine Chewshaa Abraham, and George Wooshjix̱oo Éesh Ramos and has a Bachelors of Science in Indigenous Studies and a Masters of Public Health. Maka is the designer of Moonture, a design brand that seeks to create at the intersection of cultural intention and coherent emotion.

Maka Monture Paki Communications
Co-Director / Always Indigenous Media

Brandon is a communications strategist, graphic designer, photographer and digital organizer. Brandon co-created "The True Cost of Coal,” an educational visual narrative of coal mining issues across Appalachia, with The Beehive Design Collective in … — Brandon, or B, ( *he / they )* finds home on Dena’ina lands near Chickaloon Village and the Matanuska River. They are a communications strategist, graphic designer, photographer and short-film producer, raised from European heritage on Abenaki lands near Portland, Maine. They co-created "The True Cost of Coal,” an educational, visual narrative of social and economic intersections of coal extraction in Appalachia with The Beehive Design Collective in 2007 and have since been intimately engaged with climate justice campaigns around the world. Brandon (B) was a videographer on a film series documenting mega-dams and Indigenous land rights in Malaysian Borneo, and co-produced the film "Chuitna: More than Salmon on the Line", winner of Best Environmental Film at The International Wildlife Film Festival in 2015. Their most recent short documentary film about Bear habitat adjacent to the proposed Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay premiered as part of the official selection at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival in 2020. He holds a B.A. in Natural History from Sterling College in Craftsbury, Vermont and is Alumni of the ReFrame Mentorship.

Brandon (B) Hill
Communications
Co-Director

Rebecca (she / they ) has spent the last decade and a half fighting unlawful resource extraction projects in Alaska as a lawyer for Earthjustice, the Center for Biological Diversity, and Pacific Environment. Raised by a social worker and a minister in small town Texas, Rebecca learned from an early age to tread softly on the earth and speak up for what she believes. Rebecca received her BA in English from the University of Texas and her JD from Harvard Law School. She lives in Dena’ina territory in Anchorage with her husband and two filthy children.

Rebecca Noblin
Policy Justice Director

Mo Dart ( *They / Them* ) was born and raised on the ancestral land of the Guale and Yamasee people, now known as Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. They have a background in Youth Development, Social Justice, Prevention, and Event Planning. They are passionate about building community through engagement, education, and expanding safe spaces for BIPOC & Queer individuals in Alaska. Mo in their free time is a poet, an artist, a parent, and a partner that enjoys spending their free time in community and creating.

Mo Dart
Gender Justice & Healing Co-Director

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

Barbara (*she / her)* is an enrolled citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and is of Chahta and Irish descent. Her family is originally from Chahta tribal lands in Oklahoma, but she was raised in Alaska, predominantly on Dena'ina Lands. Her spouse is of Kanaka Maoli and Northern Arapaho descent. Barbara has earned a B.B.A. in Accounting, and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Alaska Anchorage, with a focus on Indigenous rights and values in business. In her free time, she volunteers in animal rescue and as a tax preparer in rural areas.

Barbara Kahlua
Assistant Director of Operations

Shelby (*she / her )* is Yup'ik and German, born and raised in the interior of Alaska. She is a mother, daughter, aviator, and veteran that is currently majoring in Political Science at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Her family is from Tochak', commonly known as McGrath. Shelby hopes to help further the rights and sovereignty of indigenous peoples in Alaska, and looks forward to starting law school at some point in the near future.

Shelby Bowling
Executive Assistant

Misty is Denaá of the Gaałh Doh (Kaltag) and Tsimshian of Metlakatla. Misty has worked as a nurse in public health and in the Army Reserves. While working as a nurse in public health she became a founder, strategist and core group member of the “Fre… — Misty ( *she / her )* is Denaá of the Gaałh Doh (Kaltag) and Tsimshian of Metlakatla. Misty has worked as a nurse in public health and in the Army Reserves. While working as a nurse in public health she became a founder, strategist and core group member of the “Free the Fairbanks Four” Alaskan wrongful incarceration movement which resulted in the release of four innocent Indigenous men who spent a combined 72 years in prison. Misty earned her B.A. in Psychology through the University of Alaska, Fairbanks in the Spring of 2015. She is a founder of Breadcrumbs Theater (currently working directly with incarcerated youth) & board member of Blossom House (a space for healing through the arts, sharing & yoga). Misty is a mother of three young men, an artist, a writer, a speaker, an actor, a healer as well as a hunter & gatherer.

