About
I am Koyukon Athabascan, born and raised in Fairbanks. My native name is Neelthdinlo which means “a strong runner.” I met my husband John, a smokejumper, over 25 years ago and we raised our two wonderful kids here. Growing up in downtown Fairbanks, my parents made sure we remained connected to our traditional subsistence practices of hunting and fishing. They also instilled in us the importance of education and that it’s key to so many opportunities. Their love for sharing their knowledge and wisdom ignited a passion for teaching inside of me and I went on to become a teacher at Denali Elementary School for over 21 years.
As a lifelong Fairbanksan, I've always cared deeply about this community. During the second half of my teaching career, I witnessed firsthand the impacts of a decade of flat funding of our schools and how it has limited students’ opportunities. This experience fueled my desire to make a broader impact beyond the classroom. In 2022, I answered the call and ran for office when my community asked me to put my name forward. Most of my neighbors did not feel like they had a voice in Juneau. It was time for an everyday community member to go down to Juneau and represent them—and that’s exactly what I did and what I continue to do. I could not have done it without the support of this amazing community.
I have been honored to represent House District 31. I spend nearly every evening out in Fairbanks neighborhoods, talking with voters and hearing their stories, concerns, and hopes for the future. I will keep showing up, listening, and working hard every single day to earn the trust of my neighbors. I hope to continue being a strong voice for working families in the legislature.
In gratitude,
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