The spring equinox is always something of a milestone here, where we arrange our lives around the length of our days. It marks a waypoint on the journey towards the abundant light of summer and a moment to take stock of things built or broken during the long months of winter. And it is, of course, a time for new beginnings.
This month we are delighted to highlight the work of our colleague, Helena Jacobs (Lena to her friends), and the Alaska Native Birthworkers Community (ANBC)–an organization focused on new beginnings. ANBC is a group of full circle birth helpers (doulas), childbirth educators, breastfeeding counselors, healers and reproductive justice advocates, organizing to reclaim traditional birth practices and support Indigenous families with culturally-matched care.
At Alaska Venture Fund, we incubate and empower ventures designed to improve lives and build a more just, sustainable future for Alaska. The work of ANBC does all of these things, and is a powerful catalyst for Indigenous sovereignty, wellness, and healing. We are incredibly grateful for Lena’s work and the impact ANBC is having across Alaska’s communities. You can read more about ANBC below, alongside other news and highlights from the last few weeks.
As always, we love hearing from you. Drop us a line. Happy spring! The Alaska Venture Fund team |
Alaska Venture Fund - News & Views Project updates, stories and perspectives that inspire our work. |
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| Alaskans Driving Change: Helena Jacobs |
Helena Jacobs is a partner here at AVF, as well as Program Director for the Alaska Native Birthworkers Community. Her work elevating Indigenous birthing practices and wellbeing is transforming the birthing experiences of Alaska Native families and empowering communities to reclaim traditional knowledge and customs. Read more about Lena and her work.
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| A Mother's Perspective - ANBC |
While the Alaska Native Birthworkers Community continues to expand its services and support networks across Alaska, on an individual scale, its work is deeply personal. Take a look at Penny Xʼwaséeya Gage’s story as a mother supported by Lena and ANBC. |
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| AVF Team: Welcome, Natalie Dawson |
Alaska Venture Fund’s growth continues! Welcome to Dr. Natalie Dawson, former Executive Director of Audubon Alaska and our new Director of Strategic Partnerships. Read more about her background building Alaskan partnerships and affecting positive environmental change in her bio. |
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| AVF Team: Welcome, Jacqueline Cleveland |
The Aywaa Storyhouse project has a new team lead! We’re thrilled to welcome Nalikutaar, Jacqueline Cleveland, who’ll be building out opportunities for Indigenous storytelling, leadership, and transformative action at the intersections of climate and social justice through the Aywaa Storyhouse. Learn more about Jacqueline here.
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If you are excited about supporting sustainable, positive change across Alaska's communities and ecosystems, and have top-notch operational and organizational skills to bring to our team, don’t hesitate to apply. Find out about our Program Coordinator position here. |
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From Across Alaska
News, articles, events, videos and more. |
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Tourism for a stronger and more sustainable Alaska: With $3.2 billion dollars of consumer spending tied to outdoor recreation in Alaska, the potential is huge for regenerative tourism to contribute to sustainable jobs and income in the state. AVF partner Lee Hart, Executive Director of the Alaska Outdoor Alliance, spoke to Alaska Public Media recently with two colleagues about harnessing this potential while also upholding Alaskan cultures and ecosystems.
Zoom calls for all! Funding rural internet: Fast and affordable internet is essential for modern day connectivity, and Alaska, the most unserved state for broadband access, may finally build the infrastructure necessary to link in for jobs, virtual learning and unprecedented opportunities. New funding for Tribal and rural communities could be coming, thanks to local leaders applying for substantial federal grants, including AVF Partner, AlexAnna Salmon from the Village of Igiugig in the Iliamna region.
‘It’s time to build Alaska’s prosperous future’: Many Alaskans strive for a statewide sustainable model for community prosperity and economic success. Two Alaskan climate leaders jointly outlined the benefits of transitioning to renewable energy and prioritizing new cross-sector innovations, including job creation, more affordable energy costs and more sustainable fuels for industry.
The potential of Indigenous guardianship in AK: Partnerships between government agencies and Indigenous communities can yield powerful results–restoring the rightful stewardship of lands and waters, creating local solutions and opportunities, and developing shared conservation efforts, like this program does in British Columbia. A similar program in Southeast Alaska, created by the Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and the US Forest Service, has the potential to protect the Tongass in a new and collaborative way.
In case you missed it:
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Building a more sustainable future for Alaska and beyond. |
Alaska Venture Fund is a project of the New Venture Fund. New Venture Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization. |
Alaska Venture Fund
721 Depot Drive
Anchorage, AK 99501 |
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