Misty Nickoli
Creative Space Lead

Dewey Kk’ołeyo (*he / him)* is originally from Ruby, Alaska. His Koyukon Athabascan name Kk’ołeyo was given to him by his grandmother Lillian Olin, after her grandfather Big Jim; it means “walking around.” He has been working for many years to support youth development through cultural education and language revitalization. He has a love of language learning and worldly cultural exchanges.

Dewey Kk’ołeyo Hoffman
Community Affiliate Program Redistribution Lead

Aviv ( *they / he )* is a lifelong Alaskan who was raised in North Pole and now resides in Fairbanks. They are Jewish and are currently pursuing their bachelor’s degree in English at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Aviv has worked various jobs across Fairbanks and is excited to get to be a part of Native Movement. When not at work they are a person of many hobbies including knitting, sewing, baking, and reading.

Aviv Gilbert
Administrative Coordinator

Mariah (*she / her)* is of Irish and Inupiaq ancestry, from Selawik. She was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Tanana Denè lands. She is a part of the Fairbanks administrative team at Native Movement, coming from a background in waitressing and volunteer work. Mariah enjoys sewing and embroidery, and she is currently learning how to bead as well.

Mariah Huff
Accounting Coordinator

Kai’ler Sato ( *he / him )* is part Eyak, Japanese, with a mix of other ethnicities. Originally from Southeast, AK but currently live in Fairbanks, AK. I have my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a Minor in Business Administration from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
I have worked as a Fisherman, Construction Worker, Salesmen, Exercise Technician, and Project Manager. I have a lot of experience with rural and community work with wellness, sucide prevention, and overall prevention work. I plan on getting my Masters of Business and Administration. I really enjoy basketball, traveling, and going on adventures with my dogs and partner! I believe we can all achieve wellness for everybody and am excited to figure out ways to help our people.

Kai’ler Sato
Finance Manager

Emily Carroll (*she / her )* is from Fort Yukon, Alaska. I grew up in Fort Yukon and Fairbanks while spending the summers with my grandmother in Chalkyitsik, AK. I received my AAS in Process Technolgy from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In my free time I like to spend it with family and friends or working on my endless beading projects. I enjoy doing outdoor activities such as camping, boating and snowmachining.

Emily Carroll
Payroll & Accounting Coordinator

An activist, organizer and data nerd, Carly (*she / her )* moved to Alaska to work on the front lines of climate change in 2010 after working to build sustainable communities in the mountains of Colorado with the High Country Conservation Center. Carly graduated with a degree in Geography and Environmental Studies from University of Colorado - Boulder and has continued learning from quiet forests, sockeye salmon, badass women leaders, and salty Alaskans ever since. From developing home-grown energy efficient building codes and pushing for zero waste goals in the mountains of Colorado, to supporting communities fight to protect their rivers and homes from coal mines in Alaska, Carly’s work is centered in the belief that local communities can – and will – lead the transition to a just world.

Carly Wier
Grants Manager

Lev Greenstein (*he / him*) is nonprofit supporter focused on making the nitty gritty administrative work of social change as easy as possible. With experience in education, facilitation, and nonprofit operations, he has combined his skills to back community leaders, lending backend capacity to support their frontend focuses. Before joining Native Movement, Lev worked with Alaska Venture Fund and Alaska Humanities Forum. He is committed to supporting programs that are grounded in community and that honor the deep relationships, histories, and futures possible in Alaska.
Lev comes from Lenni Lenape territory (Philadelphia) and now lives and learns on Dena’ina lands in Anchorage. You can find him tucked away drinking coffee in a corner or zooming around town on rollerblades, depending on the season.

