I am thrilled to invite Dr. Jessica Ulrich on the show today for a truly beautiful conversation. Jessica is a Nome Eskimo Inupiaq indigenous member and an assistant professor at IREACH Washington State University. She graduated from the University of Washington with a doctorate in social welfare and is now part of our diverse cohort working towards the shared goal of improving early childhood development.

Growing up in Anchorage and Wasilla, Alaska, Jessica was deeply connected to the land and animals and her Indigenous traditions played a vital role in her childhood experiences. However, she also faced challenges when moving to a less diverse community where her Indigenous heritage was less accepted and understood. This led Jessica to hide her Native heritage and home life from her peers at school, making it feel like she lived in two separate worlds. As she grew older, she became more aware of the importance of embracing her roots and the beauty of how much can be learned about ourselves from our community and ancestry.  

Jessica discusses how she turned the challenges she experienced as a child into wisdom to help heal others and improve the lives of Indigenous children moving forward. She is passionate about helping young ones to reconnect with their heritage and feel safe to be themselves in their relationships, rather than feeling the need to hide as she experienced.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Jessica’s connection to the land and animals at an early age shaped her life
• The impact Jessica’s Native heritage had on her upbringing 
• Why indigenous students are becoming disconnected from important knowledge of their own culture
• The benefits of promoting child well-being within communities.

Resources from this episode:

• Dr. Jessica UIllrich on LinkedIn 

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