Christine Hartman Derr is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Drawing from her experience being a first-generation college student who now serves as adjunct faculty at a community college and teaches creative writing with Gotham Writers, Christine hopes to encourage writers to find—and use—their voices. In her creative work, Christine writes short and long-form children’s literature. Her short …

Kaailee K. Pacatang has been part of Keiki Steps for the past five years, gaining valuable experience in early childhood education and family engagement. Her connection to the program is both professional and personal, as her own child was once a participant. She brings a compassionate, relationship-based approach to programming and is passionate about empowering families in her community.

Noëlle Marty is the Education Coordinator at the Anchorage Museum. She is passionate about equitable access to museum programs, education, and meeting community needs. In her spare time, she enjoys playing double bass and getting outside.

Kapela Eli grew up rooted and grounded in the glistening sands and gentle Kaiāuluwinds of her beloved community, on the homelands of Waiʻanae and Nānākuli on Oʻahu. Her knowledge and capacity as an educator was developed and defined by her many educational endeavors which she pursued, from Waiʻanae  High School to UH Mānoa for Hawaiian Studies and Hawaiian Language degrees …

Dr. Travis Tennessen is a public geographer and social learning innovator who directs the Center for Community Learning at Western Washington University. He initiated the Community Engagement Fellows program in 2015, which creates bridges and collaborations between higher education and local, regional, and global communities. Travis grew up in rural communities on Alaska’s Kodiak Archipelago and focused his PhD research …

Tammy Iund is an educator, community leader, and founder of ShiftED Strategies, bringing over 35 years of experience in public education, leadership development, and systems change. A proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation, her work centers on belonging, relational practice, and community-driven approaches that bridge Indigenous values with practical, research-informed strategies that support youth, families, and communities. Now based in …

Melissa Nenantaxnen Shaginoff is an Ahtna and Paiute person, a tribal citizen of Chickaloon Village Traditional Council and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, and a member of the Udzisyu (Caribou) clan. She is an interdisciplinary artist, language warrior, poet, and museum professional who currently serves as the Alaska Specialist for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. Her artistic …

Adriana Northcutt grew up in small mining towns in New Mexico and Arizona before moving to Alaska, where her family worked at Greens Creek Mine, outside of Juneau. A graduate of Juneau-Douglas High School, she began her studies at the University of Alaska Southeast and later earned a biology degree from Montana State University. After working as a field biologist, …

Lynda Akpik McGilvary is a lifelong Alaskan whose grandparents immigrated to Montana in the 1920s, and whose parents came to Alaska in 1950. She directs the science education outreach team at the UAF Geophysical Institute. For the past decade, she has led a series of community-centered programs to co-produce K–12 science curricula and videos with rural Alaska tribes and communities. …

Ruth Kriteman has over 40 years of experience as a teacher and advocate for multilingual students. Currently serving as lead editor for Dual Language Education of New Mexico (DLeNM), she has served as an ESL and bilingual classroom teacher, dual language resource teacher, professional developer, and member of curriculum and instruction working groups. Ruth became a Field Consultant for the …