Lev Greenstein
Community Affiliate Lead

Sarah ( *she / her )* has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Accounting and have been in the field for over 10 years. I have lived in Alaska for most of my life and am looking forward to raising my 3 kids here. I like to spend time outside as much as I can during the summer months. I plan to start traveling more throughout Alaska as my kids grow. In my spare time I love to read and try to get my hands on as many books as possible each year.

Sarah Hobson
HR Compliance Manager

Dan ( *he / him)* is a Manhattan-born General Technologist of Puerto Rican and Italian ancestry. Continuing a century-long family tradition of social justice activism, I have done campaign work in the environmental and civil rights arenas including fundraising and neighborhood organizing for the Sierra Club and Human Rights Campaign.
As a Technologist, I have had the privilege to do work ranging from radio tracking timberwolves to developing vehicles for Seattle's first electric taxi company.
I am extremely passionate about the transformative power of appropriately applied technology. As tech and culture are inextricably intertwined, I believe in supplying tools, not solutions. Empowering people to solve problems in a way that is authentic and intuitive to themselves creates improvement, not just change.
I spend as much of my free time as possible exploring and debating with my dog Petra, a highly opinionated malamute mix.

Dan Decordova
Technology Lead / IT Manager

Hello my name is Lorrene. I grew up in Dillingham, Alaska. I attended UAA, UAF and UAS. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in December of 2019. I have attained my teaching certificate from UAS this spring of 2024. I enjoy subsistence activities with my family in the summer. I enjoy swimming and biking.

Lorrene Chiklak
Anchorage Office Coordinator

COMMUNITY EDUCATION TEAM

Jessica (*she / her)* is joining the Native Movement staff in the new role Collective Pathways Lead, supporting internal teams and community affiliates through the Community Education team offerings of strategic planning, coaching, training, and facilitation. She is of Northern Irish diaspora, raised South of Boston on Wampanoag Lands, educated in community organizing across unceded Alaskan lands and holds a graduate degree in sustainable international development from Brandeis University. She is an auntie, a co-founder of Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition (FCAC), and disabled combat veteran. Jessica is a tarot reading, garden tending, fantasy loving mage who prioritizes learning to respectfully harvest plant medicine and hanging out with her niblings in her free time.

Jessica Girard
Collective Pathways Lead

Oliviah Franke (*they/them*) was born and raised in Portland Oregon, on lands that have been stewarded and occupied by Cascade, Clackamas, and Multnomah Bands of the Chinook Tribe. They have called Dena'ina Elnena home since 2018 and are honored to have been cultivating a caring and driven community since then. Oliviah is a biracial Cáhita person, their ancestors are from the Río Mayo in Sonora and Río Fuerte in Sinaloa Mexico. They are dedicated to reconnecting to their heritage after separation through foster care and adoption. They have spent time studying and working in environmental science, outdoor education, place based service learning, social justice, and racial equity advocacy. They love asking questions and digging into complexity- but most importantly are driven by creating more just and beautiful spaces for all people. They spend their free time beading, organizing BIPOC cycling spaces through BSpoke, and tending to their garden.

Olivia Franke
Community Education Organizer

Michaela Stith (*she / her*) is a Black, mixed-race Alaskan raised in Anchorage. She is the author of Welp: Climate Change and Arctic Identities, a travel memoir exploring environmental justice in the Arctic. She previously worked as a Program Assistant at Polar Institute, Wilson Center, where she organized the Arctic in 25 Years Youth Symposium and managed the publication Polar Perspectives. Prior, she worked in Tromsø, Norway as a Hart Leadership Fellow and later as an Associate at the Arctic Council Indigenous Peoples’ Secretariat. As a first generation college student, Stith graduated with distinction from Duke University in environmental science and policy.

Michaela Stith
Youth Education Lead

Uswi/ Uswitusqaq (They/She), originally from Sun'aq (Kodiak, Alaska) and currently residing on Dena’ina land, embodies their heritage as a Sugpiaq person with familial ties to Nahua ancestry from El Salvador. Their professional and personal endeavors are anchored in a commitment to infuse cultural values into community initiatives, promote knowledge accessibility, and cultivate inclusive spaces for all. Ła gwelga lak, Uswi!

