BROOKE HANSEN

Anchorage, ak / Washington, dc

Caseworker/Field Representative Office of U.S. Representative Mary Sattler Peltola

Brooke Hansen is a Government Affairs Specialist with experience in diplomatic collaboration and strategic problem-solving. With a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Alaska Anchorage, Brooke has honed her skills through a diverse range of experiences and leadership roles.

Currently serving as a Caseworker/Field Representative for the Office of Representative Mary Peltola, Brooke travels extensively within the state of Alaska to meet constituents, address their concerns, and facilitate effective communication with federal agencies. Her role involves extensive research on Alaskan issues and meeting with stakeholders to discuss community needs, along with maintaining organized casework databases and preparing detailed reports.

Brooke's leadership abilities were demonstrated during her tenure as President, Vice President, and Senator of the Union of Students of the University of Alaska Anchorage (U.S.U.A.A.), where she successfully repaired and cultivated relationships between statewide leadership and U.S.U.A.A. executives. She represented U.S.U.A.A. on various councils and effectively communicated the organization's advocacy initiatives.

Brooke's dedication and contributions have been recognized with awards such as the University of Alaska Anchorage Leadership Honors and her participation in the Henry Clay Center College Student Congress. With her blend of advocacy skills and collaborative leadership, Brooke continues to make a meaningful impact.

NICHOLAS JACUK

KENAI, AK / Citizen of Kenaitze Indian Tribe

Indigenous Stewardship Fellow at Ocean Conservancy, and Master's Student of Fisheries and Tamamta Fellow at University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries and Ocean Science

Nicholas "Nick" Jacuk lives in Kenai, Alaska and is an enrolled citizen of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe. As the Indigenous Stewardship Fellow at Ocean Conservancy, Nick plays an active role in fisheries advocacy and research with tribes and communities throughout Alaska, and has also previously worked as a fisheries technician for Tanana Chiefs Conference and Bristol Bay Native Association. Nick is also a Master's Student in Fisheries and a Tamamta Fellow at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries and Ocean Science. His research focuses on up-lifting Dena'ina perspectives and experiences pertaining to fisheries access and stewardship in Tikahtnu (Cook Inlet) and Kahtnu (Kenai River) to promote the importance of equity and well-being in fisheries management throughout Southcentral Alaska.

ARINA DIDRIKSEN

Kyiv, ukraine / Fairbanks, AK

Graduate Student - University of Alaska Fairbanks

Arina Didriksen is a graduate student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and full-time fiscal staffer at the International Arctic Research Center. She is pursuing a Master's in Security and Disaster Management concentrating in Arctic Security. Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, Arina grew up in Denver, Colorado where she began her career in public policy and political campaigning. She served as a Legislative Aide in the Colorado State Capitol for two prominent offices, earning the State House Majority Leader’s “Huck and Bella” award for Best Team Management in 2021. On the campaign side, she most recently worked as the sole on the ground finance compliance staffer for the 2022 Stacey Abrams gubernatorial campaign in Georgia. Arina holds an undergraduate degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a double major in Political Science and Philosophy.

HANNAH-MARIE GARCIA

Tanax̂ Amix̂ (St. Paul Island), AK / Anchorage, AK

Director of the Indigenous Sentinels Network (ISN) at the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Tribal Government

Hannah-Marie Garcia is from Charleston, South Carolina but has lived in five other states before finally finding her home here in Alaska. Hannah-Marie is grateful to live and work aon the Unangax̂ lands of Tanax̂ Amix̂ (St. Paul Island), Dena’ina lands of Dena'ina elnena (Anchorage) in the winter, and Eyak lands (Cordova) during the fishing season. She is mestizo: Spanish and Sicangu Lakota. Hannah-Marie is currently the Indigenous Sentinels Network (ISN) Director for the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Tribal Government (ACSPI). Prior to her current position, she was a 2021-2022 Alaska Sea Grant Fellow. She has a B.A. in Environmental Studies & Sustainability and a master’s in Marine Policy is from the University of Delaware and focused on improving the engagement of Native American Tribes in the development of offshore wind power in the Mid-Atlantic. Hannah-Marie has 8+ years of experience in community-driven environmental monitoring, scientific data collection, analysis, and science communication; experience with tribal engagement and facilitating collaboration between diverse audiences. Her areas of practice are climate adaptation, stewardship, coastal resource management, community engagement, environmental justice, and community-led change. She is a forever student and growing in areas such as storytelling and creative media.

