ANCC Staff

Maija Katak Lukin, Iñupiaq, was born in Kotzebue and raised in both Kotzebue and Sisualik on the shores of Cape Krusenstern. Her upbringing, rooted in the Iñupiat Iḷitqusiat, grounds her life’s work in humility, respect, cooperation, and responsibility to future generations.

Katak brings over 20 years of senior leadership experience working with Tribes, ANCSA corporations, federal agencies, and Alaska communities. She most recently served as the Alaska Native Tribal Relations Program Manager for the National Park Service, where she was responsible for government-to-government consultation with federally recognized tribes, ANCSA Corporations and Tribal entities with ancestral lands in and near National Parks. In that role she assisted with the development and expansion of co-stewardship agreements with tribes and tribal entities and helped lead the first-ever ISDEAA/DOI agreement of its kind. Her work ensured Tribal voices and Indigenous Knowledge shaped federal policy, including contributions to national directives on co-management and IK implementation.

Previously, Katak served as the first AK Native Superintendent of the Western Arctic National Parklands, where she oversaw the stewardship of more than nine million acres across Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Kobuk Valley National Park, and Noatak National Preserve. Her leadership centered on protecting subsistence rights, strengthening Tribal partnerships, and preparing for rapidly changing Arctic conditions. Earlier in her career, she served as Mayor of Kotzebue, Tribal Environmental Manager at Maniilaq Association, and Regional Communications Director for NANA Regional Corporation.

A strong advocate for cultural preservation and intergenerational learning, Maija teaches traditional Iñupiaq arts, subsistence skills, and Indigenous land stewardship to youth, adults, and Elders across Alaska. She is the author of Create Like an Iñupiaq and a frequent invited speaker on subsistence, climate change, Indigenous rights, and Arctic policy at local, national, and international forums, including COP-21 in Paris and the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.

Maija holds multiple professional certifications in leadership, climate adaptation, grants management and grants administration, and is currently completing an MS in Women’s Leadership Studies. She has been recognized as one of Alaska’s Top 40 Under 40 and has received numerous awards for community service and public leadership.

Maija and her husband have five children and one grandchild. She is honored to serve ANCC’s 15 member Tribes and will continue the Council’s mission to protect and co-manage nannut through Indigenous Knowledge, respect, and partnership.

Whitney Kellie (Pituk) serves as Executive Director, overseeing ANCC’s daily operations, programs, activities, and staff. Prior to ANCC, she most recently served as Director of Shareholder Services and Stock at her Alaska Native village corporation, Olgoonik Corporation. She was elected to its Board of Directors in 2022 where she currently serves as Corporate Secretary.

Whitney has spent the last 13 working with Alaska Native people, entities, and organizations in various capacities. She is passionate about the important role Alaska Native people and organization play in the advocacy for and stewardship of traditional lands, resources, and cultural and subsistence practices.

Whitney earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Alaska Pacific University and was part of the 2019-2020 cohort of the Alaska Native Executive Leadership Program. Prior to that, she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from the University of Alaska Anchorage, where, in addition to business, she focused on Alaska Native people, history, and Alaska Native Corporation (ANC) management.

Whitney currently resides in Anchorage with her husband.

Hope Roberts is Tlingit-Gwich’in-Koyukon from Fairbanks with familial ties to Klawock, Circle, and Steven’s Village. She has spent the last 13 years reconnecting to her marine hunting ancestry. She holds degrees in Applied Business Management, and tribal governance. She plays a part in traditional ways of life protection through board seating in numerous volunteer seats. Lastly, she helps reunite others to the rightful place as marine hunters with her small business infrastructure of deep sea fishing.