The Ahtna Summer Internship program for 2024 has officially concluded, and we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Johnathon Duke, Illeana Debler, Sydney Leonard, and Braeden John for successfully completing their internships. Their journey culminated with capstone presentations in August, marking the end of an intensive study program designed to provide Ahtna shareholders with meaningful work experience within the Ahtna family of companies. The internship program offers participants valuable on-the-job training across various specialized fields, bridging classroom learning with real-world application, enabling participants to explore potential career paths.
The 2024 participants engaged in a wide range of activities designed to provide both professional and cultural experiences. They were involved in land management tasks, while also learning about the historical and cultural significance of the lands they were working on. Beyond technical assignments, interns had the opportunity to practice cultural traditions during a stay at fish camp. Interns cleaned, smoked, and stored their fishwheel catch before sharing the harvest with Elders.
Sydney Leonard, Ahtna Engineering Intern, Anchorage
Sydney Leonard was a college intern in the Ahtna Engineering program, where she worked in the procurement department, focusing on filing tasks. Growing up in Anchorage and later residing in Wasilla, Sydney valued her internship experience highly. She credited the Ahtna Intern Program for not only providing her with valuable work experience in an office setting, but also equipping her with essential life skills and deepening her understanding of Ahtna history and culture. Sydney was enthusiastic about the opportunities the program offered and highly recommends it to others seeking to gain meaningful experiences. She is the daughter of Samantha Mujica and William Leonard, and her grandparents are Katherine and William Leonard.
Illeana Debler, AI Administrative Intern, Glennallen
Illeana Debler served as an administrative intern with Ahtna’s Shareholder Enrichment Department in the Glennallen office. Through her internship, she gained valuable insights into Ahtna culture, explored various job opportunities, and recognized the significance of the corporation. Illeana highly recommends the Ahtna Intern Program to other shareholders, emphasizing its capacity to provide learning opportunities and enhance workplace skills. Originally from Tetlin, she now resides in Copper Center. Illeana is the daughter of Stephanie and Nolan Debler, and her maternal grandparents are Ramona Nicolai and Stephan Pete, while her paternal grandparents are Joanne and Lawrence Debler.
Johnathon Duke, Land Department Intern, Glennallen
Johnathon Duke was a college intern in the Land Department at Ahtna Inc. He grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, where he currently resides. Johnathon is the son of Patrick Duke and Anita Moran, and his grandparents are Chris Duke and Clarence (Bud) Duke III. He enthusiastically recommends the Ahtna Intern Program to other shareholders, highlighting it as an excellent opportunity to gain job experience while learning about Ahtna culture and history, all while being compensated for his efforts.
Braeden John, AI Administrative Intern, Anchorage
Braeden John served as an administrative intern with Ahtna’s Shareholder Enrichment Department at the Anchorage office. During his internship, he gained valuable insights into Ahtna culture, explored various job opportunities, and deepened his understanding of the corporation’s significance. His main project involved consolidating the Walter Charley Memorial Scholarship archive files. His biggest takeaway was learning about Ahtna history and expanding his knowledge of Alaska Native Corporations. Braeden is currently attending the University of Alaska Anchorage, working toward an Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. He hails from the Cantwell and Copper Center areas and is a member of the Udzisyu (Caribou) clan.