He’s a globally recognized voice speaking against climate change in the North. He’s a land and water protector who’s battled Donald Trump in Washington to preserve the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He’s chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and now Dana Tizya-Tramm​ is our 2019 Northerner of the Year.

In our December cover feature, Tizya-Tramm shares his story of hardship and hope with journalist Eva Holland—from his teenage years spent homeless in Whitehorse, to his inspirational return to Old Crow and his continuing work as a leader for the Gwich’in people.