Meet the Cohort: Indigenous Peoples Set Up Shop April 2025
Our Indigenous Peoples Set Up Shop program provides business training and assistance, product design and lending services for Alaska Native and American Indian entrepreneurs. These services are free and Indigenous-led, and made possible through our partnership with Cook Inlet Tribal Council and Cook Inlet Lending Center.
Shaax'saani is a market artist and skilled skin sewist, creating jewelry, accessories, and garments that reflect her craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Through her work, she blends traditional techniques with contemporary design, bringing unique, handmade pieces to life.
Kristin Riall is a licensed behavior analyst and psychology professor at UAA with a focus on supporting both children with autism and geriatric populations. She is working to establish a consultation service that provides behavior analytic interventions for Elders facing behavioral challenges due to cognitive decline, a service often unavailable due to the lack of insurance coverage.
As a member of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama, Kristin aims to offer these services on a sliding fee scale to ensure accessibility. She is currently in the development process, transitioning from academia to private practice, and hopes to create a small practice that addresses this critical gap in care.
Joseph Conkright is the owner of Brooks Trucking, a small construction company specializing in hauling, water and sewer services, excavation, and landscaping. With state and federal contracting capabilities, he is expanding his business while currently focusing on hauling services. He is American Indian and his business is recognized as Native-owned through the Kenaitze Indian Tribe. Based in Kenai and now operating in Anchorage, Joseph is working to grow his presence in the industry.
Noreen White is building a business in the high-fashion industry, focused on Native American and Alaska Native-inspired clothing and accessories for all ages, genders, and sizes. Her vision is to create a culturally handcrafted fashion line featuring work exclusively by Native artists, highlighting the beauty and diversity of Indigenous design.
Noreen’s mission is to celebrate and connect others to Native heritage through fashion, offering an inclusive outlet for cultural expression and support. Her short-term goal is to launch a pop-up shop to engage the public and gather feedback, while her long-term vision is to expand across Alaska and potentially reach global markets. With prior experience in product vending and a strong belief in the timeless value of Native design, Noreen aims to provide a platform for Indigenous designers and meet a growing demand for authentic, culturally rooted fashion.
Trina Landlord is the founder of Alaska Native Art Appraisal Co., a business dedicated to providing specialized appraisal services for Alaska Native art. With extensive experience in the field, including serving as the former executive director of the Alaska Native Arts Foundation and working in communications at the Alaska House New York in Manhattan, Trina brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her business. She recognized a gap in the community for appraisers specializing in Native arts and aims to fill that void, offering professional appraisal services that honor the unique value of Alaska Native artwork.
Elizabeth Ahkivgak is the founder of Sovereign Speech, an Alaska Native translation agency currently in development. Originally from Barrow (Utqiaġvik), she is pioneering Indigenous language accessibility through technology and community engagement. Elizabeth holds two patents—one for a translation app and another for AI-driven Indigenous knowledge systems.
After initially envisioning her business as a nonprofit, she transitioned to a for-profit model to qualify for funding opportunities. In March 2024, she secured her business license and has since developed a business plan, successfully competing in the North Slope Marketplace grant competition, where she was awarded $25,000 in support.
Elizabeth is committed to capacity building, expanding her network, and ensuring that Indigenous languages and knowledge systems have a sustainable and innovative future in the digital space.
Christina Waska is a jewelry artist specializing in handcrafted earrings made from natural furs, including seal, polar bear, and dyed black beaver fur. Her work reflects a deep connection to traditional materials while offering unique, contemporary designs. Through her craft, Christina brings the beauty of Indigenous artistry to life, creating distinctive pieces for those who appreciate authentic, handcrafted jewelry.
Charmaine Ramos and Nirvana are a mother-daughter duo who co-founded Exploring Earth Together, a small-group travel company designed to provide immersive cultural and adventure experiences. Their shared passion for travel led them to launch the business in late 2024, and since then, they have organized and led two group trips. This March, they will be traveling to explore transportation options, accommodations, and activities for future excursions.
Both Charmain and Nirvana hold MBA degrees, bringing strong business and logistical skills to their venture. In addition to her work with Exploring Earth Together, Charmain also works full-time at ANTHC. Their goal is to create travel experiences that balance adventure, relaxation, and cultural engagement, with their first destination focus being Belize.
They are excited to be part of this program and look forward to learning, sharing insights, and connecting with fellow entrepreneurs.
Not Pictured:
Rebecca Lehe is a passionate advocate working with various groups to combat human trafficking. She aims to launch a business focused on rescue, post-care therapy, and awareness for survivors. With experience in fashion and retail—having previously run Apricot Lane—she is also exploring a boutique concept with merchandise that supports her mission. Currently working at an Alaska Native charter school, Rebecca is dedicated to using fashion fundraising and community engagement to drive change.
Tamara Larson is an Alaska-born entrepreneur with deep family roots in the state. With a background in village corporations, she is now working to build generational wealth through her own business. Tamara is developing MNT Automotive, a full-service automotive shop focused on creating a stress-free customer experience.
Partnering with her husband and son as mechanics, while she and her daughter manage customer service, the business aims to provide competitive pricing on detailing, oil changes, and basic maintenance. With plans for future certifications and app-based service tracking, Tamara is dedicated to making car care more transparent and convenient for customers.
Honilyn Holder is an aspiring entrepreneur and artist working to create a must-visit destination in downtown Anchorage. Her vision is a Native-owned gift shop that showcases Alaska Native artwork from across the state, offering a consignment space for local artists while also selling her own Tlingit, Haida, Athabaskan, and Hawaiian-inspired clothing and shoes.
Inspired by her family, she aims to build a business as iconic as the Red Dog Saloon in Juneau—offering unique souvenirs, essential items for tourists, and immersive experiences. Honilyn also plans to develop an online store, DIY artwork kits, and a guided ATV tour sharing the history of Alaska Natives and their Hawaiian allies. Currently finishing her Associate’s degree in Business Management and Human Resources, she is dedicated to making her vision a reality.