Emily Edenshaw
Emily Edenshaw | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Education | University of Alaska Fairbanks |
| Occupation | Nonprofit executive |
| Employer | Ketchikan Indian Community |
Emily Edenshaw is an Indigenous American nonprofit executive. From 2019–2025, she was the President and CEO of the Alaska Native Heritage Center.[1] As of 2025, she is the CEO of the Ketchikan Indian Community.
Early life
Edenshaw was born and raised in Texas, due to her mother's forced adoption in 1956 which moved her away from Alaska. In college, Edenshaw returned to Alaska and adopted the Yup'ik name Keneggnarkayaaggaq, "meaning a person with a beautiful persona, spirit, aura and friend."[2]
Career
In 2019, Edenshaw became the President and CEO of the Alaska Native Heritage Center based in Anchorage, Alaska.[3] She stepped down on July 31, 2025.[4]
In October 2024, Edenshaw was one of 205 people, and one of seven Indigenous people, selected for the six-month-long Obama Leaders program led by the Obama Foundation.[5] In August 2025, Edenshaw became the CEO of the Ketchikan Indian Community.[6]
During the Biden Administration, Edenshaw was nominated by Joe Biden to serve as a member on the National Council on the Humanities, and she additionally serves. She is also a doctoral candidate at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Her research concerns "Alaska Native Boarding School healing strategies."[7]
Personal life
Edenshaw is of Yup'ik and Iñupiaq descent, as well as Adopted into the Raven Thunderbird Clan of Old Masset, Haida Gwaii. She is a tribal citizen of the Native Village of Emmonak, Alaska.[8]
References
- ^ "NEA Artful Life Moment: Emily Edenshaw, Alaska Native Heritage Center". www.arts.gov. 2024-10-03. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
- ^ Small, Zachary (19 April 2022). "As One Alaskan Museum Closed, a Native Heritage Center Prospered". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 19 April 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ Craig, Laurie (2024-10-22). "Native cultural tourism is 'Alaska's sleeping giant,' panel tells industry leaders at statewide convention". Juneau Empire. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
- ^ Link, Your Alaska (2025-06-06). "Alaska Native Heritage Center President and CEO Emily Edenshaw to step down". Your Alaska Link. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
- ^ Berg, Kaili (2024-10-01). "Obama Foundation Leaders USA Selects 7 Native Americans to Participate in Program". Native News Online. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
- ^ Darrell, Jack (2025-06-18). "KIC appoints new CEO". KRBD. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
- ^ Staff, I. C. T. (2024-10-08). "Seven Indigenous leaders selected for Obama foundation program". ICT News. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
- ^ "Ketchikan Indian Community hires new CEO". Ketchikan Daily News. 2025-06-11. Retrieved 2025-08-01.