Uswi Madrid
Community Education Logistics Coordinator

COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

Jeff Chen **陳奕正 (***he / him )* is a multimedia producer who creates film, photo, and audio stories. He lives in Anchorage on Dena'ina lands, and has worked primarily in multimedia production, journalism, and youth-centered land stewardship. He's a child of Taiwanese immigrants with roots in Ka-gī. Jeff has a degree in Broadcast Journalism, minor in Vocal Performance, and a concentration in Environmental Science & Technology from the University of Maryland.

Jeff Chen 陳奕正
Multi-Media Production Lead

Haylee Kamaluonalani (Kamalu) Watson (*she / her )* is an ʻōiwi Hawai'i born and raised on the island of Maui that currently resides in Kakaʻako, Oʻahu. Kamalu is a mother and artist who graduated from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa with a B.A. in Studio Art with a focus on Black and White analog photography and screen printing. After graduation, she dove into digital media and graphic design. Additionally, Kamalu enjoys spending time with her 'ohana (family) and hoaaloha (friends).

Kamalu Watson
Digital Organizer & Graphic Designer

Káak'utxhéich Kai Abraham Monture (*he / him*) is Lingít, Kanien’kehá:ka’, and Filipino. He is the grandson of Chuushah Elaine Abraham and Woochjixoo Eesh George Ramos. He is born into the K'ineix Kwáan (Copper River Clan), and Ts'iskw Hít (Owl House). He is a member of the Yakutat Senior Mount Saint Elias, and Juneau Woosh.ji.een Dance Groups. He is currently working to revitalize traditional Lingít warrior training for the youth.

Kai Monture
Associate Producer

Andrés Javier Camacho is a filmmaker, sound designer, and perennially aspiring poet who hopes to co-imagine radical and restorative futures alongside Alaska communities.His mother is Mexican-American and his father immigrated from Colombia. From the Rio Doce in Brazil to Sheet’ká in Lingít Aaní, his work is often attuned to how extractive industry shapes land, water, and government policies. Andrés lives on Áakʼw Ḵwáan Aaní in Juneau where he loves to cook and regularly humble himself by learning how to ice skate and other new pursuits.

Andrés Javier Camacho Always Indigenous Media Producer

ENVIRONMENTAL + CLIMATE JUSTICE TEAM

(*she / her)* As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a Wildlife Biologist and eventually be appointed to the Board of Game to help manage and set the regulations in Alaska. I have always found my strength in nature. I spent all of my time outdoors and as a kid, my mom actually had to lock the door to get me to stay inside after dusk. Eventually, I grew tall enough to reach the deadbolt to unlock it and run back outside, I've been unstoppable ever since. I'm very active on fish and wildlife working groups, most recently, I was appointed to the Board of Game 19C Dall Sheep working group. It is open to the public and the first meeting will be in January 2024. My hope is to decolonize those spaces and Indigenize the way our fish and wildlife are managed. I want to help build capacity in communities, create locally led research and put management back in the hands of our people. This will help ensure that research is locally relevant, acceptable, and more accurate. Top-down, non-locally informed management is much less effective and has even been oppressive. I am from Hughes, Alaska (Hut’odlee Kkaakk’et), I'm a proud Koyukon Athabascan and Indigenous knowledge holder. I also have a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Biology and Conservation. I am also finishing up my Master of Science degree in Natural Resources and Environment with plans to pursue a PhD in the future. There are already so many great minds at Native Movement, I am very excited to get to know everyone and work together towards a better future for all.

