Native Peoples Action Community Fund was founded by a group of 15 volunteers who came together and began grassroots organizing in 2016, and then decided to incorporate to build a vehicle through which their vision could be driven. These statewide volunteers lead the advisory committee and board of directors and include Indigenous artists, attorneys, university professors, tribal chiefs, grassroots organizers, legislative staffers, social justice warriors and land/water protectors who proactively and progressively work together for a healthy, happy, equitable and sustainable Alaska.
STAFF
Craig K. Chythlook | Kaviak (Yup’ik)
Fisheries Policy Director
craig@nativepeoplesaction.org
Craig Chythlook is Yup’ik, originally from the Bristol Bay region in southwest Alaska. Craig’s parents are Joe and Molly Chythlook from Dillingham, AK. Craig has spent his life fishing for salmon on the waters of Bristol Bay. Craig’s current work is looking at what evaluation criteria are used to measure success while observing salmon, salmon management, and how to utilize Indigenous values and place-based knowledge into resource management decision-making. Craig graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a business administration degree and a minor in rural development. While attending UAF, Craig spent three and a half years participating in undergraduate research studying how better access to water utility services impact subsistence activities. Craig’s research interests include how Western fisheries policy and management can better include Indigenous and place-based knowledge into state and federal decision-making spaces, regarding salmon/resource management.
Krissa Huston | Aana Tláa (Tlingit)
Civic Engagement & Research Manager
krissa@nativepeoplesaction.org
Krissa Huston, Tlingit/Filipina/White, is originally from Petersburg (Séet Ká Kwáan) where she was raised by her mother Tiana Duke and late father Steven Davis (Norwegian). She is the great granddaughter of Marie James and granddaughter of Pauline Young of the Thunderbird House, Wooshkeetaan Yadi clan. In May of 2024 she graduated from the University of Maine with her masters in Marine Policy. During her program she focused on the role of the global seafood market, fisheries policy, and community-well being in fisheries management decisions for Pacific Herring. Krissa is passionate about protecting Indigenous foodways through localized food systems that support equitable access, Alaskan Native culture, and community well-being. She is an avid learner who enjoys spending her time harvesting with her family on the beach and connecting with the land and waters through hiking, climbing, and swimming.
Elizabeth Ahkivgak | Aqpaluk (Iñupiaq)
Accounting & Grants Manager
elizabeth@nativepeoplesaction.org
Elizabeth Aqpaluk Ahkivgak, an Iñupiaq from Utqiagvik, Alaska, grew up in a whaling crew family. Her parents are Ethel Ahkivgak and Fernando Ortega, and her maternal grandparents are Jennie (Ekolook) and Herbert Ahkivgak. She also honors her foster parents, Rosie and Eben Hopson, Jr., for their lifelong mentorship. Now residing in Anchorage, Alaska, Elizabeth is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Energy and Sustainability Policy from Pennsylvania State University. She has gained diverse experience across public, private, and non-profit sectors, with a focus on Alaska Native issues. Her career includes roles at Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, as an Al Adams Young Political Leader Fellow in Washington, D.C., office of U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, and as a legislative aide to Representative John Lincoln in the Alaska State Legislature. Inspired by her foster parents’ commitment to public health, Elizabeth has volunteered for organizations like Friends in Serving Humanity to deliver food to high risk neighborhoods, aiming to deliver the same sense of humanity as her foster parents. Elizabeth is passionate about food sovereignty, energy independence, and access to language. Aqpaluk enjoys hiking, fishing, gathering, practicing the Iñupiaq language, and lifelong learning.
