Sharla Aklaatchiaq ‘Wasabi’ Hausmann (she/they) | Arts and Action Organizer

Sharla is an Iñupiaq, Koyukon, & Paiute artist from Kali, Ggał Doh’, and Anchorage, Alaska. Aklaatchiaq, (Kate Peterson- Susook) Wasabi’s late great grandmother and Iñupiaq namesake was born in Utqiaġvik, Alaska and raised across Alaska’s North Slope. Aklaatchiaq’s earliest years were spent living in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska where she mentions the fresh air as one of her favorite attributes of her childhood home - before it was claimed one of “America’s most significant oil fields.” This displacement of Iñupiat, on their own lands, motivates Wasabi to advocate for the health, food security, and rights to fresh air, fresh waters, and safety of Iñuit Nunaat- continued throughout the state of Alaska. Wasabi was born in Utqiaġvik Alaska, and raised in Kali with parents Sharon (Nicholas) & Daniel Susook. As a grandchild, the eldest sibling, a partner, and a mother- Wasabi takes great honor in being able to support and spend time with family. “Being out on the Nuna is the best,” Wasabi quotes the lyrics to ‘Marasiurugut’- (a song from their album ‘Alaskamiuŋuruŋa’) “time out in Native nature brought me medicine and life.”

Zach Kayuqtuq Lane | Indigenous Media Producer

Zach is an Iñupiaq photographer and filmmaker based in Anchorage, with family roots in Tikigaq, AK. He holds a BA in Journalism & Public Communications, with a minor in Alaska Native Studies, from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Zach is dedicated to preserving and perpetuating Alaska Native storytelling through multimedia projects that highlight Indigenous culture. His work aims to document the contemporary Alaska Native experience, sharing our stories through film, photography, audio, and digital art.

Nutaaq “Doreen” Simmonds

My name is Nutaaq, I am from Utqiagvik. My father is Samuel Simmonds, my mother is Martha Ahnupkana Simmonds, and Hester Tukle Simmonds. My parents are Samuel and Martha Simmons and my stepmom also Hester Simmons. I have 13 siblings, I have three children. The oldest is 51, and I have one adopted son and 13 grandchildren and one great grandchild. I started advocacy about 20 or 25 years ago when I went to a workshop with REDOIL, Resisting Environmental Destruction on Indigenous Land. I don’t work for a specific group, but I do what I can.

Dr. Rosemary Ahtuangaruak

I am Iñupiat and am currently a member of the Native Village of Barrow. I was formerly a member of the Native Village of Nuiqsut. I have lived in Nuiqsut for over 35 years. I was born in Fairbanks, and also lived in Utqiagvik for eleven years. I moved back to Nuiqsut in 2016. I also worked as a health aide for fourteen years in Nuiqsut

Robert Thompson

An Iñupiat wildlife guide who lives in Kaktovik for over 40 years, beyond the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. In addition to guiding, he enjoys hunting, dog mushing, carving ivory, and wood crafts. He is also an excellent camp cook and a storyteller of local history. Thompson has been invited to speak across the nation about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. 

Sara Siqiñiq Thomas

The co-founder of SILA and long time contractor/volunteer. She is a teacher’s kid, raised in Utqiagvik, Alaska. Sara is the wife of a whaler from Utqiaġvik, Alaska raising many children. Previously a world traveler, she is now based in Dena’ina territory in Anchorage, working with Alaska Community Action on Toxics, guided by love for her family and community. Born in Nimiipu territory, in Moscow, Idaho to two crunchy Euro-American academics supporting her decolonization journey. She is a poet, singer, writer, and Inupiaq language and culture student and bearer.

Erica Purruq Khan

Erica grew up on the homelands of her ancestors, Utqiaġvik, Alaska, and her heritage also derives from Rusalpur Juttan, Pakistan. While her background is virtually across the world, it allowed her a very unique upbringing and perspectives on community and connections to land and water. Purruqs values have been guided by her whaling crew grandparents, her mothers curiosity, her fathers bravery for adventures, her aunts and uncles unwavering love, her cousins teachings, and her siblings, nieces, and nephews who are her biggest joys. Purruq values traditional stories, as they are a way to see into the past, guide us in the future, and connect with us on both individual and community fronts.

Aakaluk Adrienne Blatchford (Badooks)

Adrienne is Iñupiaq and originally from Unalakleet. Adrienne has been an advocate for social and ecological justice for over 10 years through many leadership roles and titles. She has worked to promote health and wellness through the practice of traditional knowledge and cultural values. Her role as a mother sets the platform for the rest of the work she does in the community as a healer, teacher, advocate, culture bearer, and organizer.

Roo Qallaq Ramos

An Iñupiaq, two Spirit liberation and equity consultant with over 20 years experience in the nonprofit sector and in advocacy, activism, and systems change work. They work at helping organizations, businesses, and government agencies to decolonize and truly integrate the full spectrum of equity in their work. Roo spent much of their career advocating for Indigenous children, youth, and families in the school, justice, healthcare, and foster care system. They are able to advocate and organize in those spaces because of their lived experience with each of those systems.

They are passionate about building communities where these systems are no longer required. They have a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a minor in Native American Studies and an MBA in healthcare management. They own Redfox Consulting and they are the staff-chosen Executive Director of Spectrum Center in Spokane. They also run the Indigenous horse program at the Urban Native Youth Organization.