JUS TAVCAR

Ljubljana, Slovenia / Fairbanks, AK

M.A. student of Arctic policy and teaching assistant at the University of Alaska Fairbanks

Jus Tavcar is a graduate student of Arctic policy at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. With a climate and energy policy background, Jus is committed to advocating for a resilient and sustainable Arctic region. Before moving to Alaska, he worked for the Friends Committee on National Legislation in Washington, DC. Jus was born and raised in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

LILA BELLUCCI

Valdez, Ak

International Marine Policy Fellow

Lila is currently an International Marine Policy Fellow in NOAA’s Office of International Affairs. One focus of her role is to support NOAA Arctic engagements and projects under the Arctic Council. Her portfolio also includes the Pacific Islands, the International Seabed Authority, and the UN. Lila holds a BS in Marine Science from Eckerd College and a MS in Ocean, Earth, and Atmospheric Science from Oregon State University where she studied microbes and invertebrates in the deep-sea and Antarctica. Over the last 6 years, Lila has managed science operations on 9 deep-sea exploration cruises in the Pacific and worked as an Undersea Specialist/Diver on 6 expeditions to Antarctica. Lila is a passionate resident of Alaska, shaping her career around conserving, effectively managing, and sharing the polar and deep-sea ecosystems in Alaska and beyond. She is very excited to work towards this goal as a 2024 Northern Vision Fellow!

PRISCILLA AUMAQPAQ FRANKSON

Tikiġaq (Point Hope), AK

Graduate Research Assistant, Arizona State University

Priscilla “Aumaqpaq” Frankson is an Iñupiaq scholar and Graduate Researcher at Arizona State University. Currently pursuing a masters in American Indian Studies with a focus in tribal leadership and governance. Priscilla comes from the northwestern village of Tikiġaq (Point Hope), Alaska, which allows her a unique academic experience where she incorporates Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives into her work.

Priscilla’s research is particularly focused on the intricate dynamics of tribal governance within the context of co-management policies and the implications they have on cultural subsistence practices. Additionally, she is interested in learning the complexities surrounding the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and heavily incorporates that into her research.

ALEXIS AQAVZIK REXFORD

GAMBELL, AK

Student and Development Intern with the Reindeer Herders' Association

Alexis Aqavzik Rexford is a 22-year-old Siberian Yupik, Iñupiaq, and Lingít woman from the village of Gambell on St. Lawrence Island. Alexis’ parents are Delbert Rexford and the late Darlene Apangalook. Her maternal grandparents are the late Leonard Apangalook Sr. of Gambell and Mildred Reese of Yakutat. Her paternal grandparents are the late Burton Rexford and Sadie Hopson of Utqiagvik.

Alexis is currently an undergraduate at the College of Community and Rural Development at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she is pursuing her B.A. in Rural Development with concentrations in Human and Social Development & Entrepreneurship. She is also the youth advisor for the Reindeer Herders’ Association Advisory Board.

TUAN GRAZIANO

Anchorage, Ak

Donor Relations Manager with the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska (ACLU of AK)

Tuan, a recent graduate of the University of Alaska, Anchorage (UAA) with a bachelor’s in Economics and a minor in Political Science, is deeply passionate and involved in international affairs. He held leadership roles in UAA’s student government, including student body president, and served as the Secretary-General of the Model United Nations of Alaska. Tuan interned with the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the UN Headquarters in New York, and was chosen as his class’s undergraduate commencement speaker. Dedicated to community service, he volunteers and serves on the board of various Anchorage non-profits focusing on youth advocacy, world affairs, and voting rights. Tuan is recognized for his contributions with three Presidential Volunteer Service Awards and numerous UAA community awards. He has presented at conferences worldwide, including Ireland and Sweden, advocating for meaningful youth engagement and empowerment.

SEAN MCDOWELL

ANCHORAGE, AK

Community Centered Fundraising Fellow at the ACLU of Alaska

Sean graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill summa cum laude in May of 2022. He holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and International Relations and a minor in English. In school, his major academic interests included comparative politics, illiberalism, and political rhetoric. After graduating, Sean was a youth backpacking guide, worked on an organic family-owned farm, and taught English in southern Spain. Now, he is extremely honored to call Alaska his home. He is a fellow at the ACLU of Alaska in the fields of fundraising and policy, and works every day to protect the civil rights and liberties of Alaskans. Sean has a burgeoning interest in the Alaskan policy landscape, and is incredibly excited to learn about the issues facing the Arctic and how he can plug in at this year's Arctic Encounter.