Kelsi Ivanoff | Kasaŋnaaluk (Iñupiaq/Yup’ik/Athabascan)
Communications & Indigenous Engagement Manager
kelsi@nativepeoplesaction.org
Kelsi Ivanoff–Kasaŋnaaluk (Iñupiaq)/Abuzanaq (Yup’ik)–is from Unalakleet, Alaska, where she returned in 2018 to raise her daughter as she was, rooted in culture, family, and harvesting. She acknowledges her parents, Steve and the late Zoe Ivanoff (of Unalakleet and Kotzebue), and many grandparents for their generational knowledge and encouragement to find balance between our two worlds. While studying engineering, she found a program that aligned more closely with her objectives and graduated from Portland State University with a degree in community development. Kelsi comes from a diverse background in fisheries, marketing, engineering, non-profit, and government, having most recently served as the city administrator and formerly the mayor of her hometown. She has experience working and advocating at the local, regional, state, and international levels, and currently sits on the Southern Norton Sound Fish & Game Advisory Committee. Through various fields of work, Kelsi has stayed true to her intention to work for the benefit and advancement of our people.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
‘Láaganaay Tsiits Git’anee (Tlingit/Haida)
President
‘Láaganaay is from Keex Kwaan (Kake), Alaska. On her Haida side she is Eagle Tiits Gitee Nei, Hummingbird. On her Tlingit side she is Raven Kaach.adi, Fresh Water-marked Sockeye Salmon. Integrating Native knowledge and values into organizations, governance mechanisms, and everyday life is a primary passion and responsibility she has pursued through her education and career. Liz received her BA (BFA Equivalency) from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and her professional degree from Arizona State University College of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctorate degree and a Certificate in Indian Law. She currently serves as the President/CEO of First Alaskans Institute
Jonathan Tullek Samuelson (Yup’iaq/Dene)
Vice President
Jonathan was raised on the banks of the Kuskokwim River alongside his siblings, cousins, and fish. His family ties span the watershed, and his parents are Debby Hartman (Vanderpool) and Sam Samuelson. Driven by a passion for people and cross-cultural sharing Jonathan’s work has always centered around making connections and helping others realize the potential of tools they already have. He currently works for The Kuskokwim Corporation whose vision is a sustainable, collective future. Jonathan is a citizen of the Native Village of Georgetown, where he serves on the tribal council as well as their appointed commissioner to the Kuskokwim River Inter Tribal Fish Commission (KRITFC). As the current chair of KRITFC, he aims to elevate tribal voices in fisheries stewardship and weave together ways of knowing. He also works toward systems change as an advisor to the Tamamta and Indigenizing Salmon Science & Management programs through the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Jonathan enjoys time on the land, binging a good tv show, and stringing together words into poetry.
Marina Anderson (Haida/Tlingit)
Treasurer
Marina is a Haida and Tlingit harvester and advocate for our ways of life. Marina is from the Taakw.aaneidi clan from Heinya Kwaan and is from the Sculpin House. Marina grew up on Prince of Wales Island where harvesting traditional things out on the lands and waters was her school. Marina has spent time on her tribal council, is on the board of directors for her ANC village corporation, and most recently in her professional life Marina has transitioned from being the tribal administrator for the Organized Village of Kasaan to be the deputy director for the Sustainable Southeast Partnership.
Carrie Stevens
Secretary
Carrie previously served the Council of Athabascan Tribal Government (CATG), an Alaska Native Tribal Consortium serving ten Gwich’in and Koyukon Tribes to promote Tribal Self-Governance. Mrs. Stevens served as the lead negotiator for CATG on their two Non-BIA self-governance agreements with the Bureau of Land Management and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. She began working with CATG in 1999, when she moved to Arctic Village to work with Indigenous rights activists for the protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. She now serves as faculty for the University of Alaska Tribal Management program. Carrie holds a Masters degree in International and Intercultural Management. She is a mother and warrior for sustaining Alaska Native ways of life.
STEERING COMMITTEE
Saagulik Elizabeth Hensley (Iñupiaq)
Saagulik focuses her practice on meeting the unique legal needs of Alaska Native corporations, tribes and tribal nonprofit health and social service organizations. She maintains a general counsel practice providing advice in contract strategy, negotiation and enforcement; employment law; investigations and compliance; grants management; conflicts of interest and other ethics standards; and governance. Saagulik has been active in Alaska and Native American affairs for many years. Her experience includes working as a legislative aide with the Alaska State Legislature, as a staff attorney and public policy liaison with an Alaska Native (ANSCA) regional corporation, and as general counsel for a 600-employee regional tribal nonprofit corporation. She served as senior policy advisor at the United States Department of the Interior Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs and has provided international human rights law support to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples through coursework and a fellowship.