Gwich’in Steering Committee International Youth Council

Geraldine Blake, Tetlit Gwich’in

Geraldine Blake Tetlit & Gwichya Gwich’in raised in Tsiigehthcic, NT. Her grandparents are Frederick & Grace Blake on my Father’s side, Abraham & Rosemary Koe on my Mother’s side. Geraldine is the daughter of Dale Blake & Renie Koe.

She is working as an environmental/wildlife monitor. This year she is a Research Assistant with Wilfrid Laurier University. She enjoys travelling, being out on the land whether it’s canoeing, hiking, camping or doing traditional activities. Gearaldine’s goal is to pursue an education in Environmental & Natural Resource Management.

Isaiah Horace, Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in

Isaiah Horace, also known as Chizh’in tsall which is” little golden eagle” in Gwich’in, He is 19 years old and a Gwich’in Athabaskan from Fort Yukon and Old Crow Canada. He graduated from Lathrop High school in Fairbanks Alaska. He is the son of  Danielle (Vanessa) Horace and Robert Stevens. He is the grandson of Donna Horace and great grandson of Daniel Horace. He loves to sing, dance and and drum. His hobbies include playing basketball and NYO and snow machining.

Araya Stoffa, Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in

Araya Stoffa is from Fort Yukon, Alaska. She is the daughter of Connie Fields and John Stoffa. Granddaughter of May and Andrew Stoffa Sr. and Delma and Brewster Fields Sr.  Araya is Gwich’in Athabascan and Iñupiaq. She is currently attending school in Iowa called Emmaus Bible College. Araya says ”I love my people, I really want to make our communities in Alaska a better and safer place for our future generations”.

Twila Strom, Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in

Twila is the daughter of Ryan Strom and Mindy Strom; Her grandparents are Jerry Carroll and Rebecca Carroll and Richard & Twila Strom.

Kaila Druck, Draanjik/ Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in 

Kaila Rose Druck is the daughter of Amy Carroll and Gordon Druck. She was born in Fairbanks Ak raised in Fort Yukon(Gwichyaa Zhee). Her grandparents are Leah and Joe Druck & Rebecca Carroll and Jerry Carroll and great grandparents are Stanley and Madeline Jonas. Her hobbies are sewing, and playing sports. She joined the GSC to learn more about the things that are affecting our people, and to find solutions . I also want to learn how to become a leader.

Alayna Druck, Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in

Alayna Druck is the daughter of Amy Carroll and Gordon Druck. She was raised in Fort Yukon(Gwichyaa Zhee). Her grandparents are Leah and Joe Druck & Rebecca Carroll and Jerry Carroll and great grandparents are Stanley and Madeline Jonas.. Alayna is passionate about the history of the Gwich’in Nation and she looks forward to learning more about her connection to the porcupine caribou herd and how she can protect the Gwich’in way of life.

Mary Carroll, Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in 

Mary Carroll is a 14 years old Gwich’in Athabascan from Gwichyaa Zhee formally known as Fort Yukon. Mary’s Parents are Kelly Fields and Anthony Carroll. Mary is the youngest of five siblings. Mary Loves to draw in winter months in Alaska, since most activities are in doors, she plays for the Fort Yukon Eagles. summer months are spent at camps across Alaska, swimming in the Yukon River, Riding four wheeler with friends, going to youth nights at the church. She loves to travel with her mom to meet and explore new people and places. her love for the land and animals is where she grew up and what she eats.

Scott Fabian, Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in

Scott is the son of Chrystal and Andy Fabian. He is a musician who was taught by Bill Stevens about the Gwich’in Athabascan traditional music. He  loves to see other people smiling and having fun when he plays fiddle for different events and special occasions. Scott has been playing fiddle for about 12 years. He wants to spread the traditional music on to the young and the elderly people. His Family are the Neyharts, Jonas, and the Peters family from Fort Yukon. He is the grandson of Lisa Gwaltheney and Leo Pritchard.

Quannah Chasing Horse Potts, Han Gwich’in and Oglala Lakota

Quannah Chasing Horse Potts is 17 and a Junior at Effie Kokrine Charter School.  Quannah is the daughter of Jody Potts. She is an advocate to obtain wilderness designation (permanent protection) of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil development.  Quannah was born on the Navajo Nation but a tribal member of the Han Gwich’in of Eagle, Alaska. Every year Quannah hunts caribou with her family and fishes for salmon in the summer, which has given her a strong connection to her people’s indigenous lands and way of life.  Quannah is passionate about climate change and environmental justice. She plays basketball, is a musician, snowboarder, and is apprenticing as a traditional tattoo artist.