Mellon Foundation Troth Yeddha' Collective Fellowship recipients
The 2025 Mellon Foundation Troth Yeddha' Collective Fellowship recipients (clockwise from top left) are: Quinn Buchwald, Itzel Zagal, Sharon Hildebrand, Amy Topkok, Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart, Ggoadm 'Teebn McKoy, and Michon Whiterose.
Nov. 20, 2025
The UAF Graduate School is honored to recognize the following seven Ph.D. students selected for the Mellon Dissertation Fellowship:
- Amy Topkok
- Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart
- Itzel Zagal
- Ggoadm 'Teebn McKoy
- Quinn Buchwald
- Michon Whiterose
- Sharon Hildebrand
These fellows are established UAF Ph.D. students whose work centers Indigenous knowledge in the arts and humanities, builds transdisciplinary connections, and responds to community needs through university-based research. Selected for their exemplary academic achievement, leadership, and strong potential for successful dissertation research and writing, they embody the spirit of the fellowship and its commitment to advancing Indigenous knowledge systems, culture, and language at UAF.
As members of the Troth Collective, the fellows will participate in an intensive three-week summer session on the UAF Troth Yeddha’ campus, fostering deep peer connections and collaboration with community members and faculty. Together, they will culminate their experience by presenting their work as a cohort at a conference. The goals of the Troth Collective are to strengthen ties between 91ÊÓƵ Native communities and the university and support students in conducting transdisciplinary research. The Collective will include faculty and students from both the College of Indigenous Studies and the College of Liberal Arts, reflecting the shared commitment to Indigenous-centered, community-engaged scholarship.
For more information, contact Alexis Walker at 907-474-7464.