Faith in action
In collaboration with FCAC’s Interfaith Working Group and Native Movement, the Faith in Action film series from Deenaadàį' Productions features four local representatives from different faith traditions: Leslie Ahuvah Fails, Nanieezh Peter, Bishop Mark Lattime, and Pastor Johnathan Kenney. It explores how spiritual dimensions of faith, including Indigenous and non-Indigenous spirituality, motivate care for the Earth and for one another, and how spirituality is called upon to motivate action around climate change, food insecurity, and threats to cultural traditions.
Bishop LAttime
Bishop Mark Lattime was elected the eighth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska in 2010. One of his passions is to support the voices of Alaska’s Indigenous communities as they work to maintain their traditional subsistence lifestyle and economy. He is also committed to “walking the land” with the people of Alaska as a living expression of stewardship. As a Diocese of small, rural, and isolated congregations, Bishop Lattime focuses on the formation and support of local Indigenous leadership.
Pastor Kenney
Pastor Johnathan A. Kenney moved to Fairbanks in 2004, and began preaching in 2007. In 2016, Pastor Kenney and his wife launched a ministry in Fairbanks called The Hope Church. Under the leadership of Pastor Kenney, The Hope Church has acquired 2 locations - Fairbanks, Alaska and Colorado Springs, Colorado. In Fairbanks, there are two locations - one is the main worship campus, and the other is Hope House, a facility that houses a community youth center, community garden and food bank.
Reverend Leslie
Reverend Leslie Ahuvah Fails holds a master of divinity from the Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, California. She was ordained at the First Unitarian Church of Lynchburg (Virginia), where she previously served as their first student minister. Rev. Leslie also served as a hospital chaplain in the emergency department, trauma, neurosurgery and pediatric services at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. Journeying with people as they wrestle with the big questions – What gives my life meaning? And how will I live out that meaning in the world? – is the work that makes her heart sing.
Na’ni’eezh Peter
Na’ni’eezh Peter is a youth leader and activist - Neetsaii Gwich’in and Diné from Arctic Village, AK and Shonto, AZ. She loves to play instruments, sing, write songs, act, play soccer, be on the land, and fight for what she believes in. She’s passionate about many issues, including protecting her homelands from threats like climate change and extractive industries. She believes in supporting the rights of all oppressed people; women, people of color, LGBTQ+, and the homeless.