We are honored to welcome Taa’ąįį Ch’igiiontà’ as the keynote speaker for the 2025 Annual Convention and Full Board of Directors Meeting. A Neets’ąįį Gwich’in from Vashrąįį K’ǫǫ (Arctic Village), Alaska, Taa’ąįį is a dedicated advocate for Indigenous knowledge, languages, and rights, with a strong focus on the health, well-being, and sustainability of Native communities. His work emphasizes the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with modern research to support healing, leadership development, and the preservation of Dinjii Zhuh K’yàa (Gwich’in language and way of life).
Taa’ąįį currently serves as a senior research scientist at the Center for Alaska Native Health Research at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), where he works to incorporate Indigenous practices into health and wellness initiatives. He is also the Gwich’in language project director for the Arctic Village Council, leading efforts to revitalize and sustain the Gwich’in language for future generations. His leadership extends beyond research, as he is a board member of both the Gwich’in Council International and the Gwich’in Social & Cultural Institute of Alaska, organizations that work to uphold the rights and cultural heritage of Gwich’in people across borders.
His career has also included key leadership roles within Alaska Native governance and education. He previously served as chief of Vashrąįį K’ǫǫ (Arctic Village), advocating for the protection of Indigenous lands and traditional ways of life. He also held the position of vice chancellor for rural, community, and Native education at UAF, where he worked to expand access to education and resources for Indigenous students and communities.
Taa’ąįį holds a baccalaureate degree in Alaska Native studies and a master’s degree in rural development. His academic background, combined with his deep cultural knowledge and leadership experience, has shaped his work in strengthening Indigenous self-determination. Through his research, advocacy, and mentorship, he continues to support programs that empower Alaska Native people to reclaim their languages, traditions, and governance systems.