Helena Benozaadleyo Jacobs

Born in Fairbanks and raised throughout several different Alaskan communities, Helena (Lena) Benozaadleyo Jacobs has ancestral ties to Ruby and Kokrines. She is Koyukon Athabascan and the daughter of David Hoffman and the late Dee Olin. Growing up in Ruby, Anchorage, Juneau, Nome, Utqiagvik, Sitka, and Fairbanks shaped her worldview and connected her with Indigenous ways of being from many different cultures throughout Alaska. Lena uses this knowledge and experience to serve others through her work as a birth helper, mother, auntie, friend, and sister.

Helena and her husband reside and work in Anchorage on Dena’ina land, where they are raising their children. Her journey as a birth helper is a continuous learning process, enriched by the families she has had the privilege to serve since 2004, her sister and mentor Margaret David, and learning opportunities led by Indigenous people. Some of her training includes: full spectrum Indigenous doula, Indigenous childbirth educator, Indigenous lactation counselor, Spinning Babies foundations, and postpartum care.

Lena is one of the co-creators of the Alaska Native Birthworkers Community. She continuously seeks opportunities to learn cultural values and wisdom from her community to improve the level of care and service she can offer to families.