Janessa is Athabascan and Iñupiaq from Tanana and Rampart, Alaska. She grew up spending her summers at fish camp on the Yukon River. Janessa has a dog team and values the traditions, resilience, and stewardship that have been passed down through generations. She is a strong advocate for the protection and restoration of Yukon River salmon and is committed to ensuring that future generations can continue to practice their subsistence way of life. Through her leadership and community involvement, Janessa works to uplift Indigenous voices and support a healthy future for the Yukon River and its salmon relatives.