Staff
Executive Director
Nauri Simmonds
Nauri was born in Utqiaġvik, AK and raised between Nuiqsut, Fairbanks and Utqiaġvik. Her grandmother is the late Lena Simmonds of Nuiqsut and her grandfather is the late Abe Simmonds Jr. of Utqiaġvik. Nauri is dedicated to environmental justice and improving the well-being of her community.
Nauri's journey includes serving on the board of directors for the Alaska Center, where she focused on environmental protection and youth education programs. She also co-led the Healthy Babies Strategic Partnership, working to enhance infant health on the North Slope. Nauri's journey led her to work in the oil field industry, but she eventually transitioned to advocating for renewable energy and environmental justice. She now serves as the Executive Director of SILA, working towards positive change and making a difference in the lives of her people.
Advisory Board
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.
Sharla Wasabi Hausmann
Suvat! Uvaŋa Wasabi, Nalaugmiutchisiga Sharla Hausmann, Iñupiaqsisiga Aklaatchiaq, & Kalimiuŋuruŋa. [What's up! I'm Wasabi, my English name is Sharla Hausmann, my Iñupiaq name is Aklaatchiaq, & I'm from Point Lay (Kali) Alaska.] Born in Utqiagvik, Alaska. Wasabi spent half their life in their hometown Kali (Iñuit Nunaat) with frequent trips to Kaltag, Alaska (Koyukon Territory). At thirteen, Wasabi moved with their family to Anchorage, Alaska. (Dena'ina Ełnena.) Wasabi currently resides on the unceded territory of the Lower Tanana Dené. Wasabi makes music that primarily focuses on healing, justice, & language revitalization. Queer | Indigenous | Matriarch Wasabi's pronouns are she/they. Wasabi's mother is Koyukon, and their father is Iñupiaq and Paiute. A married mother of two; Wasabi considers their siblings as best friends, their grandmothers as heroes, and says, "friends make my world!" Wasabi acknowledges, "My two children are My Home and I'm grateful for my family."
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.
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
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.