First Alaskans Institute

Our first full day together at our Summer Internship Program’s Orientation Week!

Today we learned caribou tufting from Joyce Roberts, learned about community organizing from ’s team, and heard from Dorothy Shockley on the importance of voting. ❤️

FAI is proud to celebrate William Iggiagruk Hensley, Chair of our Board of Trustees, on receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from George Washington University. From a traditional Inupiaq upbringing in Northwest Alaska to decades of leadership that helped shape Alaska Native rights, governance and opportunity, this honor reflects a lifetime of service and impact.

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Willie!

On this day of awareness, First Alaskans Institute stands with families, communities, and loved ones who continue to carry the weight of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples crisis.

Across Alaska, Alaska Native people continue to go missing or be taken at disproportionate rates, with inequitable response from law enforcement. In recent months, our communities have experienced continued tragedy and loss.

We honor those who are missing and those who have been taken, and we stand with the families who seek answers, healing, and justice. We also recognize the strength and leadership of our communities who have long worked to bring visibility, accountability, and change.

Those we’ve lost will always be remembered. Take action today by committing to join the conversation. We encourage our community to register for the upcoming Alaska MMIP Justice Summit & Red Dress Gala, hosted May 27–29 in Anchorage by MMIWG2s Alaska, Alaska Native Women's Resource Center, Alaska Native Justice Center, Data for Indigenous Justice, and Native Movement. The Summit is intended to build collaboration, foster education, and advance justice-driven initiatives.

To purchase tickets to the Summit, visit: mmiwg2salaska.org/current-events-1