First Alaskans Institute

📬 Tomorrow is the deadline to apply to vote absentee by mail!

Planning to vote absentee by mail or online delivery? Make sure you know what you need to do! Check out these step-by-step instructions to make absentee voting easy. Note that the deadline to register for absentee online voting has passed for the Primary Election, but you can still apply ahead of the General Election.

Remember: Sign your voting materials in front of a witness, and make sure your witness signs them too. Ballots cannot be returned by email.

Learn more and apply at elections.alaska.gov.

K'e'ooze neetolyaak, "there's going to be a vote" in Denaakk'e — early voting opens today for the August 18 Primary Election! 🗳️

Make a plan to vote. Swipe to see the important dates you need to know, including the deadline to request an absentee by mail ballot this Saturday, August 8.

For more voting information, visit: elections.alaska.gov

Introducing our 2026 SIP intern, Jalene Pinguaqyaq Larson! ✨

Jalene is from the small village of Koliganek on the Nushagak River. She attended Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka, where she took dual-enrollment classes through UAF, UAS, and UAA, sparking her goal of becoming a therapist to support mental health in Alaska Native communities.

Jalene is now a student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, continuing to grow her education while deepening her connection to her culture. This summer, she was placed with Matt Claman for Governor and First Alaskans Institute.

Quyana, Jalene — wishing you all the best as you continue toward your goals!

Introducing our 2026 SIP intern, Krissia Tuzroyluk! 🌊

Krissia is proud to be Iñupiaq from the Native Village of Point Hope, Alaska. Born and raised in Alaska, she plans to return home after graduation.

She will graduate from the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University in May 2026, with minors in Real Estate and American Indian and Indigenous Studies. At Cornell, she served as Co-Chair of the Native American and Indigenous Students group and as a Student Ambassador for the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program — work that earned her the 2025 Janine Jamieson-Huff Memorial Award. She was also a 2025 Brave Heart Fellow with the Center for Native American Youth and interned with the Shinnecock Indian Nation Environmental Department.

Grounded in Indigenous self-determination and community care, Krissia draws strength from her upbringing in Point Hope and her elders' encouragement to use her education to give back. After graduation, she plans to work on creating safe and affordable housing for Indigenous people across Alaska.

Quyanaq, Krissia, for a summer well spent. We can't wait to see where you go next!

Introducing the 2026 Elders & Youth Conference logo!

This year's design brings our conference theme, k'ets'e kk'ʉdaa neehʉghleł (we are approaching change), to life. The artist wove migrating caribou into the design, a symbol of the movement and resilience that comes with change, and a reminder that Elders and youth move forward together, carrying our communities and cultures as one.

This year's logo was created by Crystal "Chromatic Crystal" Jackson, an Iñupiaq artist from Anchorage now creating on Áak'w Kwáan homeland in Juneau. Her work blends painted and digital mediums to celebrate Alaska's landscapes, stories, and cultural presence. Learn more about Crystal and her work at: chromaticrystal.com

The Statewide Elders & Youth Conference returns October 18–21 at the Dena'ina Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage. Register to attend today: bit.ly/2026EYC

Introducing SIP intern, Mikayla "Mikki" Mitchell (Tlingit name: Kinóogeix)! 🧡

Mikki is of the Deisheetaan clan from Angoon and was raised in Juneau. She is the daughter of Tseiltin, Jodi Mitchell, and granddaughter of Dennis Eames and the late Eleanor John.

Mikki is nearing completion of her master's degree in Indigenous Governance at the University of Victoria. Her thesis, "Economy of Care: Northwest Cost Formline as Healing and Governance," calls for a more disciplined, systemic practice in the creation and ceremony of Formline as a means of community health and civic engagement. This summer, she is placed with the Alaska Native Arts Foundation. Outside of her studies, she loves softball, fishing, chainmail arts, and spending time with her many nephews.

Gunalchéesh for joining us this summer, Mikki!

Introducing our 2026 SIP Intern, Tatiana Taanka Korthuis! 🌠

Tatiana is Yup'ik from Bethel, with family roots in Emmonak along the Lower Yukon River. Her parents are Darrell and Vivian Korthuis. Her grandparents are Jacob and Eunice Johnson of Emmonak, and Jerry and Virginia Korthuis of Bethel.

Tatiana is currently completing her Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences, with a concentration in Environmental Science and a minor in Anthropology, at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Her education and career path have been shaped in large part by her involvement with the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP), which she has been a part of since middle school. This summer, she is placed with FAI's Alaska Native Policy Center (ANPC).

Grounding her work in her Yup'ik culture and values, Tatiana is deeply committed to uplifting Indigenous voices and addressing the environmental challenges facing communities across Alaska and the Arctic. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, berry picking, traveling, Yup'ik dancing, and beading.

We're honored to have Tatiana with us this summer, and can't wait to see where her passion for community and advocacy takes her next!

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! ✨

First Alaskans Institute's Alaska Native Policy Center is excited to share a new interactive Statewide Resource Map, connecting Alaskans to organizations and programs supporting su***de prevention, wellness, and safety.

This map was created to make resources more visible and easier to find. It highlights upstream prevention, strengthening protective factors like cultural connection, youth engagement, and community. We hope it also encourages more open conversation about mental health and support for those who need it.

Click any icon for details and a direct link to that organization's website. Know of a resource that should be included? Email [email protected].

Explore the map here: bit.ly/FAI-resource-map

🙌 A huge shoutout to Laurel Sullivan, who spent months researching and building this map, from conversations with regional organizations to bringing it all together in ArcGIS. We're proud to celebrate her work.

If you or someone you know needs immediate support, call or text 988 to connect with the Su***de and Crisis Lifeline.