Michelle Quillin
Indigenous Knowledge Advocate & Wildlife Specialist

Jessi is a Finlandssvensk woman, born in Åbo, Finland and raised in Huizen, The Netherlands. Her father was born on occupied Powhatan lands in Richmond, Virginia, and her mother was born in Madrid, Spain. Before moving to Dena’ina lands in 2015, she… — Jessi ( *she / her)* is a Finlandssvensk woman, born in Åbo, Finland and raised in Huizen, The Netherlands. Her father was born on occupied Powhatan lands in Richmond, Virginia, and her mother was born in Madrid, Spain. Before moving to Dena’ina lands in 2015, she lived in Scotland for 7 years where she earned her M.Sc. in Environment and Development from the University of Edinburgh. Jessi is an artist and community organizer, and she is passionate about the role of art in building narrative strategies in social justice movements. Her art has directly supported communities and coalitions including United Tribes of Bristol Bay and Defend the Sacred AK. She comes to this work with a focus on Just Transition strategies and climate justice.

Jessi Thornton
Arts & Action Lead

Brihannala Morgan (Bria) (she/her) was raised on Ho-Chunk lands in Wisconsin and on Kayan and Kenyah lands in Indonesian Borneo. For over fifteen years, Bria has worked as a campaigner focusing on fighting corporations responsible for deforestation for palm oil and paper production and supporting community and Indigenous-led movements for land rights in the tropics. Bria is also a direct action trainer, specializing in direct action strategy, coordination, and climbing actions. Through this work, she’s supported various movements around bike advocacy, union movements for fair wages and benefits, and global movements for self determination (most prominently Students for a Free Tibet). Bria now gratefully calls Dena'ina land in Anchorage home and gets a lot of joy from gathering and processing wild foods, spending time alone in wild places, and playing with family including her daughter, Aster, and pup, Tufa.

Brihannala Morgan (Bria)
Environmental Justice Campaign Development Lead

Brittany Woods-Orrison (*she / her)* is Koyukon Déne from Rampart, Alaska. Throughout grade school she split her time between living the subsistence lifestyle in the summers in Rampart and attending elementary school in Fairbanks. Brittany attended high school at Mt. Edgecumbe in Sitka, Alaska and went to college in the Bay Area of California where she wrestled for the women’s program while earning a psychology degree. Brittany is now on a road-tripping across Turtle Island focusing on her healing, connecting with relatives, and learning about whose land she is on.

Brittany Woods-Orrison
Broadband Specialist

Kira ( *she / her)* is an Indigiqueer person of mixed Yup’ik, Sámi, and other Indigenous and European descent. She grew up in Chugiak, Alaska, on the unceded lands of the Dena’ina people. She holds an MPH and comes from a background in public health, with community-based fieldwork in Uganda, India, Cambodia, Tibet, and Alaska. After a lifetime of exposure to colonization, Kira is working to restore relationships with her family, culture, and community in Anchorage. She is currently focused on aligning with her ancestral values to repair people’s relationship with the Earth, by developing and sharing sustainable lifeways.

Kira Lena Lajarnie
Climate Justice Organizer

GENDER JUSTICE & HEALING TEAM

Autumn Cantu (*she / her )* is originally from Ruby, Alaska. Her parents are Francis Captain Sr. and Deanna Houlton.
Her grandparents are Martha Wright, the late Eugene Floyd Davis on her mother’s side, and the late Eleanor Captain and the late William (Billy) Captain Sr. on her father’s side.
Autumn spends her free time with her family, enjoying the outdoors and reading as much as possible. Autumn is attending the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) for her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and plans to go for her Master’s degree in Social Work as well. She has an exceptional work history with years of knowledge in training staff, establishing rapport with clients, and strategic planning. Autumn is the business owner of Cantu Tactics & Consulting (CTC), she currently works at Native Peoples Action and Native Peoples Action Community Fund as the Communication & Indigenous Engagement Manager. She has also worked at Recover Alaska, as a Youth Wellness Coordinator. She has years of experience as a Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (TVR) Technician, Strategic Prevention Framework Partnerships for Success (SPF-PFS) Project Director, and a Suicide Prevention Coordinator at Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC), where she worked for 5 years. Autumn also worked in Galena, Alaska as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) for about 3 years at the Yukon Koyukuk Elder Assisted Living Facility (YKEALF). Overall, she has gained many partnerships throughout her work history. Autumn is very resilient, she believes in protecting our ways of life through civic engagement, encouraging healthier social norms in communities, bridge building, and being an example for strong future generations to come.

