Traditional Foods Gathering
Upcoming Gathering
2025 Traditional Foods Gathering
Aug. 14-15
In partnership with the Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity
Join us in Anchorage for an opportunity to gather as an Indigenous Community to celebrate the ways Alaska Native and American Indian people have built relationships with plants and animals throughout the land, sea, and sky.
This event is open to individuals who work with traditional foods, food security, or diet/health in Alaska Native Communities. Attendees will hear from guest presenters and take part in nature walks, activities, and breakout sessions.
Past Gatherings
2023 Traditional Foods Gathering
2023 Presentation Videos
Presenter Bios
Seth Anderson
Seth Anderson has worked as a registered dietitian for six years. Seth prefers to use gender-neutral pronouns like they/them/theirs. They were raised in the fishing community of Metlakatla. They graduated with a Bachelor of Science in dietetics, completed the Graduate Certificate Dietetic Internship at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and holds a Master of Science in clinical nutrition through Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Seth enjoys working with customer-owners to improve their health through food and nutrition. Seth enjoys reading sci-fi and fantasy books, playing video games, and hiking.
Kim Aspelund
My name is Kim Aspelund. I was born and raised in Cordova, Alaska. My parents are Bill and Irene Webber. My maternal grandparents are Susie Macheegan and Alec Donaldson. My paternal grandparents are James Webber and Stella Hansen. I am Sugpiaq (Alutiiq) originating from the Prince William Sound village of Ellamar, but whose ancestors resided in many villages in the Sound, including Chenega, Tatitlek, and the historic village of Kiniklik. On my father’s side, I am Kwáashk’ikwáan Nu Hit (Fort House), a Tlingit/Eyak Raven Clan originating from old Yakutat prior their life from Katalla, but with ancestors inhabiting the Kaliakh River and Khantaak Island. I have worked at Southcentral Foundation in Health Education and Traditional Healing as well as Alaska Native Health Consortium in Health Promotion. Recently I have retired and enjoy sharing the traditional knowledge of our Alaskan plants and holistic wellness as often as I can. I continue to hold Alaskan Plants Educational Workshops in my hometown, Cordova each year as well as present in Anchorage and in Juneau upon invitation. I studied under Dr. Rita Blumenstein as an apprentice and learned an invaluable amount of knowledge from her about plants and how to use them for foods and medicines. I learned the importance of a healer is to be a guide for people to find their own way. As Dr. Rita told me, “you have to find your own way”. I have been a planning committee member for 5 years of Alaskan Plants for Foods & Medicines before they changed to regional symposiums. I have taught a variety of health education classes from Diabetes Prevention, Tobacco Cessation, Elders Wellness, and a variety of exercise classes. I have been involved in my Cordova community teaching about our Alaskan plants for several years. Health and Wellness has been most of my life and feel I have lots more to share. It is my joy in life.
Emily Becker
Emily Becker is a Gardening Specialist with RurAL CAP GROW, where she advises projects and connects them with resources and education. She taught for 20 years in Alaska public schools. A permaculture designer, she enjoys seeing the application of principles from nature in community organizing, especially the need to design for resilience. She is the President of the Alaska Master Gardeners Anchorage, a 300-member non-profit, and serves on the Board of Directors of Boyer’s Orchard and the Alaska Community Forestry Council.
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