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About the Policy and Governance Fellowships

First Alaskans Institute (FAI) is pleased to announce applications are now being accepted for the following Indigenous Leadership Continuum (ILC) Fellowships:

The Public Policy Fellowship places Fellows in legislative offices in Juneau fulltime. The goal of the fellowship is for leaders to become familiar with the legislative process; understand their own histories; learn and use the skills of past, present and future leadership; and know the evolving issues that confront Alaska Natives and the State of Alaska. Participants will have hands-on experience working with the legislative and political process, creating a real-time two-way flow of information between the Alaska State Capitol and our Alaska Native communities. 

The Rural Governance Fellowship allows Fellows to work with Tribes in rural communities throughout Alaska to gain hands on experience in enacting solutions driven by our people. The purpose of the Rural Governance Fellowship is to immerse Fellows in fulltime, day-to-day operations of tribal governance where they are able to observe, learn, and participate in decision-making processes first-hand. At First Alaskans Institute (FAI), we aim to walk alongside our people and encourage their engagement in critical thinking, action and discourse on behalf of our communities.

The Al Adams Young Political Leader Fellowship places a Fellow fulltime into the office of Alaska U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan. The goal of the fellowship is for leaders to become familiar with the Alaska Delegation, the congressional and appropriations process; grow understanding of their own histories and the priorities of their community and Alaska Native peoples; learn and use the skills of past, present and future leadership; know the evolving issues that challenge Alaska Natives and Alaska; and strengthen their ability to be a culturally-connected leader in every space they occupy. The Al Adams Fellowship launched with the blessing of his family in 2013 honors the late Iñupiaq statesman from Kotzebue who exemplified genuine and culturally connected political leadership throughout his life. He served as a Trustee of FAI and continues to have a presence in memoriam through this fellowship, inspiring a new generation of leadership through his legacy.

Apply to be a Fellow

Apply to host a Fellow

2022 Public Policy Fellows

Shakagook Marlis Boord(Lingít) placed with Representative Josiah Patkotak (Iñupiaq)

Julee Douglas (Lingít) placed with Senator Donny Olson (Iñupiaq)

Averie Wells (Tsimshian/Iñupiaq/Yup’ik) placed with Representative Tiffany Zulkosky (Yup’ik)

2021 Public Policy Fellows

Pakak Nuuyuukan Sophie Boerner (Inupiaq) placed with Representative Ivy Spohnholz
Shawaan Ch’aak’tí Jackson-Gamble (Tlingit/Xaadaas) placed with Representative Dan Ortiz
Amy Igri Lowndes (Inupiaq) placed with Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
Delaney Naruyaq’ Thiele (Dena’ina Athabascan/Yup’ik) placed with Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson

2020 Public Policy Fellows

Angela Qaiyiruaq Jenkins (Yup’ik/Koyukon Athabascan) placed with Representative Tiffany Zulkosky
Bonnie Hltanaa Morris (Haida) placed with Representative Dan Ortiz
Megan Lukmak’ Warren (Tlingit) placed with Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson

2019 Public Policy Fellows

Jasmine Kóot Xheech Mattson-Wolff (Tlingit) placed with Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
Hunter K’ax Yeik Meachum(Tlingit) placed with Representative Sara Hannan
Anastasia Ciuguun Pleasant (Yup’ik/Iñupiaq) placed with Representative Tiffany Zulkosky
Olivia Piiyuuk Shields (Yup’ik) placed with Representative Tiffany Zulkosky
Martin Stepetin, Sr. (Unangax) placed with Representative Dan Ortiz

2018 Public Policy Fellows

Jodie Gatti (Haida/Tlingit) placed with Representative Dan Ortiz
Ravynn Nothstine (Iñupiaq) placed with Representative John Lincoln

2017 Public Policy Fellows

John Hanlon (Tlingit) placed with Senator Donny Olson
James Hart (Tlingit) placed with Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
Elizabeth Rexford (Iñupiaq) placed with Representative Dean Westlake
Meghan Topkok (Iñupiaq) placed with Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott

2016 Public Policy Fellows

Cordelia Kellie (Iñupiaq) placed with Senator Donny Olson
Mary Sherbick (Yup’ik) placed with Representative Bob Herron
Susie Lee Edwardson (Haida) placed with Representative Paul Seaton

2015 Public Policy Fellows

Jacquelyn Boyer (Cupig) placed with Senator Donny Olson
Johnny Stickman (Koyukon Athabascan) placed with Representative Sam Kito III

2014 Public Policy Fellows

Joy Demmert (Tlingit/Haida) placed with Senator Donny Olson
Konrad Frank (Tlingit) placed with Representative Bob Herron

2013 Public Policy Fellows

Kate Wolgemuth (Iñupiaq) placed with Representative Bob Herron
Freddie Olin (Koyukon Athabascan) placed with Senator Donny Olson

2012 Public Policy Fellows

Mary Aparezuk Schlosser (Yup’ik) placed with Senator Albert Kookesh
Ella Tonuchuk (Yup’ik) placed with Representative Reggie Joule

2011 Public Policy Fellows

Gregory Bringhurst (Koyukon Athabascan) placed with Representative Reggie Joule
Ralph Wolfe (Haida/Tlingit) placed with Senator Albert Kookesh

2010 Public Policy Fellows

Dewey Hoffman (Koyukon Athabascan) placed with Representative Reggie Joule
Nikoosh Carlo (Koyukon Athabascan) placed with Representative Bob Herron
Samantha Englishoe (Tlingit/Gwich’in Athabascan) placed with Representative Beth Kerttula
Charisse Arce (Yup’ik) placed with Representative Alan Austerman
Barbara Blake (Haida/Tlingit) placed with Senator Albert Kookesh

2009 Public Policy Fellows

Elizabeth Hensley (Iñupiaq) placed with Representative Reggie Joule
Adrian LeCornu (Tlingit) placed with Representative Alan Austerman
Ashley Anderson (Tlingit) placed with Senator Albert Kookesh

2008 Public Policy Fellows

Jack Omelak (Iñupiaq) placed with  Senator Donny Olson
Carmaleeda Estrada (Tlingit) placed with Representative Mary Nelson