The Alaska Native Justice Center (ANJC) is refocusing on advocacy and partnerships under the leadership of its newly appointed president and CEO, Walt Monegan. Monegan, who is of Yup’ik, Tlingit and Irish heritage, was hired in January and is working to connect and collaborate with organizations, educational institutions, law enforcement and corrections to create change in the Alaska justice system.
“ANJC is working to take obstacles out of the paths and bring positive opportunities to Alaska Native people who want to serve their communities or transform their lives,” said Monegan. “The recent government budget cuts have helped organizations like ours in a roundabout way. Before, when nonprofits, organizations and educational institutions were awash in government funding, we were like islands in the sea. Now, working together and partnering is the key to our survival and success.”
Monegan, whose career in law enforcement spanned more than 30 years, wants to see more Alaska Native people in the police force, less Alaska Native people incarcerated and more social equity in Alaska’s educational system. ANJC will also refocus its limited resources away from direct legal services and will guide people in need of legal advice to appropriate existing legal service providers. Learn more about ANJC at www.anjc.org.
