First Alaskans Institute

Introducing our SIP intern, Lindsey Maillard! 🔮

Lindsey's people come from the village of Cheno', Alaska, now known as Howard Luke Camp, and she is a proud enrolled member of the Nenana Native Association. Raised on Howard Luke's teachings, she carries his reminder that "we are not separate from our land and our water." He would often ask, "you savvy?" On the surface, it means "do you understand?" But more than that, it asks whether we're prepared to walk in the world in a good way, grounded and connected through land and spirit.

Lindsey is a full-time art student at the Institute of American Indian Arts and studies the Lower Tanana Dena' language part-time at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. This summer, she is placed with Tlaa Deneldel Community Group. Through her art and language, she hopes to help ground her people in a good, "savvy" way.

Thank you, Lindsey, for the good work you're carrying forward this summer! ✨

We're looking for a Civic Engagement Coordinator to join the Alaska Native Policy Center team in Anchorage! If you're passionate about Alaska Native civic participation and want to do meaningful work in your community, we want to hear from you.

Learn more & apply: firstalaskans.bamboohr.com/careers