The project is Community-Based Participatory Research funded by the National Institute of Medicine 2018-2023 (5 years). The participating Bering Strait communities will be full and equal partners in all phases of the research process. In addition to broad community involvement, the decision-making for the project is made by a group of local tribal leaders, elders, (or “elders-in-training,” as some would identify), and caring community members. This group is called the Local Steering Committee. Our goal is to proceed in the most respectful way we can, and to generate a scientific process that accurately reflects the preferences and priorities of people in the region.
Local Steering Committee
Kira Apaachuaq Eckenweiler
Kira Apaachuaq Eckenweiler is from Unalakleet, Alaska and is the Suicide Prevention Outreach Coordinator for Norton Sound Health Corporation. Kira graduated with her Master of Fine Arts in Musical Theater from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and received her Bachelor of Music in Music Performance degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Kira is very thankful to be back in her home community and have the ability to serve in such a wonderful way.
Roberta Moto
Roberta Moto is the Wellness Program Manager for Maniilaq Association. She is a tribal member of the Native Village of Deering, Alaska. Her Inupiaq name is Anausuk. She is a wife, mother of 6, and grandmother of 8. She lives and works in Deering, Alaska. Her work experience includes: ICWA Coordinator, Tribal Administrator, and Village Based Counselor. She has a Bachelors in Social Work with an emphasis in Child Welfare from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She sits on the ANCHRR Research Steering Committee and the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council. Roberta is a co-creator of PC CARES and has guided its development since the beginning. She helps train new program facilitators, leads learning circles, and mentors communities starting and sustaining PC CARES.
Pictures and bios to come…
Naomi Munick Chappel
Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Trainee Coordinator, Maniilaq Association - Kiana, AK
Tricia Ivanoff
IÑUA Prevention Planner, Norton Sound Health Corporation - Nome, AK
Valerie Pingayak
Prevention Coordinator, Tanana Chiefs Conference - Chevak, AK
LaVerne (Anagick) Saccheus
LaVerne (Anagick) Saccheus, of Unalakleet, Alaska, is the proud Inupiaq mother of three. She works as a nurse case manager in her hometown. A friend of Laverne encouraged her to become part of the PC CARES project, so she submitted her name and has enjoyed serving the members of her region as best as she can.
Josie Garnie
Josie Garnie’s traditional name is Poiyuna, after her great-grandma. She is Inupiaq, born and raised in Teller, the daughter of Joe Garnie and Helen Okbaok, and related to the Topkok, Kakaruk, and Okbaok families. She is also the mother to two daughters: Lauryn and Aubrina. Josie was hired as a Village Based Counselor in 1997 as part of a pilot project for Norton Sound Health Corporation. She still serves as the VBC for Teller and supervises half of the VBCs in the Norton Sound/Bering Strait region. She received her Rural Human Services Certificate and Associate of Applied Science in Human Services Degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Josie is a certified as a Behavioral Health Aide Practitioner and has been an LSC member since 2018.
Local Steering Committee Newsletters
Regular program updates are provided to Steering Committee members.