2023-2024
Arctic Youth Ambassadors

Charitie Ropati

Charitie Ropati (Yup'ik & Samoan) is a 21 year old education and environmental activist who worked to implement an accurate and inclusive sub-curriculum of Indigenous peoples in Western pedagogy in Alaska. She also was an integral part in passing policy at the Anchorage School District that allowed students to wear their cultural regalia during graduation. This is policy that is still in place.

She is a researcher who studies the intersections of plant ecology, permafrost, and cultural resilience in coastal Native communities at Columbia University in the Griffin Lab. She also works on the Co-Production of knowledge and is a member of the Earth Network at the Columbia Climate School.

She was awarded Champion for Change by the Center for Native American Youth for her work in education and she has been been featured and nationally recognized for her advocacy in Teen Vogue, The Malala Fund, The Guardian and elsewhere. She has been recognized as a 2022 "In the Know" Change maker.

Destiny Bristol Kushin

Destiny Bristol Kushin is 18 years old from St. Paul Island, Alaska. She is studying at the University of Alaska Southeast and is currently working towards a career in Fisheries Management. Her goal in life is to help create more sustainable ecosystems here in Alaska and around the world. She is grateful to have been accepted for the Arctic Youth Ambassadors 4th Cohort.

Dulcinea Moon-Lopez

Dulcinea Moon-Lopez is Dena’ina Athabascan, Kanaka Maoli from Maui and the Big Island of Hawai'i, and Chuukese from the island of Chuuk in the Federated states of Micronesia. She hails from Tyonek, Alaska, and is very passionate about storytelling and sharing her cultures.

Esther O’Brien

“Camai!” Esther O’Brien is Gwich’in and Sugpiaq. Her paternal family is from Beaver and maternal family is from Nuniaq (Old Harbor). She is 20 years old and was raised in Nenana.

Esther is currently attending the University of Alaska Anchorage as a sophomore studying Alaska Native Studies and Alaska Native Business management. At the University, she enjoys being involved with the Native Student Council and Alaska Native Student Advocacy group. She is also on the Emerging Leaders board for the Tanana Chiefs Conference.

In her free time, Esther enjoys cultural classes and workshops, spending time outdoors, and spending time with her siblings.

JaLisa Berrieum

JaLisa Berrieum came to Alaska from Arkansas to attend school at Alaska Pacific University where she is studying currently.

JaLisa is interested in Arctic issues and has taken advantage of many opportunities to gain knowledge.

Josie Martin

Josie loves the outdoors and exploring and appreciates living in Alaska where these things are readily available! She says “the beauty that this state holds is amazing to experience, from tiny moss flowers to giant mountains.”

Josie’s family has moved multiple times throughout the lower 48, and this is their second time in Alaska. Out of the different places she’s lived, Alaska has become her favorite.

Josie had the pleasure of beginning to learn to identify native plants and their uses, participating in the Fur Rondy snow sculpting competition, and volunteering at a dog kennel. She has been able to do overnight outdoor expeditions and wants to be a thoughtful steward so others can enjoy similar outings. She finished highschool with APU’s Early Honors program and is looking to continue her education with the University of Alaska system.

She enjoys reading lots of different books, cooking, and drawing. Josie is also interested in innovation and stewardship and is excited to work with others to be a part of helping Alaska and the Arctic.

Maiyu Nanouk-Jones

“Waaŋa atiġa Maiyuraq. Unalaqthliiuŋuruŋa. My name is Maiyuraq, my given name is Lauryn Nanouk Jones.”

Maiyu is from the people of Unalakeet, AK. She is currently studying Political Science and Environmental Studies/Economics at Western Washington University as a first year student.

Kenzie Englishoe

Mackenzie Englishoe is a 19 year old Gwichin Girl, her village is Gwichyaa Zhee located on the Porcupine and Yukon river in the Yukon Flats. When Mackenzie was 15, she joined the GLOBE project by NASA and she has been involved with advocacy ever since. This year she is also involved in the Rememebering Our Sisters fellowship 2023 to talk about MMIWG&2S+ Movement through digital artwork.