Autumn Cantu
MMIWG2S Communications Coordinator & Graphic Designer

Violet (she / her ) is Koyukon Athabaskan and Lingit, her family is from Yakutat and Ruby/Galena, AK. She is of the Eagle moiety,Teikweidì Clan - Eagle/Brown Bear. Her Łingit name is Aandayeen meaning “Looking towards the village.” She is mother to three baby bears, Amiah, Camden and Carver. Her parents are Raymond Sensmeier and Eva Olin Sensmeier. She was born and raised in Southeast Alaska and now lives on the territories of the Dena’ina peoples. She is currently attending the Rural Human Services Program through UAF. She is a proud member of the Mt.St.Elias Dance Group. She loves to create jewelry and learned from her Grandmother, Lillian Olin how to bead. She loves to use her photography skills to help bring awareness to pressing issues facing indigenous peoples across the states. In her spare time you will find her out running or most likely at a local bead store.

Violet Sensmeier
MMIWG2S Coordinator

Sasha (*she / her)* is an Indigenous artist and writer from Bristol Bay, Alaska. I was raised in the village of Pilot Point, a community of about 70 residents. I’ve spent time in Durango, CO where I received my Bachelor of Studio Arts with an emphasis on painting. I currently reside in Anchorage, AK. I am an advocate for disability awareness and inclusion, and have spent several years providing support to individuals with disabilities. I recognize the interconnectedness of marginalized identities, and the bond that that trauma creates. This means that the path towards healing and growth is also interconnected, and starts with uplifting and building community wherever you are.
I have spent a lot of time mourning the loss of the cultural heritage I was meant to receive from my elders; in the past I’ve felt that this was lost to me permanently. Every attempt to regain that knowledge has been a step towards decolonizing and reexamining my perspective of self and community. Though I know that I can never replace what could have been, I have learned to celebrate the way indigenous cultures have survived and evolved. My artwork, writing, and worldview is an attempt to bridge the gap between learning about the traditions of my ancestors, and recognizing that those traditions would have evolved no matter what.

Sasha Kramer
Gender Justice & Healing Organizer

Emily (*she / her)* was born on Canarsie and Munsee Lenape lands in Brooklyn and has lived on Dena’ina land in Anchorage since 2009. She has a civil engineering degree from the University of Maryland with a concentration in environmental and water resources. She has worked for over a decade in environmental health and justice focusing on water and wastewater, solid waste, toxic chemicals, advocacy, civic engagement, and climate justice. She is passionate about building and tending to relationships in all of the work that she does. She feels the most grounded when she is surrounded by community, viewing the aurora, or dancing.

Emily Kloc
AK Coalition for Justice Coordinator

Sonny (*she/her)* is an Iñupiaq and Hispanic woman born on Dena’ina Ełnena, Anchorage, AK. Her grandparents and mother are from UtqiaGvik/Barrow, Alaska. Her father is from Jalisco, Mexico. She has had the privilege of living in many places, including Wisconsin and Oregon. She currently resides on Lower Tanana Dene lands, also known as Fairbanks, AK. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and minor in Spanish while in Oregon and is pursuing a Master’s in Indigenous Studies at University of Alaska - Fairbanks. When she’s not studying or working, she’s beading, reading, collecting new hobbies, and spending time with friends. She has experience organizing NVDA, especially around climate action and continues to be grounded in Iñupiaq values and care for future generations.

