Data for Indigenous Justice (DIJ) is an Alaska Native-led non-profit which homes a database for missing and murdered Indigenous womxn, girls and relatives data. This organization is led by Alaska Native womxn with great intention, care and love for our community.
We feel the grief from our loved ones who have gone missing and murdered. We know that MMIWG2S have also been missing in data. According to the Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI), within the United States, Alaska ranks 4th with the highest cases, the city of Anchorage has the 3rd highest cases of all cities in the nation (Luccessi & Echo-Hawk, 2018). The data comes from one of the only reports to have compiled data specifically for MMIWG. The UIHI report demonstrates the data gaps and lack of records at multiple levels. These numbers are only what is known so far. These numbers are absolutely unacceptable and are problematic.
Together this team co-founded Data for Indigenous Justice to bring an end to the gaps in data and to do this heart work in a good way.
Staff
Charlene Aqpik Apok, Iñupiaq
Executive Director & Co-Founder
Charlene is currently the Director of Gender Justice and Healing at Native Movement, an Indigenous-led non-profit in Alaska. Charlene has served in many spaces as an advocate for Indigenous Womxn, Indigenous Sovereignty, climate justice, and Indigenous rights to health and wellbeing. Charlene is a lifelong learner in both her cultural traditions and decolonizing academia. She is a mother to Evan Lukluan. She earned her B.A. in American Ethnic Studies with a minor in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, an M.A. in Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development, and a PhD from the Indigenous Studies program at UAF. Charlene gratefully resides in Anchorage on the territories of the Dena’ina peoples. Here she has taught the Iñupiaq language and is part of Kingikmiut dance group with her son son.
Freda Berlin, Yup’ik
Executive Assistant
Freda is Yup’ik from Nunapitchuk, AK but grew up in Anchorage. Freda has been an administrative assistant for Data for Indigenous Justice since 2020, she was always interested in helping Alaska Native people in every way possible, and so Freda enjoys her work that met her interest in helping Indigenous Peoples. Outside of work, Freda enjoys: hunting, fishing, hiking, going to the gym, traveling, and most of all spending time with family and friends.
Maka Monture Paki | Keixé Yaxtí, Łingit, Filipina, and Kanien’kehá:ka
Communications Navigator
Maka/Keixé Yaxtí is an Indigenous artist, poet, and traditional performer from Yakutat, Alaska. Tlingit (Łingit), Filipina, and Canadian Kanien’kehá:ka, she is of the Raven moiety, Copper River Clan, and House of the Owl. Her Tlingit name is Keixé Yaxtí meaning “Morning Star.” Her partner is of the Tuwharetoa Iwi from Aotearoa. She learned from her late grandparents, Elaine Chewshaa Abraham, and George Wooshjix̱oo Éesh Ramos, and has a Bachelor of Science in Indigenous Studies and a Masters of Public Health. Maka is the designer of Moonture, a design brand that seeks to create at the intersection of cultural intention and coherent emotion.
Tatiana Ticknor, Dena’ina, Deg Hit’an, and Lingit
Data for Indigenous Justice Coordinator
Tatiana is Dena’ina, Deg Hit’an, and Lingit. Her family comes from the communities of Telida, Nondalton, and Sitka and is very passionate about her culture and family. She takes care of her youngest sibling and son and teaches them our ways of life through stories and subsistence living. Ticknor is also learning the Dena’ina language along side her Cheda (grandma) and kids. Alongside her partner Andrew (Yup’ik) she helps him manage and run the Lower Yukon Drummers and Dancers, a youth-led yuraq group for youth and local community members in the Anchorage area. She is also a student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks working on her Applied Business degree.
Sabrina Dunphrey, Inupiaq and Dena’ina Athabaskan
Data for Indigenous Justice Fellow
Sabrina is Inupiaq and Dena’ina Athabaskan. Her Dena’ina family comes from Tyonek. She lives in Palmer on Dena’ina land and is a lead nurse at North Star Animal Hospital. She’s worked there for over 9 years and loves the pets and owners she’s gotten to know. She is currently working on her Biology degree with a minor in Alaska Native Studies through UAA. She has 3 kids (Cameron, 11 and Harper and Madelyn, both 4), 2 dogs, 2 cats and a leopard gecko. She loves to read, garden and play board games, especially with her kids. She has been learning her Dena’ina language for a year now and is looking forward to continuing to reconnect with her culture and share it with her children.
Board of Directors
Dr. Jessica Black (Gwich’in)
Board-Member
Black, originally from Fort Yukon and Nenana, is the daughter of Marlene Black and Bill Black. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, a master’s degree in social work from Washington University in St. Louis, and a doctorate in social work from Washington University in St. Louis. Jessica is an assistant professor in the Department of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development and Tribal Management at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Her areas of interests include working with tribes around hunting and fishing rights, increased educational outcomes for Alaska Native students, and the well-being of Alaska Native people. Term: 2019-2022 FNA Board Committees: Finance, Head Start Policy Council Rep., TCC Health Board and Behavioral Health Committee. Photo by JR Ancheta.
Dr. Malia Villegas, Alutiiq
Secretary & Co-Founder
Dr. Malia Villegas currently serves as the Vice President of Community Investments at Afognak Native Corporation. She earned her undergraduate degree from Stanford University and a graduate degree from Harvard University. Previously she served as the Director of the Policy Research Center at the National Congress of American Indians. Malia and her family reside in Washington state.
Abigail Echo-Hawk
Athabascan, Pawnee
Treasurer & Co-Founder
Abigail is the Director of Urban Indian Health Institute and Chief Research Officer, Seattle Indian Health Board. She is a graduate of the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies and minor in Human Rights, and a Master of Arts in Policy Studies. Her greatest accomplishment is her place within her extended family. She is a wife, a mother, an auntie, a daughter, granddaughter, friend and community member.
Original logo design by Too Oozhrii Nickolai, Athabascan. Digitized by Nora Gecan.