Ms. Vera K. Metcalf

Eskimo Walrus Commission, Kawerak, Inc.

Ms. Vera K. Metcalf was born and raised in Savoonga on St. Lawrence Island and has been the Director of Eskimo Walrus Commission since 2002 which represents 19 coastal Alaska Native communities to promote community involvement in research, documenting indigenous knowledge, and co-management of the Pacific walrus population. Ms. Metcalf represents EWC in various forums such as Indigenous Peoples' Council on Marine Mammals, Special Advisor on Native Affairs-Marine Mammal Commission, and a member of the Inuit Circumpolar Council Executive Committee and Alaska board. She is also the Bering Strait Commissioner for the US Department of State, facilitating travel between Chukotka, Russia and the Bering Strait region of Alaska. Ms. Metcalf is a strong advocate for the subsistence lifestyles of Arctic indigenous peoples, and passionate about strengthening Indigenous languages and cultures.