Evon Peter elected to University of the Arctic’s board

September 14, 2018

Leona Long
907-474-5086

Evon Peter, vice chancellor for rural, community and Native education at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, has been elected to the University of the Arctic's governing board.

Peter will serve a three-year term, from 2018-2021.

“We are particularly proud of Vice Chancellor Peter and his accomplishments within our university, across Alaska and throughout the world," said UAF Chancellor Daniel White in his nomination letter. "Evon is widely respected throughout the U.S. for his eloquent and insightful discussions on the rights, needs and abilities of indigenous peoples.”

Peter was elected to the UArctic Board of Governors during its September meeting in Oulu, Finland.

UArctic is a collaborative network of 200 universities, research institutes and other organizations focused on education and research about the Arctic and circumpolar North. Through partnerships and outreach, UArctic helps its members strengthen human capacity and build sustainable communities and economies in the region.  

Since 2014, Peter has managed six community campuses and 73 workforce training, academic and student services programs that serve more than 160 Alaska Native and rural communities across Alaska. He is Neetsaii Gwich’in and Koyukon from Vashraii K’oo (Arctic Village), where he served three years as the tribal chief. Peter presently serves as a board member to the Gwich’in Council International, representing Gwich’in nation interests in the Arctic Council forum.

Peter’s recent work has focused on incorporating indigenous knowledge and practices into behavioral health interventions and leadership development. He was a producer for the nationally broadcast film, "We Breathe Again." The documentary told the stories of four Alaska Native people who shared their stories about how intergenerational trauma and suicide impacted their lives. "We Breathe Again" won second place in the Native American Journalists Association for best television coverage of Native America in the 2018 NAJA National Native Media Awards.