Nhełna (People of the Land)

Co-Founder & President

Of Dena'ina Athabascan descent with ancestry around Qizhjeh Vena, Nondalton, Pedro Bay, and Stony River.

Karen has a Master's degree focused on interdisciplinary interests in Dena'ina education and traditional knowledge along with a Bachelor's degree in anthropology. Her life experience degree comes from growing up close to the natural world.

Karen has had many visions for projects and programs over the years, influenced by Native elders, and she has pooled resources to bring these ideas into the world.

Karen is deeply passionate about creating an inclusive, coming-home space for all people to experience their natural state through the outdoors. Learning about Indigenous knowledge and guidance through ancient values further strengthens those roots.

Vice President

Of Dena’ina Athabascan descent and a Tribal member of the Curyung Tribe of Dillingham. She received her bachelor’s degree in history from the UAF and her J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Heather clerked at the Alaska Supreme Court and eventually was hired by NARF and became a staff attorney in 1993. In 1998, Heather argued on behalf of the Native Village of Venetie before the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2001, Heather was instrumental in winning the Katie John subsistence hunting and fishing rights case.

She has broad litigation experience. Her legal experience includes cases involving subsistence, tribal sovereignty, human rights, and taxation.

After more than 25 years at NARF, Heather is currently retired but continues to be involved in NARF’s work. She is married to Lloyd Miller and they have two daughters and one granddaughter.

Board Chair

Of Dena'ina Athabascan from Lime Village. She is a parent to one teenage daughter.

She has her Bachelor's Degree in Race and Culture Studies and a Master's in Public Administration, both from Eastern Washington University.

Jennifer is currently employed by the Kenaitze Indian Tribe as the Manager at the Dena'ina Language Institute and is an adjunct professor at Kenai Peninsula College. She has participated in the development of a culturally responsive curriculum, language instruction, and writing of the charter school application.

Secretary

Raised in Pedro Bay with a love for being out on the land. Family, community, and practicing our ways of life are important to Bianca. She earned bachelor’s degrees in biology and nursing, which have allowed her to spend time working in jobs that prioritize our land, health, and wellness.

Bianca currently spends her time with her husband raising their kids while also learning and teaching our Dena’ina language to others. Language is important to her, because it is closely tied to culture and therefore identity. Bianca values and appreciates community relationships that are strengthened through language and our ways of living.

She enjoys hiking, berry picking, kayaking, moose hunting, putting up fish, and a good story. Sheł nuqilnek!

Pauline is a Dena'ina Elder; born and raised in Nondalton and a language teacher. Through self-study and working with elders, she learned the Dena'ina language and continues to teach language classes. She has supported numerous cultural-related projects over the years and has shared her traditional knowledge and skills including skin sewing, medicinal plants, and use of natural materials. She is passionate about keeping the Dena'ina language alive and has been supportive of many cultural-related activities and camps over many years. Pauline also has a Master's degree in education and is a retired school teacher.

Max is a Dena'ina Elder; born and raised on the land of Tyonek in the Cook Inlet area. The natural world was his classroom. He brings knowledge relating to advanced Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), skills in hunting and gathering, spirituality, health and well-being related to sobriety, cultural values, ritual and ceremony. Max has shared this knowledge with younger generations and supported cultural revitalization and health and well-being efforts. He is passionate about keeping the Dena'ina knowledge and skills alive, being out on the land and knowing the places that were important to our ancestors. Max has had a vision for many years of creating a place for health and well-being for Dena’ina people. He has offered guidance and supported QVA by sharing a documented written plan of his vision.

Margaret is a retired nurse midwife. She spent her career helping women and their babies in rural communities of Alaska. She is passionate about helping the next generation make the world a better place. Margaret grew up in Tanana, lived in Fairbanks, and moved to Anchorage as a young child. She was in Anchorage during the 1964 earthquake! Over the course of her life she has spent time with many Indigenous people from around the world. She has a natural gift for healing and spirituality. She has worked with traditional healers and continues to learn about natural medicines.

Monty moved to Alaska 19 years ago as a single guy with Bachelor of Science degree and five years of Midwest archaeological experience. Since moving to Alaska, he has become a husband and father of three with a Master’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Monty continues conducting anthropological work throughout the state. He focuses his efforts on partnering with Tribes to document their cultural heritage and youth outreach.

George is originally from Colorado but has lived and traveled all around the US and the world. He has an undergraduate degree in Fine Arts and a master's in Art Education. The arts have helped George to cultivate and express his ideas. He hopes to provide the same opportunities to students to explore and express what is important to them through the arts. He is interested in establishing a ceramics studio and a greenhouse garden to build a community of learners that supports and embodies the vision of Qizhjeh Vena.