From salmon fishing to scavenger hunts, mentoring to museums, CIRI’s 2024 summer interns sampled a little bit of everything. “We really try and give our interns a well-rounded experience,” said Darla Graham (Yup’ik), director of CIRI stakeholder engagement. “Our interns have customized work plans based on their skills, interests, and educational and professional goals, but we also do a deep dive into culture.”
This summer, interns visited the villages of Ninilchik and Tyonek, toured Cook Inlet Tribal Council’s Denełchin Super Fab Lab, and participated in Alaska Native arts and craft activities. “Our goal is to not only give our interns skills and experiences that will aid them in the future, but give them a deeper understanding of themselves,” Darla said. “We explore who they are, where they came from and how, as Alaska Native people and members of the CIRI family, we are all connected.”
DANIKA HERNDON Koyukon Athabascan
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Education: Sophomore at the University of Alaska Anchorage
Major/field of study: Major in health sciences, minor in Alaska Native business management
CIRI department: Corporate Communications
Favorite Alaska experience/memory: “I have recently gotten into traditional beading. I also love being outside with my friends and family—there’s nothing like Alaska!”
LAUREN MULLER Haida/Inupiaq
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Education: Sophomore at Michigan State University
Major/field of study: Computer science
CIRI department: Information Technology
Favorite Alaska experience/memory: “Hiking Flattop, a 3-mile hike in the Chugach Mountains.”
AARON OSKOLKOFF Aleut
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Education: Undergraduate degree from the University of California Santa Cruz; currently attending Western New England School of Law
Major/field of study: Second-year law student (2L) studying corporate law
CIRI department: Legal
Favorite Alaska experience/memory: “Camping, especially across the Homer Spit.”
PAISLEY PROTZMAN Inupiaq/Oneida
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Education: Junior at the University of Alaska Anchorage
Major/field of study: Major in social work, minor in Alaska Native business management
CIRI department: Shareholder + Descendant Programs
Favorite Alaska experience/memory: “Setnetting in Kasilof every summer as a child.”
BROOKE SCHUROSKY Inupiaq
Hometown: Wasilla, Alaska
Education: Sophomore at the University of Alaska Anchorage
Major/field of study: Major in accounting, minor in project management
CIRI department: Shareholder + Descendant Programs
Favorite Alaska experience/memory: “Four-wheeling and camping up near Manley Hot Springs, and especially making s’mores!”
JOSEPH SHERRY Inupiaq
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Education: Junior at Seattle University
Major/field of study: Major in mechanical engineering, minor in mathematics
CIRI department: Land and Energy
Favorite Alaska experience/memory: “Traveling around the state with my family.”
