Hope Into Action: Young Voices for Environmental Justice, Health, and Community Resilience
July 21, 2026 @ 10:00am (AKDT)
Young people are at the forefront of movements for environmental and climate justice, community health, and social change. Join us for an inspiring conversation with young adult advocates who are working to strengthen their communities through leadership, education, cultural knowledge, and collective action.
In this inspiring conversation with Paniinguar Aishah Yamani, Charitie Ropati, Sonny Ahkivgak, Jayden Lampe, and Jazmyn Vent learn how they are creating meaningful change, overcoming challenges, and inspiring the next generation of environmental and community leaders.
CHE-Alaska is part of CHE’s broader network, which is an international partnership of almost 5,000 individuals and organizations in 87 countries and all 50 US states that are committed to addressing environmental impacts on human health across the lifespan.
We encourage you to become a CHE partner so you can receive their monthly email newsletters, announcements about upcoming webinars, and other updates on a range of environmental health topics. Visit www.healthandenvironment.org to learn more.
Featured speakers
“Waqaa, yagheli, cama-i! Wiinga Paniinguar. Naluagmiutun atiga Aishah Yamani. Kuigilnguq & Tochak-miugurut. Dgheyay Kaq’-miugurunga. My name is Aishah Yamani. I am an Afro-Yup’ik, Dichinanek’ Hwa’tana Korean from Anchorage, Alaska. My amaus are Emma Isaac from Kwigillingok and Jack Stewart Sr from McGrath. I’m a student at UAA and an intern at Kawerak’s marine program this summer. In my spare time, I enjoy listening to Arabic pop and Balkan music. I’m passionate about international and intersectional Arctic advocacy and traditional cultural dances.”
Charitie Ropati (Yup’ik & Samoan) is an Indigenous climate justice advocate, and Water engineer. She has worked on building pipe infrastructure and water infrastructure for rural Alaska Native communities. She is originally from the Native Village of Kongiganak Alaska, a small coastal community in the Southwest region of Alaska and Anchorage, Alaska.
Charitie is a recent graduate from the School of Engineering at Columbia University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering on the Water Resources track, with concentrations in Earth and Environmental Engineering & Anthropology. She was awarded Champion for Change by the Center for Native American Youth for her work in education & climate and has been recognized by the World Wildlife Fund as a Conservation Leadership Awardee, and received a Humanitarian Award from the Muhammad Ali Center. She continues to fight for Indigenous human rights, advocating for the protection of land, water, and sovereignty.
She currently works as a Water Engineer and is the North America Regional Facilitator for the Youth Climate Justice Fund. She is also a part of the United Nations Women’s Leader Initiative. Most recently, she was featured on the 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 List, under Education for her work.
Sonny Ahkivgak is an Iñupiaq and Hispanic woman born on Dena’ina Ełnena, Anchorage, AK. Her grandparents and mother are from UtqiaGvik/Barrow, Alaska. Her father is from Jalisco, Mexico. She has had the privilege of living in many places, including Wisconsin and Oregon. She currently resides on Lower Tanana Dene lands, also known as Fairbanks, AK. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and minor in Spanish while in Oregon and is pursuing a Master’s in Indigenous Studies at University of Alaska – Fairbanks. When she’s not studying or working, she’s beading, reading, collecting new hobbies, and spending time with friends. She has experience organizing NVDA, especially around climate action and continues to be grounded in Iñupiaq values and care for future generations.
Jayden Lampe was born and raised on the Iñupiaq lands of Utqiaġvik. Growing up, she has witnessed the changes to the land, sea ice, and wildlife and uses that to become an advocate for her home community. She has worked with Alaska Youth for Environmental Action, where she lobbied to state legislators on environmental concerns. Now she interns with the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, guided by the stewardship traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of Southeast Alaska to protect the Tongass National Forest. Jayden is passionate about protecting Alaska’s lands, water, and uplifting Indigenous traditions, making sure that future generations grow up with the same connection to the land that she has had.
Jazmyn Vent was raised in Huslia, Alaska, and her mother’s family is from Ambler. Raised in a subsistence lifestyle, she advocates for Alaska Native subsistence rights and works on environmental justice issues, including mining development, salmon conservation, and resource management decisions that impact rural Alaska Native communities.