Mackenzie is a TCC Emerging Leader representing the Yukon Flats. She's loves making an important impact and she finds that she learns the most in environments to talk about climate change, food security, Yukon Salmon, Porcupine carboui herd, Indigenous hunting and fishing rights, MMIW, and Native youth.

Mari Hansell

Mari Hansell is also known by her Iñupiaq name, Nauraq given to her by her grandfather Paul Asicksik Sr. Mari is Iñupiaq and Yupik and grew up in Anchorage Alaska, however her family comes from Shaktoolik Alaska. Her Grandparents on her mothers side are Paul Sr. and Kipi Asicksik. On her Fathers side her Grandparents are Jerry and Sue Hansell (Rock). She is currently finishing her last year of high school and interns at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. She plans on attending college in the fall and wants to be an artifact curator!

Michelle Ramirez

Michelle Ramirez moved to Fairbanks from Texas about 7 years ago and attended high school there. She is currently a sophomore at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and is majoring in biological sciences and doing undergraduate microbiome research for the university. Michelle loves animals and hopes to pursue a career in animal related research or veterinary school. Michelle has aspirations to continue to learn more about the communities of Alaska and be able to share stories that will serve our perspective with the rest of the world!

Nivea-Alexis Kinneeveauk

Nivea-Alexis Kinneeveauk is from Anchorage, with familial ties to Tyonek, Alaska. She is currently enrolled in high school and will graduate in the spring of 2023. Nivea-Alexis is active in her community and culture.

Rodney Evans

Rodney is a multimedia artist based in Fairbanks, Alaska. Specializing in photography and video productions, he has built a name for himself doing freelance work and taking part in various school-sponsored contests.

Rodney is from the traditional Yukon River village of Rampart, Alaska, and is of Koyukon Athabascan, Inupiaq, and Gwich’in descent; sharing his Alaskan Native heritage is his passion.

Rodney loves to spend his free time taking a variety of photos, producing vlogs and short films, fishing, hiking, playing basketball, or just hanging out with his friends and family. Recently, after taking a 3 week filmmaking intensive class for Alaskan Native students through UAF, Rodney has grown a dedication for using his art to advocate for climate justice and protecting our traditional ways of life.

Tatiana Korthuis

Tatiana Korthuis is Yup’ik from Bethel, Alaska. Her family comes from Emmonak, Alaska on the Lower Yukon River. She graduated from Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka, Alaska in 2019. Tatiana is currently studying Natural Sciences with a concentration in Environmental Science at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Tatiana is an Alaska Native Science and Engineering University Success student, who has had the opportunity to Intern with the United States Geological Survey, Senator Lisa Murkowski (DC), Calista Corporation, Inuit Circumpolar Council-Alaska and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (DC). She has attended the Inuit Circumpolar Council General Assemblies, which occur every 4 years, in Greenland, Canada and the United States as an official observer. She loves to travel and is excited and eager to work with other Indigenous youth across the Arctic in her new role as an Arctic Youth Ambassador.

Tayler Higgins

Tayler Tanginiq Higgins is Yup’ik, Dena’ina Athabascan, Unangax and Cherokee. She is a Seldovia Village Tribal Member and a CIRI shareholder and descendant. Tayler was born and raised in Anchorage, AK. Her grandfather is from Bethel, Alaska and her grandmother is from Ninilchick, Alaska. She is a student at the University of Alaska Anchorage studying to earn her Bachelor’s in Business Management.

Tayler is the 2022 Fur Rondevouz Heritage Ambassador and is on the Youth Advisory Council Board for Cook Inlet Tribal Council. She is an advocate for climate protection and an advocate for Native youth mental health. Tayler enjoys visiting her family in her home villages of Ninilchick, and Seldovia during the summers and going fishing.

Zoe Okleasik

Zoe Okleasik (Inupiaq name is Maniq) is from Nome and Golovin Alaska. Her parents are Buddy Okleasik and the late Denise Oliver. She graduated from high school in 2021 and is currently working as a temporary Tribal Justice Development Specialist at Kawerak. Zoe started her advocacy work in high school through Nome Native Youth Leadership Organization and hopes to continue to grow her leadership skills. Zoe is excited to meet more people and is really looking forward to learning from them and growing her perspective on issues that affect us all.