People First Initiative Councils

Johnathan Katchatag of the Unalakleet Wolfpack looks to shoot the ball while an Unalaska Raider fouls him at Saturday nights game in the 2A Great Alaska Conference tournament in Anchorage last weekend. photo by Greg Lincoln

by Greg Lincoln

The Dunleavy Administration today (February 25th, 2022) announced the appointment of Alaskans to various councils as part of his People First Initiative announced in December of 2021. Several appointees are from the Yukon Kuskokwim delta region. The People First Initiative focuses on five intersecting public safety concerns: Domestic violence and sexual assault, human and sex trafficking, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, foster care, and homelessness.

Valerie Chadwick has been appointed to the Governor’s Council on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons. Chadwick is originally from St. Mary’s and is a tribal member of the Algaaciq Tribe. She works as the RurALCAP Community Development supervisor and is a member of the Anchorage Women’s Commission. Chadwick has worked in social services care for 30+ years, including Bethel, St. Mary’s, Marshall, Emmonak, Sitka, Anchorage and most of the villages located in the Kusilvak Census Area. The Governor selected Valerie Chadwick as Chair of this council.

Also appointed is Heather Gottshall who was born in Bethel and is a member of the Orutsararmiut Native Council. She is also a Calista Shareholder and resides in Anchorage.

Joining Chadwick and Gottshall on the council are Vice Chair Victoria Shanklin, Sean Case, Malia Miller, Kendra Kloster, and Darrel Hildebrand.

Angel Gonzales and Mary Johnson are appointees to the Governor’s Collaborative Council on Parent/Foster Parents. Angel Gonzales is Yupik from the Calista Region. She lives in Anchorage and is President of Facing Foster care in Alaska. Governor has selected Angel Gonzales as Vice Chair for this council.

Mary Johnson is from the Native Village of Scammon Bay & Sitka Tribe of Alaska. She resides in Juneau and is the Tribal Family and Youth Services Director for the Central Council of Tlingit & Haida.

Joining Gonzales and Johnson are Sabrina Owsley, Kari Butler, Jeffrey Rentzel, Sarah Redman, Cynthia Smith, Alexia Noel, Heather Elaine Schimanski-Lee, Elizabeth Toovak – Chair, and Candice Richardson.

Chris Kolerok has been appointed to the Alaska Council on the Homeless. Kolerok is Cup’ik Eskimo from the Native Village of Mekoryuk. Kolerok is Chair of the Alaska Coalition on Housing and Homeless and Member of the Anchorage Coalition to End Homeless. He resides in Anchorage. The Governor selected Chris Kolerok as Vice Chair.

Also appointed to this council are Michelle Overstreet, Dajonee Hale, and Michele Brown.

The Governor’s Council on Human and Sex Trafficking appointees are Brittany Madros, Staci Yates, Gwen Adams, Denielle Hrovat, Dave Bronson, Jim Matherly, and Brenda Stanfill. Governor has selected Col Brian Barlow (DPS Designee) as Chair and Brenda Stanfill as Vice Chair.

Quyana for your service!