LaVerne Demientieff

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laverne-xilegg-demientieff/

Dr. LaVerne Xilegg Demientieff is Deg Xit’an (Dene) from Southwest Alaska. She is a Professor of Social Work at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, a Community Wellness Practitioner, and facilitates healing and wellness training internationally. Dr. Demientieff's research explores the protective and promotive factors of cultural values and practices as they contribute to community resilience, health, healing, and wellness among Indigenous people. She works in partnership with organizations to strengthen their relationships through the use of healing centered engagement practices. She is a Deg Xinag language learner and teacher deeply committed to language revitalization and elevating connections between language and wellbeing. She is guided by Elders in research and teaching, works to uplift their voices and priorities, and is always transformed and healed by their compassionate wisdom.