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Our Team

who we are

We are Indigenous midwives, doulas, breastfeeding counselors and healers organizing to reclaim Indigenous birth practices, support families from preconception through postpartum with culturally-matched care, and grow a statewide network of trained Indigenous birthworkers.

Team Members

Abra Nungasuk Patkotak

Abra Nungasuk Patkotak

Iñupiaq

Abra is a Birthworker, Doula and co-creator of the Alaska Native Birthworkers Community...

Betty Jo Twitchell

Betty Jo Twitchell

Yup'ik

Betty Jo, Yup'ik from Bethel, is guided by the stories and teachings of her ancestors.

Erin Edenshaw

Erin Edenshaw

Iñupiaq

Erin serves families in Fairbanks

Laura Young

Laura Young

Iñupiaq

Laura is a trained Doula, a Certified Professional Midwife and Licensed Midwife, and has a B.S....

Panganga Pungowiyi

Panganga Pungowiyi

St. Lawrence Island Yupik

Panganga has been involved in many grassroots efforts seeking justice for Indigenous Peoples...

Adelaine Aklaasiaq Ahmasuk

Adelaine Aklaasiaq Ahmasuk

Iñupiaq & Yup'ik

Adelaine is eager to share her passion around birthwork, grounding her work in a place of healing and community-led direction...

Dr. Charlene Aqpik Apok

Dr. Charlene Aqpik Apok

Iñupiaq

Aqpik is a cofounder of the ANBC. She earned her B.A in American Ethnic Studies with a minor...

Helena Benozaadleyo Jacobs

Helena Benozaadleyo Jacobs

Koyukon Athabascan

Lena is one of the co-creators of the Alaska Native Birthworkers Community, providing loving, compassionate care to her community.

Lindsey Earnest

Lindsey Earnest

Chippewa

As a Indigenous Doula, Lindsey is able to provide emotional, spiritual, and physical...

Shaina Aguon

Shaina Aguon

Koyukon Athabascan

Shaina is ANBC's communications, community outreach and engagement specialist

Amiah Xóotsk’ Johnson

Amiah Xóotsk’ Johnson

Tlingit / Koyukon Athabascan / Filipina

Xóotsk’ Amiah Johnson, she/her, is Tlingit/Koyukon Athabascan/Filipina birthworker...

Clara Greene

Clara Greene

Iñupiaq

Clara is an Inupiaq birthworker deeply honored to walk alongside families during their birthing journey.

Katrina Leary

Katrina Leary

Yup'ik and Athabascan

Born and raised along the banks of the Kuskokwim River in Southwest Alaska...

Margaret Gee'eedoydaalno Olin Hoffman David

Margaret Gee'eedoydaalno Olin Hoffman David

Koyukon Athabascan

Margaret is a Koyukon Dene miwdife and traditional healing trainee.

Shawna Whaley

Shawna Whaley

Suqpiaq

Shawna has been a foster parent, culture bearer, fish and wildlife protector, community educator...

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