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It all started with her mom placing a 2019 Raven’s Circle newsletter on her bed.
Today, Jordyn Ransom is a supervisor in CIRI’s Shareholder and Descendant Programs department, but her journey began with a summer internship that strengthened her connection to her Athabascan heritage and ultimately led her to Alaska.
Growing up in California, Jordyn’s connection to her heritage came primarily through the pride her mother instilled in her from a young age. When she joined CIRI as an intern in 2019, she found an opportunity to learn more about her culture and the community she belonged to. As she immersed herself in the experience, she realized just how much there was to discover.
“Wow, this is really cool—this is such a rich, diverse community, and everyone is so nice,” Jordyn remembered thinking. “Wanting to preserve that culture and share it was something that was really valuable to me.”
After earning a degree in anthropology from California State University Fullerton, Jordyn returned to CIRI for a second internship in 2021. The experience deepened her connection with the organization and confirmed that Alaska was where she wanted to be. Following the internship, she joined CIRI full time as Shareholder and Descendant Programs coordinator.
Looking back, Jordyn says her biggest takeaway from both internships was the opportunity to deepen her understanding of her Alaska Native culture and heritage while building connections that continue to shape her work today. Now, as a supervisor, she helps oversee programs that serve Shareholders and Descendants at every stage of life.
“My role really is to oversee the programs, from youth to Elders,” Jordyn explained. “And try to find ways to connect with them through their entire lives.”
That broad scope is part of what she enjoys most about her work, but the internship program holds a special place in her heart. Having once been an intern herself, she finds it especially rewarding to watch participants develop confidence and discover new opportunities.
The most meaningful part of the job, she said, is “seeing people grow into themselves.”
Outside of work, Jordyn recently married the person she loves most. The ceremony took place in Hatcher Pass, and one of the highlights for her was creating and wearing her first Athabascan headdress for the occasion.
