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2023 Fellows

The future of the Arctic must be shaped by Arctic voices. ARCYF was launched to make this vision a reality, empowering the next generation of leaders to build a more resilient and sustainable North. Our inaugural cohort brought together 18 exceptional young leaders from across Alaska, Canada, and Greenland, spanning more than 3,500 miles of the circumpolar world. Through intensive skill-building workshops, a dynamic curriculum, and hands-on community projects, these fellows tackled the most pressing challenges facing their homes—from climate adaptation and responsible resource development to Indigenous governance and cultural preservation.

The journey of our first fellows was truly transformative, taking them from presenting policy pitches at the Arctic Encounter Symposium in Alaska to engaging with Greenland’s Parliament and the Inuit Circumpolar Council. They forged deep cross-cultural bonds while developing real-world solutions for their communities. This landmark fellowship is just the beginning. As we celebrate the profound accomplishments of our first cohort, we are already preparing to launch a second, building on this powerful foundation to continue investing in the emerging leaders who will steer the future of the Arctic.

Sierra Nalaġuzruaq Anderson

Sierra Nalaġuzruaq Anderson

Nome, Alaska

Sierra is Inupiaq from Nome, and currently attending the University of Alaska Anchorage focusing on biology, mathematics, and Alaska Native studies.

Iluuna Sørensen

Iluuna Sørensen

Nuuk, Greenland

Iluuna Sørensen is from Nuuk, Greenland, but is attending school in Copenhagen, Denmark at Aalborg University.

Joshua Atghaghvik Cannon

Joshua Atghaghvik Cannon

St. Lawrence Island, AK

Joshua Atghaghvik Cannon is Siberian Yupik and Spanish with family roots in the whaling community of Savoonga on St. Lawrence Island.

Freyja Stefansdottir

Freyja Stefansdottir

Kujalleq, Greenland

Freyja Stefansdottir is from Kujalleq, South Greenland and works at the Isortoq Reindeer Station of South Greenland herding reindeer.
Anastasia Rankin

Anastasia Rankin

Unalaska, Alaska

Anastasia Rankin is Aleut from Unalaska, Alaska, who works at the Ounalashka Corporation while pursuing an associate degree at Central Washington University.
Charitie Ropati

Charitie Ropati

Kongiganak, Alaska

Charitie Ropati is Yup’ik and Samoan from Kongiganak, Alaska, and is currently a researcher at Giffin Lab and studying civil engineering at Columbia University.
Samreen Ahmad

Samreen Ahmad

Whitehorse, Yukon

Samreen Ahmad is first-generation South Asian immigrant from Whitehorse, Yukon, currently studying environmental northern conservation sciences at Yukon University.
Hannah Hoefer

Hannah Hoefer

YellowknifE, NWT

Hannah Hoefer is from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and is an assistant negotiator on claim settlements and self-government agreements in the Northwest Territories.
Tiana Lemon

Tiana Lemon

Dawson City, Yukon

Tiana Lemon is Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nations from Dawson City, Yukon Territories and serves on the board of directors for the Chief Isaac Group of Companies, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in’s for-profit economic development corporation.
AmÉlie Aubrey-Smith

AmÉlie Aubrey-Smith

Fort Smith, NWT

Amelie Aubrey-Smith is from Fort Smith, NWT, and is currently attending school in southern Canada to pursue a degree in the sciences.

Jody Tulurialik

Jody Tulurialik

Taloyoak, Nunavut

Jody Tulurialik is Inuk from Taloyoak, Nunavut and practices traditional sewing, tanning sealskins, and practicing the Inuktitut language.

Gail Wallace

Gail Wallace

Rankin Inlet, Nunavut

Gail Wallace is Inuk from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut and is a counselling program manager at Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre. Greenland.
Juliane Aronsen

Juliane Aronsen

Kangaatsiaq, Greenland

Juliane Aronsen is from Kangaatsiaq, Greenland and is currently living Sisimiut, Greenland to attend school at Nord Atlantiske Gymnasieklasse.
Miyuki Daorana

Miyuki Daorana

Nuuk, Greenland

Miyuki Daorana is of Greenlandic and Japanese descent, born in Nuuk and currently living in London, England studying abroad.
 Edna Lyberth

Edna Lyberth

Maniitsoq, Greenland

Edna Lyberth is from Maniitsoq, Greenland and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Engineering in Fisheries Technology at the Technical University of Denmark.
Kirsten Petersen

Kirsten Petersen

Nuuk, Greenland

Kirsten Petersen is from Sisimiut and Nuuk Greenland and attended high school at Nord Atlantiske Gymnasieklasse which triggered her interest in diverse cultures.
 Nivi Rosing

Nivi Rosing

Nuuk, Greenland

Nivi Rosing is Grenlandic Inuk from Nuuk, Greenland, and is currently attending Nunavut Sivuniksavut in Ottawa, Canada.