Sonny Ahkivgak
Gender Justice & Healing Organizer

POLICY JUSTICE TEAM

Dorothy Shockley ( *she / her)* – Upper Koyukon Dene’ of the Caribou moiety; grew up in Manley Hot Springs, Alaska. Her late mother Judith Starr Woods was from Cros Jacket & Tanana, her late Father Walter Woods was from Rampart & Stevens Village. She is the proud mother of three adult children and several grandchildren in Alaska & Missouri.Dorothy’s community service started in high school and continues today. She has served on many local, regional, and state boards advocating for Indigenous rights in health, education, food security, and overall wellbeing. She currently serves as Co-Chair to the Fairbanks Diversity Council, and board member of the Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association; Eastern Interior Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Council & Healing Native Hearts Coalition.Work has been a personal healing journey. It has taken Dorothy places she never dreamed of – Seven years in Stevens Village reconnecting and learning the ways of her ancestors on the land and river while working with the 10 surrounding villages creating an Elder Academy and implementing their knowledge and traditional practices into the UAF Early Head Start curriculum for families and community wellness. Eight sessions in Juneau working for an Alaska Native Senator/Leader. It was one of the most accelerating, tough, and rewarding jobs ever. Everyday was an opportunity to work with Legislators, Governor and Commissioners from transportation, fish & game, homeland security, forest fires, floods, children services, water & sewer, child support, school, and community funding to very personal issues of incarceration, medical examiners and search and rescue. Not to mention legislation/bills and policy work.In her spare time, Dorothy spends time with family and friends sharing food and going out on the land picking berries, hunting and or fishing. She recently joined a traditional dance group and is learning old songs her ancestors sang over a hundred years ago.

Dorothy Shockley
Policy Justice Legislative Lead

Lila Hobbs (*she / her*) was born and raised on the unceded Dena'ina lands now known as Anchorage. She received her BA in International Relations from the University of St Andrews in Scotland and completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Global Health from Johns Hopkins University. She has devoted the past decade and a half to working at the intersection of coalition building, policy and advocacy, and communications. Lila is deeply committed to uplifting Indigenous knowledge and advocating for a regenerative economy, reproductive rights, criminal and juvenile justice reform, and refugee rights. Beyond her work at Native Movement, you can find her practicing radical listening and bearing witness to local storytellers as the President of Arctic Entries, rescuing lost and injured people in the backcountry, and gleefully careening down mountains on her beloved mountain bike, Tallulah (“Lu”).

Lila Hobbs
Energy Justice Lead

Hello, my name is Lauryn Lucille Ulaaq Baldwin (*she / her)*. My Iñupiaq name, Ulaaq, is after the late Martha Pruitt of Noatak, Alaska. I am Iñupiaq from Kotzebue and Kiana, and I am Japanese from Kagoshima Prefecture. I grew up in Anchorage and completed a thirteen year Japanese immersion program through the Anchorage School District. Connecting and learning about my Japanese language and culture made me curious to learn more about my Iñupiaq language and culture. I attended Fort Lewis College and completed a Bachelor's degree in Communication Design with a minor in Native American and Indigenous Studies. During my time at Fort Lewis College, I was a fellow for All our Kin Collective, and learned about Indigenous language revitalization and preservation. I am interested in continuing my education and earning a Masters degree in Indigenous Law. In my free time I enjoy backpacking, berry picking, painting, traveling, and spending time with my loved ones.

Lauryn Baldwin
Policy Justice Legislative Fellow

Trinity (*she/her*), was raised in a military household and has lived in Fairbanks, Alaska on lower Tanana Dene lands since 2015. Trinity started with Native Movement in a 2023 summer internship and now works full time as an Environmental Justice Interior Organizing Fellow. With a background in customer service and communications, Trinity is new to organizing but with their passion for social justice, she holds all the enthusiasm for learning and jumping in where she can. With their time, Trinity loves chilling with family and friends, doing graphic design work, playing D&D, and watching tv with their partner.

Trinity Villalobos
Environmental Justice Interior Organizing Fellow

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jenny Irene Miller (she/her, they/them), Inupiaq, is an artist working primarily with photography whose practice is grounded in place, storytelling, Indigeneity, queerness, and familial and community relations.

Jenny holds an MFA in Photography from the University of New Mexico, as well as a BFA in Photomedia and a BA in American Indian Studies from the University of Washington. Originally from Nome, Alaska, Jenny lives and works on Dena'ina Ełnena in Anchorage, Alaska.

JENNY IRENE MILLER