Last year NPACF began a more robust rural voter engagement team who worked hard to connect with Alaska Native people and relatives across the state to hear how we could support communities in the process of voting. During these calls we heard inspiring stories about why it is so important to use our voices and vote. We also learned more about voting access issues and have been working to address these barriers to ensure all Alaskans have the same opportunity to express their voice and participate in elections.
We need all voices to be heard and we learn the most about what is happening in our state and in communities when we talk directly with our people. We continue to strive to do our best to uplift and protect our traditional ways of life, and support and connect those doing community-building work. Our team of Community Outreach Specialists will be creating spaces both on the phone and within their own communities to listen to concerns, hear these stories, and gain feedback directly from our Tribal leaders and community members.
We look forward to connecting with you!
NPACF Rural Community Outreach Specialists
JOIN the Rural Community Outreach Specialist team! Opportunities are available for the following Alaska regions: Interior, Southcentral, Southeast, Southwest, and North Slope.
Cheryl Anagick, Bristol Bay Region
cheryl@nativepeoplesaction.org
As a lifelong Alaska Native, Cheryl was raised in a traditional lifestyle, learning to gather from the land. She grew up In Unalakleet and eventually started working at UNC as a Sales Attendant. There she worked for several years, allowing her to meet and greet fellow community members on a daily. Eventually moving to Anchorage, Cheryl enrolled with CITC in the HPOG program, where she received her CMAA. Cheryl and her family returned to her rural community every summer to teach their children how to put away the subsistence foods they enjoy.
Tamera Captain, Fairbanks Region
rochelle@nativepeoplesaction.org
Tamera Captain is Koyukon Athabascan originally from Ruby, Alaska. She is the daughter of Francis Captain of Ruby and Deanna Houlton of Fairbanks, mother in-law is Kathleen Meckel. Her grandparents on her father’s side are the late William and Eleanor Captain of Ruby and her maternal grandmother is Martha Wright of Ruby. She currently resides in Fairbanks where she is in school to become a registered nurse and her long-term goal is to become a midwife. “We hunt every year and live mostly off moose meat and fish. I cut, smoke and cure the salmon with my children. We jar fish, berries, moose meat, moose soup, maktak, and pick berries. Being away from my village does not stop me from living and teaching my traditional ways. Subsistence living is a huge part of my life and I make sure that I pass everything I know to my children. I hand make/sew/bead anything you can think of and I also teach my sons and daughters how to sew. We don’t know our language 100% but we are learning a little at a time. I’m very excited to be part of the NPA Community Fund and look forward to working with all of you.”
Kai’ler Sato, Interior & Southeast Regions
kailer@nativepeoplesaction.org
Kai’ler Sato, Eyak, is originally from Southeast, Alaska and currently lives in Fairbanks, Alaska. Kai’ler has a BA in Psychology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Kai’ler has worked as a Commercial Fisherman, Construction Worker, Salesman, Exercise Technician and Prevention Coordinator. Kai’ler has a lot of experience with rural and community work. He plans on getting his Masters of Business and Administration. Kai’ler believes we can all achieve wellness for everybody and is excited to figure out ways to help our people.
Ty Zeeder, Rural Kenai & Anchorage Regions
ty@nativepeoplesaction.org
Ty Zeedar, Alutiiq, was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. He is passionate about serving
and giving back to his community. He earned his A.A.S. degree in Computer Networking
Systems from Charter College in February 2020. Ty now wishes to pursue obtaining his B.A.
degree in Political Science from the University of Alaska Anchorage in the fall semester of 2021.
Ty enjoys going on road trips, hiking, fishing, reading, and playing video games in his free time.